Campsites near Lula, Georgia sit in the foothills where the Appalachian Mountain range begins its southern descent. At elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet, the region's temperature typically runs 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby Atlanta. Many camping areas feature distinct granite outcroppings characteristic of northeast Georgia's geology, with several campgrounds situated along the 38,000-acre Lake Lanier shoreline or near mountain streams.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Lanier: Old Federal Campground offers excellent water access for paddlers. "Most sites are on the water, tho the water is not easily accessible from the sites. The views are fabulous. There's a boat landing. There are several spots to get down and into the lake for a swim," notes Nancy K., who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Hiking through varied terrain: Raven Cliff Falls features a popular 5-mile round trip trail to a waterfall. "Raven Cliff Falls trail is a 2.5 miles hike that ends at a breathtaking waterfall, but the trail doesn't quite end there. Once you arrive at the falls there's plenty of room to roam the dozens of rock structures," explains Wayne H.
Fishing from campsite docks: Duckett Mill Campground provides direct water access. "Easy to get too. Great location on Lake Lanier. 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," shares Liz H., who appreciated the convenient boat launch.
What campers like
Primitive camping with creek sounds: At Raven Cliff Falls, campsites along flowing water create natural white noise. "We camped along the creek at one of these sites. We absolutely loved being by the creek, and a lot of the sites are spread out to give a good bit of privacy," reports D & Jess W., who also note that "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out."
Spacious waterfront sites: Lake Russell Recreation Area offers lakeside camping with ample room. "We tent camped here..we were up on a steep hill, but it was beautiful!! The bathrooms were close to the site. We had a great family time here!! Deer were roaming thru the campsite.. so many!!" mentions ReBeCcA F.
Reliable bathhouse facilities: Campgrounds like Tallulah Gorge maintain clean facilities. "The restrooms were clean, the showers were clean, and all the people we came across were so friendly. The proximity to hiking was about as close as you could get," notes Ashley C., who stayed at site 13 and found it "centrally located, relatively easy to back our trailer into, and a perfect partial shade site."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many sites have unreliable connectivity. At Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, "There was little cell reception and no tv reception here," reports Rachel G., who recommends exploring beyond the park because "there are some great hiking trails in the area."
Bear activity: Proper food storage is essential at multiple campgrounds. At Raven Cliff Falls, campers report regular bear sightings and recommend to "pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag."
Seasonal water levels: Lake Lanier's depth fluctuates throughout the year, affecting shoreline and water access. "Water was located through out the campgrounds. We stayed in the back loop which is more level. Note you do not need to pay the day use fee if you are camping," advises Michael from Lake Russell Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Adventure activities for kids: Vogel State Park Campground offers multiple recreation options. "The lake has a beach, you can rent a kayak or paddle boat. There's a beautiful waterfall and the hikes are amazing!" shares Erin L., who appreciated feeling "very tucked away from the activities."
Accessible beach areas: River Forks Park features swimming spots close to campsites. "With access to both the lake and some playgrounds, this place was really nice," notes Tiffany B., who also mentioned "It had a nice grate if you want to cook over the fire, as well as a pretty clean charcoal grill."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake Russell Recreation Area regularly has deer moving through campsites. As one camper noted, "I loved the fresh Georgia air and the atmosphere was just so relaxing!! I do know there is a whole other area for RV camping.. looks fun and nice in that area as well!!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: At Old Federal, careful research prevents difficult situations. "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. In my opinion the 3 best spots are 70,71 and 72," advises Mike K.
Hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts. At River Forks, campers note "Some have hookups on the opposite side of camper. No sewer connection but park does have a dumb station."
Off-season availability: Duckett Mill operates seasonally from March to September. "Every site we've stayed at has been great. They vary in size, but most have easy access to the water. Bathrooms are well maintained as well," notes Julie B., highlighting a common experience at Lake Lanier campgrounds.
