The Rocky Face area of Georgia offers camping options in the southernmost ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,100 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with moderate winters and warm summers, making camping possible year-round. Local campgrounds typically see highest occupancy from April through October when temperatures range from 65-85°F during the day.
What to do
Explore unique cave systems: Visit Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground for guided tours of spectacular underground formations. "Crystal Cave was right on site and we enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.)" notes camper Jen O. The cave tour offers a cool 58-degree escape during hot summer months.
Visit historic sites: Chickamauga Battlefield is within easy driving distance of several camping areas. According to Napunani from Raccoon Mountain, the location is "Close to Chickamauga Battlefield and Lookout Mountain Battlefield," making it convenient for history enthusiasts who want to explore Civil War sites.
Fishing in spring-fed waters: Pocket Campground offers creek fishing opportunities in a natural setting. Charlie S. mentions, "Most of the campsites within walking distance of the creek we can catch the occasional trout! There's a trail that runs the length of the creek so I can try your hand at different spots."
Discover unique mountain hiking: The mysterious stone wall at Fort Mountain State Park attracts hikers interested in archeological mysteries. One visitor describes, "The fire tower is a vision..To think that young men came and worked and set every stone step you walk on to get to see the tower is an amazing feat of engineering."
What campers like
Platform camping experiences: Fort Mountain State Park Campground offers unique "squirrel's nest" platforms for a different camping experience. Miranda H. explains, "The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box (shared between 2 sites). There is definitely active wildlife here!"
Quiet backcountry options: Some campers prefer the secluded sites at less developed areas. At Pocket Campground, Amanda M. says, "Lots of trails, one in the campground. Wading area for kids. Bathrooms always clean and host always very nice. We try to go during the week, less people."
Waterfront access: Camping near water is highly valued at many sites around Rocky Face. At Chester Frost Park, Doug H. appreciates "being able to camp and boat. We where at Chester Frost for July 4th. Love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set."
Variety of hiking difficulties: Trail systems in the area accommodate different skill levels. Travyl Couple describes Fort Mountain: "These are awesome trails and varied trails with lots of elevation. The Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Fort Mountain, campers report: "We had inconsistent cell coverage even with a Winegard booster with AT&T and Verizon. Mornings were best reception and evening were not so good."
Wildlife encounters: Several parks have active wildlife, especially bears. A visitor at Fort Mountain noted, "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks have first-come-first-served policies while others require advance booking. At Chester Frost Park, Susan notes, "One tip, if you have never camped there before, you must get there before the guard station opens because the line starts to form early. You can not make reservations for the camping sites, it's 1st come."
Seasonal considerations: Certain facilities close during winter months. A reviewer at Pocket Campground mentioned, "Nice tent camp spot, not sure I would stay several days but we really enjoyed the weekend. This was our last chance since the camp closes on Nov. 9 this year."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Holiday Travel Park has amenities designed for families. Sarah reports, "Restroom/shower house close by that was very clean. We brought our dogs along, and everybody had a dog here with them. We did the zoo, aquarium and Rock City. Long weekend trip."
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds have built-in entertainment for children. At Chester Frost Park, one camper explains, "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"
Safety considerations: When camping with children at Cloudland Canyon, be aware of terrain challenges. Abby M. notes about the walk-in sites: "There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away (easy to haul your gear)."
Accessible nature programs: Many state parks offer ranger-led activities designed for young campers during summer months. According to Blake C. at Pocket Campground, "It is extremely clean, extremely quiet, and, best of all, free. The campsites are first come first serve but all are near a natural spring."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: At Battlefield Campground & RV Park, site characteristics vary significantly. Stephanie J. observes, "Most of the sites here are nicely wooded, and as the area is slightly hilly there are elevation changes between several rows of sites which allows for a little more privacy than many RV parks offer."
Road conditions to consider: Access roads at some campgrounds present challenges. Stephanie warns, "Downsides to this park are the highway noise, and the campground roads are paved but in need of maintenance; the road is eroded in a lot of places."
Campsite leveling requirements: Many sites in the region require leveling equipment. At Fort Mountain, Mike N. reported, "We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level."
Hookup variations: Utility options differ between parks. Heather H. at Holiday Travel Park notes, "Site fit our 44ft 5th wheel just fine. Pretty clean, easy to get to, easy to navigate, and close to gas, stores etc. Only thing I'd suggest is requesting a site not under water. Many had standing water."
