Lake Tobesofkee, located just west of Macon, Georgia, spans approximately 1,800 acres with 35 miles of shoreline and maintains a consistent water level year-round. The surrounding campgrounds sit at an elevation of about 400 feet above sea level, with temperatures ranging from 40°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Several camping options near Macon offer access to this lake and provide various amenities for campers with pets.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Dames Ferry State Park Campground, campers can fish in Lake Juliette's crystal clear waters. "Great fishing" is available according to Freddy G., who notes the "campground on shores of Lake Juliette" with "many of the sites lake front."
Hiking trails: The mountain bike trail at Arrowhead Park provides exercise for both campers and their pets. For more hiking options, High Falls State Park Campground offers "nice easy hike along falls," as noted by Valerie R., who cautions visitors to "not swim in falls - dangerous."
Kayaking: Lake Tobesofkee and nearby lakes offer calm waters perfect for paddling. Melissa H. at Dames Ferry describes: "We kayaked and chilled at our site by the water for 5 nights. A true r&r get away." The 25hp restriction on motors makes "it very peaceful for campers."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campsites at Claystone Park Campground offer lake views. Greg S. shares that their "site was beautiful with lots of room and a great unobstructed lake view." The beach area is also "clean and beautiful," making it easy to enjoy paddleboarding on the lake.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathhouses and common areas. Justin R. describes his experience at Claystone: "Clean clean clean" and notes "the location of the bathroom and shower house" along with "ample space, and spectacular views" made his first-ever tent camping experience excellent.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds maintain quiet hours that are generally well-respected. Safe Haven RV Park offers a peaceful setting despite being close to I-75. Kristyn notes: "We were very pleased with our overnight stay! Spacious pull-through sites... the RV park itself feels very safe and secluded."
What you should know
Site terrain variations: Many campgrounds feature uneven ground. At Arrowhead Park, Everette G. warns that the "tent sites are paved and at very extreme angles, with very sparse to no tree cover what so ever." The "sites were essentially on top of each other," making tent camping challenging.
Reservation systems: Some parks require phone reservations rather than online booking. Keith R. notes about Safe Haven RV Park: "There are no online reservations, so you need to call or use the online registration request form, if nobody answers just leave a message and they'll be right back with you."
Road noise: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. Jenny P. observed at Arrowhead Park that "the road noise in the far loop is horrible, all night long!" Sites closer to the front of parks are often quieter.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Al Sihah Shrine Park offers well-maintained grounds with concrete pads. JCS notes the "great park, nice sites, full hookups" and mentions that "staff was super friendly and very helpful."
Swimming options: High Falls State Park Campground has a pool for swimming since the lake has restrictions. According to Savannah W., "entering the water was prohibited due to leaches," but the park does offer a pool for a fee of $5 per person.
Campsite selection: For families with light sleepers, consider site location carefully. Jenny P. advised about Arrowhead Park: "If you and your kids are light sleepers, this might not be the location for you" due to nearby industrial activity including "18 wheelers for the nearby rock plant that run at all hours."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Some sites have challenging sewer connections. At Interstate RV Park, Russ G. mentions: "Our spot had an elevated sewer hook up which made dumping the tanks a challenge."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many area campgrounds. Tim C. at Interstate RV Park appreciates the "nice level sites" but notes others may require additional equipment to achieve proper leveling.
Site spacing: RV sites at most campgrounds are close together. Michael J. describes Interstate RV Park as a "no frills park convenient to the interstate between 2 cities" with sites that are functional but compact.
