R. Shaefer Heard Campground provides prime waterfront camping with spacious sites set in wooded areas. Most sites feature concrete pads that accommodate larger RVs, though length restrictions apply for units over 25 feet. The campground maintains water and electrical hookups year-round with some sites offering seclusion through natural forest barriers. Gates lock at 10 PM sharp with no entry until 8 AM, requiring campers to plan accordingly.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling from your site: At R. Shaefer Heard Campground, many waterfront sites offer direct lake access. "Tent Campers Delight - We had spot 96 and we tent camped. The spot was recommended in another review and it was wonderful. Right beside the water so the kids were able to play in the water most of the time," notes Justin W.
Hiking on maintained trails: Franklin D Roosevelt State Park features multiple well-marked trails directly accessible from camping areas. "Many gorgeous hiking trails, several starting from the camping area. The visitor center has a real cool shop and the staff are always friendly and helpful," says Katie A. The trails accommodate various skill levels with shaded routes throughout.
Wildlife watching: Amity Campground offers a nature trail with marsh boardwalks ideal for wildlife observation. "There is a nature trail within the campground that leads to a marsh where there are duck, owl, and bluebird nest boxes. There's a good chance you'll see turtles and frogs. There are also benches for birding," explains Dorraine S. The trail connects to a two-mile hiking loop through the woods.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Whitetail Ridge Campground receives praise for site spacing. "Sites were spread out nicely and taken care of. Gates close for cars at 10pm and reopen at 7am. Felt safe," reports Des L. Many sites provide direct lake access with gradual slopes to the water.
Water access for fishing: Campsites at many dog friendly campgrounds near LaGrange feature direct water access. "We had a private campsite, woods on both sides and we couldn't see any other campers. The lake views were really nice, easy access to the water with our kayaks and floats," shares Jennifer M. about Holiday Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Pine Mountain RV Resort offers a complete pool complex with facilities for various ages. "The campground is very clean and has a great pool area. The pool area has a kids pool and hot tub along with the regular inground pool," notes Aaron C. The resort provides both paved and unpaved sites depending on location within the facility.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Facilities at pet-friendly campgrounds around LaGrange range from modern to primitive. "The bathhouses are something out of a post-apocalyptic travel journal— rusted fixtures, broken tiles, and enough cockroaches and spiders to start a nature documentary," reports Denis P. about R. Shaefer Heard, while Pyne Road Park gets mixed reviews: "bathrooms and property is not very clean but still nice. People that work here very polite," according to Tamara S.
Summer heat considerations: Prepare for hot conditions during peak months. "I will admit my review is tainted because we were here in July and it was HOT! The saving grace was the big tree in our campsite (116) and the ability to float in the water," explains Suzy E. about camping at R. Shaefer Heard Campground.
Cell service challenges: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon was weak over most of the property talk and text ok but data not so much," notes a camper at R. Shaefer Heard. Starlink users face additional challenges: "if the lake is high, the shoreline disappears, and with it, any chance of a clear shot to the sky. Reception through the trees was very poor."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Franklin D Roosevelt State Park provides multiple recreation options for children. "My four kids and I had a blast at FDR state park. They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing. We camped in campground 5 and from where our site was we could see the playground," explains Joshua H.
Group camping options: Holiday Campground offers dedicated group areas for extended family gatherings. "We had one of the group sites that had 10 spots total, and used the 5 trailer sites. Our whole family camped out there and enjoyed the close proximity to each other's site. They're right across from a larger shower house on one side and the waters edge on the other," describes Jeremy N.
Water safety considerations: Many campsites feature sloping shorelines of varying steepness. "Our site was in a cove with limited views of the lake," notes Suzy E. about R. Shaefer Heard, while others mention that water access points vary significantly in quality: "The lake is down right now because they are repairing the dam so it was fun to walk along the banks."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Three Creeks Campground, full hookups include 50-amp service, but site quality varies. "The sites were not too close together, so that is a plus. A lot of full time residents, but mostly a quiet in-the-woods location. They have a mini water park, so expect some playtime noises during operation hours," advises Christopher H.
Level sites available: Many campgrounds offer concrete pads that minimize setup time. "Most all are concrete pads and level but if your camper is over 25' or so length may cause a problem," warns a camper at R. Shaefer Heard Campground, highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions before booking.
Dump station access: While most campgrounds near LaGrange lack sewer hookups at individual sites, they maintain dump stations. "We had 30 & 50 amp electric hookups and water. There are no sewer hookups at the sites but they do have dump stations," confirms Bryan D. about Holiday Campground. Some campers recommend portable waste tanks for extended stays.
