Dispersed camping near Redan, Georgia offers remote woodland locations about 30-60 minutes from the city. Several Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) provide primitive camping without standard amenities amid pine forests and riverside terrain. Summer temperatures in these areas average 85-95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop to 30-40°F with occasional frost.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The areas around Tyler Hunt Camp provide excellent wildlife watching, particularly at dawn and dusk. "I enjoyed my stay here during the day... it's quiet, super dark at night and beautiful," notes camper LeeAnne T., though she adds that visitors should "expect to have a drive thru at least once around 9/10" from patrolling rangers.
Fishing access: Anglers can take advantage of several creek and river access points throughout the region. At Ocmulgee River Camp, campers enjoy direct water access. "Beautiful campsite, just a few neighbors," reports Julie H., who also mentioned seeing deer during walks around the area.
Hiking available: While not maintained trails, many paths wind through the woodland areas. One camper at Ocmulgee River Camp shared, "Spot with a nice horse trail to hike - saw some deer and a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear - unsure."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Most camping areas maintain relative quiet, especially during weekdays. Greg D. described his experience at Ocmulgee River Camp: "Open spaces and very 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 to really enjoy."
Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, some locations offer surprising cell coverage. J.A. noted about Ocmulgee River Camp: "Verizon works perfectly. Very nice a bit bumpy on the drive in but no major holes. Quiet and peaceful 2 neighbors great amount of space to find a nice spot."
Year-round accessibility: The free camping near Redan, Georgia remains accessible throughout most seasons. "It was nice and warm even in December! Almost 70 degrees!" reported SJ W. about their winter stay at Ocmulgee River Camp, though they cautioned it "was a little buggy since it was humid and by the river but not too bad."
What you should know
License requirements: Most dispersed camping options require proper documentation. At Rum Creek WMA, Brian K. emphasizes that campers "Must have a hunting or fishing license or a land use pass" even when just camping.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly between locations. Michael S. described Ocmulgee River Camp as "Only a mile off the road, which is a little bumpy but manageable."
Security considerations: Some camping areas experience varying activity levels after dark. At Tyler Hunt Camp, Micah C. reported: "I enjoyed my stay here during the day, but things changed after dark... As night fell, I began preparing for bed, but I noticed vehicles coming and going—at least three within an hour."
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. When camping at Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area, be aware that summer days can reach 90°F while nights cool considerably. Pack accordingly with both cooling supplies and extra layers.
Communication planning: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. Lenear B. notes about Joe Kurz WMA: "No cell coverage, has fire pit, mostly tent and car campers."
Wildlife encounters: Children should be supervised due to wildlife presence. One camper at Ocmulgee River Camp shared, "Almost 70 degrees! Spot with a nice horse trail to hike - saw some deer and a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear - unsure."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Small to medium RVs fare better at most dispersed camping locations near Redan. At Joe Kurz WMA, Lenear B. mentioned, "I went with a travel trailer" and gave the experience 4 stars, noting it's "mostly tent and car campers" indicating smaller units work best.
Road clearance: Higher clearance vehicles with good suspension handle the access roads better. "Nice open camp site with plenty of spots for camping. Only a mile off the road, which is a little bumpy but manageable," explains Michael S. about the drive into Ocmulgee River Camp.
Leveling preparation: Bring sufficient leveling blocks as terrain varies. While Julie H. mentioned Ocmulgee River Camp has "tons of flat space," conditions can change seasonally, requiring adjustments for comfortable RV setup.
