Amicalola Falls State Park Camping offers several cabin and tent site options within North Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest at 2,000 feet elevation. The park serves as the southwestern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, with campgrounds providing access to both wooded mountain terrain and the 729-foot waterfall. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at night, requiring proper cold-weather gear even when staying in the park's structures.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Fort Mountain State Park, trails lead to Trahlyta Falls and various other cascades throughout the area. "Wonderful hiking trails with many mountain views. Campgrounds are very family friendly and clean. The little lake is a nice adventure too! They have primitive camping sites and a pioneer camp as well," shares Dana R.
Backcountry lodging: The Len Foote Hike Inn requires a 5-mile hike from Amicalola Falls State Park. "The temperature at the inn is a good 10-15 degrees cooler than Amicalola, which is welcome in the summer heat," notes Anna R. The facility runs 70% on solar power and offers comfortable beds, hot meals, and showers.
Lake activities: At Bald Ridge Creek, campers can swim, fish, and boat on Lake Lanier. "We have stayed here several times now and love it. Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed," writes Christy C.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Woodring Campground on Carters Lake offers direct lake access from many sites. "Site was right on the water, just had to climb down a fairly steep hill... The lake is clear and scenery is awesome. If you have a boat, there is a boat dock and several of the sites you can tie your boat up right next to them," says Stacy D.
Mountain views: At Vogel State Park, campers enjoy scenic mountain landscapes. "We chose a very strenuous trail that delivered on the promise of a beautiful vista looking down on the park and campground," recounts Timothy B. The park sits at 2,500 feet elevation, making it noticeably cooler than surrounding areas.
Wildlife sightings: Many campgrounds in the area host diverse wildlife. "The bears just added to the appeal of this place though. The views here? Amazing. Camping? Amazing! The trails are great, and everything feels spread out," says Shelly C. about Fort Mountain State Park.
What you should know
Camping regulations: Some campgrounds have strict rules. At Shady Grove Campground, alcohol is prohibited and enforced with tickets. "We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00. No warning," warns Rick B.
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevation means temperatures can drop significantly. "Arriving in the dark for the first visit, is a bit confusing in the labyrinth of roadways (some One-way) throughout the campground," says Dave V. about Vogel State Park, which sits at 2,500 feet elevation.
Reservation timing: Red Top Mountain State Park campground fills quickly during peak seasons. "The sites are color coded depending on size and there is even a yurt to rent. We went swimming and hiking. Close to Cartersville to enjoy great restaurants and shopping," mentions Suzy E.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several area campgrounds feature play areas for children. "They loved riding their bikes around in this great family friendly campground," says Rick B. about Shady Grove. Vogel State Park offers "Two separate children's playgrounds... One near a small kids ball field...the other near a very nice volleyball court."
Educational opportunities: McKinney Campground offers chances to observe wildlife and learn about local ecosystems. "We always see deer and other wild life," shares Susan H.
Beach areas: Many lake campgrounds include swimming beaches. "This area is really clean! And for a family that camps a lot that's a big deal. They have a range of camping options. They are either right on the water or about a 100yd walk away," explains Joshua S. about Woodring Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Fort Mountain State Park, choose your site carefully. "There are a lot of hills here so expect this when walking to bath houses from most campsites," notes a reviewer. Most sites have 30/50 amp hookups with water.
Narrow roads: Several campgrounds have challenging access routes. "I had two complaints. We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out and still was not level," shares Mike N. about Fort Mountain State Park.
Size restrictions: Not all glamping near Jasper, Georgia accommodates large RVs. "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. Number 18 does not look hard, but the layout is very difficult to get into. The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper," warns Soren B. about Amicalola Falls State Park.
