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Dispersed camping near Lebanon, Georgia centers on several free primitive sites across northern Georgia forests. Most sites are concentrated within national forest lands and wildlife management areas, with notable locations including Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, Jones Creek Dispersed Campground, and Hidden Creek Campground. The Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Preacher's Rock also provide off-grid camping opportunities, primarily serving tent campers with minimal regulations and no facilities.
Road access to these areas varies considerably, with many sites requiring navigation along unpaved forest roads. Hidden Creek Campground features numerous deep potholes that may challenge vehicles without adequate clearance. One camper noted, "There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn't recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle." While most sites permit drive-in access, some locations like Justus Creek Campsite require hiking in. These primitive areas typically have no drinking water, restrooms, or trash collection services. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with some areas permitting campfires in established rings while others prohibit fires entirely.
The dispersed camping experience around Lebanon offers isolation and natural surroundings uncommon in more developed settings. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area provides mountain views and access to hiking trails, while Jones Creek campsites feature riverside settings with small waterfalls. "The creek was absolutely freezing cold in July, it was great to rinse some clothes and ourselves off," reported one visitor to Justus Creek. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears active in several areas. Many locations have minimal or no cell service, contributing to their remote character. Campers should note that GPS directions can be unreliable in this region, sometimes directing visitors to private property adjacent to public lands.
"A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle."
"GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks."
"Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road. When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road."
"This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) "
"This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on"
"While there is a free dispersed campground nearby, it requires advanced registration on their website. This is a good spot for passers by who wing trips without reservations."
"We were warned about bears in the area so were very cautious about hanging our bear bag a little extra distance away on the opposite side of the creek."
"Nice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."
"They have a couple closer to water but most are more remote. There is a 3 mile long dirt road to travel on."
"It was along the road and there were a few cars driving past during the night but not enough to bother us or make us feel unsafe at all."
TravelerA little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.
GuideThis is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.)
The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field.
The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell).
This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.
LegendThis is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.
Guide34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321
Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing). Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)
No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.
I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873
(N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013
Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:
The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013
TravelerDont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.
When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road. This area seems to be popular for local dirt bikers, but we seen people fishing and relaxing all the same.
I would have gave 5 stars, but these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns( in the distance), which isn’t a problem for us, but reduced the relaxing nature of the visit with all this combined.
This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit.
ScoutNice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some.
TravelerOverall we enjoyed this stay! GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks. We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF DEEP POTHOLES. The road then opens up to a four way, we kept going straight, followed the road down and then came to three sites all empty. It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes. Our truck is pretty high and 4x4 so wasn’t too bad for us but a low car may not fair as well. We were there on a Friday
GuideThis is one of my favorite types of spots: remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains. I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way. Go here on a new moon night in the summer and you're sure to have a great night of uninterrupted beauty!
TravelerGroup of 5+ dispersed sites in a flat area of the forest. Empty on a December Wednesday night, but I found smouldering ashes and plenty of trash so don't be surprised if there are partiers using the area.
Primitive camping near Lebanon, Georgia offers rustic camping opportunities across several wildlife management areas and national forestlands. These sites typically sit at elevations between 1,500-4,000 feet in the southern Appalachians. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer brings average highs near 85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in July and August.
Creek exploration: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area provides access to several waterways for wading and swimming. "The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area," notes Roy B., who camped there in late 2021. Many visitors mention the Cohutta Wilderness trails accessible from this location.
Stargazing: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area offers excellent night sky viewing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "This is one of my favorite types of spots: remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains. I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way," shares Tyler J.
Hiking: Preacher's Rock provides summit camping with panoramic views. "Hay como 3 sitios para casas de campaña pequeñas. Es en la cima de una montaña, la subida son unos 40 minutos, al final se vuelve más exigente si lleva mochila grande," explains Ernesto H., noting the challenging 40-minute uphill hike carrying gear.
Waterfall access: Dicks Creek Falls Campsites offers campsites near multiple waterfall formations. "There is a 3 mile long dirt road to travel on. There is one large set of falls towards beginning of dirtroad with a porta potty at parking area. Most day users here. The further up you go, you have many spots to pull off to access the creek," explains Lacy S.
Solitude and views: Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides camping with scenic vistas. "Nice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some," notes a reviewer identified as The M.
Water features: Jones Creek Dispersed Campground features riverside camping opportunities. "This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit," shares Billie P., who camped there in 2024.
Road conditions: Hidden Creek Campground requires navigating challenging access roads. "The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks. We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF DEEP POTHOLES," warns Robyn W. Vehicle clearance remains a significant consideration for accessing many primitive sites.
Navigation challenges: GPS reliability varies considerably throughout the region. "GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is," explains Robyn W. regarding Hidden Creek Campground. Several reviewers mention GPS directing visitors to private property.
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters are common at these primitive sites. "We were warned about bears in the area so were very cautious about hanging our bear bag a little extra distance away on the opposite side of the creek," notes Maria A. about camping at Justus Creek. Food storage protocols are essential.
Water activities: Justus Creek Campsite offers cooling water features for hot weather camping. "The creek was absolutely freezing cold in July, it was great to rinse some clothes and ourselves off," notes Maria A., highlighting natural water features that children often enjoy.
Group camping considerations: Mountain Side Overlook accommodates larger family groups with established fire pits and room for multiple tents. Higher clearance vehicles may be needed, as one reviewer notes: "4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."
Site selection timing: Popular primitive sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We got there around 1 on a Friday and it was full so we headed to the primitive group camping site," shares Gabrielle D. about Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, suggesting earlier arrival times for families seeking preferred locations.
Clearance requirements: The primitive roads leading to most dispersed sites require careful navigation. "We had an suv but I saw a handful of sedans that made it up," notes Gabrielle D. about accessing Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, though most RV users recommend high-clearance vehicles for safely traversing forest roads.
Limited amenities: All primitive camping areas near Lebanon lack hookups and dumping facilities. RVers should arrive fully self-contained with adequate water supplies. Hidden Creek Campground visitor Heidi H. confirms these are "definitely a solid free campsite" but emphasizes preparation is essential.
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain characterizes many sites. "The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van," advises Steve V. about Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for any RV camping in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lebanon, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lebanon, GA is Hidden Creek Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Lebanon, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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