Best Tent Camping near Newnan, GA
Tent campsites in the Newnan, Georgia area include several options within a short drive. Sweetwater Creek State Park provides five walk-in tent sites situated in wooded areas near the lake, with Lithia Springs approximately 20 miles northeast of Newnan. Bush Head Shoals Park offers six tent camping sites with direct access to the Chattahoochee River, featuring large gravel tent pads that accommodate family-sized tents. Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area provides more primitive tent camping opportunities for those seeking a less developed experience.
Most tent camping areas around Newnan feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Sweetwater Creek's tent sites include tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, with access to clean shower facilities and restrooms that are well-maintained and lit at night. Bush Head Shoals provides fire pits and picnic tables at each site but lacks running water and showers, though vault toilets are available and illuminated after dark. Important to note is that Joe Kurz WMA requires a valid Georgia hunting or fishing license for camping, reflecting its primary purpose for hunting and fishing activities rather than recreation.
The tent camping experience near Newnan offers varying levels of privacy and natural settings. At Bush Head Shoals, the campsites provide ample space for fishing gear and camping equipment, with the sound of the river creating a peaceful backdrop. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper noting, "Almost every time I camp here I see a bald eagle flying over the river." Sweetwater Creek's tent sites, while relatively close to one another, provide access to numerous hiking trails along the creek and to historic mill ruins. The park's proximity to Atlanta means it can get crowded, particularly on weekends. Bush Head Shoals offers more spacious sites, with a review mentioning that "the sites were extremely spacious. You could easily fit two 6 person tents."
