Best Tent Camping near Monticello, GA

Primitive tent camping opportunities surround Monticello, Georgia, with several dispersed camping areas offering secluded sites for tent campers. Ocmulgee River Camp, located within a short drive of town, provides walk-in tent sites in a natural setting along the river. Tyler Hunt Camp offers another tent-only camping option with drive-in access and primitive conditions. Panola Mountain State Park Campground, though farther from Monticello, provides established tent campsites with more amenities for those willing to make the drive to Stockbridge.

Most tent campgrounds in the Monticello area feature minimal amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Sites typically consist of flat, natural surfaces with few improvements beyond occasional fire rings. Access roads to dispersed camping areas like Ocmulgee River Camp can be bumpy but generally passable in standard vehicles. Campers report the road is "a bit bumpy on the drive in but no major holes." None of the primitive tent sites offer drinking water, toilets, or trash service, so visitors must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during dry summer months when wildfire risk increases.

The tent camping experience near Monticello offers genuine seclusion and natural surroundings. At Ocmulgee River Camp, visitors note "tons of flat space and a few fire pits" with opportunities to see wildlife including deer on nearby trails. Winter camping provides particularly quiet conditions, though campers may hear distant train horns or hunting activity. Tyler Hunt Camp offers what one camper described as "super dark at night and beautiful" conditions, though some report occasional vehicle traffic in the evening hours. Cell service is generally available at most sites, with particularly good Verizon coverage reported at Ocmulgee River Camp. Backcountry tent camping areas remain relatively uncrowded even on weekends, allowing for peaceful nature experiences within reasonable driving distance of Monticello.

Best Tent Sites Near Monticello, Georgia (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Monticello, GA

3 Photos of 8 Monticello Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Monticello, GA

410 Reviews of 8 Monticello Campgrounds


  • Rachel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2020

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Falls

    Went to High Falls State Park in January. site number 27. We stayed 8 nights There are two campgrounds- lakeside and River camping area. Lakeside is by High falls Lake and is closest to the falls. River camping is across the street we stayed in River camping area. Nice sites but open to neighbors. Sites included table, fire ring, lantern hook. Some sites are 30 amp some 50 amp and had some pull through sites. After the weekend we were one of only a few in the campground in January. Weather may change this time of year we had a lot of rain one day and freezing temperatures overnight but mostly it was good camping weather. Camp hosts were awesome!!! This park is not far off i-75. Dollar general was a few miles other than that not much around. Very easy hiking trail to waterfalls and several trails along Towaliga River, ruins of an old Mill. There is no swimming in falls or river. Afterr rain falls were flowing very fast. This park also has a swimming pool, mini golf, yurts, boat rentals all were closed in January. Bathhouses were well maintained and had laundry facilities. Phone and TV reception we're good at this park. 8 days was too much here I would recommend 4 to 5 days or as a stopover point but would definitely return here.

  • E
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Stone Mountain Park Campground

    Terrible for tent campers

    I was actually shocked at how terrible our actual campsite was; we stayed at site 29, which was supposedly intended for tent camping.

    Pros

    • The front gate staff was very nice; check in and general store staff were average
    • The general store was very convenient and decently stocked
    • The bathrooms and showers were pretty nice
    • Beautiful lake view. It was nice to watch kayakers and rowing teams go by
    • Nice tree placement for hammock
    • Close to all Stone Mountain activities
    • Garbage pickup each morning (but no metal trash can to store it in??)

    Cons

    • The site is on a freaking hill; there is no flat surface at all and no clearing, so you have no choice but to sleep on sticks/rocks. Thank God to REI for footprints and decent sleeping pads
    • Site was dirty when I arrived
    • No tent pad
    • Parking area is crap; it's somewhere between gravel and nothing
    • $20 parking fee

    There is no way I would stay at this campground again; it was definitely made for RVs.

  • Brittney D.
    Feb. 3, 2021

    Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    Manicured but nice!

    This place is great if you still want some of the comforts of home. Water spouts are dropped around the sites and there is a bathhouse with showers and hot water accessible to all who camp there! The sites for tent camping are fairly close together-you can definitely see the next site because there aren’t a whole lot of trees but still far enough away to feel comfortable. The tent spots have gravel that is hard to get tent states into but also include a picnic table and a fire pit. Wood can be purchased for $5 from the host but you can also forage from the fallen trees on site. You may have to search around a bit but it worked well enough for my crew.

    The lake was so beautiful even in the middle of winter and was such a great spot to camp. Some hikes are close by but none are big for elevation changes or waterfalls or anything like that. Still lots of places to go and get off your campsite. Maybe the best part of this park is the disc golf! My crew enjoyed the course and spent a few good hours there!

    I would definitely come back and maybe try out one of the tent sites in the woods for a bit more privacy.

  • Justin R.
    Nov. 3, 2024

    Claystone Park Campground

    First Time Camping and It Set the Bar

    Claystone Park was our first ever experience tent camping. Everything was great from the location of the bathroom and shower house, to ample space, and spectacular views. Quiet hours were respectfully observed, and all the amenities provided within our campsite were more than enough. Clean clean clean

  • E
    Jun. 20, 2021

    A. H. Stephens State Park Campground

    Quiet and nice clean

    While the tropical storm weather cut our trip to AH Stephens Historic Park we still very much enjoyed our visit.

    We stayed in 2 sites with the grandparents. #9 & #12

    Site 12 was a very nice straight site with the picnic table and fire ring down a few steps off the back of the main pad. Nicely wooded there was a tree very close to the hook up that caused us to park forward a bit to allow for a slide and side bunk to fully function.

    Site 9 (handicapped site) was perfect for the grandparents as there was a short paved walkway straight to the bath house.

    Both sites were nicely graveled and level.

  • Everette G.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Lawrence Shoals Campground

    Quaint, Rustic Campground, Not Very Tent Friendly

    My wife and I booked site 1 after there was nothing else available, literally, in the entire state. We arrived Friday afternoon, first impression is that the park is extremely well maintained. The hosts were very friendly, and very accommodating after learning that our site actually wasn't suitable for our tent. We moved to site 36, which, unlike site 1, was flat and long enough for our admittedly huge tent. Each site had a grill and either a grated iron fire ring or stone fire ring. The facilities were well maintained although the hardware was fairly dated. There were laundry machines at the facilities as well. The park itself was very quaint and rustic, with some very well maintained trails that catered to both hikers and bikers. There is a very cool rock effigy with a multi story observation tower, and lots of very cool information. It's like an outdoor museum. This campground isn't particularly tent friendly, but it's not a bad option if you want something local or need it as a backup. Definitely choose your site with care if you are in a tent, as not all of the sites are flat or have gravel pads. The campground is far enough from major light pollution to see a good amount of stars in the sky, but they do have huge floodlights at the entrance of the campground. Overall, I'm glad to know that it is there in case we are unable to go to one of our go-to campgrounds, but I wouldn't call it my favorite.

  • A
    Aug. 3, 2018

    Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    Walk-campaites

    If you’re like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground. The 12walk-in sites are waterfront to the lake- perfect for kayaking or paddle boarding. If you want privacy, but dont want to ‘hike-in’ all your camping gear, I highly recommend these sites!

  • Caitlin S.
    Jan. 31, 2022

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Nice campground for a weekend getaway!

    We stayed in the River Camping Area - Loop D. The campground felt secluded and the sites were spacious. We enjoyed hiking Falls Trail with our two dogs and checking out some of the nearby cities - Jackson & Forsyth.

    A few things to note: the internet is VERY spotty and the sites are not level. The entrance is very dark at night and the road is narrow and windy, so try to arrive before dark if you can.

  • Shaun G.
    Apr. 27, 2017

    Stone Mountain Park Campground

    Nice mid winter stay

    This was our first trip out of Florida with our family and camper. It was about a 6 hour drive from Tampa and we arrived just before dark. The campground was empty around us but the tracer trailer section was full of awesome rigs. Very quite and lots of trees. The mountain was a nice hike down and the snow slides were awesome as well. We will visit again.


Guide to Monticello

Dispersed camping opportunities near Monticello, Georgia provide access to natural areas with minimal development. The region averages 47 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush woodland environments where campers often encounter wildlife. Most primitive sites in the area sit at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F during peak camping months.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: The Towaliga River Retreat offers 14 tent sites where visitors can spot native fauna. "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," notes one visitor to Panola Mountain State Park Campground.

Hiking trails exploration: Several undeveloped paths provide hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. A camper at Panola Mountain mentioned, "Loved it but had to make my own trail with my dogs," indicating some routes require navigation skills.

Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution at Tyler Hunt Camp creates excellent stargazing conditions. A visitor described it as "quiet, super dark at night and beautiful," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

Fishing access: Multiple campsites offer river or pond access. At James Shackleford Memorial Park, visitors report, "pretty much all the sites around the lake area are the same," providing consistent fishing opportunities throughout the grounds.

What campers like

Peaceful environment: The relative seclusion of tent campsites near Monticello provides genuine quiet for visitors. One camper at Ocmulgee River Camp described it as "very nice and quiet this time of the year (January) train horn in the distance and gunshots in the distance as well from hunters here and there but all around a great spot."

Wildlife encounters: Natural habitats support diverse animal sightings. An Ocmulgee River Camp visitor noted they "saw some deer on a walk" and another mentioned seeing "a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear."

Spacious camping areas: Sites typically offer ample room between campers. At Panola Mountain State Park Campground, reviews mention "spacious, dog friendly" conditions with "open space near pond" providing comfortable setups.

Cellular connectivity: Despite remote locations, communications remain accessible at most sites. A visitor to Ocmulgee River Camp mentioned "Verizon works perfectly," while another at Panola Mountain State Park Campground noted "There is good cell reception (T-Mobile)."

What you should know

Vehicle access considerations: Access roads vary in quality depending on recent maintenance. One camper stated Ocmulgee River Camp was "a mile off the road, which is a little bumpy but manageable."

Security awareness: Some dispersed sites experience vehicle traffic after dark. A Tyler Hunt Camp visitor reported, "Expect to have a drive thru at least once around 9/10. It's just a see who is in the area type thing."

Seasonal conditions: Weather patterns significantly affect camping comfort. At Ocmulgee River Camp, a visitor in summer noted, "It was quite hot but surprisingly not that buggy," while a winter camper reported, "It was nice and warm even in December! Almost 70 degrees!"

Noise factors: Sound carries from surrounding areas and activities. A camper at James Shackleford Memorial Park mentioned it was "very peaceful nice people was able to find plenty of outdoor stuff to do," though hunting sounds are common during season.

Tips for camping with families

Pack extra water supplies: No drinking water exists at most primitive tent campsites near Monticello. Families should bring 1-2 gallons per person per day, especially during summer months.

Educational opportunities: The guided experiences available provide learning moments. At Panola Mountain, "We took the guided tour of the Mountain and it was awesome. We ate Pine Trees and they explained about lichen and the red fungus. Highly recommended."

Plan for extended hikes: Some campgrounds require significant walking to reach sites. One camper noted about Panola Mountain, "Getting to the campsite was simple enough and it is the quoted 3/4 mile walk in. It was great to see some families utilizing the space."

Evening wildlife sounds: Natural noises can surprise young campers. A visitor at Panola Mountain State Park described the area as "Very peaceful and even had the sounds of a vibrant coyote pack."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most dispersed camping areas near Monticello lack RV amenities. For RVers seeking partial hookups, Panola Mountain offers "electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups" but limited other facilities.

Road conditions awareness: Access roads to primitive sites often challenge larger vehicles. One camper described Ocmulgee River Camp access as "Very nice a bit bumpy on the drive in but no major holes," suggesting smaller RVs might navigate successfully.

Alternative accommodation options: For those wanting amenities without full RV setups, cabin options exist. Towaliga River Retreat provides both tent and cabin accommodations with more facilities than completely dispersed options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Monticello, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Monticello, GA is Ocmulgee River Camp with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Monticello, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Monticello, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.