Best Campgrounds near Sugar Hill, GA

The northeastern suburbs of Atlanta include Sugar Hill, Georgia, where camping options range from lakeside sites to wooded retreats within a short drive. Lake Lanier dominates the regional camping landscape with multiple Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds including Shoal Creek, Old Federal, and Bolding Mill offering water-oriented recreation. Margaritaville RV Resort in nearby Buford provides upscale amenities for those seeking comfort, while Shady Grove Campground in Cumming offers a more traditional camping experience with both tent and RV sites. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from March through October or November, though some like Stone Mountain Park Campground remain open year-round. The proximity to Atlanta (about 35 miles northeast) makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for city residents seeking outdoor recreation.

Reservations are essential during summer months when Lake Lanier's shoreline campgrounds fill quickly, especially on holiday weekends. As one camper noted, "What a great park! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites! Had a spot about 35 yards from the shore next to a wooded area." Georgia's humid subtropical climate makes spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F with high humidity. Winter camping is available at select locations but facilities may be limited. Most campgrounds require advance booking through recreation.gov or state park reservation systems, with sites typically ranging from $25-45 per night depending on amenities and location.

Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers, particularly those with views of Lake Lanier. Many visitors appreciate the balance between natural settings and convenient access to amenities. "The sites are tucked into the trees, lots of great spots for your hammock!" reported one Doll Mountain Campground visitor. Wildlife sightings, including deer and occasionally black bears, add to the camping experience. Campers should be prepared for typical southeastern forest conditions including ticks and mosquitoes during warmer months. Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some Corps of Engineers sites enforcing strict quiet hours while others experience more weekend activity. Most campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, with shower facilities available at the larger established sites, though primitive camping options are limited in the immediate Sugar Hill area.

Best Camping Sites Near Sugar Hill, Georgia (216)

    1. Shady Grove Campground

    24 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 205-6850

    $20 - $240 / night

    "This site was a nice distance away from the RV focused campsites at the same location."

    "If you love large wooded spots with great lake views and lots of deer to watch....this is your park. Located in a very nice part of Georgia with so many places to go and see."

    2. Stone Mountain Park Campground

    92 Reviews
    Stone Mountain, GA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 498-5710

    $44 - $65 / night

    "Lived in Georgia my whole life and yet my first time to Stone Mountain was literally three years ago. Now we have an annual pass and go all the time."

    "Very clean camp grounds, if you don't mind a familes close by. Can set up next to the lake. Pet friendly and several children and families around. Ton of activities around stone mountain park."

    3. Bald Ridge Creek

    23 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 889-1591

    $26 - $36 / night

    "Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)"

    "It was right on the lake with a beautiful view. It has a path that goes down to the lake. A lot of the sites are on the lake and most sites offer ample shade."

    4. Shoal Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Buford, GA
    4 miles
    Website

    "There was a nice flat area to set up food, bonfire, chairs, games and to lounge around with family and the dogs. Bathrooms were nice and close to campground, within walking distance."

    "Communication with the main number for the campground went through the Margaritaville Campground nearby. Separate direct lines to the camp office and security were provided after arrival."

    5. Old Federal

    19 Reviews
    Oakwood, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 967-6757

    $20 - $36 / night

    "Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming."

    "Grounds were great with easy access to the lake."

    6. Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Winder, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 867-3489

    $27 - $275 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Duckett Mill

    18 Reviews
    Oakwood, GA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 532-9802

    $26 - $36 / night

    "Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times."

    "Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks."

    8. Bolding Mill

    21 Reviews
    Murrayville, GA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 534-6960

    $20 - $36 / night

    "It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted."

    "Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no"

    9. Margaritaville

    6 Reviews
    Lake Sidney Lanier, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (470) 323-3486

    $63 - $100 / night

    "We had a pave site full hookup pull thru with lake view. Very easy to get in and out, private and quiet, we had a picnic table, fire ring and bbq grill."

    10. Sawnee

    7 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 887-0592

    $20 - $46 / night

    "As for us we are avid hikers so we stuck to the trails. There are a few trails that interconnect so we hike for hours(which we loved). Although we did not camp we are definitely coming back to do so."

    "On a peninsula this little gem on Lake Lanier, with wooded lots, is the perfect relaxation spot for RV & Tent campers."

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Recent Reviews near Sugar Hill, GA

1276 Reviews of 216 Sugar Hill Campgrounds


  • Jennifer M.
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road

    perfectly scenic

    The winding road to the few campgrounds along the way was beautiful but narrow. We didn't see any potties and it ends with a sandy area at the water where about 6 cars were parked (perhaps they were all kayaking or hiking but we only saw two people. We backtracked a bit to a site along the stream with ample space for at least two or three tents. It was along the road and there were a few cars driving past during the night but not enough to bother us or make us feel unsafe at all. There was a trail at this site as well just on the other side of the water which went a few miles around to the road and looped back but it hadn't been maintained in a bit so there was a decent amount of climbing and exploration on our part to stay on it. Wouldn't advise without good trail maps on your phone.

  • tonya O.
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Lake Russell Recreation Area

    This campground has went down

    Weve always came here but our last experience wasn't great... since Rhonda has been gone this campground has gone down so bad. I was so disappointed in this... the bathrooms was so nasty and the camp host i went to wouldn't come to the door... I had to call police on a unruly camper and still didnt help..... we went to relax and had a weekend from hell.

  • j
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    Great central location.

    I camp at Unicoi State Park several times a year for a number of different reasons. First, it is right in the middle of what I call waterfall country. There are more beautiful waterfalls within an hour than I can count. Second, there are spectacularly beautiful trails everywhere. You’re only about 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail at Hog Pen Gap and 30 minutes from Blood Mountain and the Blood Mountain wilderness. Third, there are numerous picturesque and friendly little towns nearby. The park is about 3 miles from the town of Helen, which is a pseudo Bavarian village. A little touristy but still fun. There are some great German restaurants there. As to the park itself, I tent camp, and the campsites are excellent. Nice bathroom and shower facilities close by and regardless of the time of year it has never been crowded. Definitely worth $25 a night and I get a discount because I’m a senior (Remember you have to ask for the discount. They won’t tell you). If you are camping in the tent area, I can almost guarantee you’ll see a bear because they come out almost every night. Keep all of your food in the bear boxes. Since it is somewhat of a resort park, there are cabins, RV hook ups and even a motel/conference center. There are lots of activities like swimming, boating, archery, zip lining, etc. The Smith Creek pub is a nice little restaurant for a quick meal or a drink.

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Quick fall foliage trip

    The park is absolutely beautiful, great scenery and hiking trails. The visitors center is nice, but the helpfulness of the staff was hit or miss. The campsite is nice, quiet, clean bathrooms and warm showers. We camped in a tent and the ground was hard, almost like cement which made staking the tent down difficult. Other than this, we loved it and would come back again.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Red top mountain state park

    Plenty of campsites, some on the lake. RV, tents, yurts. Spaces 1-12 are especially nice since they are spacious and can handle class A and 5th wheelers. All 12 have water electric and sewer. We have a class C and prefer 1-12 because there is plenty of space between sites.

  • Kayla D.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    It’s a NO from us

    I wanted to wait a few days before writing this review — truthfully, I wanted to wait until after we checked out. I dreaded the retribution of Mrs. Cynthia “Cindy” Farmer, the campground manager, which I was sure would follow.

    Our church group had been looking forward to this camping trip for nearly a year. I’ve personally camped at Bald Ridge Creek Campground many times and never had a single issue — until now. Our church typically takes two group trips a year at another Forsyth County campground, but this year, we decided to rent nine sites at Bald Ridge. Even Cindy seemed excited that we were coming!

    We’re a Baptist group — not exactly known for our wild nights. We sing, we fellowship, and we’re back in our campers by 10 p.m. But according to “Queen Cindy,” you’d think we were a pack of college kids throwing keg parties.

    Our crime? An evening of worship and fellowship — a small keyboard, a guitar, and around 50 people spread over three campsites for a couple of hours each night. Cindy declared it an “event” (apparently forbidden) and told us we couldn’t do it again and threatened to make us all leave. She also banned us from eating together — saying we could gather while serving food but had to disperse to our own campsites immediately once we got our plates.

    The only actual rule violation came from one site where a tent wasn’t put up right away. Cindy seized on that excuse to call dispatch and have three sheriff’s deputies sent to “deal with” our peaceful group of families, children, and worshipers.

    To their credit, the deputies couldn’t have been kinder, yet embarrassed that they even had to be there. They laughed at the situation, noting they’re called out to the campground frequently because of Cindy’s pettiness and made-up rules. They said our little keyboard — which Cindy had described like it was a baby grand piano — was no problem at all. They simply advised us to set up the tent and let her stomp it out.

    Cindy even claimed that someone had called the Corps of Engineers to report us — at 7:00 p.m., during the government shutdown, when the office wasn’t even open. 🙄

    For context, Cindy lives at the campground for free as part of her role as host. It’s time for someone new to take over. She also wears a body camera and records campers (which is legal, I know), but as a county employee, those recordings are public record.

    We’ll continue to pray without ceasing for her — that the Lord softens her heart. But until then, I can’t recommend Bald Ridge Creek Campground to anyone who values fair treatment, hospitality, or simple human kindness.

  • George M.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mulky Campground

    Great location for fishing

    A lot of the campsites are right on the water, so it's super easy to fish. But if you want something more private, there are also some secluded spots up the road.


Guide to Sugar Hill

Camping spots near Sugar Hill, Georgia range from lakefront sites to family-oriented park settings within a 40-mile radius. Lake Lanier's water level typically fluctuates 2-5 feet seasonally, affecting shoreline campsites during late summer and early fall. Tent campers have several walk-in options at various campgrounds, with some offering direct water access for kayaking and paddleboarding.

What to do

Hike local trails: At Fort Yargo State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple trail systems. "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," reports one camper who found the hiking particularly enjoyable.

Beach activities: Bald Ridge Creek features a designated swimming area with sand. "The beach is nice for the kids. Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal," notes a camper who visited multiple times between August and October.

Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities around lakefront sites. "We enjoyed the beautiful spring weather which was sunny during the day and cool enough at night to have fires. We saw lots of deer," shared a visitor at Shady Grove Campground who appreciated the natural setting.

What campers like

Spacious waterfront sites: Duckett Mill receives consistent praise for site layout. "The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks," explains one reviewer who appreciated the privacy and lake access.

Clean facilities: Stone Mountain Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The shower house was a little dirty, so that's why I gave 4 stars instead of 5," noted one camper, though most reviewers found the facilities satisfactory, with "beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you're deep in nature."

Level camping pads: Many campers mention the quality of site preparation at Old Federal. "Very helpful people at the front gate. All amenities kept in excellent condition," reported a visitor who spent four days at the campground, highlighting the well-maintained infrastructure.

What you should know

Alcohol policies vary: Enforcement of alcohol rules differs significantly between campgrounds. At Shady Grove Campground, strict enforcement occurs: "There is a strict no alcohol policy in the campground and it is made very clear by signage in the park," warns one camper. Another visitor received tickets: "We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets...turns out each ticket is $280.00."

Reservation requirements: Most lakefront sites book 3-6 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Weekday availability improves significantly during spring and fall.

Site selection matters: For RVs over 35 feet, carefully review site dimensions before booking. "After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight...It was so tight that the 5th wheel was only 1 inch from hitting the cab and the axels on the RV were in a bind," cautioned one visitor at Old Federal.

Tips for camping with families

Choose campsites near amenities: For those with young children, sites close to bathhouses and playgrounds reduce walking distances. "We stayed in site 15, 14, and my parents used the Georgia glamping company in site 16," shared a family who enjoyed Shady Grove's wooded, private sites while maintaining proximity to facilities.

Consider insect protection: Georgia's humidity creates mosquito-friendly conditions, particularly near water. Bug spray with 20-30% DEET provides effective protection during evening hours.

Plan for variable weather: Spring and fall camping requires layered clothing due to 30°F temperature swings between day and night. "The weather wasn't the best, wish we could have used the boat ramp to launch our kayak," noted a visitor at Margaritaville who experienced typical regional weather fluctuations.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Many lake sites feature slopes requiring substantial leveling equipment. "Only reason for the 4 stars is our site was not level, took some work to level our rig. Also our site needed a little TLC," mentioned a reviewer at Shady Grove Campground.

Dump station timing: Plan Sunday departures strategically to avoid long lines. "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday," noted a regular visitor to Bald Ridge Creek who suggested timing departures earlier or later than checkout rush.

Utility locations: Check hookup placements before arrival. "Bring an extension cord or 2," advises a camper from Old Federal, as power and water connections aren't always optimally positioned, sometimes requiring 25-50 foot extensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sugar Hill, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sugar Hill, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 216 campgrounds and RV parks near Sugar Hill, GA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sugar Hill, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sugar Hill, GA is Shady Grove Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sugar Hill, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Sugar Hill, GA.

What parks are near Sugar Hill, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Sugar Hill, GA that allow camping, notably Lake Sidney Lanier and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.