D
Dan B.
Scout
ScoutSouth Cove County Park
Best camping site ever!
This camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
Camping near Lavonia, GA
259 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The region surrounding Lavonia, Georgia features multiple campground options situated on Lake Hartwell's shoreline. Tugaloo State Park Campground serves as a prominent destination with sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Lake Hartwell State Park, Twin Lakes, and Paynes Creek campgrounds provide additional water-oriented camping areas within a 15-mile radius of downtown Lavonia. These established campgrounds generally include electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, with many offering direct lake views and boat launches.
Campground amenities vary significantly between locations, with most sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilet facilities. "This is a large campground with multiple boat launches and easy access to Lake Hartwell. Well maintained bath houses and friendly staff," noted one visitor about Tugaloo State Park. The camping season extends year-round at many locations, though some sites like Springfield-Hartwell Lake operate seasonally from April through October. Summer months bring higher temperatures and humidity, making waterfront sites particularly desirable for swimming and boating activities. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and holidays.
Waterfront camping opportunities represent a significant draw throughout the area, with several campgrounds offering direct lake access. Campsites in the first loop at Tugaloo State Park (sites 1-26) receive particular praise for their lake views and quieter atmosphere compared to the more densely arranged sites in other sections. One camper highlighted that "over half the sites have a view of the lake or are on the lake." Many campgrounds provide boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing access. Beyond water recreation, the area serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions including Toccoa Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and the town of Helen. Wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and tennis courts supplement the primarily lake-focused recreation options at several parks.
Best Campgrounds near Lavonia (259)
1. Tugaloo State Park Campground
"Lowing the away from it all atmosphere of Wildlife, peace and quiet and water. This is your campground. Dever fishing, nature all in one relaxing place."
"It has multiple boat launches with easy access to Lake Hartwell. Well maintained bath houses. Friendly staff and camp hosts. We stayed in the first loop with sites 1-26. "
from $27 - $265 / night
Check Availability2. Lake Hartwell State Park Campground
"We stayed at Lake Hartwell State park in stie 98 which was a lovely lakeside site. The sites on either side (96, 99) all shared a path to a small beach with lake access. "
"We are big fans of space between neighbors and noticed right away that these sites are rather close to one another. The views helped make the closeness bearable."
3. Victoria Bryant State Park Campground
"I started looking to see if there was an RV park nearby and found Victoria Bryant State Park just 10 miles away. We called and there were vacancies. We GPS’d our way over, and I."
"We stayed on one of the platform sites for the trip, but walking around we found that nearly all of the sites look great!"
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availability4. Thousand Trails Carolina Landing
"I didn't really sleep well because it was 1. cold and 2. it is close to the highway so we could hear cars and trucks driving by at night. Maybe we just picked the wrong campsite."
"Access to the water at the park but didn't see a boat launch."
5. Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell
"Most, but not all, sites have lake views. During the time of our visit, only one area was open for camping (sites 25-58). "
"Very close to grocery store and dining. Fantastic water views and warm lake water. Boats in the distance, and we had our own private swimming spot with steps into the water."
from $36 - $76 / night
Check Availability6. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground
"Tallulah Gorge is located in the far north east corner of Georgia. The campground is pretty tight, and difficult to maneuver with a large RV."
"It’s perfectly situated to visit all the cute towns in northern Georgia and they have well maintained sites, hiking trails, and a swim beach not far."
from $36 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. Springfield - Hartwell Lake
"Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers."
"Many sites have a tent pad, are very level packed gravel/sand and well situated with very few having very close neighbors. "
from $38 - $76 / night
Check Availability8. Sadlers Creek State Park Campground
"Awesome views over lake Hartwell. Nice sized sites, could be a little more level. Needed to slightly block up rear of out class A to get level."
"Close proximity to bathhouse. Wind was a big deal our first day. Temps dropped the weekend we camped and the wind coming off the lake made it much colder."
9. Coneross Park Campground - South Carolina
"Lots of room for walking. Beautiful and peaceful trees on the lake."
"Site was in a hill looking down at the lake. Large tent site that easily fit two 4 person tents as well as a picnic table and fire pit."
from $26 - $76 / night
Check Availability10. Paynes Creek Campground
"We had a great place next to the beach and the gate workers were so sweet!"
"On lake Hartwell. “Beach” access. Bath houses. Playground. Gravel spots, spacious. Closed November to February. We love to go here just to get away!"
Drive Time
- 46 min from Athens, GA
- 50 min from Greenville, SC
- 50 min from Gainesville, GA
Recent Camping Photos near Lavonia, GA
513 Photos of 259 Lavonia Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tugaloo State Park Campground
Lake Hartwell State Park Campground
Pap's Glamp on Lake Hartwells
Paynes Creek CampgroundL
Thousand Trails Carolina Landing
Victoria Bryant State Park Campground
Watsadler
Sadlers Creek State Park Campground
Springfield - Hartwell Lake
Coneross Park Campground - South Carolina
Big Water Marina & RV Park
The Point at Lake Hartwell
Recent Reviews near Lavonia, GA
1432 Reviews of 259 Lavonia Campgrounds
sara S.ScoutRock Springs RV Park
Great bath house!
This rv park is limited in some ways. There's a club house that's more like a small child's play room, and the play ground has a basketball hoop but no court. However it does offer a small laundry room. The bath house is great! Always clean and stocked, it has good AC/heat, a big spacious shower, hooks for towels and a little table to put your shower stuff on. My least favorite about the park is that pretty much ALL of the sites are under constant sun until it drops behind the trees in the evening which makes the RV super hard to keep cool during the day
- RRichard A.
RangerSarah's Creek Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Very remote, with challenging access road.
The campground is VERY remote with challenging access. We have a 4x4 pickup and still not sure how comfortable we would be attempting to take our 21' travel trailer to it.
I'll estimate that the access road is a very rough 4-5 miles and while it starts out as paved the road becomes packed dirt (red clay) and quickly narrows and winds through the hills at a sometimes steep incline. The opportunities to pull over should someone approach from the other direction are few and would mean a lengthy backup for someone. Not sure I would recommend the road in a passenger vehicle.
The campsites we visited were nice and well trimmed, many were creekfront and there were bear-proof trash receptacles and vault toilets. Each site also had a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.
During our visit it was peaceful and mostly empty.
- RRichard A.Ranger
Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground
Beautiful park with plenty to do....but campground had a few shortcomings.
We stayed on site #25 in early August but due to the elevation the weather was mild.
There were plenty of activities to keep us busy at the park and the staff was friendly and helpful.
One thing that surprised us and worth mentioning is that even though the park is massive, the campground appears to have been an afterthought as it, and the sites are generally very small. It would be nice to see them expand it and make the changes to increase the size of sites.
Also, as we have seen at other parks kids on e-bikes is becoming a real problem and safety concern. Young children, many not wearing helmets, continually racing around the campground with no regard for speed limits or traffic signs. It is a recipe for an injury or an unfortunate fatality.
Hopefully parks will begin addressing this issue.
Tylor C.
GuideSoggy Boot Campground
Great secluded spot
The spot I found wasn’t the same site I heard in the reviews. It was a peaceful stay near a creek. It looked like an opening on the other side of the creek if you crossed it but I wasn’t about that life that night lol it was late.
- Brittany T.Guide
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
Wonderful place
We have been here a few times and love it. The hosts are kind and check on everyone throughout the day. There is a lot of room between the camp sites. There is a lot to do in the area. The bathrooms are clean and grounds well maintained.
- Brittany T.Guide
River Falls at the Gorge
Perfect for families with childern
We have been to this location several times and never had a bad experience. The staff are wonderful. The grounds are well maintained. The environment is beautiful. Kids are safe and there is a lot for everyone to do.
Taylor H.RangerFort Yargo State Park Campground
Lakefront Overlook
We stayed at Site #45, and it quickly became one of our favorite campsites because it felt more like a wooded overlook, perched above the lake. The breeze coming off the water kept us comfortable enough to enjoy a campfire even on a hot August evening.
The site fit our 14x10 tent comfortably, but I wouldn’t recommend anything larger. There isn’t a true tent pad, and you’ll notice the slope while sleeping—but the view from inside the tent was priceless. We experienced a four-hour thunderstorm and didn’t have any standing water at our site afterward.
⚠️ The slope becomes much steeper near the shoreline, so I wouldn’t recommend this site for toddlers or anyone with mobility concerns.
🛝 Our 7-year-old loved fishing from the shoreline and thought the steep slope made the perfect slide to get back down to the water. Built-in slide + dirty shorts = happy camper. 😂
🔥 The site includes a clean fire ring with an adjustable cooking grate and a separate standing charcoal grill.
🦟 We didn’t have any issues with mosquitoes during our stay.
🚰 The shared water pump wasn’t working during our visit.
🚽 The bathhouse was spacious, clean, and only a short walk away.
🚗 A community wagon is parked near the bathhouse for campers to use when hauling gear between their vehicle and campsite. Loved that!
A few tips:
🪵 The Visitor Center sells $6 bundles of firewood and has a nice selection of souvenirs.
🐜 Plenty of flies and large ants, so keep your food put away and your tent zipped.
🪲 Cicadas were loud at night. I loved it, but our 7-year-old slept with his wireless headphones on. If you’re a light sleeper, you may want to pack earplugs if you’re camping here June-August.
🎣 We caught more bluegill fishing from our campsite than we did from the fishing dock.
🌅 If you’re looking for one of the best views in the campground and don’t mind sleeping on a slight incline, Site #45 is well worth considering.
- RRichard A.Ranger
Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful park with outstanding staff.
Enjoyed a week long stay in late July, being at a higher elevation the weather was great. Sunny and comfortable during the day and cool crisp evenings in the 60's.
The access road is a bit steep but wasn't too bad for our RAM 4x4 pulling a 21 ft. trailer.
There are some larger sites but many of them are on the short side so be sure to confirm it will be deep enough for your needs before reserving.
I have to give a big kudos for the volunteer camp hosts on site, one night at dark there was a storm/tornada watch issues and the hosts and park ranger went to every site and advised everyone to seek shelter in the bathhouses.
The storm passed in about an hour and everyone was safe, but it is GREAT to know that the staff responded in a professional manner to assure everyone's safety.
Loved our stay, everyone was friendly and pleasant, hope we can get back again soon.
Guide to Lavonia
Tent sites at Lake Hartwell State Park Campground sit directly on the waterfront with dedicated beaches for many sites. The shoreline offers varying access options, from stepped terraces at sites 1-26 in Tugaloo to private sandy beaches in Twin Lakes. Camping options range from basic tent-only platforms at Victoria Bryant to full-hookup RV sites at Carolina Landing. Most campgrounds operate year-round, though Paynes Creek closes from November through February, allowing summer visitors to take advantage of multiple swimming beaches.
What to do
Waterfront activities at beaches: Twin Lakes offers multiple designated swimming areas with playgrounds adjacent to the water. "We spent most of the day there, and the weather (late August) was perfect! The playground is big, but the kids MOST enjoyed the 'rock slide' in the creek," wrote one visitor about Victoria Bryant State Park's creek swimming spot.
Trail exploration at Tallulah Gorge: The 1,000+ stairs leading to the canyon floor provide a challenging day hike. "Taking in Goat on the roof, just a short distance down the road as a touristy stop must see!!" recommends a Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground visitor. The suspension bridge crossing offers unique views of the cascading falls.
Golfing near campsites: Victoria Bryant features a golf course directly adjacent to camping areas. "If you're a golfer, there is a BEAUTIFUL golf course here as well!" notes a visitor to Victoria Bryant State Park Campground. Many campers combine a weekend of camping with morning tee times at the state park course.
What campers like
Private lake access points: Many sites at Twin Lakes offer direct water entry from individual campsites. "Able to kayak right from campsite. Campground has over 100 sites. None of the lake front were bad, some were low level, some had fenced railing with a little drop," reports a Tugaloo State Park Campground visitor.
Covered tent platforms: Victoria Bryant offers unique sheltered tent platforms with electricity. "All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry)," explains one regular visitor who considers it their most frequented camping spot.
Level, spacious camping pads: Springfield's sites accommodate larger setups with room to spread out. "Site was in a hill looking down at the lake. Large tent site that easily fit two 4 person tents as well as a picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of trees to put up hammocks," notes a visitor to Coneross Park Campground.
What you should know
Site reservation strategy: Waterfront sites book quickly, especially in summer months. "A great campground. Lots of spacious campsites. Lots of choices. We were lakeside on a pull through that was a bit short for us. The site was amazing we could kayak up to our site," reports a Tugaloo visitor. Reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance for peak season.
Variable shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer full bath facilities. "The bath houses are well kept but many of the sites are far away. The roads are wide and easily navigable for the most part, but in a couple areas very tight turns are necessary (sites 39-52)," notes a Coneross camper about the facilities.
Shoreline conditions vary: Lake levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting water access. "Some sites have little beaches for access to the water. Others have rocks if you want to make your way down those. Mine had rocks covered with wire that's been cut or broken so wasn't taking my chances there," explains a Springfield - Hartwell Lake camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple lake campgrounds feature playgrounds near beaches. "The campground doesn't offer much in way of amenities, but you'll forget about that once you set up camp and relax by the campfire, roasting a s'more while watching the sun set over the lake," explains a visitor about Coneross Park's simple but effective family setup.
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Twin Lakes provides shallow entry points ideal for younger children. "We swam almost all day every day we were here. The lake is beautiful, there are plenty of places to swim, and tons of shoreline to explore. The playground is very nice," shares a Sadlers Creek State Park Campground visitor.
Nature programming: Some parks offer seasonal ranger activities for children. "The park was clean and the personnel was friendly and helpful. We had to leave that morning, but are looking forward to going back and discovering more about it. What a happy surprise Victoria Bryant State Park was," mentions a visitor who unexpectedly discovered the park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some lakefront sites require significant leveling equipment. "I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling. That was a first for us, and hope we never have to do that again. The hill getting up to our site was steep," cautions a visitor to Thousand Trails Carolina Landing.
Campground navigation: Several campgrounds have tight interior roads. "The lower section of the park is tight and can be difficult to get into a site, roads are very narrow," notes a Carolina Landing visitor. Similarly, another RVer warns, "When you enter the park make sure you stay to the left of the sign. We made the mistake of going straight our first time at this park and almost lost our 5th wheel at the turn around by the lake."
Utility hookup locations: Water and electric locations can vary widely between sites. "No sewer hookups but water, electric and cable tv connections. No sites with sewer, but dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out," explains a Tugaloo camper about the campground facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lavonia, GA?
What camping is available near Lavonia, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lavonia, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 259 campgrounds and RV parks near Lavonia, GA and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lavonia, GA?
Which is the most popular campground near Lavonia, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lavonia, GA is Tugaloo State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lavonia, GA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lavonia, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Lavonia, GA.
What parks are near Lavonia, GA?
What parks are near Lavonia, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Lavonia, GA that allow camping, notably Hartwell Lake and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
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