The cabins near Murrayville, Georgia offer access to the southern Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. Located in northeast Georgia, this area experiences four distinct seasons with fall bringing colorful foliage from mid-October through early November. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making cabin accommodations with proper heating essential from December through February.
What to do
Hiking access from campgrounds: Lake Winfield Scott Campground offers trail connections to the Appalachian Trail. "The trails connect to the Appalachian Trail. It's pet friendly and usually pretty quiet, despite filling up pretty quickly in fall months," notes one visitor who recommends exploring nearby attractions.
Water activities: Margaritaville provides lake access for boating and swimming. "We had a paved site full hookup pull thru with lake view. Very easy to get in and out, private and quiet, we had a picnic table, fire ring and bbq grill," reports a camper who enjoyed the waterfront location. There is a one-time $20 fee per vehicle to enter.
Mountain biking: Unicoi State Park & Lodge maintains dedicated mountain biking trails. A visitor notes, "The campground was taken over by a private company a couple of years ago. It has great spots for picnicking. The lake offers swimming, boating, and zip lining."
What campers like
Tent-specific sites: Fort Yargo State Park offers walk-in tent sites with lakefront access. "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," shares a camper.
Seasonal camping options: Vogel State Park remains open year-round with varying experiences. "We spent a week here in Feb. 2017 it was a bit chilly and quiet. The sites and trails are very well maintained, all facilities were clean and the park rangers are super friendly. They also offer cabin and cottages for those who do not camp," explains a winter visitor.
Fall foliage viewing: Lake Winfield Scott provides prime autumn color viewing. "We've been camping here for years with our kids. It's gorgeous during the fall season," mentions a regular visitor who recommends nearby attractions including "Vogel state park, unicoi state park, and Brasstown Bald."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Don Carter State Park cabins book quickly for summer months. "We go camping every memorial day weekend and this year it was at Don Carter. We love this camp ground! Its fairly new, probably under 12 years, and everything is so clean and well taken care of," reports a holiday visitor.
Access limitations: Many cabins require advance planning during peak seasons. Sites at Vogel State Park with water views fill up first. "The campground sits at 2500 ft. so it was comfortably cool," notes a visitor describing the elevation advantage.
Weather considerations: Mountain cabins experience temperature fluctuations. Tallulah Gorge State Park can be significantly cooler than surrounding areas. "It was a really sweet, quiet, clean campground. I was so pleased with the site we were on, site 13, was centrally located, relatively easy to back our trailer into, and a perfect partial shade site," shares a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Unicoi State Park offers multiple recreation options. "My kids and I went camping at Unicoi Park in the summer and there is plenty to keep them busy. They played in the creek, on the swing set and walked the trail to the swimming section of the lake," reports a parent with children ranging from 5 to 16.
Educational opportunities: Tallulah Gorge State Park provides natural science learning. "Really enjoyed camping here with my family. Took our 19, 11, and 4 year old. Tested the trails and enjoyed plenty of scenic views," mentions a family who appreciated the multi-age appeal.
Navigation challenges: Some parks have confusing layouts after dark. "Arriving in the dark for the first visit, is a bit confusing in the labyrinth of roadways (some One-way) throughout the campground," warns a Vogel State Park visitor who recommends arriving during daylight hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Don Carter State Park has paved RV sites but variable sizes. "Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit," warns a visitor with a larger RV, suggesting checking site dimensions before booking.
Terrain considerations: Amicalola Falls State Park features steep access roads. "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite," notes an RV camper who still rated the experience highly.
Hookup variations: Not all cabins and RV sites offer sewer connections. "No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through," reports a Fort Yargo State Park visitor, highlighting the alternative disposal option.
