The southern Appalachian Mountains surrounding Rocky Face, Georgia sit at elevations between 700-1,200 feet, creating a terrain of rolling hills and mountain valleys. Cabins near Rocky Face provide access to nearby state parks within a 30-mile radius where overnight temperatures can drop 15-20°F lower than daytime highs, even in summer months. Most cabin reservations in this region require booking 2-3 months in advance during peak season.
What to do
Guided cave tours: At Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground, tours of Crystal Cave require advance reservations. "Caverns and tour are awesome! Campground is meh, nothing spectacular but not terrible, kind of average. The pool is decent, playgrounds are old but still fun," notes a visitor. Tour prices range from $19.95 for adults to $11.95 for children under 12.
Waterfall hiking: Some waterfalls near Rocky Face are seasonal, depending on rainfall amounts. "We went in December and the weather was a little cool and damp but the views were great when the fog lifted. They're great scenic hikes in the park," explains a camper at Fort Mountain State Park. Most waterfall hikes require 1-2 hours of moderate hiking on uneven terrain.
Mountain biking trails: The area offers trails for various skill levels, with notable elevation changes. "Most of the trails except the Gahuti are multi use and there is a strong community of mountain biking here. We didn't bike the trails here with our hybrid specialized bikes because we felt the trails to be too technical for us due to the major elevation changes, loose gravel and rocks," shares a Fort Mountain visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer more secluded camping experiences. "We have tent camped here multiple times. Great place to stay. Owners are super nice and are working on a lot of upgrades," reports a visitor at Calhoun A-OK Campground. Sites with natural barriers between them typically cost $5-10 more per night.
Fishing access: Local lakes provide good fishing opportunities within walking distance of some cabins and campsites. "One of the best places to be able to camp and boat. We were at Chester Frost for July 4th. Love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set," shares a camper at Chester Frost Park. Shore fishing is available year-round while boat rentals operate April through October.
Walk-in tent sites: For a more rustic cabin alternative, several parks offer walk-in tent sites. "Love the tent-only serenity of 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). The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other," notes a visitor at Cloudland Canyon State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most cabin rentals require substantial advance planning. "We booked 148 days prior to arriving," shares an RVer at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. Holiday and summer weekend availability becomes extremely limited 3-4 months in advance.
Bear activity: Some campgrounds have active wildlife including bears. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," reports a camper at Fort Mountain State Park. Food storage regulations vary by park, with some providing bear-proof storage boxes for cabin and tent campers.
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies greatly throughout the area. "I have phones with Verizon and T-mobile service as well as AT&T and T-Mobile hotspots. The Verizon phone was the only service that got any signal at all, and it was spotty," explains a visitor at DeSoto State Park. For reliable internet, most cabin rentals do not include WiFi.
Tips for camping with families
Jumping pad activities: Specialty recreation features at some campgrounds provide unique family entertainment. "The coolest aspect of this campground for me was the massive jumping pad they have, and I had to promise my kids we would take an overnight trip here just so they could use it! It is restricted to ages 16 and under," notes a visitor to Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities for children are available at most state parks. "If you're looking for a spot to carry your kids on one of their first trips, this would be the perfect place. They have scout activities, a Junior Ranger program, playgrounds, swimming pools, and plenty of trails to hike," shares a DeSoto State Park visitor. Programs typically take 1-3 hours to complete and are available for ages 6-12.
Swimming areas: Several locations feature dedicated swimming facilities. "We enjoyed our time during our 2 night stay. Missed the snow by a day though! This place has a lot to offer: hiking, waterfalls, put put, playgrounds, lake views and paddle boats," notes a camper at Fort Mountain State Park. Swimming areas generally operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin rental areas also accommodate RVs but have uneven terrain. "The campground we're just lovely with plenty of space between spots. Our site had about a 5 inch difference sloping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," reports a visitor to Fort Mountain State Park.
Dump station access: Facilities vary between campgrounds, affecting extended stays. "I only stopped by to see if I could use their dump station for a fee. I was informed the owners no longer let them do so," notes a visitor to Battlefield Campground & RV Park. Most cabin rental areas allow RV access but have varying hookup capabilities.
Winter road conditions: Access to mountain cabins near Rocky Face can be challenging during winter months. "Be careful to take Desoto Parkway up. Google tried to send us on an alternate road that had a big sign saying ABSOLUTELY no trucks - and from other reviews we gather that's the more treacherous one. This route wasn't bad but for someone who hates windy mountain roads without a camper attached, it did give me a few stomach drops," explains a DeSoto State Park visitor.
