Fort Mountain State Park is located about 15 miles northwest of Eton, Georgia, at an elevation of 2,850 feet in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The area features several campgrounds with varying terrain, from mountainous landscapes to lakeside settings. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at night, requiring campers to pack extra layers even during summer camping trips.
What to do
Hiking the waterfall trails: Lake Conasauga offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "There are endless trails in the area, a few waterfalls, and overlooks. We walked the trail around it every day," shares michelle J. about Lake Conasauga.
Trout fishing: Hickory Gap Campground provides access to Mill Creek, a stocked trout stream. "Each site is very close to Mill creek which is a stocked trout stream," notes Darrell N. about the fishing opportunities at Hickey Gap.
Swimming at Carter Lake: The lake offers clear water and multiple access points for summer swimming. "We had a nice view of the lake and even went for a swim right from our campsite," reports Randall M., who stayed at Doll Mountain Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Many campgrounds in the Eton area offer well-spaced sites. "The sites are spaced out and it is hard enough to reach that it keeps all the big fifth wheels and buses away," explains Colben F. about Lake Conasauga.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area is known for diverse wildlife encounters. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," shares Shelly C. about her experience at Fort Mountain State Park Campground.
Creek-side camping: Several campgrounds feature sites alongside flowing water. "This campground is very nice with private campsites. Each site is very close to Mill creek," writes Darrell N. about the setting at Hickey Gap Campground.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. "Just be warned, you have to drive over an hour down a gravel road to the campground," cautions Colben F. about reaching Lake Conasauga.
Bear safety precautions: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. "They have bear-proof trash cans and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box," advises Mike H. from his stay at Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA).
Limited bathroom facilities: Primitive campgrounds may have basic or no amenities. "The bathroom was borderline unusable for anything other than the worst of emergencies and even then I would prefer to venture off into the woods and take my chances," warns Nate H. about Hickey Gap.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad amenities: Some campgrounds offer water features for children. "Splash pad, playground, volleyball court and large dog run. Owners are adding sites and continuing to add amenities," writes Brian about 411 River Rest Campground.
Kid-friendly hiking options: Look for trails appropriate for various ages. "The most stroller/limited mobility friendly trails are the lake trail and the Cool Springs overlook," advises Travyl Couple about Fort Mountain State Park.
Beach access for swimming: Several campgrounds provide designated swimming areas. "This campground is great! It has clean bathrooms with showers, fire rings with grill grates, lots of hiking, hike to a beautiful waterfall, huge lake to swim or float on a raft," reports Heather W. about her experience at Chilhowee Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose your campsite based on your specific needs. "Sites 4-9 are well spaced from each other and great for tent campers and families who want their kids to have room to play," recommends Stephanie J. about Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Check what utilities are available at your preferred site. "The camp sites are primitive, but all had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table. All are heavily wooded, but the first ones are less private. All are right on the creek," notes Lori H. about Hickey Gap Campground.
Dump station access: Know where to empty tanks when camping with an RV. "There is only one dump station and it's on the other side of the campground. From the B loop, you have to traverse about a 120 degree switchback to get to it," warns Mike N. about Chilhowee Recreation Area.
