4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent camping near Molena, Georgia ranges from primitive dispersed sites to established tent campsites along the Chattahoochee River. Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area offers tent camping with basic fire pits but no amenities, requiring a valid Georgia hunting or fishing license to camp legally. Bush Head Shoals Park provides six tent sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and gravel tent pads along the Chattahoochee River, though the park operates without running water.
Tent campsites throughout the region typically feature minimal facilities. Bush Head Shoals Park maintains clean tent pads with fire rings and picnic tables, but campers need to bring all water. At Joe Kurz WMA, visitors encounter simple fire pits with no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Several dispersed camping areas near Molena require campers to pack everything in and out. Road access varies by location, with some sites requiring travel on well-maintained gravel roads while others may have bumpier approaches. A recent review noted, "The roads are gravel but well maintained. We had no problems getting in."
Tent-only camping experiences in the Molena area offer peaceful natural settings. Bush Head Shoals Park provides direct river access, making it popular among anglers. "Almost every time I camp here I see a bald eagle flying over the river," reported one camper. Wildlife sightings are common across the region's primitive tent campgrounds. Ocmulgee River Camp, though slightly farther from Molena, offers secluded tent camping with flat spaces and existing fire pits. Campers should be aware that hunting activity occurs seasonally in wildlife management areas, so occasional distant gunshots might be heard. Most backcountry tent sites become very dark at night, providing excellent stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier, with some areas having reliable coverage while others offer none.
"Ahead of my trip to Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area(WMA), I've gathered crucial details for anyone looking to explore this serene destination."
"Clean and cleared paths. All kinds of animals roaming about."
"Beautiful campsite, just a few neighbors, tons of flat space and a few fire pits. There are hunters around and we heard a good deal of shots. Saw some deer on a walk."
"Very nice a bit bumpy on the drive in but no major holes. Quiet and peaceful 2 neighbors great amount of space to find a nice spot."
"They have Ice and firewood available. You just grab it and either venmo Raven or drop money in the drop box. There is a nice hiking trail right across from site 1."
"They have 6 camp sites that all have a picnic table, fire pit and a large fine gravel plot for a tent. All the components are extremely well kept."
from $20 / night
"We did an overnighter to check this out after doing a separate hike on the primary trails from the other side of the park in the morning. "
"Camped overnight on a primitive site"
Available this weekend
from $125 / night
Available this weekend
from $175 - $250 / night
"I have a 5th wheel and its pretty flat gravel roads, no electric or sewage or water; only a pit toilet) must be self sufficient to stay here."
from $69 - $79 / night
"There are privately owned homes around but the folks keep to themselves. It's quiet, super dark at night and beautiful. No amenities, you pack it in, you pack it out."
GuideWell, another review from Hank and I about three weeks ago in October we stayed at McIntosh reserve in Whitesburg Georgia. We stayed for a week. They have no power, but we have a solar generator and a regular generator they have water Spicket spread out sporadically throughout the park, they do have restrooms and a shower house. Very nice park. Very nice host.
ScoutThis review is actually for Claystone Park in Macon which is the sister company to Arrowhead and owned by the same company. I booked a RV site for this eve and drove 1 hr and 15 mins to arrive and be told that GA law states that I cannot sleep in my campervan. He would not budge and was condescending, giving some stupid analogy about geese on the beach which did not make any sense. I had to drive back in the dark, which I do not see very well. I wasted $50 and they won't give my money back. I would not camp here. They are jerks and liars and just make stuff up to hurt people and it's disgusting.
ScoutThe sister company, Claystone Park, is not listed so I am posting this here because they are owned by the same company.
I reserved a RV site for my campervan and drove 1 hr and 15 mins to be told that "GA law does not allow people to sleep in their car" (not true) and I would not be able to stay unless I had a RV with ventilation or a tent. There is no such law and they do not mention any of this on their website. They seem to get off on making people drive long distance and then turning them away. They are prejudice against campervans and rather than just ban them, they do this childish immature garbage. I wasted $25 in gas, 3 hrs of driving, and had to drive back in the dark, which I do not see that well. They did not care. The ranger was a jackass and tried to give an analogy about geese on the beach that did not make any sense. He was condescending and being a jerk for no reason. Do not waste your time here. These people are thieves, conniving and liars.
LegendThis was our first trip here and it was beautiful! We loved biking all over the park. We loved sitting by the falls. Would’ve loved to go in the museum, but it wasn’t open when we were there (very limited days/hours).
-Camp hosts were absolutely wonderful! They were a pleasure to talk with. The friendliest group ever!!
-Bath house was extremely clean.
-We stayed in the newer section.
-Definitely make your way to the Stone Pavilion and sample the natural artesian spring water. It’s not something I’d want a lot, but when in Rome…🤣
GuideVery family friendly. Lots of free range children (weekend). The staff was very friendly. The bath house was clean and well maintained. Had a front loader washer and dryer x1. $2 apiece. Lots of trails. Three night stay. The cell phone service was the biggest downfall since we rely on a Verizon hot spot. At&t was a no data available. Verizon had two bars where we were at.
RangerBeen here many times! Love this place. Very family friendly.
ScoutSite is a good size located on the shore of Lake Delano under trees. Great view. Fire ring and picnic table equipped. The temp is still hot and humid but there is a breeze which makes it bearable in the daytime, nights are cooler and comfortable. Plenty to explore with Pine Mountain Trail close by. Would stay here again. This site is water and electric only with dump station at entrance.
GuideNo sewer hook up at all sites. Electric looks new. Beautiful lake. Quiet campground.
LegendThis is a typical park where not all sites are created equal. Some are paved, some are gravel. Some have 50 amp, some are 30-amp. Some are perfectly level and some have really steep grades. Some sites are pull-thru, some are back-in. Some are really long, some are much shorter. The roads in the campground are paved, free of potholes, and fairly easily navigable for big-rigs. All sites are pet-friendly and have water and electric. There are no sewer sites. Campsites 1-27 and 85-106 have 50-amp electric while the others are 30-amp. Some sites (40, 47, 50, 52, 65, 80, 84, 87, 89, 101) are “double-unit” (or buddy) sites which is reflective in the $60/night price. There are bathrooms scattered throughout the campground in each loop but there are only two shower houses in the entire campground. Sites 1-16 are perfectly level as are a few others. Reservations can be made online and the website has pictures and descriptions as well as length of site. The campground is very dark at night with the only lights being at the bathrooms. We love dark campgrounds where the moon and stars are bright. Unfortunately, numerous campers left their lights all night which we find really annoying. Our Verizon phone was very spotty and not reliable. We were able to use our portable Dish satellite to get television. There is a dump station located conveniently on your way out which is quite busy on Sundays at check out.
Dispersed tent camping opportunities around Molena, Georgia extend beyond established campgrounds. The area lies within the Piedmont region at elevations ranging between 700-900 feet, creating rolling terrain characterized by mixed hardwood forests and access to several river systems. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing, making year-round camping possible, though summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80% during July and August.
Fishing access points: The Bush Head Shoals Park provides direct river access to the Chattahoochee, where multiple activities are available. "We floated and hiked and had an amazing time. There are a lot of things to do if you are adventurous enough and love the outdoors like we do," notes one visitor who typically avoids public campgrounds.
Wildlife observation: At Ocmulgee River Camp, naturalists can explore horse trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. "It was nice and warm even in December! Almost 70 degrees! Spot with a nice horse trail to hike - saw some deer and a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear - unsure," reports one winter camper.
Learning experiences: Educational opportunities exist at Panola Mountain State Park Campground, where visitors can participate in ranger-led programs. "We took the guided tour of the Mountain and it was awesome. We ate Pine Trees and they explained about liken and the red fungus. Highly recommended," shares one camper who enjoyed the interpretive offerings.
Dark sky viewing: The absence of light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Very peaceful and even had the sounds of a vibrant coyote pack," mentions a visitor to Panola Mountain State Park Campground who appreciated the natural nighttime experience.
Spacious campsites: The Hollow at Triple Threat Farm provides well-designed primitive sites. "Off-grid done right!" exclaims one reviewer who found the balance between wilderness and functionality satisfactory.
Quiet atmosphere: Tyler Hunt Camp offers seclusion for those seeking peaceful camping. "This place is a refuge. There are privately owned homes around but the folks keep to themselves. It's quiet, super dark at night and beautiful," notes one camper who appreciates the tranquility during daylight hours.
License requirements: Georgia WMAs require appropriate documentation. "Important to note is the requirement for a valid Georgia hunting or fishing license to camp, reflecting the area's primary use for hunting and fishing activities," explains a visitor preparing for a trip to Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "Only a mile off the road, which is a little bumpy but manageable," reports a camper at Ocmulgee River Camp, while another adds that despite being "gravel but well maintained," they "had no problems getting in" at Bush Head Shoals Park.
Facility limitations: Most dispersed camping areas have minimal amenities. "No amenities, you pack it in, you pack it out. The state keeps it and the road in nice," writes a Tyler Hunt Camp visitor, underscoring the self-sufficient nature required for tent camping near Molena.
Bring entertainment options: Limited infrastructure means planning activities. "We had a great time (Family of 4: 3 and 5 year old)," shares a Bush Head Shoals Park visitor who found the well-maintained facilities sufficient for a family outing despite the lack of running water.
Security considerations: Remote locations may experience varied traffic patterns. "I enjoyed my stay here during the day, but things changed after dark... Expect to have a drive thru at least once around 9/10. It's just a see who is in the area type thing," explains a Tyler Hunt Camp visitor, noting it's typical ranger activity.
Space requirements: Kings Pond at Fort Benning provides tent pads suitable for family-sized setups. "Although it's on post, and you can still hear training some nights, you feel as if you're a million miles away," mentions a visitor who appreciated the spacious setting.
Site leveling challenges: The undulating terrain around Molena requires preparation. "I went with a travel trailer," mentions a visitor to Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area, one of few reporting RV access at these primarily tent-focused sites.
Communication limitations: Cell service varies dramatically. "No cell coverage, has fire pit, mostly tent and car campers," reports an RV camper at Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area, highlighting the need for alternate communication plans.
Road clearance requirements: Access roads to dispersed camping areas often narrow considerably. "We are on a motorcycle so we checked with Raven to make sure we would be good," explains a Bush Head Shoals Park visitor, emphasizing the importance of confirming access for larger vehicles before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Molena, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Molena, GA is Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Molena, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Molena, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
