Lake Hartwell borders cabin camping options near Royston, Georgia, creating lakeside access at many campgrounds. With elevations ranging from 600 to 800 feet above sea level, the area experiences mild winters and warm summers. Water activities dominate during summer months when temperatures typically reach the upper 80s, while spring and fall offer more comfortable hiking conditions.
What to do
Creek swimming: Victoria Bryant State Park offers natural swimming opportunities beyond traditional beaches. "Slippery rock was a lot of fun to take the dogs and wade in the cool clean water," noted one camper who enjoyed the refreshing creek environment.
Bridge viewing: Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground features Georgia's longest original covered bridge at 229 feet. "229 ft long covered bridge you can drive through (height and weight restrictions)," explains a visitor. The park also contains historic features like "the ruins of an old hydro power plant" visible during hiking.
Lake access: Tugaloo State Park Campground provides multiple water entry points. "Most campsites have views of the lake and access directly to the stoney beaches," notes a reviewer. Another visitor mentions "Able to kayak right from campsite" highlighting the convenience for water sports enthusiasts.
Gorge exploration: For those willing to drive farther, Tallulah Gorge State Park offers dramatic landscape viewing. "It is 1099 stairs to the bottom of canyon!" reports one camper who tackled the challenging descent. The park includes "a suspension bridge" spanning the gorge for spectacular viewing.
What campers like
Lake views: Lake Hartwell State Park Campground delivers premium waterfront sites. "We stayed at site 42 lake view and level with a little incline to pad. Best sites 38, 39, 41 and 5. These are right on water with level pads and access to your play toys that you can pull up to the coast," recommends one experienced visitor.
Privacy: Victoria Bryant State Park offers secluded camping areas. "All the campsites we set up to look out into the woods not another camper," shares one visitor appreciating the natural buffers between sites.
Tent shelters: Unique covered tent sites provide weather protection. "All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry)," explains a frequent visitor who values the all-weather capability.
Quiet setting: Many campers appreciate the tranquil environment. "We absolutely loved this campground. Lots of trails and great creek swimming spots for the dogs," states a satisfied visitor describing the peaceful atmosphere.
What you should know
Site layouts: Carolina Landing RV Resort has challenging topography. "The hill getting up to our site was steep. This place is full of big rigs, however, it is not conducive to them. Every turn is tight," warns one camper. "If you have a big rig, park somewhere else besides the A section if at all possible."
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location. "Phone service with ATT and Sprint/T-Mobile is non-existent at the campsite. 200 yards uphill at bathhouse service is available," notes a Watson Mill Bridge camper. For those requiring connectivity, some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi for purchase.
Seasonal crowding: Summer brings increased activity, particularly at lakeside locations. "Extremely crowded...most campsites were maxed out with people in each one so it felt extremely busy with lots of partying-like noise," reports a Tugaloo visitor during peak season.
Limited sewer hookups: Many state parks offer only partial connections. "The only reason for not having 5 stars for us is the lack of sewer hookup, but it's not that uncommon with state parks," explains a visitor to Victoria Bryant, noting multiple gray water dump sites throughout campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Platform sites: Victoria Bryant State Park Campground offers specialized tent areas. "We stayed on one of the platform sites for the trip, but walking around we found that nearly all of the sites look great! The playground is big, but the kids MOST enjoyed the 'rock slide' in the creek. We spent most of the day there," shares a family who found natural features more entertaining than constructed playgrounds.
Beach access: Several area campgrounds provide swimming areas for children. At Lake Hartwell State Park, cabins include "gentle slope to a nice beach as well for those two cabins," making water entry easier for younger children.
Avoiding weather issues: Consider site location during rainy periods. "But if there is rain in the forecast do not, for the love of God, do not camp in the pioneer sites. You will get flooded," warns a Watson Mill Bridge camper who learned this lesson firsthand.
Recreational variety: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. "We enjoyed every minute of our stay here...the park offers bicycle rentals, a swimming pool, plenty of picnic areas, multiple spots to play in the creek and some great hiking trails!" explains a visitor impressed with the options available.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling. That was a first for us, and hope we never have to do that again," cautions an RVer at Carolina Landing.
Site selection: Research specific site numbers for best results. "We were in site #8 right on the lake. Water, electric and cable tv connections. No sites with sewer, but dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out," advises a satisfied Tugaloo visitor.
Camp store availability: Some campgrounds lack expected amenities. "This is a huge campground, and we were hoping to get ice at the camp store. The only problem is that there is NO camp store, which is again strange for such a large RV park," notes a surprised camper at Carolina Landing.
