Best Cabin Camping near Smyrna, GA

Fort Yargo is in the Winder Ga area and is close to Helen, Jefferson, Athens and Atlanta. Entering the campground is a nice paved road and leads to tent camping, cabins, yurts and RV sites.

Very clean park and has Historical area, playground, tennis court, bike and hike trails. Not to mention beach and boating area.

Picnics, camping, boating biking and camping or just day use areas. Pet friendly and all around great park.

There is a small general store, but you are so close to everything if you need it, it's there.

Gread for the Georgia Bulldog crowd as its less then 30 minutes!

I recommend this park highly.

Clean showers/toilets, personable host with small store, spots for Campers, tents and even a few rental Cabins. Fantastic spot out of the crowds but less than a mile from Amicalola Falls.

Fort Yargo is a bit of history for Georgia, restored cabin from 1792. Boating, hiking, camping and cabins with another area that is a private resort. Lots of room 1816 acres, 16 cabins, 6 yurts. Many tent and trailers spots. #34 has full hookups. There is a nice pavilion and a fairly new welcome center. It is easy to get to and there is playgrounds for the young ones.

Fort Yargo is a nice park with campsites, yurts and cabins. We camped by the lake and enjoyed ourselves.

nice new state park along the Chatahoochee River. walk in sites along the river are nice and quiet. 2 campground loops can get full on weekends in season but a pretty quiet place usually. they have just built cabins this year.

Chattahoochee Bend State Park is located on bend of the Chattahoochee River southeast of Atlanta, near Columbus GA. This is one of Georgia’s largest and newest state parks, with five miles of river frontage on the Chattahoochee. The campground has about 40 sites, some pull-they, but little shade. There are also some walk-in tent sites, and platform sites. The standard sites are water & electric, there is a bathroom/shower, and a dump station. There are cabins if you are not a camper. This is mostly a fishing/hiking park. A boat ramp provides access to the river for boaters and canoeing and there are six miles of wooded trails are open for hiking. There is an observation platform with views of the river and forest, but visibility was limited because of the trees. There isn’t much here but the river trail. But it is close to Columbus, GA, there are some zip-line places near by, and Roosevelt’s Little White House are close.

Campground Review:

Overall summary: A great campground with sites for tents, RVs, and even cabins. Well organized so that different camping experiences have designated spaces making for better experiences for everyone.

My wife and I stayed at this campground with another couple who are friends of ours from Atlanta while bike packing parts of the Silver Comet Trail. We spent the whole day covering about 35 miles on our bikes with gear on the back having an amazing time. We were even able to stop for lunch in Rockmart and take a nice break. Since I knew it was going to be one of the first beautiful weekends of fall and that there would probably be a crowd I emailed the campground in advance to make a reservation. They told me that they don’t have staff on the premise working over the weekend but that they would hold a site for us. When we arrive that afternoon we found many sites available along the road so we just went and grabbed and envelope to pay and set up camp in a semi-private area next to what looked like a vacant small cabin.

Getting settled we were also able to explore around the site a little more and found that it was set up to have several different campground areas divided for different purposes. There is a huge field right along the main entrance that is designed for groups of bike campers where you can set up wherever then use the picnic and gazebo area for cooking and hanging out. This is also the area with the bathrooms (a retrofitted trailer) and there are several benches and swings. Continuing along the main road in the ground to the right are many small campgrounds for private groups interspersed with a couple small cabins. On the other side of the road are RV sites for people wishing to stay for a couple nights only. If you continue on and head up the hill there is a whole separate section of the camp set up for long term RV sites with monthly rental options. Additionally, right across the road from where we stayed were 2 small shower rooms that have a sink but no toilet and hot water for showers.

After getting settled in we began working on getting a fire going and were trying to use a small knife to break down some larger logs we found. The gentleman staying in the cabin saw us struggling and offered to grab his chainsaw and break down the wood for us. We happily obliged and got to chatting with him. He told us that it is actually his father-in-law who owns the place and that he stays in the cabins sometimes when they aren’t being used. Later on the owner came by to pick him up and I cannot express just how wonderful, welcoming, and friendly they both were. It was an amazing experience and they could not have been more gracious hosts. The only downside was that many of the tent sites are close together but everything else about the site is very well managed and organized. You can tell that the owner really takes good care of everything and values the environment he has built.

We had a restful night sleep and continued on our trek the next day. If you are in the area and have a chance to spend the night here I would highly recommend it!

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to try out new and interesting products at campgrounds I visit. On this trip, I tried out the Renogy E.TUNES Solar Bluetooth Speaker. My takeaways from using the combo speaker/solar charger are:

1. The solar panel actually works and is effective if you have full sun and can leave it out to be exposed for a while. I found a great spot was on the dashboard of the car while we were biking for the day. It has an indicator light that lets you know if you have it angled correctly and if it is charging. Then there are lights that blink and fill in as it charges so you can know when it is done. A couple hours out in the sun is enough to recharge the battery completely and give you several hours of music time.
2. Wow the speaker has some serious umph. I will be honest that I wasn’t expecting much from this speaker. I thought it would be a small thing that would be good for those occasions where I want to listen outside on a short hike or at a campground in the evening but the sound from this thing is no joke. It actually has a separate bass built in so you get really loud high quality sound. The speaker itself doesn’t have volume control so you will need to use the bluetooth connected music device to adjust that. However, you can skip songs and pause/play so that is a nice feature. I have actually started using this speaker at home in parallel with another when we project movies outside since it gives such a nice addition to the sound.
3. USB outlet for phone charging. This was a wonderful feature for a car camping trip where we weren’t worried about the extra weight but didn’t want to have to bring along another battery pack to keep up with at the campground. We could just charge our phone and play music all in one device.
4. Finally, the speaker is very well built and durable especially with the additional rubber bumper you can add on. I have accidentally dropped it a couple times already with not even any visible wear let alone effect on the functionality.

Overall, I would say this speaker is well worth the value and an amazing addition not only to your camping gear but also perfect for around the house or just a day at the beach. It charges quickly, puts out some wonderful sound, and comes with a slew of extra features.

The primitive sites (for tents) were a bit close and not as private as I like. 

They offer platform camping and those sites seem a bit more secluded (and are in a separate area from the tent sites). 

There are 4 cabins available to reserve and they have great amenities (running water, electricity)

We looked at them once there and think next time we will do this with the kids. 

2 rangers live in the park full time and there is a large welcome center/ gift shop with basics for sale should you forget anything.

Chattahoochee Bend state park is located about 30 minutes west of Newnan, GA. It's located on the Chattahoochee river and is a surprisingly large area. The park has a number of trails for hiking and mountain biking. There are cabins and tent camping sites separate from the rv sites. Rv camping area has large, level gravel sites with water, 30/50 amp electric and cable. Two dump stations help eliminate waiting in long lines when you're ready to hit the road again. Bath house looks like new and is well cared for. On site host is keeping the place in tip top shape. We'll definitely be returning to this park. Highly recommended. Only negative - no cell service while we were there.

Good for a quick get away while still having access to “city life”. There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you’re deep in nature.

Ft Yargo is located about 45 miles NE of Atlanta in Winder, Ga. We camped there for four nights and while the weather was cold the campground was full. Plenty of things to do here that include bike and hiking trails, boat rentals, mini golf, geocaching and more! Walmart and several restaurants are minutes away should you need them.

We had a great weekend getaway here. We reserved an Orange Site overlooking the lake and highly recommend it. Every Saturday in December, there is a golf cart parade through the campground. The golf carts and RVs are decorated and everyone is in the holiday spirit. Plus, Stone Mountain has a whole Christmas celebration which provides lots of activities. Will definitely return!

Nice facilities, clean and well laid out. Very crowded right now due to people looking to get outdoors during this crisis. Family friendly with a ton of kids running around so maybe not the best place for a quiet getaway. We bought a Forest River No Boundaries 10.6 today and wanted to give it the inaugural run and this spot was about the only available one near Atlanta, so here we are!

http://www.alaneinthewoods.com/adventures/ft-yargo-state-park-winder-ga-2017/

Ft. Yargo is a great park in the middle of suburbia. It has a little bit of everything. We camped in the walk-in sites and they were clean and well spaced. We had fun at the beach and did some dishing. They have great walking trails and biking trails. There is a charge for the biking trial but they are worth it. We spend many of summer afternoons kayaking the lake. The park does off kayak and paddle boat rentals. This is a great park that we will revisit!

Price is a bit high considering electricity is not included. They also charged $25 per person a month above 2 people which adds up when you have 3 children. They have a pool, playground, activity center where they do arts and crafts and activities, clean laundry and bath facilities, and some other amenities geared towards children and families. However, the downside was the high cost of electricity and the issue I had at check out. When coming in as a monthly rental they do background checks on every adult. They offered to wave the fees for me and my husband but when it came time to check out the manager was very confrontational and acted like I was lying when he tried to charge me and I told him I was told the fees were waved. After being treated so poorly he called around to other employees and discovered I was actually not supposed to be charged. No apology or change of temperament, just justified his actions by saying “I’m the boss and supposed to ok things like that around here.” Management could definitely be improved.

This is one of the few state parks in Georgia with yurts and also has a great flat biking trail. The lake allows for kayaking and boating and some yurts are actually right on the lake. A good glamping destination.

Ranger Review:  Darn Tough Socks @ Fort Yargo State Park

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I occasionally receive outdoor gear to review.  During my stay at Fort Yargo State Park, I tested Darn Tough socks and fell in love with them.  

Campground Review: 

Fort Yargo State Park has lots to do. There is disc golf, nature programs, gift shop, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, and a 260-acre lake offers swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing. Overnight accommodations include fully equipped cottages, adventure cabins, yurts, and campsites. We visited in late April and could only find a campsite during the week. Despite Covid-19, the park was open for day-use and overnight guests. The visitor center was closed but bathrooms were open. 

We loved the hiking. Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views. 

The roads are a little hilly and twisting but if you have a big rig and go slow you will be fine. All the campsite driveways are angled so backing in is pretty easy. The campground is treed and many sites have nice shade. Sites 7-12 in Loop 1 are very nice with lake views and access. They are also close to the boat launch. We did not have trouble getting level in our site (#17). We enjoyed the beautiful spring weather which was sunny during the day and cool enough at night to have fires. The campground was very peaceful during the week when we were there but can imagine it gets pretty busy on the weekends and during the summer. Most of the sites have pretty good separation between them so you don’t feel like you are on top of someone. There are train tracks nearby so expect some train noise. This is a great campground and definitely worth a visit.

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Gear Review: Darn Tough Socks

I really LOVE these socks! I know, having a love affair with socks is weird but they are so amazingly soft and make my feet feel so good. Darn Tough socks are 100% made in America (Vermont to be exact) and stand out among other brands because they have an unconditional lifetime guarantee (which I actually tested). If the heel wears out, they get a hole in the toe, or they simply are not the most comfortable sock you've ever worn, just send them back and they will be replaced, no questions asked. With a guarantee like that, you know they have to be comfortable and well-made socks. 

Darn Tough socks come in an array of heights, thickness, styles and designs (many of which have cool outdoorsy themes). So whether you want a thicker hiking/working sock or a thinner running sock you will find it. If you like low cut socks to prevent tan lines or need a high calf sock to fit in your tall boots, they have those too. Their website has a nice guide to sizing and sock height so you know exactly how they will fit and look which is helpful for choosing the right sock for you. Free shipping on orders of two or more pairs is an added bonus.  My socks arrived in a cardboard box so it can be recycled. 

Darn Tough socks fit perfectly. I wear a size 8 so I land in the middle of the medium size which covers (7.5– 9.5). Sometimes socks are too long, bunch up in the toe, too wide and sloppy, or slide down in the back, all of which have never happened with any Darn Tough socks I own. They are made with a seamless toe stitching which eliminates bulkiness in the toe box which causes a tight, cramped fit. After multiple washings, they still look and feel the same with no fading or shrinking. I like the fact that these socks are made from Merino wool which is not itchy on your skin like other types of wool. A couple other great features of Merino is that they are insulating in the cold but function great in hot weather as they are breathable and wick moisture from your skin. I find that these socks dry very quickly and even when they get wet on hikes I’ve never gotten blisters. Merino wool is said to naturally repel odor and bacteria which is a great feature of a hiking sock where your shoes constantly get wet and dirty. 

I was curious why these socks are so soft, so durable, and just so perfect so I turned to their website to get the story. According to their website, Darn Tough socks “are knit on small needle, fine gauge knitting machines. This approach produces durable, high density stitching without bulk. Less bulk means a better fit. The better the sock fits, the longer it will last.” So there you have it. 

I tested a variety of Darn Tough socks in different shoes and during different activities. For the days when I am standing on my feet for hours in Danskos, I chose the bridge no show light. The no show socks are just that, one’s that do not show in your shoe. These socks are thin enough to fit perfectly in shoes that don’t have much room to play around.  During the eight hours I wore them they never slipped in the heel and stayed perfectly in place. The no show light cushion sock is perfect for my 3-4 mile runs. The sock has enough cushion that I never got blisters but not too thick to cramp my feet. Compared to the bridge no show sock this particular style did show a little bit above my running shoe. For hiking, I prefer more cushioning and a slightly taller sock so I choose the hiker¼ cushion sock. This sock has added cushioning that fairs well for long hikes scrambling up and down hills and mountains and over rocks.  Despite the hot weather and six miles, my feet never felt “hot.”  The¼ hiker is the perfect height to cover the high tongue on my hiking shoes. 

Alas, I found a problem and had to test their warranty with the treeline micro crew cushion socks that I ordered.  One sock was considerably taller than the other. You can file a warranty claim on the Darn Tough webpage but I didn’t want to have to pay for the packaging and shipping cost to return these brand new socks. So I clicked on the online chat box and was in touch with someone from customer service immediately. I explained the issue and sent a few pictures illustrating the discrepancy. The representative agreed there was a problem and offered to send me a new pair and within ten minutes of ending my chat I received an email confirming a new pair was on the way.  The representative asked if she could follow-up with email (of which I agreed) and said that the quality control team may want to examine them (of which they would pay for shipping). This is the first time I have tested the Darn Tough warranty and was quite pleased with the process and result. 

From now on the only socks I will buy are Darn Tough. The price is comparable to other name brand wool hiking socks but the feel and quality are so much better. And, the 100% guarantee seals the deal.  I think you will find these to be the most comfortable, well-made socks on the market.

This is one of my favorite Georgia state parks. The outer loop trail is 11-12 miles long (the extra mile is your choice of including the "monster mile" or not). The inner loop is 5 miles. So there is plenty of hiking and biking trails. You can bring your own boat or rent one of many styles from the boat house. There are new boat ramps and docks at both ends of the park along with new bridges. There are even more improvements in the works for the entrance and welcome center. A negative aspect for me is that the sites are reserved on a first come first serve basis (not site specific). This leads to increased anxiety of trying to find a site and folks stalking sites days and hours prior to you leaving- it can be a bit creepy. Both bath houses are new though and kept very clean. The hosts are friendly and fire wood is available for a wider time range than other parks. Hosts also take their duties seriously keeping the sites ready for the next guests. They try their best to get to every site to rake the rocks free of litter or debris. We've stayed early spring, late spring and mid fall. We love the sites with water access but they are hard to come by. You are close to restaurants if you'd rather not cook or stores if you've forgotten something, but once you're in the park the outside world melts away.