Camping options near Lawrenceville, Georgia remain accessible nearly year-round due to the region's mild climate, with average winter lows rarely dropping below 30°F. The area sits at approximately 1,050 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Lake Lanier serves as the primary water feature with 692 miles of shoreline providing numerous waterfront camping opportunities within a 30-minute drive of Lawrenceville.
What to do
Mountain biking at Fort Yargo State Park: The park features extensive trail systems suitable for various skill levels, located about 25 minutes from Lawrenceville. "Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views," notes a visitor who stayed at Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
Attend outdoor events at Stone Mountain: The park hosts seasonal events including laser shows from spring through fall. "They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too. The sites are close but they are not difficult to enter. We were there last month and they were renovating and updating areas but this did not impede any traffic or fun," explains a camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Launch directly from lakefront sites at many campgrounds. "The walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are waterfront to the lake - perfect for kayaking or paddle boarding. If you want privacy, but don't want to 'hike-in' all your camping gear, I highly recommend these sites!" shares a Fort Yargo camper.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report regular deer sightings throughout the year. "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere. Mountain bike trails and hiking trails inside park. When I have more time we plan to go back and take it all in," writes a visitor to Fort Yargo State Park.
What campers like
Lakefront sites with direct water access: Many campsites offer immediate lake entry points. "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. Also had a little view of a lake down below," shares a camper at Stone Mountain Park.
Level, well-maintained pads: Particularly important for RV camping. "Nice level campsite. It was our maiden voyage and we had a great time. Very clean bath houses and we could run to fairly nearby stores to grab stuff we needed," reports a visitor to Sawnee Campground.
Walk-in sites for increased privacy: For tent campers seeking 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," notes a Fort Yargo visitor.
Close proximity to conveniences: Many campgrounds are near towns while feeling remote. "Close to the town of Winder for items you forgot. Less than a 3 mile ride," mentions a Sawnee Campground reviewer.
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary significantly: Some campgrounds strictly prohibit alcohol. "Nice campground. 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," cautions a camper at Shady Grove Campground.
Reservation timing matters: Book waterfront sites well in advance, especially during summer. "We were in this campground for 2 weeks. It was beautiful and had the best view of most of the campgrounds on the lake. I loved waking up to seeing the lake and the water every morning," shares a visitor to Old Federal Campground.
Terrain varies for RV access: Some campgrounds have challenging turns. "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," warns an Old Federal camper.
Site maintenance inconsistencies: Quality can vary between campgrounds. "The sites are VERY poorly maintained. Our campsite specifically had a crumbling pad to park on, which caused us to barely fit. There was trash both in the woods and on the beaches," reports a camper at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "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," notes a Shady Grove visitor.
Short walks for little legs: Choose sites close to amenities. "Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming," shares a camper at Old Federal.
Safety concerns near water: Consider site location with young children. "We went for one night, arrived later than expected and it was cold out. Our daughter was only 1.5 years old and we had a hard time keeping her away from the rock that lead in to the lake. It was not a great site for little kids but had an amazing view and plenty of space," cautions a Sawnee Campground visitor.
Nature programs: Check for educational activities. "Great campground, near shopping and restaurants. Great hiking trail around the lake. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through," mentions a Fort Yargo camper.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through," shares an RVer at Fort Yargo.
Site width considerations: Check pad widths when booking. "All the campsites have a picnic area and fire ring for cool evenings or roasting marshmallows. With a beach and boat launch guests can enjoy may water activities. There are water and electrical hookups at the sites, with comfort and dump stations are nearby for your convenience," explains a Sawnee visitor.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant adjustment. "Only reason for the 4 stars is our site was not level, took some work to level our rig. Also our site needed a little TLC. I did notice them updating sites. Definitely worth a stay," notes a camper at Shady Grove Campground.
