Cabin camping near Lakemont, Georgia offers lakeside accommodations at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet in the northeast Georgia mountains. The region experiences mild temperatures in spring and fall with summer highs typically reaching the mid-80s. Water features are prominent throughout the area with the Tallulah River providing recreational opportunities directly accessible from several cabin locations.
What to do
Hiking the gorge trails: Access over 20 miles of trails directly from River Campground, where many trails connect to the larger Tallulah Gorge system. "Beautifully secluded" with "covered tent sites made it easy to camp in the rain," according to visitors who appreciate the all-weather access to nearby hiking routes.
Waterfall exploration: Unicoi State Park & Lodge serves as an excellent base for visiting multiple waterfalls. "There are more beautiful waterfalls within an hour than I can count," notes one camper who stays at Unicoi specifically for waterfall adventures. The park itself features Trahlyta Falls and is just 3 miles from Anna Ruby Falls.
River tubing: Float the Tallulah River directly from cabin sites at River Falls at the Gorge. "The river is perfect for tubing," mentions a review, while another notes that "everyday the river changes because of the dam upstream," creating varied water experiences from "almost a trickle" to "almost a whitewater adventure although still safe for tubing."
What campers like
Secluded primitive options: Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground offers primitive sites with more privacy than standard cabins. "We stayed in one of the tent-only, walk-in sites... Once we got to our site, it was awesome. Other campsites could barely be seen through the woods so it felt very private and secluded." These sites include bear boxes at each location.
Cabin variety: From rustic to full-service, cabin options vary widely in amenities and location. "We stayed in the River Chalet which was very comfortable for our family of 4," reports a visitor at River Campground, while another camper at Oconee State Park Campground mentions that "there was air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 full kitchen, 1 full bathroom, and a fire place."
Lakeside accommodations: Many cabins offer direct water access. "Most campsites have views of the lake and access directly to the stoney beaches," notes a visitor to Tugaloo State Park Campground. A common benefit is the ability to "kayak right from campsite" as mentioned by multiple reviewers.
What you should know
Cabin reservation timing: Book well in advance, especially for summer and fall. At Tugaloo State Park "it's very popular in summer and reservations are necessary. When we were there there was a heated dispute between two families over who had reserved a site!"
Terrain challenges: The mountainous setting means steep terrain at many sites. "It should go without saying but nothing here is flat," reports a Black Rock Mountain camper, while another mentions "the road is a steep grade up to the campground" with several overlooks on the way.
Site spacing variations: Cabin privacy differs significantly between locations. A Tugaloo visitor notes: "You are packed in, sites close together. I usually love State Parks for the privacy. Not the case at this park." In contrast, Oconee State Park provides more separation: "There are multiple cabins scattered around the lake but they are a good distance apart from each other."
Tips for camping with families
Water-based activities: Unicoi State Park offers family-friendly water options with "a swimming beach also exists on the park's 22 acre picturesque lake" and boat rentals available during summer months at reasonable rates.
Child-friendly amenities: Recreation facilities beyond standard playgrounds are available at some locations. "The campground itself has an indoor and outdoor pool. A clubhouse, a basketball court and playground equipment," reports a River Falls at the Gorge camper.
Cabin selection for kids: Choose cabins based on specific family needs. "We got site A10 right by the Tallulah River. Loved the river right behind us," mentions a River Falls visitor, while a Tallulah Gorge camper suggests: "If you are tent camping down below from the RV spots which is nice. Showers bathrooms and water easy access from the tent primitive camping."
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Many cabin and RV areas have tight access roads. At Tugaloo State Park, a camper warns: "Not big rig friendly. I have a 43ft 5th Wheel and it was very tight navigating through the park."
Sewer connections: Full hookup availability varies by location. A River Falls visitor notes an important consideration: "The sewer hook up went uphill to drain. It drained still but very slowly. Luckily there was some logs by it to help elevate the hose."
Site leveling considerations: Black Rock Mountain presents particular challenges, with sites that are "terraced off because it's very steep terrain." A visitor to Tugaloo mentions that their site was "a pull through that was a bit short for us" despite being in a desirable lakeside location.
