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Camping near Hiawassee, Georgia encompasses a range of options from lakeside sites to mountain retreats within the Chattahoochee National Forest. The area features several established campgrounds including Bald Mountain Camping Resort and Enota Mountain Retreat directly in Hiawassee, with Vogel State Park and Unicoi State Park within a short drive. Lake Chatuge provides waterfront camping at Jackrabbit Mountain just across the North Carolina border. Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest peak at 4,784 feet, is visible from several campgrounds and offers hiking opportunities nearby. According to reviews, many sites provide direct access to water features: "Our site was a back-in right on the Hiawassee River," noted one camper at Riverbend Campground.
Most campgrounds in the Hiawassee area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Jackrabbit Mountain is typically open from May to September, while Bald Mountain Camping Resort operates from April 1 to November 1. Summer months bring warm, humid conditions with temperatures averaging 75-85°F, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures ideal for camping. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few year-round facilities like Vogel State Park. The mountainous terrain can make access challenging for larger RVs on some of the narrower roads. As one visitor noted, "It does take a bit of work to get here as some of the 2-lane roads make for challenging driving pulling a large 5th wheel, but it can be done if you exercise care."
The camping experiences vary widely from full-service RV resorts to primitive sites. RV campers will find numerous options with full hookups, while tent campers can choose between developed campgrounds with amenities or more secluded spots. Water recreation is a significant draw, with Lake Chatuge offering swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. The Hiawassee River provides additional water activities with several campgrounds situated along its banks. The Appalachian Trail passes nearby, creating opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. For specialty camping, the Top of Georgia Airstream Park caters exclusively to Airstream owners, offering full hookups, WiFi, and a clubhouse between Hiawassee and Helen.
"Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."
"Vogel State Park is hands down one of the nicest parks in Georgia. It has great hiking trails for every level of hiker, and a very beautiful lake that's great for fishing and paddling."
from $30 - $290 / night
Check Availability"The tent camp site was good, bathrooms and water were a close walking distance.
We picked this state park for all the activities. We took archery lessons and did the zip line course.""Nestled in pristine North Georgia mountains. Good for single, family or even group campers. Close to a wonderful Bavarian town know as Helen Georgia."
"Great campground surrounded by the beauty of the North Georgia mountains. Also a working horse farm so be sure and schedule a guided horseback ride. Full hookup sites that are private."
"Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."
"We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."
"The highest state park in Georgia has two general camping sections with power and water (and free cable if you're so inclined to hook up to watch TV)."
from $20 - $255 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in site 5 which is close to bathrooms but not too close. We had a beautiful view of the lake and our site was right next to the river."
"Its right next to the trout hatchery and Lake Burton so you have great access to recreation on the water."
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I would recommend this campground to anyone.Its not far from Hiawassee GA and is right on Lake Chatuge."
"Was there for 2 nights lakeside, no power or water. There is a few water stations located throughout. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Great views! Groceries in Hiawassee just a quick drive away."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"For a small fee you can play mini golf or rent a paddle boat or kayak for use in the private lake."
"We stayed in Lakefront Cabin C09 across from the lake. The campground was very quiet with no road noises and such, and we had a beautiful view of the mountains surrounding the campground."
"We stayed at the adult tent site 74 which is really close to one of the waterfalls."
"The spot we were in was really close to the store and had a nice deck with a picnic table."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"Raven Cliff Falls is another popular spot in Northeast Georgia. Its on one one of the most scenic highways and s in a great location if you want to venture into Helen, Brasstown, Bald, or Hiawassee."
"There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends. There is water and bathroom access."
"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
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ScoutWhatever person or group of persons designed the campground were clueless as to how to develop a campground. Sites are packed in the most preposterous configuration to have tents, trailers motorhomes all jammed together nearly touching each other with zero privacy. Come for the hikes and views of the gorge but come with the lowest expectations for the campground and you’ll be fine
TravelerFantastic National Park! Elkmont is really nice but lacking in hookups and there are no showers. Hard to stay too long without power, water, sewer and showers. Still, an amazing site along the river!
TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
GuideA sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
ScoutWalk to trail sites, clean bathrooms, sites close together…water and electric at site. Sites are sloped gravel.
GuideVery nice spot! I imagine it gets full in the summer and on weekends, but just two groups today. Wish we could stay longer. People left a lot of trash at the day use areas sadly but sites were clean. No T-Mobile service.
TravelerWater was very low and poor quality. Host was friendly but don’t buy his wood - it doesn’t burn well. County water tasted funny, probably minimal treatment. We had quite a hike to the restroom, which wasn’t regularly cleaned.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
The camping sites near Hiawassee, Georgia sit within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest at elevations between 1,800-4,700 feet, creating dramatic temperature differences even during summer months. Evening temperatures can drop 15-20°F below daytime highs, requiring campers to pack layers even for July and August trips. Most campgrounds in this region operate on a first-come, first-served basis during weekdays, with reservations strongly recommended for weekend stays.
Hiking to waterfalls: Follow the trail at Moccasin Creek State Park Campground to see Hemlock Falls, a moderate 2-mile round trip hike through cool forest. "Hiking to Hemlock Falls is a must. Even in the hottest days of summertime, the trail is cool. The majority of the trail is right by the bubbling stream," notes a camper. For more adventurous hikers, "From the parking lot you cross the creek 200 yards pass Hemlock and go 3.2 miles to the Upper Hemlock Falls and at the top of the waterfall there's about 3 or 4 camping spots."
Mountain biking: The trail system at Jackrabbit Mountain offers 15 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails for all skill levels just across the North Carolina border. A camper explains, "There is a 1.5 mile connector dirt trail to the Jackrabbit mountain trail system, so no need to ride on the road. It goes parallel to the road and starts at the Y right before entering the campground... The 15 miles of mountain bike trails are absolutely amazing for all skill levels."
Fishing for kids and seniors: Moccasin Creek offers a special fishing program with stocked trout in a designated creek. "They have a stream they stock with trout for kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. This park is a great place to allow kids to get into fishing and feel like they have accomplished something," writes one reviewer. The creek is stocked regularly, making it perfect for beginners.
Water access: Track Rock Campground provides sites with direct creek access, offering natural cooling and soothing sounds. "Our site was tricky for us to back into but we managed and the set up was great with a fire ring, picnic table, potable water and hook up. Also a great view. Nice and quiet site with bathrooms and showers nearby," shares one camper. Another mentions, "We stayed on hilltop section of the campground. Road needs some work sites aren't super level but it was ok."
Secluded tent sites: Black Rock Mountain State Park offers walk-in tent camping sites with significant privacy. "Very beautiful primitive sites. Bear boxes at each campsite. This site was a bit far from parking, so I'd recommend packing your things in a backpack. Beautiful view of Clayton at night," writes one tent camper. Another notes, "The pad was in great shape, flat, clean and plenty large enough for our 9-person tent and all our gear. Other campsites could barely be seen through the woods so it felt very private and secluded."
Fall camping season: October brings cooler temperatures and changing colors to the Hiawassee region, with most campgrounds remaining open through late October or early November. "We spent Memorial Day weekend here. We had a pull through site on the pond. Sites are VERY close together, all gravel with no grass between rigs," writes one camper about Bald Mountain Camping Resort, suggesting spring or fall might offer more comfortable conditions.
Primitive campground considerations: At Raven Cliff Falls, there's no running water except the creek, and no cell service. "For anyone who's never camped at this location, the campsites are located in a few places which isn't listed on the map by the (vault) toilets, no running water other than the creek, and NO CELL SERVICE," warns a camper. They continue with important advice: "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out. So pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag."
High elevation temperature shifts: The high mountain sites can get surprisingly cold at night, even in summer. At Black Rock Mountain, a camper notes: "In the summer when there are leaves and green on all the trees, it's breathtaking with the views. Once the leaves fall off, it's a bit spooky (my interpretation) and can get windy without the leaves."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in the area book up quickly, especially during peak fall color season (mid-October to early November). Vogel State Park regularly fills months in advance for fall weekends. One camper notes that Black Rock Mountain requires planning: "We booked out spot a year in advance to view the beautiful solar eclipse that occurred last year."
Kid-friendly amenities: Unicoi State Park & Lodge offers numerous activities specifically designed for children. "My kids and I went camping at Unicoi Park in the summer and there is plenty to keep them busy. They played in the creek, on the swing set and walked the trail to the swimming section of the lake. The trail isn't too far and it has just enough woods to feel like an old school camp," shares one parent. The park also features ziplines and mountain biking trails suitable for older children.
Creek exploration: Multiple campgrounds feature safe, shallow creeks ideal for children to wade and play in. One camper at Enota Mountain Retreat notes, "Loved this park! The sites are beautiful and there is tons to do nearby," while another adds that "the creek running through the campground was wonderful to sit by."
Accessible fishing spots: Several campgrounds offer easy fishing access appropriate for children. At Moccasin Creek, "this campground is very kid friendly. They have a stream they stock with trout for kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and older," making it perfect for young anglers.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep, winding access roads that require careful navigation. At Trackrock Campground, one RVer warns: "Fifth Wheel Owners BEWARE!!!! Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving. Our camper came in contact with the side of our bed and tailgate multiple times. In the end we suffered a hole busted in our front cap from it hitting the side of the truck."
Site leveling: Many sites in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. "Since this is literally on the top of a beautiful mountain, the sites are close in proximity to each other," notes a camper at Black Rock Mountain. Another mentions that at Jackrabbit Mountain, "Gravel tent site is very large. Picnic table and fire ring. Parking is right above the steps that go down to the tent pad."
Seasonal limitations: Due to mountain weather conditions, RV camping options decrease significantly from December through March. One camper at Moccasin Creek notes: "Sites are fairly close (not as close as KOA), but does not feel cramped. Great spot for fishermen and water sport. Right on Lake Burton. Cool breezes and cool nights."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hiawassee, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hiawassee, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 707 campgrounds and RV parks near Hiawassee, GA and 68 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hiawassee, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hiawassee, GA is Vogel State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 68 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hiawassee, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 68 free dispersed camping spots near Hiawassee, GA.
What parks are near Hiawassee, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Hiawassee, GA that allow camping, notably Nantahala National Forest and Tusquitee National Forest.
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