Fort Yargo State Park in Winder sits at approximately 840 feet elevation and borders a 260-acre lake within Georgia's Piedmont region. Located 15 miles southwest of Jefferson, this park offers year-round yurt camping with temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer. The park's trails and campgrounds were established in the early 1980s, providing decades of recreational access.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Fort Yargo State Park features an established disc golf course that provides entertainment for all skill levels. "There is disc golf, nature programs, gift shop, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, and a 260-acre lake offers swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing," notes a visitor who stayed at Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
Swimming beach access: The swimming beach at Fort Yargo provides a designated area for water recreation during warmer months. A recent visitor mentioned, "We were able to walk off of the back of our site and onto the trail system, which is perfect because we are avid hikers" at Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground.
Water sports on Lake Lanier: Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming at the 38,000-acre Lake Lanier, located 20 minutes northeast of Jefferson. "Want a beautiful place to camp for cheap? Try Lake Lanier! Gorgeous campground, concrete pads, water and electric at site. We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too," reports a camper at Bald Ridge Creek.
Mountain hiking excursions: For more challenging terrain, Tallulah Gorge offers spectacular hiking with significant elevation changes. "It is 1099 stairs to the bottom of canyon! Campground was nice. Sites are open and unlevel but most were a good size," shares a visitor about the gorge trail system.
What campers like
Lakefront campsites: Many campers appreciate the waterfront sites available at several parks near Jefferson. "Site 7 is separate from the others and has the whole point except there is a trail behind the site. No easy, sandy water access unless you go to the nice beach they have," notes a camper at Don Carter State Park Campground.
Walk-in tent sites: Fort Yargo offers specialized walk-in tent sites for those seeking more seclusion. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground," shares one reviewer.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe native species. "Very peaceful setting. Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere," mentions a visitor who stayed at Fort Yargo State Park.
Modern facilities: Campgrounds in the region frequently update their amenities. "The bathhouses are extremely nice and the dogs liked the walking area," writes a visitor at Georgia RV Park, while another camper notes, "The bath houses/comfort stations are brand new (including laundry rooms) and the camp hosts keep them spotless!" at Hard Labor Creek.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most yurt accommodations near Jefferson require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "We went to Don Carter mid week after a holiday and the place was pretty empty. While usually that would be a bit weird this park made it one of the most amazing feelings on earth," explains a visitor at Shady Grove Campground, highlighting the advantages of off-peak visits.
Alcohol policies: Some parks have strict rules about alcohol consumption. "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets," warns a Shady Grove visitor.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. A camper at Hard Labor Creek notes, "Cell phone service is very spotty in the park but that is alright with us, camping is about getting AWAY and enjoying the outdoors, not staring at your electronic devices!"
Seasonal considerations: While yurt camping near Jefferson is available year-round, facilities may change seasonally. "The weekend nights were so crowded with cars spilling into the camp roads, loads of large groups at each site. Felt very claustrophobic. On weekdays the park became a (lovely) ghost town," explains a Hard Labor Creek visitor about timing your stay.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: For families with young children, some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love," mentions a reviewer at Shady Grove Campground about their family-friendly amenities.
Beach activities: Several parks feature swimming beaches ideal for family outings. "There is a playground and bathroom facilities with laundry. Sites have water and electric hookups. There is a dump station near entrance. People are always friendly there. We like to kayak to islands, collect rocks and take lots of pictures," shares a visitor at Bald Ridge Creek.
Educational programming: Look for parks offering nature programs suitable for children. "We took in Goat on the roof, just a short distance down the road as a touristy stop must see!!" suggests a Tallulah Gorge visitor, highlighting nearby attractions that complement camping experiences.
Multi-generational accommodations: Some parks offer diverse accommodation types to suit different family members. "We camped with my parents in the RV section of the campground, it was beautifully wooded and offered plenty of space/privacy from other campsites and was still a short walk from the bathhouse," notes a visitor at Stone Mountain Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Many campgrounds require equipment for leveling. "Nice, huge state park with a lake and activities. There are two separate campground loops. We stayed in loop one, site #22. Sites are nice and large, flat (we didn't even need to get out our levels)," shares a Fort Yargo visitor.
Hookup configurations: RV sites offer varying utility connections. "Grey water dumps in numerous places in campground. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through," reports a visitor at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Site selection strategy: Researching specific sites helps secure the best experience. "The host at the front office gave us a different spot that would be easier access to our 40ft 5th wheel. The view is fantastic," explains a Shady Grove visitor about their campsite selection process.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have specific driving routes for large rigs. "Be careful and follow the Campground signs and not your GPS because you might come in a different way and have to navigate an overpass that, for some rigs, is too short!" warns a visitor at Hard Labor Creek State Park.
