Best Cabin Camping near Norcross, GA

Nicest state park cabin I’ve never stayed in! The furnishings were beautiful and the screened porch was amazing. I really appreciated that the bedding and towels were plush and extremely comfortable-very unlike most state parks or other rental cabins. It was also impeccably clean, AND the bathrooms had handcrafted local soaps!

As a side note, my husband is a wheelchair user and this was the most accessible vacation rental we’ve ever encountered (and we travel a lot). The picnic table had a seat cutout, the fire pit and grill were on a level surface, and the kitchen sink was roll under! 10/10 thank you HLC for the thoughtful attention to accessibility.

Fort Yargo is in the Winder Ga area and is close to Helen, Jefferson, Athens and Atlanta. Entering the campground is a nice paved road and leads to tent camping, cabins, yurts and RV sites.

Very clean park and has Historical area, playground, tennis court, bike and hike trails. Not to mention beach and boating area.

Picnics, camping, boating biking and camping or just day use areas. Pet friendly and all around great park.

There is a small general store, but you are so close to everything if you need it, it's there.

Gread for the Georgia Bulldog crowd as its less then 30 minutes!

I recommend this park highly.

RV/tent camping and cabin rentals. Campsites had wifi and pretty good tv signal. There's also a lodge/hotel on site with a restaurant, with gorgeous views overlooking the valley below. Camping sites are spaced well apart with electric, water and fire rings. The campgrounds also feature a bathhouse and laundry.

Begin your Appalachian Trail journey here with 604 steps to the top of a beautiful waterfall.

Clean showers/toilets, personable host with small store, spots for Campers, tents and even a few rental Cabins. Fantastic spot out of the crowds but less than a mile from Amicalola Falls.

Fort Yargo is a bit of history for Georgia, restored cabin from 1792. Boating, hiking, camping and cabins with another area that is a private resort. Lots of room 1816 acres, 16 cabins, 6 yurts. Many tent and trailers spots. #34 has full hookups. There is a nice pavilion and a fairly new welcome center. It is easy to get to and there is playgrounds for the young ones.

Don Carter State Park is Georgia's newest campground. Very clean restrooms. There is a gate code to get in after hours and a separate gate code to get into the campground. The Cabins are very nice. We enjoyed the trails.

Loved hiking here and the cabins are awesome.

Fort Yargo is a nice park with campsites, yurts and cabins. We camped by the lake and enjoyed ourselves.

Now we’ve never stayed here for our rv trips however we’ve revisited over the course of maybe 5 years for our family reunion and yes over the past two to three years they’ve remodeled the cabins. Yet, this year the newly remodeled cabins were in need of maintenance and repair. I mean come on. The conditioned building we rent every year has even got mold in it and we had a family member clean the kitchen for two hours in preparation for our event. We plan on changing locations finally as it seems the staff and rangers at Hard Labor are just riding their paycheck.

We stayed at the State park from June 6-9. There are only about 24 sites, some cabins, and some new glamping tents. There is a bathhouse with individual showers. You are fairly close to the lodge. You are also right at the falls. BEWARE- there is a steep 24% grade getting to the campground. The campground was neat, clean, and quiet.

This campground has everything you need. The tent pads are new with nice and level gravel. The facilities are great and the camp host was helpful, even during the cold winter months we were there. If the weather decides to turn on you, you can head into their lodge or rent a cabin. You cannot beat all this being next to one of the largest cascading waterfalls on the east coast and the beginning/end of the AT.

The camping locations vary from tents to cabins. The locations is beautiful. The AT approach begins here at the visitors center and continues for 8 miles to Springer Mountain. It is strenuous hiking up the falls, but absolutely worth it. You won’t be disappointed. There is also a fitness trail and a wheelchair/stroller friendly trail by the lodge. Don’t miss out on the ranger talks. We were able to see a few raptors. Very cool!

Campground Review:

Overall summary: A great campground with sites for tents, RVs, and even cabins. Well organized so that different camping experiences have designated spaces making for better experiences for everyone.

My wife and I stayed at this campground with another couple who are friends of ours from Atlanta while bike packing parts of the Silver Comet Trail. We spent the whole day covering about 35 miles on our bikes with gear on the back having an amazing time. We were even able to stop for lunch in Rockmart and take a nice break. Since I knew it was going to be one of the first beautiful weekends of fall and that there would probably be a crowd I emailed the campground in advance to make a reservation. They told me that they don’t have staff on the premise working over the weekend but that they would hold a site for us. When we arrive that afternoon we found many sites available along the road so we just went and grabbed and envelope to pay and set up camp in a semi-private area next to what looked like a vacant small cabin.

Getting settled we were also able to explore around the site a little more and found that it was set up to have several different campground areas divided for different purposes. There is a huge field right along the main entrance that is designed for groups of bike campers where you can set up wherever then use the picnic and gazebo area for cooking and hanging out. This is also the area with the bathrooms (a retrofitted trailer) and there are several benches and swings. Continuing along the main road in the ground to the right are many small campgrounds for private groups interspersed with a couple small cabins. On the other side of the road are RV sites for people wishing to stay for a couple nights only. If you continue on and head up the hill there is a whole separate section of the camp set up for long term RV sites with monthly rental options. Additionally, right across the road from where we stayed were 2 small shower rooms that have a sink but no toilet and hot water for showers.

After getting settled in we began working on getting a fire going and were trying to use a small knife to break down some larger logs we found. The gentleman staying in the cabin saw us struggling and offered to grab his chainsaw and break down the wood for us. We happily obliged and got to chatting with him. He told us that it is actually his father-in-law who owns the place and that he stays in the cabins sometimes when they aren’t being used. Later on the owner came by to pick him up and I cannot express just how wonderful, welcoming, and friendly they both were. It was an amazing experience and they could not have been more gracious hosts. The only downside was that many of the tent sites are close together but everything else about the site is very well managed and organized. You can tell that the owner really takes good care of everything and values the environment he has built.

We had a restful night sleep and continued on our trek the next day. If you are in the area and have a chance to spend the night here I would highly recommend it!

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to try out new and interesting products at campgrounds I visit. On this trip, I tried out the Renogy E.TUNES Solar Bluetooth Speaker. My takeaways from using the combo speaker/solar charger are:

1. The solar panel actually works and is effective if you have full sun and can leave it out to be exposed for a while. I found a great spot was on the dashboard of the car while we were biking for the day. It has an indicator light that lets you know if you have it angled correctly and if it is charging. Then there are lights that blink and fill in as it charges so you can know when it is done. A couple hours out in the sun is enough to recharge the battery completely and give you several hours of music time.
2. Wow the speaker has some serious umph. I will be honest that I wasn’t expecting much from this speaker. I thought it would be a small thing that would be good for those occasions where I want to listen outside on a short hike or at a campground in the evening but the sound from this thing is no joke. It actually has a separate bass built in so you get really loud high quality sound. The speaker itself doesn’t have volume control so you will need to use the bluetooth connected music device to adjust that. However, you can skip songs and pause/play so that is a nice feature. I have actually started using this speaker at home in parallel with another when we project movies outside since it gives such a nice addition to the sound.
3. USB outlet for phone charging. This was a wonderful feature for a car camping trip where we weren’t worried about the extra weight but didn’t want to have to bring along another battery pack to keep up with at the campground. We could just charge our phone and play music all in one device.
4. Finally, the speaker is very well built and durable especially with the additional rubber bumper you can add on. I have accidentally dropped it a couple times already with not even any visible wear let alone effect on the functionality.

Overall, I would say this speaker is well worth the value and an amazing addition not only to your camping gear but also perfect for around the house or just a day at the beach. It charges quickly, puts out some wonderful sound, and comes with a slew of extra features.

This park in North Georgia on Lake Lanier hit our trifecta 🚴‍♀️🥾🚣🏼‍♂️.

12.5 miles of multi use trails with some elevation.
📌Additional bonus for those with strollers/small children or physical challenges —>this park had several ADA accessible trails which were paved.

Lake Lanier offered wonderful kayaking/fishing opportunities, there is also a beach for swimming. If you paddle or fish- be sure to have your fishing license/whistle/ life jacket. I got pulled over twice by water patrol.

Keith loved biking the rolling country roads surrounding the park. Too hilly for me outside the park but I am a wimp about climbing hills.

We could do it all easily from our campsite which had 30/50amp, water and lucky us there was a grey water drain within hose reach. (These Grey water drains are dispersed randomly throughout the campground not always near your site) There is also cable hook up. Verizon service was okay.

We stayed here for 10 days in mid July and bugs were minimal...as long as you were inside or armed at dusk with repellent or fans.

The wooded campsites and shady trails made the whole summer adventure great!

There are primitive tent camping areas and lovely 8 cottages/cabins too!)

Ranger Review: Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh at Amicalola Falls State Park

Campground: Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

"It" all doesn't start here...but for those desiring to begin the AT from the Southern Terminus Acces Trail it sure does. The Approach trail is 8.3 miles to Springer Mountain from the lower Amicalola State Park parking lot. So there is more history and lore here than meets the eye. This in and of itself makes this State Park unique...but there is much more.

If you enjoy hiking, even the least little bit, Amicalola State Park is for you. http://gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls If you visit their website it sends you to Adventure Lodges, which then reveals all this State Park has to offer. Zip Line, Team Building Course, Fitness Trail, The Rock Climbing Wall, Birds of Prey, Survivalist Camp, campground, cabins, and a beautiful mountaintop Lodge.

The Lodge is nice...very nice. Front desk personnel are very friendly and helpful, as is the ground crew (they always know the best places to go and how to get there). The entire back of the Lodge has long mountain views and faces West, so you can enjoy gorgeous sunsets from your room, the dining area, or an outside deck. We did not stay at the lodge, so I cannot comment on the rooms, but it appeared full from the parking lot.

Even if you registered for your campsite online, you still go to the front desk of the Lodge to register and get your Park tag and site tag. At the time of this writing, I paid $30 which included a $5 Park fee.

Just so you are aware, the road leading up the hill to the campground is a 25% incline. It's steep. So if you are bringing your bicycles and ride down the hill...keep it mind the climb back up. In fact, there is little flat terrain in this entire park. All foot trails go up or down...with the exception of one trail leading from a parking lot to the middle of Amicalola Falls (which is where most photos are taken). Interesting sidenote: that trail to the middle of the falls is made entirely from recycled tires...and I believe it is ADA accessible.

There are several rental cabins (14 total) in two different areas. Five cabins on the lower entrance level, just below Reflection Pond and across from picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Nine cabins are on a roadway just below the campground. All the cabins appeared large and well-equipped.

The campground has 24 sites...17 sites along the outside of the loop and 7 sites on the inside of the loop. The showerhouse/restrooms/laundry is to the right upon entering the loop, just past the host site (which was vacant during our visit). Absent a host, may have accounted for the unkept restroom and filthy showers (2 per gender). A small picnic shelter is located in the center of the loop, and there is basketball hoop oddly placed between two handicap parking spots. Horseshoe pits are between the basketball hoop and the picnic shelter.

Staying at site 15 afforded us some privacy, as the campground was half full on a Tuesday night. The campground sites have been masterful carved out of the mountain...and are pretty near level. Each site has a parking pad, large enough for a RV/Camper...a picnic table, lantern post, a fire ring w/grate and a separate charcoal grill...a water spigot, electrical box and a tent pad. Well thought out. The parking pad and picnic/grill area was a fine gravel chip and the tent pad was a fine pea gravel. Because the sites are hewn out of the mountain, 3/4 of the site is surrounded by timber retention walls with a timber fence around the top...masterfully done, I might add.

When choosing a site online...google earth the campground...this will give you a pretty good idea of the layout. Keep in mind the flow of the roadway, headlights shine directly into sites like 5 and 6 as people drive through. The campground was pretty quiet during the day and graveyard quiet (with the exception of owls hooting) and black as ink at night. Sleeping without a rainfly rewarded us with wonderful stargazing.

If you are ambitious and enjoy vertical hiking, the Falls trail will meet your needs. However, if you want to enjoy the Falls with half the effort...simply drive to the three different parking areas with minimal walking to get plenty of photos. The Falls were beautiful in late August, but I imagine with spring rains it is more impressive.

A great campground to visit and explore!

Product Review: Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh

As a product reviewer for theDyrt.com, on occasion I am given products to test and evaluate...such is the case with the Primus Micron Lantern - (Steel Mesh). https://primus.us/products/micron-lantern-steel-mesh

Primus actually makes five different lanterns, three burn butane and two are battery operated.

I have owned and still own several large camp lanterns of various brand and fuel source...and back in the 80's owned what was, at the time, considered a small backpacking one mantle lantern...but none compare to the miniscule size of the Primus Micron Lantern.

You can get the Micron Lantern in two models, one with frosted glass and this one with stainless steel mesh. Not being known as particularly gentle, I chose the Steel Mesh version. Weighing in at a diminutive 4.4 oz, it weighs nothing in your pack.

I preferred the robust stainless steel mesh version over the frosted glass globe version. There are great reviews on the frosted glass globe version, slightlty heavier at 6 oz, yet puts out more lumens...but I would certainly be too rough for glass. Even though the steel mesh version of the Micron Lantern is more durable and can take a beating...the mantle is what can suffer. With that in mind, always carry a couple spares.

Speaking of the mantles...you need to purchase additonal "two hole" or "two opening" mantles, which I found at a local big box store, and keep them as insurance. Tear a burned mantle, and its worthless...you must remove the fragments and put a fresh one on.

I was pretty impresse with the durability of the Micron Lantern-Steel Mesh. It stuffed nicely into my backpack, and took as much space as a rolled pair of socks. I couldn't see it happening, but even if you could crush the stainless steel mesh housing...you can pick up a new one directly off Primus' site for a tad more than a Franklin.

I will encourage you to read the provided instructions for operation and set up. Without doing so, you may fumble around a bit and waste time. After following the instructions, it is quite simple and straightforward.

You will notice there is a conveniently, handy integrated piezo electric " Easy Trigger Ignition"...and it couldn't be any easier.

Permit me to walk you through set up, if you will. I found it easier to attach it to an isobutane cannister to make it more stable and stand on its own. After attaching it to the cannister, observe that at the bottom rim of the steel mesh "globe" there are two symbols stamped into the metal...one of a closed lock and one of an open lock. You will also observe a small tab on the steel mesh...that is your position indicator, depending which symbol it is behind. The bottom rim with the stamped lock symbols is actually part of the base. I am assuming that the lantern has either just been pulled from the box or has not been operating...because you would be incredibly unwise to touch the steel mesh anytime soon after its operation. A trip to the hospital would be high on the list with third degree burns.

By holding the base, twist the steel mesh globe in the direction of the unlock symbol and pull straight off...simple. You'll notice the "locking" cutouts on the rim. It is possible when reassembling the steel mesh globe back to the base to put the marking tab on the opposite side, thus foiling your indication if its locked or unlocked...though it'll still function that way.

Once the steel mesh is off, take your time to slide the larger of the two mantile openings over the fuel post. You will have to use care in weaving the piezo electric starter wire through one of the small holes in the side of the mantle. If I could do it easily, you can too. There is a small rim on the fuel post for the bottom of the mantle to fit snuggly on...as there is one for the top mantle opening. Once into place, pull the sides of the mantle outward to make it as round as possible. Now you are ready to light the mantle and "burn it down." This may sound counterintuitive, if you have not done this before, but its just how its done. With a sturdy lighter, keep the flame on the mantle until it burns completely and uniformily white...and when 99% done, open the fuel valve which will ignite the mantle and light your world. Allow it to burn for a few minutes and then shut off the fuel. Reattach the steel mesh globe (properly) and twist it to the lock position. Done!

Now you can turn on your fuel valve, "trigger" the piezo electric ignition and Bingo!..you have light. It is adjustable, if you want it lower for some abiance. While there are varying reviews over the lumens and wattage the Micron Lantern puts out, it appeared to me to be a little brighter than a 70 watt bulb in total darkness.

The Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh is a lightweight and packable light...worthy for both your backpacking adventures or your campground visits!

Good for a quick get away while still having access to “city life”. There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you’re deep in nature.

This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier.  It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area.  We originally chose site 8 on the map but found it was pretty exposed and got direct sun all the time.

The park was very clean and still had a "new" feeling.  We had a site with full hook ups.  There wasn't WiFi, but the cell service was good.  They did have cable.  There is a beach with kayak rentals.  We enjoyed a double kayak outing on the lake.  We kept pretty close to shore and didn't have to fight rough water or strong currents.

Some campsites are on small hills that flatten out for your camper but then the terrain falls off.  Biking trails weren't very flat.  We also had to be aware of ants.  Couldn't leave our dog's dish or bone out without being invaded.

Don't miss the Mountain Fresh Creamery almost 8 miles away for ice cream.  Also not far from Helen, GA and wineries.  Always great to spend time in the beautiful Georgia mountains.

Hard Labor Creek State Park is one of the Georgia State Park system's best kept secrets! Located just minutes away from Rutledge, GA, HLC seems like a whole world away! Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, HLC is still convenient to Rutledge and Madison, in case you forgot to pack something.

HLC features hiking trails, mini golf, newly "renovated" campsites that include two BRAND new bathhouses (comfort stations). The comfort stations have restrooms/showers, as well as two family restroom/shower facilities. The comfort stations also feature vending machines (drinks) and a laundry facility!

Kayak rentals, a beach/swimming area and numerous special programs are available!

Cell phone service is very spotty in the park but that is alright with us, camping is about getting AWAY and enjoying the outdoors, not staring at your electronic devices!

If golf is your thing, HLC has a beautiful 18-hole golf course!

Ft Yargo is located about 45 miles NE of Atlanta in Winder, Ga. We camped there for four nights and while the weather was cold the campground was full. Plenty of things to do here that include bike and hiking trails, boat rentals, mini golf, geocaching and more! Walmart and several restaurants are minutes away should you need them.