Lake Sidney Lanier spans nearly 700 miles of shoreline with water levels that fluctuate seasonally, typically reaching their highest points in late spring. Summer temperatures at Lake Lanier campgrounds regularly exceed 90°F between June and August, creating high demand for waterfront campsites. Fall camping offers more moderate temperatures in the 70s with colorful foliage throughout the surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest areas.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bald Ridge Creek Campground offers excellent deer spotting throughout the year. "We come here often, as it's only a 35 minute drive from home!" writes one camper at Bald Ridge Creek, who noted the campground's lakeside sites provide "access to the water" with well-maintained facilities.
Kayaking on quiet coves: Launch directly from waterfront sites at several campgrounds during weekdays when boat traffic is minimal. At Duckett Mill, "The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks," notes a visitor who appreciated the "huge beach area" nearby.
Beach swimming: Multiple campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with varying amenities. River Forks Park features "access to both the lake and some playgrounds" according to one camper who mentioned the park is "really nice" despite some "questionable road edges" that require careful navigation.
Hiking trails: Don Carter State Park offers multiple trail options beyond typical lake activities. "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there's even a canoe trail!" writes a visitor who appreciated the "well maintained" grounds and clean bath houses.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers prioritize lakefront camping with direct water access. At Old Federal, visitors praise the spacious sites: "This is without a doubt the nicest campground we've stayed at. Most spots are on the water. They also have nicely mowed grass and some trees. Campground is VERY clean. Nice level spots also."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance varies across the lake system, with county-operated facilities generally receiving higher marks. At River Forks Park & Campground, visitors note the "nice and quite campground on Lake Lanier that's not a COE campground. Easy to navigate and locate the sites. All have water views, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills."
Boat accessibility: Several campgrounds offer direct boat access or nearby launches. Shoal Creek Campground features sites with "mini beach areas" where "you camp right on Lake Lanier and most of the campsites have a mini beach area. Our particular campsite had a nice big area with beach and firepit down by the water."
Playground amenities: Families appreciate designated children's play areas at select campgrounds. Sawnee Campground provides "water and electrical hookups at the sites, with comfort and dump stations are nearby for your convenience" and "a beach and boat launch guests can enjoy many water activities."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloping terrain requiring equipment for RV leveling. At Bolding Mill, "Almost all the campsites are on lake lanier some are heavily wooded beautiful views and nice lake breezes only ptoblem I saw was there are only 2 bathroom sites so choose campsite accordingly."
Varying alcohol policies: Enforcement of alcohol restrictions varies by campground management. Shoal Creek Campground receives mixed reviews regarding maintenance, with one camper noting: "When I visited Shoal creek camp ground, I was greatly disappointed. There was trash every where, the bathrooms were disgusting."
Road navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger RVs. One camper at Old Federal warned: "After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight. We practiced and discussed the best way to get out. When the time came we had a heck of a time getting the RV turned."
Seasonal closures: While several campgrounds remain open year-round, others close during winter months. A camper at Bolding Mill noted they "already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted. I can't wait to get back to Georgia!"
Tips for camping with families
Beach accessibility: Select sites near designated swimming areas for easiest access with children. At Margaritaville, "The campsite was perfect and clean. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The resort was immaculate," writes a camper who enjoyed the resort-style amenities.
Playground proximity: Request sites near playgrounds to minimize walking with small children. At Shady Grove Campground, "We tent camped for about a week, wildlife especially deer was abundant. Playground was close to site. Area was huge and well spaced between sites."
Water safety considerations: Some campsites have steep drop-offs to water requiring extra supervision. A visitor to Don Carter State Park noted, "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."
Avoiding busy periods: Weekday stays often provide quieter experiences with fewer boaters on the water. A camper at Don Carter State Park commented on their "Annual Memorial Day Trip" noting "We love this camp ground! Its fairly new, probably under 12 years, and everything is so clean and well taken care of."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Many RVers recommend checking online photos and reviews before booking specific sites. At Sawnee, "We've been to this campground three times already. Love it. We had a site right on the lake. Did fishing, kids went swimming! Beautiful opening your door and seeing water. Sites pretty level."
Hookup considerations: Several campgrounds offer water and electric but limited sewer connections. At Bald Ridge Creek, one camper noted their appreciation for the value: "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."
Turnaround space: Check site diagrams carefully as some loops have limited maneuvering room. A visitor at Old Federal recommended: "We did some driving around to pick out our favorite spots. We stayed at spot #71 which is without a doubt the nicest spot in the whole campground."
Seasonal availability: Fall and spring offer better availability for prime sites. One camper at Don Carter State Park advised: "Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit. Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it!"
