Sawmill Lake Campsite is a popular spot for equestrian camping near Mount Berry, Georgia. Located in the Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, this primitive camping area sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in northwestern Georgia's ridge and valley terrain. The campground experiences typical southern Appalachian weather patterns with humid summers reaching into the 90s and mild winters that occasionally drop below freezing.
What to do
Cave exploring at Pettyjohn Cave: Just a short walk from Sawmill Lake Campsite, spelunking opportunities await. "This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking. The permit was 15 dollars to access Rock Town and the Caves," shares Lisa from Sawmill Lake Campsite.
Rock climbing at Cherokee Rock Village: Located about 45 minutes from Mount Berry, this destination offers numerous climbing routes. "I have camped here at least once every season and gone around 7 times. It's my favorite place to camp! The showers are always clean and warm. There's so many climbing routes that I love. There's near by water falls and cliff jumping called High Falls," explains Jess C. from Cherokee Rock Village.
Fishing in nearby lakes: The area offers several fishing spots within a short drive. "Caught 3 bass in the lake. You can't beat the price," reports Jason G. about his experience at Coleman Lake Recreation Area.
What campers like
Proximity to trails: Horse campgrounds near Mount Berry, Georgia provide direct access to riding paths. "Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. The Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia goes right beside the lake and is a great section hike," notes AMANDA D. from Coleman Lake Rec Area.
Affordable options: Several campgrounds in the area offer budget-friendly stays. "Great campground with 39 sites, water & electric, flush toilets and shower. $16/nt. Overflow area has no hookups. Lake is pretty and fish are accommodating," shares David M. about his Coleman Lake experience.
Scenic mountain views: The topography creates impressive landscapes. "It was a wonderful campground. The views were breathtaking to say the least... primitive camping was good on the back side," writes John D. about Cherokee Rock Village.
What you should know
Permits required: Check permit requirements before camping at equestrian facilities near Mount Berry. "You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60," explains Sierra Y. from Sawmill Lake Campsite.
Road conditions vary: Access roads to mountain campsites can be challenging. "The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times," warns Abigail P. about Sawmill Lake.
Limited cell service: Be prepared for disconnection at several area campgrounds. "It is absolutely beautiful! The most beautiful I've stayed. There are not a lot of amenities but the beautiful site of those mountains. Be warned... There is no cell service and no Wi-Fi. Off the grid," explains Nathan T. from Mountain Cove Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Separate camping areas: Some parks offer designated sections for different camping styles. "I love the separate tent & RV campsites. The tent sites are decent size and there is some wooded space between each one so it felt quiet and semi-private. My kids enjoyed biking around the camping loop and we did some geocaching," shares Sarah F. from Little Tallapoosa Park.
Recreation options: Look for campgrounds with built-in activities. "Just got home from a great weekend at LTP. Splash park was fun and clean for the kids as well as really nice walking trails we enjoyed," notes Andy M. about Little Tallapoosa Park.
Holiday celebrations: Some campgrounds host special events. "This is an incredibly family forward campground. I camped there on Halloween with my grandkids. My Frankie's dressed in costume for me but the camp host saw them and made a point of inviting them for campground trick or treating. Almost every camp site gave candy and the kid turn out was impressive," describes Evan S. from Coleman Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When camping with horses near Mount Berry, choose appropriate sites. "We stayed in the equine section. Total of 12 sites. Only 3 of us there. Nice and quiet," explains shirley D. about Little Tallapoosa Park.
Hookup availability: Check what amenities are available at equestrian campgrounds. "Great RV park that is owned and ran by the county. We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water. Sewer hookup is only available in the RV section," notes Hollis K. about Little Tallapoosa Park.
Approach direction matters: Plan your route carefully when bringing trailers. "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult," advises Mitchell M. about Sawmill Lake.
