The Chattahoochee National Forest surrounds Suches, Georgia, situated at elevations between 2,500 and 3,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region's cooler temperatures typically run 10-15 degrees below nearby Atlanta, making it a popular summer camping destination. National forest campgrounds in this area feature a mix of developed and primitive sites with varying levels of accessibility.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Multiple campgrounds provide access points to the Appalachian Trail. Raven Cliff Falls campground serves as a base camp with "a 2.5 miles hike that ends at a breathtaking waterfall, but the trail doesn't quite end there. Once you arrive at the falls there's plenty of room to roam the dozens of rock structures" according to Wayne H.
Fishing in mountain streams: Cooper Creek Recreation Area offers excellent trout fishing opportunities. "The creek is very peaceful and well stocked with trout, along with some natives, but mostly stocked fish. Most of the camp sites are along the creek which makes this a great place to stay," notes Bill K. Fishing licenses are required.
Swimming in lake waters: Lake Winfield Scott Campground features "a small non-motorized boat lake with a designated beach area" according to Jeffrey S., who added it was "very quiet and we had a great weekend and definitely would go again and bring out kayaks/SUPs."
Waterfall exploration: Desoto Falls Recreation Area offers accessible waterfall viewing with "a quick jaunt to the trailhead of DeSoto Falls from the campsite," as Leann C. described it. The trail features upper and lower falls viewpoints connected by well-maintained paths.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Vogel State Park Campground earns praise for its campsite layout. Dave V. shared that "Campsite are spaced reasonably, but with tall, mature trees, although you do see and hear your neighbors." He also mentioned "several loops offering more or less privacy" with special tent walk-in sites "tucked away on their own loop on a wooded hillside."
Creek access for pets: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Suches provide water access for dogs. Angela M. noted about Vogel State Park, "The creek runs right next to them and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The trails along the lake were nice and the dogs enjoyed it."
Clean facilities: Amicalola Falls State Park Camping maintains high standards for their amenities. Missy F. commented, "we really enjoyed our night here. it was beautiful and peaceful! the bathrooms could have been cleaner but overall it was great!"
Remote locations with limited connectivity: Three Forks Campground offers a complete digital detachment. Hannah E. explained, "If you are looking for an off the grid getaway, this is the place for you... No cell service (Verizon) but with all of that out of the way, it was absolutely beautiful!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require traveling unpaved forest roads. Heath P. noted about Cooper Creek, "Although the dirt road that led to the campground was a bit sketchy if you're not use to mountain driving, it is very well maintained as well."
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear sightings. Raven Cliff Falls camper D & Jess W. warned, "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out. So pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag."
Limited supplies nearby: Be prepared before arrival as stores are scarce. Justin B. mentioned about Cooper Creek, "It's was secluded which meant no cell service. Something to call out for an emergency would be great."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Phil K. advised about Raven Cliff Falls, "If you want a walk-in campsite and it's the weekend, you better get there early. We arrived at dusk on a Friday and got the last walk-in site available."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Unicoi State Park & Lodge provides multiple activities for children. Diane G. shared, "My kids and I went camping at Unicoi Park in the summer and there is plenty to keep them busy. They played in the creek, on the swing set and walked the trail to the swimming section of the lake."
Creature exploration: Creek-side camping offers nature education opportunities. Hayley T. mentioned at Cooper Creek, "There was a small stream that ran through it and my kids LOVED it. Lots of creatures to find and explore."
Dog-friendly trails: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Suches offer accessible hiking paths. Rachel H. noted about Lake Winfield Scott, "It's pet friendly and usually pretty quiet, despite filling up pretty quickly in fall months."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. Hayley T. warned about Cooper Creek, "Seriously was awakened at least 3 times a night (Every night) with people being loud playing music, walking the road Talking loud or just driving by super fast."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Trackrock Campground & Cabins requires careful navigation for larger vehicles. Anthony M. cautioned, "Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving. Our camper came in contact with the side of our bed and tailgate multiple times."
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations create variable conditions. Traci C. shared about Amicalola Falls, "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite."
Limited hookup options: Many national forest campgrounds offer primitive camping only. For RVs requiring hookups, Annell N. noted about Lake Winfield Scott, "It would have received 5 stars if it had a dump station and wifi (since there is no cell phone service at this park)."
