Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Royston? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Georgia camping adventure.
Dispersed camping is permitted provided the selected site is 50 feet from streams and trails and .25 miles from the road. Venomous snakes live in these habitats. Practice water safety near the river and be aware of other natural hazards. Also, winter can bring very cold temperatures and hazardous trail conditions.
Free camping in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest. This is in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Dispersed camping is permitted on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Campsites must be at least 50 feet from rivers, streams or trails, and must be at least .25 miles from the road. No permit is required for dispersed camping.
Primitive campsites are available at Burrells Ford Campground and camping is allowed along the trail.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is open and trail shelter in Georgia are available. Hikers are advised to bring a personal tent and face coverings. Shelters might not be frequently maintained at all locations. Dispersed camping is also available. Not all privies are open or maintained. Guidance is available on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for trip planning, hiking safety and COVID-19 precautions.
Traveler
If you’re anywhere near Helen, GA on an ADV Bike, this summit is for you. There are three routes up the mountain so you never have to double back. There are more primitive sites at the top of the mountain (not where the Dyrt pin was dropped) on both sides of the fork. Suitable for tents and hammocks. There is one site that would support a large group or even a camper (or two) if you can get them up the steep rocky hunting trail. Sites were mostly clean with rock fire pits.
GuideThree campsites in the immediate area. Two are on one side of the road. You have to cross thru one to get to the other. All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge. We decided to spread out but that meant having to do a lot of walking back and forth for stuff. You can pull your car into the site easily. It’s about a mile from the High Shoals Trailhead. Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole. The closest town is Hiawasee. Had a grocery and an outfitters if you need supplies. There’s only two sit down restaurants—one had an hour wait; the other had run out of food.
Traveler
Great spot with room to turn around. Shaded and at trailhead of a trail down to creek and near a second trail to a waterfall. Had a few people during the day but evenings were totally quiet. A bit of extra vehicle clearance is helpful...slow and steady gets you to a great spot. No services here but good dispersed spot.
Guide
Right next to the Chattooga river. You're on the beach.
Guide
There is room for two vehicles and multiple tent spots. Very secluded and fairly level. Overall a great spot. If it had an epic view I would have it at 5 stars. River is about .6 mile hike away and the road is not bad getting in. Basically 2 track forest road.
Guide
Couple things to know you don't need 4wd to get to the campsite. I do want to say though that the road down to the spot is a little wonky so be prepare for bumpy road. I will like to say there is a road literally 300 feet next to the campsite doesnt seem that busy but you might get a car once every 45 mins. Other wise the campsite is nice there was a good bit of trash thrown around. I tried cleaning up the best I can but be aware pls clean up after yourself. There are two campsite on opposite side of the road if the main one is taken. One of the nice things is if you have a tent you can get right next to the water definitely say beautiful area. Will go back.
GuideDecent site(s) near chatooga river. Moderate clearance vehicle required, (or hike it).
GuideLarge mountain top camp site. Moderate clearance vehicle is required to access, (or hike it) ;)
Guide
Access is rough, (moderate clearance vehicles required). Also, as courtesy - cruise the bridge and see if people are down there first, (both sides).
Sweet backcountry spot! Nice gurgling stream and hiking trails.
RangerThis camping site is unmarked and almost literally under a bridge. There's a pull-off to either side of the structure, which quickly goes from asphalt to a very uneven dirt road which had been graveled long ago, snaking down to the river. My small car had difficulty getting down it and the drop-off from the asphalt is abrupt.
When I visited, it had rained heavily so both the road and the site were wet and muddy. The camping site itself is open, with no designated tent sites, but there is a fire ring made of rock and a few stumps and rocks to sit on.
On the plus side, there's a sign posted that the river is open trout fishing all year, with no lure or size restrictions.
There appeared to be another trail on the other side of the bridge, but I didn't travel that as I wasn't sure my car could handle the mud road.
Guide
We drove here to find that the coordinates given by the app took us to a neighborhood and once you get there the pin that shows where the campsite is supposed to be has a sign saying “disaster area”. Don’t waste your time driving here unless the coordinates get updated.
Legend
King Creek is accessible via a short drive along a forest road and then another short drive down a muddy road slightly overgrown with vegetation. The only sign you will see is one saying camping is allowed, and it is difficult to see unless you are looking carefully. I was surprised that it had a spacious parking area and a spacious camping area. It is NOT for RVs. First of all, the road is narrow and vegetation hangs low along the road. It is uneven and sometimes muddy.
There is enough room to set up three or four tents, and there is a fire pit but no toilet. You only have to walk a few steps to your vehicle to get anything. You will also need to take in water or a water filter, any personal hygiene products, and your own little table if you want to cook off of the ground.
There is a tributary of the Chatooga River within a few steps of the campsite, so you can hear the sounds of the creek all night long. The fire pit is large, but there was a lot of trash in it. There are no gravel pads, which I like, but there was a grassy area to set up my tent, which I did like.
Unfortunately, the forest road was close enough that I could hear traffic passing by going to waterfalls and other areas. However, there is very little sound at night other than the creek. You cannot make reservations for the site(s), so it is first come, first served.
You won’t have any problems with noisy neighbors since it is limited to very few tents. It is actually recommended for only one tent, but it is big enough for a group with more than one tent.
Overall, it is a great place for solitude and since it is not easy to find, so not many people stay there.
LegendI didn’t get a chance to explore this camping area much because it was wet. I mean really wet! It is beside the Chauga River, and if you camp there after a storm like I did, expect a lot of wet puddles and soggy ground. It is a great destination for fishing, but the water was too high and too muddy this time. There is a parking area, and you have to pack everything in. I parked across the road because of the drop-off from the road. It was probably a good idea anyway since the parking area would require me to put my vehicle in 4WD. I am sure others had a better experience than I did, but between the bugs and the soggy mess, it was difficult to rate this campground anything other than just one star. There are not toilet facilities, water, lantern hangers, etc. That is usually not a problem for me, but… did I mention that it was wet? Building a campfire this time was out of the question. It was a good thing I carry my little Solo stove. I used it as a mini fire pit. On the positive side of things, being so close to the river makes it almost impossible to hear any sounds from the highway. It’s not a busy road anyway, but it is nice sleeping to the sounds of the river. Overall, I don’t think I will return to this camping area. It was okay as a learning experience, but other than that, it was just too small of a camping area, too many bugs, and too… did I mention it was wet?
TravelerFree dispersed primitive camping minutes from Helen Ga and local wineries. Great spot next to the creek. Quiet and any potential neighbors are far enough away that you have total privacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Royston, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Royston, GA is Falls Creek with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Royston, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Royston, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
