Chris V.
Scout
ScoutTallulah Gorge State Park Campground
Nice basic state park
Nice campground. Bathhouse is basic but very clean. Sites are on the small side with lots of tent campers.
Best Campgrounds near Lula, GA
The northeastern Georgia foothills surrounding Lula provide diverse camping experiences within an hour's drive, from lakeside sites to mountain retreats. Don Carter State Park Campground, situated at the northern end of Lake Lanier, offers spacious RV and tent sites with considerable distance between neighbors, making it popular with families seeking privacy. Unicoi State Park near Helen features full-service camping with amenities including cabins, glamping options, and extensive recreational facilities. Raven Cliff Falls provides more rustic camping experiences along creek beds with established fire rings and basic facilities. The region's camping options span from highly developed state parks with full hookups to primitive sites in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this area. Summer brings high humidity and temperatures that can make tent camping uncomfortable without proper ventilation, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. As one camper noted about Raven Cliff Falls, "It was a bit humid and warm, which is no surprise for a North Georgia summer, but still well worth the peace and relaxation." Many campgrounds near Lula require reservations, especially for weekend stays during peak seasons from late spring through early fall. Campgrounds on Lake Lanier, including Bolding Mill and Duckett Mill, operate seasonally with most closing between October and March, while mountain campgrounds like Tallulah Gorge State Park remain open year-round.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those offering direct lake or creek access. At Don Carter State Park, campers appreciate "the huge distance between camp sites" with spots "about 35 yards from the shore next to a wooded area." Site selection proves crucial for privacy, as some campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. A visitor to Moccasin Creek State Park noted, "The camp sites are too close for our liking. It feels like everyone is in your business here." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with campers frequently mentioning deer sightings and warning about proper food storage in bear country. The proximity to tourist destinations like Helen provides convenient access to supplies and activities, with several campgrounds serving as excellent basecamps for hiking, fishing, and water recreation.
Best Camping Sites Near Lula, Georgia (403)
1. Don Carter State Park Campground
35 ReviewsLula, GA4 miles+1 (678) 450-7726$25 - $225 / night
"Situated at the far north end of Lake Lanier, this Georgia state park is awesome! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites!"
"This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier. It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area. "
2. Unicoi State Park & Lodge
53 ReviewsHelen, GA22 milesWebsite+1 (706) 878-2201"The tent camp site was good, bathrooms and water were a close walking distance.
We picked this state park for all the activities. We took archery lessons and did the zip line course.""Nestled in pristine North Georgia mountains. Good for single, family or even group campers. Close to a wonderful Bavarian town know as Helen Georgia."
3. Lake Russell Recreation Area
14 ReviewsMount Airy, GA12 milesWebsite+1 (706) 778-8427$24 - $48 / night
"My wife and I stayed a night at Lake Russell Recreation area, and it was a great site."
"Loop A is in walking distance to the beach area/day use area. It was so peaceful! There’s one bathroom in Loop A. With 2 stalls and one shower in the women’s portion."
4. Bolding Mill
21 ReviewsMurrayville, GA17 milesWebsite+1 (770) 534-6960$20 - $36 / night
"It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted."
"Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no"
5. Duckett Mill
18 ReviewsOakwood, GA16 milesWebsite+1 (770) 532-9802$26 - $36 / night
"Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times."
"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."
6. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground
69 ReviewsTallulah Falls, GA28 milesWebsite+1 (706) 754-7981$36 - $45 / night
"Tallulah Gorge is located in the far north east corner of Georgia. The campground is pretty tight, and difficult to maneuver with a large RV."
"It’s perfectly situated to visit all the cute towns in northern Georgia and they have well maintained sites, hiking trails, and a swim beach not far."
7. Vogel State Park Campground
68 ReviewsSuches, GA29 milesWebsite+1 (706) 745-2628$30 - $260 / night
"Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."
"Vogel State Park is hands down one of the nicest parks in Georgia. It has great hiking trails for every level of hiker, and a very beautiful lake that's great for fishing and paddling."
8. Raven Cliff Falls
28 ReviewsHelen, GA22 milesWebsite"There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends. There is water and bathroom access."
"Raven Cliff Falls is another popular spot in Northeast Georgia. Its on one one of the most scenic highways and s in a great location if you want to venture into Helen, Brasstown, Bald, or Hiawassee."
9. Old Federal
19 ReviewsOakwood, GA20 milesWebsite+1 (770) 967-6757$20 - $36 / night
"Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming."
"Grounds were great with easy access to the lake."
10. River Forks Park & Campground
11 ReviewsOakwood, GA15 milesWebsite"The bathrooms were close to the site. We had a great family time here!! Deer were roaming thru the campsite.. so many!! I loved the fresh Georgia air and the atmosphere was just so relaxing!!"
"Overall a nice and quite campground on Lake Lanier that’s not a COE campground. Easy to navigate and locate the sites. All have water views, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills."
Recent Camping Photos near Lula, GA
683 Photos of 403 Lula Campgrounds
Chad S.
Don Carter State Park Campground
Hiking Diva ..
Lake Russell Recreation Area
Liz H.
Duckett Mill
Tom H.
Bolding Mill
Casey L.
Yonah Mountain Campground
Brett D.
Toto Creek Campground
Caitlin S.
Jenny's Creek Family Campground
Julie B.
Old Federal
Brandon A.
Hearthstone Cabins and Camping
Sonyia W.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
John W.
Raven Cliff Falls
Michael V.
Timberline Glamping At Unicoi State Park
Recent Reviews near Lula, GA
1727 Reviews of 403 Lula Campgrounds
Pam R.
GuideStone Mountain Park Campground
Not a fan of this State Park
We got a site with full hook ups and it was unusually expensive for a State Park. It was fairly level and gravel. It had a picnic table and small deck area that was in rough shape and needs replacement. It was just OK. At least it was quiet at night and the bathhouse was clean, though our daughter never did get hot water in the shower. There is a train ride that runs in a circle around the stone mountain area. The horn blasts all day long, but luckily not late at night. The biggest disappointment was that they say it's dog friendly on the web site, but dogs aren't allowed on most of the trails we tried to walk on, so we didn't get to see much of the park except by car. There are many activities, but they are not free. It's an expensive park for families. Bring your wallet!
Colin R.GuideDesoto Falls Recreation Area
Very clean campsite but you do need to know a few things.
This is a very clean and well maintained camp site open all year, but there are a few things to consider.
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During off peak (November 1st to April 1st) there's no water and the rest rooms and showers are closed.
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This campsite is right next to the busy highway 19, so there's a lot of road noise especially at night.
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No cell service! Take your satellite communicator or Starlink with you in case of emergency.
If you are okay with these things, then this is the camp site for you.
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- Larry A.Guide
Lake Russell Recreation Area
Great place to camp.
This is a great USFS campground. Great fishing, Mountain biking and hiking. Most of the sites are small so I wouldn't recommend it for 5th wheels or large RVs.
- Mac W.
TravelerSarah's Creek Campground (Clayton, Ga) — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Great alternative to the state parks
Camped in f150 with RTT, stayed at site 13 with plenty of room for any overlanding or tent campers. Sites 1-5 fairly close in section 1. Sites 6-13 good for tent or overlanding, sites 14-21 are clumped together at the end for tent/overlanding rig/campers. Small creek crossing, but very easy to cross. We saw a few trailer campers, nothing over 20 feet, and there was plenty of room, but the road is rough coming in, so doable if you’re brave.
Road is marked well off the main road, but is narrow with few pull off opportunities for passing. 1 mile of blacktop with 1* mile of hard pack gravel.
Single vault bathrooms and bear trash cans are at sites 1-5 and another at site 14-21, 5-10 minute walk either way from middle campsites.
Fire rings and picnic tables, well marked sites.
Site 22 is the last site we could find before crossing a more cumbersome creek crossing, just above sites 17-21. Creek accessible from most every campsite, with a few of the sites on the other side of ride (see rec.gov for waterfront specific sites)
Busy road for motorcycles/off road vehicles, but overall peaceful.
Reservations required, no service until almost back to town, so reserve ahead before heading to camp. Cash/envelope/paper tag system no longer present (seems to be the new norm)
- FFrances B.Scout
Vogel State Park Campground
Site 54
I was in a tent, not an RV. This spot is roomy and isn’t right on top of any other campers. Since no sites were to the east, I walked down to the creek with my chair to get away from people. It’s a very crowded campground, but quieter than expected, probably because the road to this site leads to a dead end. There’s a lot of road noise from Gainesville Hwy until dusk. The bathrooms are nearby and very clean.
Jeff P.GuideIndian Grave Gap Campsite
This is a great spot for anything up to an off-road teardrop
These sites are not where Dyrt says they are. The previous reviewer described them well and they have a couple of small creeks running past. Tents to the west, anything including a small off-road camper for the two sites to the east of the road. This is one of those sites I'll probably return to
The true location is just south of the High Falls Trailhead. 34.80718,-83.72466
Camp With Me
LegendAndrew's Cove Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Small National Forest Campground
Andrews Cove Campground is a small and peaceful campground located about 6 miles north of Helen, Georgia in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. With only 10 sites, it offers a quiet mountain setting that’s perfect for tent campers looking to get away from the crowds. The campground is open from mid-March through late December and sits alongside a beautiful mountain stream that adds a relaxing natural sound throughout the area.
Facilities are simple, with vault toilets available, but campers should plan ahead and bring their own potable water since none is provided on site. One of the highlights of the campground is the nearby Andrews Cove Trail, a scenic 2-mile hike that connects to the Appalachian Trail. Overall, Andrews Cove Campground is a great spot for those looking for a rustic camping experience in the North Georgia mountains.
See all the sites and get a real feel for the place in our 360° video of the
https://youtu.be/chEtEX8cvfE
Jonathan G.ScoutBlack Rock Mountain State Park Campground
A Quiet Mountain Escape at Black Rock Mountain State Park
Our tent camping trip at Black Rock Mountain State Park was absolutely beautiful. The park sits high in the mountains and offers incredible views, peaceful surroundings, and the kind of quiet that makes you slow down and really enjoy nature.
The campground itself was well kept, and everything felt organized and welcoming. One thing that really stood out was how friendly and helpful the staff were. Everyone we interacted with was kind and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived.
The bathrooms were very clean, which always makes a big difference when you’re tent camping. It’s clear the park staff takes pride in maintaining the facilities.
Between the fresh mountain air, scenic views, and peaceful atmosphere, it was the perfect place to unplug and enjoy the outdoors. We would absolutely come back again and recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing mountain camping experience. 🏕️🌄
Guide to Lula
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What parks offer camping near Lula, GA?
What parks offer camping near Lula, GA?
Several parks offer camping options near Lula, GA. Don Carter State Park Campground is located at the north end of Lake Lanier with spacious RV sites and beautiful waterfront locations. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground offers mountain camping with excellent hiking trails. Other nearby options include Tugaloo State Park, Moccasin Creek State Park, and Duckett Mill campground. Many of these parks provide water access, hiking trails, and clean facilities, making them ideal for weekend getaways in the North Georgia area.
Are there tent camping sites available in Lula, GA?
Are there tent camping sites available in Lula, GA?
Yes, tent camping is available near Lula, GA. Raven Cliff Falls offers free tent camping with established sites, water access, and bathroom facilities, though it can get crowded on weekends. Nacoochee Adventures provides more private tent sites with the peaceful sound of a nearby creek. Additional tent camping can be found at Lake Russell Recreation Area and Panther Creek Recreation Area, both offering natural settings ideal for tent campers looking to experience the beauty of North Georgia's wilderness.
What camping is available near Lula, GA?
What camping is available near Lula, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lula, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 403 campgrounds and RV parks near Lula, GA and 33 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lula, GA?
Which is the most popular campground near Lula, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lula, GA is Don Carter State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lula, GA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lula, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Lula, GA.
What parks are near Lula, GA?
What parks are near Lula, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Lula, GA that allow camping, notably Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and Lake Sidney Lanier.
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