Leah S.
Traveler
TravelerJones Creek Dispersed Campground
Creekside for larger groups
Multiple creekside spots for large groups. We have over 12 adults and 8-9 cars. No cell service. Dog friendly.
Best Campgrounds near Buford, GA
Lake Lanier serves as the centerpiece for camping near Buford, Georgia, with several established campgrounds dotting its shoreline. Shoal Creek Campground and Margaritaville RV Resort provide waterfront camping with direct lake access for swimming and boating. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV campers, with sites ranging from primitive to full-hookup. Shady Grove Campground, located in neighboring Cumming, offers additional options with electric and sewer hookups. The region includes both Corps of Engineers and privately managed facilities, with several campgrounds providing boat ramps and docks for water recreation.
Camping seasons at Lake Lanier generally run from March through October or November, with some facilities like Bolding Mill and Fort Yargo State Park remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites and during summer months when lakeside camping is in high demand. A visitor noted, "If you want a really good view I recommend camp sites 07/08/09" at Shoal Creek Campground. Facilities vary widely across campgrounds, with older Corps of Engineer parks showing signs of aging infrastructure while newer private developments offer more modern amenities. Many waterfront sites feature small beach areas ideal for swimming and boat access.
Most campgrounds provide electric hookups suitable for RVs, with water available at central locations or individual sites. According to reviews, site conditions can vary significantly within the same campground, with some visitors reporting crumbling concrete pads and poorly maintained facilities while others praise the lake views and spacious sites. Several reviewers mentioned abundant wildlife, particularly deer sightings at Shoal Creek. Bath facilities range from basic to well-maintained, with most campgrounds offering restrooms and some providing shower facilities. Tent campers will find the best options at waterfront sites with beach access, while RV campers should verify site dimensions before booking as many older sites were not designed for larger modern rigs.
Best Camping Sites Near Buford, Georgia (219)
1. Shady Grove Campground
26 ReviewsCumming, GA7 milesWebsite+1 (770) 205-6850$20 - $240 / night
"This site was a nice distance away from the RV focused campsites at the same location."
"If you love large wooded spots with great lake views and lots of deer to watch....this is your park. Located in a very nice part of Georgia with so many places to go and see."
2. Bald Ridge Creek
23 ReviewsCumming, GA8 milesWebsite+1 (770) 889-1591$26 - $36 / night
"Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)"
"It was right on the lake with a beautiful view. It has a path that goes down to the lake. A lot of the sites are on the lake and most sites offer ample shade."
3. Shoal Creek Campground
19 ReviewsBuford, GA4 milesWebsite"There was a nice flat area to set up food, bonfire, chairs, games and to lounge around with family and the dogs. Bathrooms were nice and close to campground, within walking distance."
"Communication with the main number for the campground went through the Margaritaville Campground nearby. Separate direct lines to the camp office and security were provided after arrival."
4. Stone Mountain Park Campground
92 ReviewsStone Mountain, GA23 milesWebsite+1 (770) 498-5710$44 - $65 / night
"Lived in Georgia my whole life and yet my first time to Stone Mountain was literally three years ago. Now we have an annual pass and go all the time."
"One of the best camping areas in Georgia."
5. Old Federal
19 ReviewsOakwood, GA8 milesWebsite+1 (770) 967-6757$20 - $36 / night
"Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming."
"Grounds were great with easy access to the lake."
6. Fort Yargo State Park Campground
41 ReviewsWinder, GA18 milesWebsite+1 (770) 867-3489$27 - $275 / night
"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."
"This is one of the few state parks in Georgia with yurts and also has a great flat biking trail. The lake allows for kayaking and boating and some yurts are actually right on the lake."
7. Duckett Mill
18 ReviewsOakwood, GA14 milesWebsite+1 (770) 532-9802$26 - $36 / night
"Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times."
"Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks."
8. Bolding Mill
21 ReviewsMurrayville, GA16 milesWebsite+1 (770) 534-6960$20 - $36 / night
"It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted."
"Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no"
9. Margaritaville
7 ReviewsLake Sidney Lanier, GA5 milesWebsite+1 (470) 323-3486$63 - $100 / night
"We had a pave site full hookup pull thru with lake view. Very easy to get in and out, private and quiet, we had a picnic table, fire ring and bbq grill."
10. Sawnee
7 ReviewsCumming, GA6 milesWebsite+1 (770) 887-0592$20 - $46 / night
"As for us we are avid hikers so we stuck to the trails. There are a few trails that interconnect so we hike for hours(which we loved). Although we did not camp we are definitely coming back to do so."
"On a peninsula this little gem on Lake Lanier, with wooded lots, is the perfect relaxation spot for RV & Tent campers."
Recent Camping Photos near Buford, GA
468 Photos of 219 Buford Campgrounds
MB
Shoal Creek Campground
Bryan P.
Van Pugh South Campground
Chad F.
Shady Grove Campground
The Dyrt
Timberline Glamping @ Lake Lanier
Shea D.
COE Lake Sidney Lanier Sawnee Campground
Julie B.
Old Federal
Connor L.
Bald Ridge Creek Campground- Lake Sidney Lanier
Christy C.
Bald Ridge Creek
Clare P.
Twin Lakes RV Park
Liz H.
Duckett Mill
Mike K.
Bolding Mill
Leon H.
Fort Yargo State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Buford, GA
1308 Reviews of 219 Buford Campgrounds
Pam R.
GuideStone Mountain Park Campground
Not a fan of this State Park
We got a site with full hook ups and it was unusually expensive for a State Park. It was fairly level and gravel. It had a picnic table and small deck area that was in rough shape and needs replacement. It was just OK. At least it was quiet at night and the bathhouse was clean, though our daughter never did get hot water in the shower. There is a train ride that runs in a circle around the stone mountain area. The horn blasts all day long, but luckily not late at night. The biggest disappointment was that they say it's dog friendly on the web site, but dogs aren't allowed on most of the trails we tried to walk on, so we didn't get to see much of the park except by car. There are many activities, but they are not free. It's an expensive park for families. Bring your wallet!
Colin R.GuideDesoto Falls Recreation Area
Very clean campsite but you do need to know a few things.
This is a very clean and well maintained camp site open all year, but there are a few things to consider.
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During off peak (November 1st to April 1st) there's no water and the rest rooms and showers are closed.
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This campsite is right next to the busy highway 19, so there's a lot of road noise especially at night.
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No cell service! Take your satellite communicator or Starlink with you in case of emergency.
If you are okay with these things, then this is the camp site for you.
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- Larry A.Guide
Lake Russell Recreation Area
Great place to camp.
This is a great USFS campground. Great fishing, Mountain biking and hiking. Most of the sites are small so I wouldn't recommend it for 5th wheels or large RVs.
- FFrances B.
ScoutVogel State Park Campground
Site 54
I was in a tent, not an RV. This spot is roomy and isn’t right on top of any other campers. Since no sites were to the east, I walked down to the creek with my chair to get away from people. It’s a very crowded campground, but quieter than expected, probably because the road to this site leads to a dead end. There’s a lot of road noise from Gainesville Hwy until dusk. The bathrooms are nearby and very clean.
Jeff P.GuideIndian Grave Gap Campsite
This is a great spot for anything up to an off-road teardrop
These sites are not where Dyrt says they are. The previous reviewer described them well and they have a couple of small creeks running past. Tents to the west, anything including a small off-road camper for the two sites to the east of the road. This is one of those sites I'll probably return to
The true location is just south of the High Falls Trailhead. 34.80718,-83.72466
Camp With Me
LegendAndrew's Cove Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Small National Forest Campground
Andrews Cove Campground is a small and peaceful campground located about 6 miles north of Helen, Georgia in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. With only 10 sites, it offers a quiet mountain setting that’s perfect for tent campers looking to get away from the crowds. The campground is open from mid-March through late December and sits alongside a beautiful mountain stream that adds a relaxing natural sound throughout the area.
Facilities are simple, with vault toilets available, but campers should plan ahead and bring their own potable water since none is provided on site. One of the highlights of the campground is the nearby Andrews Cove Trail, a scenic 2-mile hike that connects to the Appalachian Trail. Overall, Andrews Cove Campground is a great spot for those looking for a rustic camping experience in the North Georgia mountains.
See all the sites and get a real feel for the place in our 360° video of the
https://youtu.be/chEtEX8cvfE
MickandKarla W.LegendTalona Ridge RV Resort
Talona Still Pleases
We arrived and had an easy check-in since this was our third stay at Talona Ridge, again to attend an RV rally. After check-in, we headed to pull-through buddy site H-25 with full hookups in the lower level of the campground, which had three levels total. The cement pad was plenty long enough to position the rig for the sewer connection at the back of the pad, while still allowing us to put the patio down and park our F450 fully on the site. Water pressure was solid at 55–60 psi. Since this was a newer RV park, there were not many mature trees yet, so satellite connectivity was not an issue. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars of 5G on T-Mobile, and we chose to use our T-Mobile Home Internet instead of Starlink, which delivered 70.1 Mbps download speeds. The campground WiFi was above average as well, testing at 64 Mbps download. There was a shower house with laundry near this site, equipped with two large washers and dryers, and the laundry app made the process convenient. We enjoyed the large dog park, along with plenty of additional areas to walk our pups. Talona Ridge had a lot to offer and remained one of our favorite campgrounds—it truly felt like a resort.
- BBryan A.Scout
Lake Allatoona Military - Fort McPherson
Military Campground
This Campground is for military affiliated campers only. Navy Lake Site has camp sites as well as cabins available. The beach and swimming area on Lake Alatoona is nice.
Guide to Buford
Campgrounds around Lake Lanier offer diverse camping experiences near Buford, Georgia. Elevations around the lake range from 1,070 to 1,085 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-95°F during peak camping months. Winter camping is available at select locations where temperatures can drop to the 30s overnight, requiring proper cold-weather gear and equipment.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling access: At Duckett Mill, campers can launch kayaks from multiple points along the shoreline. "Easy to get too. Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks," notes a visitor who stayed at site 19.
Hiking trails: Fort Yargo State Park Campground has an extensive trail system with mixed-use paths. "We loved the hiking. Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views."
Night sky viewing: The open areas at Bald Ridge Creek provide excellent opportunities for stargazing during clear nights. "Even tested out our new field telescope," mentions one visitor who tested their first pop-up camper at this location.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the lake access at Sawnee Campground. "On a peninsula this little gem on Lake Lanier, with wooded lots, is the perfect relaxation spot for RV & Tent campers. With a lake view at almost every turn, the campsites are roomy and comfortable. Each site has a picnic area and fire ring for cool evenings or roasting marshmallows."
Quiet atmosphere: Old Federal receives praise for its peaceful setting. "Quiet with a nice view," reports one camper who stayed at a site within walking distance of amenities. Another mentions that the campground is "beautifully maintained, large sites and breathtaking views. Close to area attractions, shopping and restaurants."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report regular deer sightings, particularly at Bolding Mill. "Deer and egrets and bluebirds" can be observed according to one reviewer. This campground also offers "fabulous" views with most sites situated on the water.
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary: Rules regarding alcohol consumption differ between campgrounds in the region. At Shady Grove Campground, "There is a strict no alcohol policy in the campground and it is made very clear by signage in the park." However, alcohol is permitted at other campgrounds like Margaritaville and Duckett Mill.
Site conditions can vary drastically: Some campsites may have accessibility challenges. At Shoal Creek Campground, "I would not recommend a few of these sites if you have trouble walking around without assistance. There are some inclines without adequate steps or hand holds."
Limited connectivity: Cell service quality varies by location and carrier. Some sites offer good connectivity: "We have Verizon and showing 2 bar LTE," while others have limited or no Wi-Fi access. Margaritaville is one of the few campgrounds offering Wi-Fi access.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When camping with children, consider proximity to play areas. Stone Mountain Park Campground offers "all kinds of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too."
Beach areas for swimming: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming areas. "We had a site right on the lake. Did fishing, kids went swimming! Beautiful opening your door and seeing water," shares one family about their experience at Sawnee Campground.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds allow pets but have specific leash rules. "They are firm on making sure pet owners have their leash on and do not free roam," notes one camper about policy enforcement at a campsite near Buford, Georgia.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring careful preparation. "The only reason for the 4 stars is our site was not level, took some work to level our rig," mentions an RV camper at Shady Grove Campground who otherwise found the campground very nice.
Turning radius concerns: Some campgrounds have tight turns that may be difficult for larger rigs. "After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight. We practiced and discussed the best way to get out. When the time came we had a heck of a time getting the RV turned."
Hookup locations: At several campgrounds, the placement of hookups may require additional equipment. "Bring an extension cord or 2" advises one camper about the water and electric hookups at their tent site, indicating RVers should plan accordingly for potentially distant utility connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Buford, GA?
What are the best campgrounds near Buford, GA?
Bolding Mill on Lake Lanier is highly rated for its beautiful water views, clean facilities, and well-maintained sites. Reserve early, especially for lakeside spots. Another excellent option is Stone Mountain Park Campground, which offers diverse camping experiences with access to hiking trails, attractions, and seasonal events like fireworks and laser shows. Both campgrounds provide a mix of tent and RV sites with varying levels of hookups. For the best experience, book weekday stays when possible to avoid crowds, particularly during summer and holiday periods.
Are there tent camping options near Buford, GA?
Are there tent camping options near Buford, GA?
Yes, several tent camping options exist near Buford. Don Carter State Park Campground on Lake Lanier offers spacious tent sites with lake access, clean facilities, and beautiful wooded surroundings. For those willing to drive a bit further, Shoal Creek Campground provides tent sites with water access and basic amenities. Both campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months. Most tent sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities. Always check seasonal availability as some campgrounds have limited winter operations.
What camping sites in Buford, GA offer the best amenities?
What camping sites in Buford, GA offer the best amenities?
Margaritaville stands out for premium amenities, including full hookups, a resort-style pool, modern bathhouses, and waterfront access to Lake Lanier. For those seeking excellent public facilities, Buford Dam Park offers well-maintained grounds with lakeside paths, picnic areas, and clean restrooms. While parking can be limited for oversized vehicles, the scenic lake views and convenient location make it a popular choice. When planning your stay, consider that the most amenity-rich campgrounds typically require reservations several months in advance, especially for premium waterfront sites during summer.
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