Tent campsites near Hiawassee, Georgia sit at elevations between 1,700 and 4,800 feet in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The region experiences temperature variations with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows that can drop below freezing at higher elevations. Camping options range from free dispersed sites with minimal facilities to established campgrounds with vault toilets, with many locations requiring high-clearance vehicles for access.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: High Shoals Falls trail near Indian Grave Gap Campsite offers swimming options during summer months. "Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole," notes a camper who visited with their group.
Tubing opportunities: Helen's tubing companies operate at the base of the mountain near some campsites. A camper at Low Gap mentioned, "Long drive up mountain just outside of Helen. But does have both of Helen's tubing companies right at bottom of Hill."
Stargazing: Clear mountain nights provide excellent viewing conditions. At Wildcat 2, a visitor observed, "Great stargazing, lots of trees/shade and hammock spots. Hang your food and pack out your trash!"
Creek exploration: Most campsites feature creek access with natural rock pools. At Bristol Fields Horse Camp, a camper shared, "A nice feature someone created was a 'dam' of rocks with a round pool to sit in."
What campers like
Natural rock water slides: The Wildcat Creek area features a natural rock water slide for cooling off. A visitor to Wildcat Creek Campground #2 Upper shared, "The water is crystal clear and cool and best of all, there is a cool water slide for adults and kids to have fun and cool off with."
Multiple access routes: Several sites offer varied approach options for different vehicle types. A motorcyclist at Indian Grave Gap noted, "There are three routes up the mountain so you never have to double back. There are more primitive sites at the top of the mountain on both sides of the fork."
Creek-side camping spots: Many sites feature water proximity as a major appeal. At Raven Cliff Falls, one visitor explained, "We camped along the creek at one of these sites. We absolutely loved being by the creek, and a lot of the sites are spread out to give a good bit of privacy."
Group-friendly spaces: Large clearings accommodate multiple tents at several locations. At Wildcat 1, a camper noted it's "a fantastic drive-in/hike-in! I've stayed at this location plenty of times. Located on Dawnsonville's WMA, there are plenty of sites to drive in to or walk in to."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain. A visitor to Low Gap Creek warned, "The road to get in was a bit bumpy but I was in no hurry. To get to the other side you must drive through the river on the road that passes through it. When I went it was about 2-3 inches deep and moving quickly."
Limited navigation: GPS may fail in remote areas. A camper at Wildcat advised, "Your navigation might stop randomly, but keep going and you'll find plenty of pull offs to set up camp. I would recommend triple checking the temperatures because it is a bit high in elevation."
Bear precautions: Active bear populations require proper food storage. At Raven Cliff Falls, a camper reported, "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."
Campsite layout confusion: Some areas have complex site arrangements. One Raven Cliff Falls visitor explained, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Natural water features provide entertainment for children. At Wildcat, families appreciate that "it tends to be cooler in temps in the summer because of the shade and higher elevation. It's about as far south as you can go and still get that nice cool NC shaded air."
Accessible tent sites: Look for drive-up options with shorter walks. At Deep Gap Shelter on the AT, visitors noted, "Great shelter with close water access, Bear box for food storage, and a fire pit. Kept us dry in the rain!"
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have better sound isolation than others. At Low Gap Creek, a camper observed, "The views were amazing and it was far enough removed from everything that only nature sounds are heard at night."
Storage solutions: Many sites offer bear boxes or cables to secure food. A visitor to Raven Cliff Falls explained, "Cross the bridge, you can continue straight down the gravel road that reads 'Dead End' or turn left into the parking lot which is a loop... Behind the parking lot there are quite a few campsites."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most forest roads in the area cannot accommodate large rigs. A visitor with a small RV at Raven Cliff Falls noted, "We stayed in the parking lot in our small rig. (Under 26 ft) we had our super quiet generator running and had no issues."
Parking limitations: Few sites offer pull-through options for trailers. At Wildcat #2, a camper advised, "Spots are huge and spread out, great for groups as multiple cars and tents can easy fit. Makeshift fire rings and tent spots are at most sites."
Water crossings: Some campgrounds require traversing streams. A Low Gap Creek visitor cautioned, "I didn't dare go to the other side, but there was a smaller, low riding car who made it over, if they make back I don't know."
