Newton County offers several options for equestrian camping near Lawrenceville, Georgia. The region sits at the edge of the Oconee National Forest with terrain ranging from rolling hills to lakefront areas across multiple watersheds. Summer temperatures typically reach the high 80s with overnight lows in the 60s, making spring and fall the most popular camping seasons.
What to do
Trail riding near Covington: Factory Shoals Recreation Park offers waterfront sites with river access. One camper noted, "We had a happy little bonus of getting to watch the beavers play in the river early in the morning. Each of the sites have a raised gravel platform for tents, a grill, trash can, and a fire pit."
Mini golf and swimming: Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground features recreational options beyond riding. A reviewer mentioned, "There is a putt putt (mini golf) course. You can rent kayaks and kayak in the lake. They offered a kayak by moonlight group tour that was fun."
Horse observation opportunities: Liberty Stables provides a unique farm-based experience. According to reviews, "Beautiful property with farm animals to look at" makes it particularly appealing for those interested in horses without bringing their own.
What campers like
Quiet weekday stays: Hard Labor Creek State Park transforms midweek. One camper observed, "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."
Well-maintained facilities: Don Carter State Park maintains high standards for cleanliness. A reviewer commented, "Everything is so clean and well taken care of. The campsites are always clean when you arrive, and the volunteers are so sweet."
Last-minute availability: Georgia International Horse Park in Covington accommodates unplanned trips with shower facilities and toilet access. Liberty Stables similarly accommodates impromptu campers, with one noting, "We needed a last minute place to stay on our way back home. They were very accommodating and friendly."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: At Don Carter State Park Campground, you must reserve sites in advance. The park offers spacious sites but has limitations: "Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit."
Site-specific booking system: Hard Labor Creek now uses a site-specific reservation system. A frequent visitor explained, "This is VERY useful if you're familiar with the campground and have a favorite site (such as we do) but it can be a shot in the dark if you're not familiar with the campground."
Surface considerations: Some parks have paved sites that affect tent camping. At Don Carter, "The RV campground features all paved campsites so it would be tough camping in a tent (no way to stake your tent)."
Tips for camping with families
Farm animal experiences: Farm-based camping at Liberty Stables creates educational opportunities for children. A visitor mentioned, "We really enjoyed our time at Liberty Stables! Will definitely stay there again as our granddaughters live nearby!"
Swimming access: Factory Shoals Recreation Park provides water recreation for family cooling off. "Beautiful backdrop for photos and a great place to just play in the river," notes one reviewer.
Dedicated play areas: Don Carter State Park features designated children's zones: "There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept. Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it!"
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Hard Labor Creek provides multiple waste disposal options. One RVer noted, "It has has 2 dump stations" which minimizes waiting during busy checkout periods.
Site selection for large rigs: Factory Shoals presents challenges for larger vehicles. As one camper advised, "This campground is definitely set up for primitive camping, focusing more on tents. We have a 10 foot trailer. We were able to back in to our spot with no problem. The site was not level but that wasn't a big deal for us."
Route planning warnings: Hard Labor Creek requires careful navigation. A visitor cautioned, "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 done rigs, is too short!"
