Tent camping near Lyerly, Georgia focuses on primitive and dispersed sites throughout the heavily forested Appalachian foothills. The area sits at elevations between 600-1,400 feet with moderate humidity levels throughout camping season. Summer overnight temperatures typically remain in the 65-75°F range, while spring and fall can drop below 50°F, requiring appropriate gear for comfortable camping.
What to do
Swimming and water access: Little River Adventure Company offers camping with river access for swimming and kayak launching. A camper noted, "They also have access to the river for swimming and kayak launching. They also rent out pedal and motor bikes for exploring the parkway along the canyon."
Cave exploration: Sawmill Lake Campsite provides an excellent base for spelunking at nearby Petty John Cave. According to one review, "This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking."
Rock climbing: Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA serves as a base for climbing enthusiasts. A visitor shared, "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21' pop up camper with our generator. Road is pretty well maintained, spots are good size, some only large enough for tent/car camping. We were never bothered and it's right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail."
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Hidden Creek Campground offers well-spaced sites for those seeking seclusion. A camper explained, "It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes." Another camper at a different site noted, "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."
Affordable options: Blue Hole Dispersed camping provides no-cost tent sites. "Land pass required. No alcohol is permitted. This is a wildlife management area. The camp sites are first come, first serve. They are free. Only 2 sites with tables."
Accessible natural features: Little River Adventure Company provides easy access to nearby attractions. "This is a great little campground super close to Little River Canyon! Although there is nowhere to camp inside of the park this is my preference for the closest you can get."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many tent sites require navigating rough forest roads. At Hidden Creek Campground, "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."
Permit requirements: Several areas require permits for camping. At Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, "Land pass required. No alcohol is permitted. This is a wildlife management area." Similar requirements exist at Sawmill Lake Campsite where "the permit was 15 dollars to access Rock Town and the Caves."
Site selection timing: Arrive early to secure preferred spots at popular camping areas. One camper at Sawmill Lake Campsite reported, "Was a very nice and open area to camp at. Came in at night so was hard to see spots. Despite it being November there were a good amount of people."
Insects and wildlife: The wooded areas host significant insect populations. At Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, one visitor warned, "Stepped out just to see the clearance on a turn and got in with 4 ticks on me."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Little River Adventure Company offers family-friendly tent camping experiences. One family noted, "Giorgio has an amazing set up here. He was super helpful and accommodating. We were in a mini van and were still able to navigate the grounds and dirt road pretty easily. Our kids were amazed by the water access and walking trails."
Bathroom planning: Consider campgrounds with facilities for easier family camping. "I do recommend bringing your own toilet accommodations since you'll probably pick a site further from the bath house (which was very clean and maintained)."
Pack extra supplies: Most sites require complete self-sufficiency. A reviewer at Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp mentioned, "We absolutely love this campground. Its peaceful and right by the water! The market is a plus too!" - suggesting bringing supplies but noting the nearby market helps with forgotten items.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many roads to tent camping areas pose challenges for low-clearance vehicles. "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."
RV approach directions: Consider your route carefully when bringing larger vehicles. One RVer at Sawmill Lake Campsite advised, "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult."
Generator-friendly areas: Some campgrounds allow generator use for tent campers needing power. "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21' pop up camper with our generator. Road is pretty well maintained, spots are good size."
