Primitive tent camping near Resaca, Georgia offers remote experiences in the Cohutta and Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Areas. Most sites lie between 1,100 and 2,800 feet elevation, creating significant temperature variations between valley and ridge campsites. Fall camping temperatures range from daytime highs around 65°F to nighttime lows near 40°F, while summer months can bring high humidity and temperatures above 85°F.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Take a mile-long hike from Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA) to reach a significant waterfall. A camper noted, "There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!"
Rock climbing: Visit Rocktown near Sawmill Lake Campsite for world-class bouldering. According to one visitor, "Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking. The permit was 15 dollars to access Rock Town and the Caves."
Cave exploration: Explore Petty John Cave within walking distance of Sawmill Lake. "This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave," reports one camper, making it convenient for day trips.
Swimming: Cool off in Blue Hole at Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, a natural swimming area. One camper shared, "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 23ft pop up camper with our generator. We were never bothered and it's right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail."
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Many campers enjoy the soothing sounds of water at Hickey Gap. One camper described it as "a beautiful little spot next to a creek" with "5 sites in all," making it intimate but not too crowded.
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, some areas maintain basic sanitation. At Hickey Gap, a visitor noted the "pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean," plus there were "bear boxes" for food storage.
Mountain vistas: Fort Mountain State Park backcountry sites offer exceptional views. A hiker staying at site #4 appreciated that "it's about 0.2 miles from a beautiful west facing overlook where I enjoyed the sunset."
Privacy: Hidden Creek Campground offers secluded sites separated from neighbors. A visitor mentioned it was "very nice secluded and away from people very few people out here," creating a true wilderness feel.
What you should know
Land permits required: Most Wildlife Management Areas require permits. At Sawmill Lake, "You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60."
Road conditions: Access roads can be treacherous, especially after rain. A visitor to Hidden Creek warned there "are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn't recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle."
GPS limitations: Navigation systems often fail in remote areas. One Hidden Creek camper advised, "Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use" since "GPS will take u to someone's private property next door."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active throughout the region. A Hickey Gap visitor observed "a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper" and "a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box."
Seasonal considerations: Some water sources aren't reliable year-round. At Fort Mountain, a camper noted, "A small creek flows through the site for easy water access (but I was told that it doesn't flow all year)."
Tips for camping with families
Tent-only areas: For safer family experiences, consider Woodring Branch Primitive Campground. One visitor appreciated that "this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road."
Snake awareness: Watch children near water. At Hickey Gap, one camper spotted "3 copper heads at the creek," highlighting the importance of teaching kids about wildlife safety.
Simple amenities: Basic facilities can make family camping easier. Woodring Branch offers limited but helpful amenities: "The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites."
Creek play: Many sites feature shallow creeks perfect for supervised water play. A visitor to Hickey Gap mentioned it was "a beautiful little spot next to a creek" where families can cool off during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Clearance requirements: Many roads to dispersed sites have significant obstacles. One RVer at Sawmill Lake warned, "I came from the west and had no problems getting my 23ft camper up the mountain," suggesting direction of approach matters for larger vehicles.
Generator options: While most primitive sites lack hookups, some permit generators. An RV camper at Blue Hole noted, "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21' pop up camper with our generator."
Route planning: Access roads often include steep grades and sharp turns. A Hickey Gap visitor cautioned, "the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns."
