Top Free Dispersed Camping near Nelson, GA

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Nelson, GA (25)

Showing results 1-10 of 25 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Nelson

30 Reviews of 25 Nelson Campgrounds


  • Gillian S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Grave Gap Campsite
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    Good for Big Groups

    Three campsites in the immediate area. Two are on one side of the road. You have to cross thru one to get to the other. All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge. We decided to spread out but that meant having to do a lot of walking back and forth for stuff. You can pull your car into the site easily. It’s about a mile from the High Shoals Trailhead. Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole. The closest town is Hiawasee. Had a grocery and an outfitters if you need supplies. There’s only two sit down restaurants—one had an hour wait; the other had run out of food.

  • Robyn W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    Jun. 1, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very Decent Primitive Spot

    Overall we enjoyed this stay! 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. 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. The road then opens up to a four way, we kept going straight, followed the road down and then came to three sites all empty. It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes. Our truck is pretty high and 4x4 so wasn’t too bad for us but a low car may not fair as well. We were there on a Friday

  • h
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    May. 4, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Pretty Decent Place to Stay

    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. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jones Creek Dispersed Campground
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    Beautiful but popular

    Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.

    When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road. This area seems to be popular for local dirt bikers, but we seen people fishing and relaxing all the same.

    I would have gave 5 stars, but these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns( in the distance), which isn’t a problem for us, but reduced the relaxing nature of the visit with all this combined.

    This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit.

  • Gabrielle D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Group camping

    First location was Hickey Gap, we got there around 1 on a Friday and it was full so we headed to the primitive group camping site. Gravel road, lots of rocks included, and dust but if your not worried about your car do it! We had an suv but I saw a handful of sedans that made it up. We got to the group site at 1:20 or so and there was only one person at first but slowly people start trickling in. We stayed 2 nights but a lot of people stayed for 1. The look out driving up is awesome and the lake it gorgeous. Watch out for bears.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground G
    Sep. 30, 2022

    Goforth Creek Campground G

    Backup option

    This is an ok option if there are no other sites available. It is just a cleared-out area near the trail but doesn’t have an established fire pit. The only nice feature is that it is further up the trail and more private as well as has easy access to water.

  • Steve V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Creek Primitive Camping Area
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • Steve V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Roy B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • Roy B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground D
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground D

    Keep going

    This was the smallest and worst site in my opinion along this trail. I would continue on to the next site. However, if you are concerned about crowds this spot will most likely be available. Check out my video below to get a better idea of the space.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground C
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground C

    Small site

    This is a much smaller site along the trail with enough space for a single tent or a couple of hammocks. My suggestion would be to keep heading further up the trail if the first 2 sites are occupied. This one does have a nice firepit and easy access to water but so do all the other sites along the trail.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground B
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground B

    Across the creek

    This is another large campsite that sits further up the creek and is pretty easy to find from the main trail. It is more open than site A but also a good option. The photos and videos below will give you a good feel for the space. This is also a good option for anyone who has trouble sleeping with loud water sounds since this site is much quieter than some of the others.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground A
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground A

    Closest to parking

    This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents. The site has really easy access to water for purifying or swimming. There is also a very large established fire pit. The hike up the creek is really beautiful and a much less traveled trail than others in the area. I highly suggest going all the way to the end and taking a little dip. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day.

  • Karen
    Camper-submitted photo from Murrays Lake Primitive
    Jun. 5, 2021

    Murrays Lake Primitive

    It's in Georgia, not Tennesse!

    Although there is a Murray's Lake in TN, as you'll note on the location map, this campsite is in Georgia.

  • Karen
    Camper-submitted photo from Murrays Lake Primitive
    Jun. 5, 2021

    Murrays Lake Primitive

    It's Primitive

    There is a lake, but it's not all that pretty. There's a boat ramp, but the lake is small and I doubt it's worth the trouble. There are 2 drive in tent spots, with 2 more at the end of a trail. Secluded. The road in can be handled by a sedan.

  • Tyler J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Mar. 19, 2020

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Dispersed & wonderful view of Southern sky

    This is one of my favorite types of spots: remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains. I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way. Go here on a new moon night in the summer and you're sure to have a great night of uninterrupted beauty!

  • Damion V.
    Camper-submitted photo from High Shoals Falls Trail Dispersed
    May. 7, 2019

    High Shoals Falls Trail Dispersed

    Semi-secluded Camping in the Chattahoochee NF

    A relatively moderate 2.4 mile (round trip) hike with primitive camping/ backpacking campsites alongside High Shoals Creek. The trail contains 2 beautiful Georgia waterfalls, Blue Hole Falls and High Shoals Falls. The area is lush with mountain laurel, rhododendrons, and old-growth trees. The cool waters of High Shoals Creek offer rewarding refreshment after a day of exploring the various wildflowers and plant life while serving as a soothing sound to fall asleep too while stargazing.

  • Kelsey G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowrock Mountain
    May. 3, 2019

    Cowrock Mountain

    Tough Chunck of AT with mountain top views

    This section of the AT isn’t easy breezy, but it levels out and the trees thin out on the mountain ridges to relatively open, flat land for camping Ran into som AT’ers packing up for the morning. The out and back trail ends at the AT shelter. Halfway through the hike you’re greeted by a flat rock face and these views.



Guide to Nelson

Camping near Nelson, Georgia, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. With lush landscapes and plenty of activities, it’s a great place for families and friends to enjoy nature together.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous with LOTS of stair steps back up but if you can do it, certainly worth it."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Don Carter State Park Campground. A camper noted, "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail!"
  • Swimming: Relax in the water at Sweetwater Campground. One review said, "There’s a roped-off swimming area, and a boat launch, and plenty of sites with lake access."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities at Vogel State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The campground is very clean and well maintained."
  • Friendly staff: Many enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Fort Yargo State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "The staff were able to get me added and discounted my staff which was nice."
  • Beautiful views: Campers love the stunning scenery at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping. A guest mentioned, "The campground was neat, clean, and quiet."

What you should know

  • Site proximity: Some campgrounds, like Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, have sites that are closer together. A camper noted, "The sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to."
  • Access fees: Be prepared for additional fees at places like Stone Mountain Park Campground. One visitor pointed out, "On top of the $70 a night, you must pay a $20 parking fee."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Sweetwater Campground, may lack certain facilities like showers. A camper mentioned, "The bathrooms were really disgusting; they look like they hadn’t been cleaned in a very long time."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of fun activities for kids. One family at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground enjoyed the "beautiful park with lots of activities available for the whole family."
  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Fort Mountain State Park Campground. A visitor said, "The sites are nicely spaced and private."
  • Check for playgrounds: Some parks, like Vogel State Park Campground, have playgrounds nearby. One camper noted, "The kids had loads of fun playing by the little rivers."

Tips from RVers

Camping near Nelson, Georgia, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Nelson, GA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Nelson, GA is Jones Creek Dispersed Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Nelson, GA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 25 dispersed camping locations near Nelson, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.