George L. Smith State Park Campground
Cypress swap
There are now 2 campgrounds at the park. The old campground has sights on the mill pond and the new campground is full hookups and is in a wooded section with not much shade
1 campground with availability next weekend
Magnolia Springs State Park Campground offers luxury glamping accommodations amid tall pine trees with spacious sites and natural spring views. The glamping area includes climate-controlled options with comfortable beds, electricity, and picnic tables while maintaining a connection to nature. "The park is beautiful, historic and the staff is wonderful," one guest shared, highlighting the perfect balance between outdoor adventure and comfortable amenities. Towns Bluff Park and Roy's Hideaway also provide glamping options with more upscale features than traditional camping, including access to modern bathrooms with hot showers, picnic areas, and fire pits where visitors can enjoy evenings under the stars.
The clear natural spring at Magnolia Springs serves as a focal point for glamping guests, offering wildlife viewing opportunities including turtles, fish, and even alligators. Several well-marked hiking trails wind through the 28-acre property, connecting glamping accommodations with the spring, lake, and historic Civil War prison camp site. Water activities include kayaking, canoeing and paddle boating on the spring-fed lake. A recent visitor mentioned, "We stayed 3 nights in this state park. The park called the day prior to our reservation to see if we would need firewood, a big plus." The glamping sites remain accessible year-round with reservations recommended, particularly during summer months when the splash pad and other seasonal amenities are fully operational.
"The lady on the phone told us it was a 3/4 mi walk. We didn’t mind until it got hot (high 80’s-mid 90’s) on our second trip, a park ranger told us we could drive up to the site."
"We stayed on site 22 and loved it. Beautiful and quiet with direct access to the lake. A new bathhouse since we were there about 2 years ago. Very well maintained. "
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 - $250 / night
"There is also some permanent (concrete) cornhole setup, but you’ll need your own bean bags."
"We were on site 1 (right on the corner) and had a view of the lake across the street."
Available next weekend
from $22 - $65 / night
"The park has many amenities just a short walk away. Nearby golf course seems to be appreciated by several campers."
"This campground has a lake for canoe and paddle boards that you can rent. There is also a great walking trail with cypress trees and swampy landscape."
"Nothing really to do but hiking and hanging around the campground. The hosts were great and very attentive to our needs. It was cold at night and they made sure we had enough firewood."
"Besides the people who were really loud camping near us, it was a wonderful space. No water or electric hook ups unless you go to the RV site."
"My parents stayed here and they had such a positive experience."
"Laundry room open 24/7. Easy access to dumpster. Very nice trails and pond available. Picnic table on each site. Sophia and Tony VERY friendly and helpful; such very nice people!"
from $20 - $45 / night
"I really enjoyed the community garden and the community gathering area complete with TVs and a large fire pit and cooker. Adorable playground and large dog park with poop bags!!"
"Campsites are widely spaced in this wooded area, with a dirt road entrance. Full hookups worked great, the internet worked fine, the bathhouse was clean and fairly modern."
from $37 / night
"We love this campground, quiet and secluded on the bank of the altamaha river, perfect for a quick weekend getaway"
"We walked down to the river where the boat ramp is and there are also plenty of areas to explore and gather wood."
from $32 - $35 / night
There are now 2 campgrounds at the park. The old campground has sights on the mill pond and the new campground is full hookups and is in a wooded section with not much shade
Allen was very kind and helpful, the interaction was very refreshing
Laundry room open 24/7. Easy access to dumpster. Very nice trails and pond available. Picnic table on each site. Sophia and Tony VERY friendly and helpful; such very nice people! We felt at home here.
Campgrounds were spacious so you don’t feel crowded, I just wish there were a bit more shrubbery between the sites to give a little more privacy. Views of the swamp were nice, water was down pretty low so our waterfront didn’t have too much water. Bathrooms were big and very clean.
Campground very well kept. Friendly staff. Not as small as pictures suggest. Sites nicely spread around so while there’s no vegetation in between, there’s privacy. Historic site and the spring are cute. Big gators. Only one site has water views, 16.
Park is not managed by GA DNR but instead a private company. They focus on the lodge, cabins and golf course. The campground is in terrible shape. Uneven sites, zero landscaping, zero fumigation (ants everywhere and while not fire ants, they bite), away from lake and hiking, feels like an afterthought. There is no store, so forget about buying anything. Hiking trail was nice, but we found (and picked up) garbage along the way. Going to the sports bar at the lodge was a welcomed retrieve from the mediocre campground and bugs. If you have little kids, there’s a splash pad and pool they would enjoy. I would not camp here during the warm months.
Well maintained rural park. Very quiet and sites are spacious. Park hosts and office people are wonderful!
This is a place where you bring your family and dogs! You can relax and enjoy the river and hunt during hunting season!! The host are great and the place is amazing and great for a get away with family! Come and camp and enjoy! 10-10 rating!!!
George L Smith should be on every paddlers checklist! It’s a great paddling experience unlike most.
The campground is nice and well kept.
This might be an annual trip for us.
Magnolia Springs State Park Campground features 28 acres of forested grounds with diverse camping options including walk-in tent sites and RV spaces. The campground sits in a region characterized by natural springs, pine forests, and wetland ecosystems typical of southeast Georgia. Visitors will find both tent pads in wooded areas and RV sites with water and electric hookups throughout the property.
Explore fishing opportunities: Magnolia Springs provides accessible fishing platforms suitable for all visitors. According to Nick L., "had a great time with family and friends, ALL the staff was very nice and friendly... wish they had power but that won't stop me from getting them again" when describing his experience at the walk-in tent sites.
Wildlife observation: The park offers multiple wildlife viewing opportunities along trails and waterways. At Towns Bluff Park, visitors can enjoy river wildlife. Alexis M. notes, "This is a place where you bring your family and dogs! You can relax and enjoy the river and hunt during hunting season!"
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking paths wind through the parks, connecting historic sites with natural features. One visitor at Camp South RV Park mentioned, "Great new family owned campground about an hour east of Savannah right off 16. Pine tree forest, fishing pond, bath house, full hook ups, goats, horses, tranquility."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. Sarah F. shared about Magnolia Springs: "The bathhouse was clean and the water hot. They had added a place to hang clothes while showering... The rangers were fantastic and friendly."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the region offer ample space between sites. As dawn S. notes about Towns Bluff Park, "Well maintained rural park. Very quiet and sites are spacious. Park hosts and office people are wonderful!"
Ranger-led activities: Organized activities for visitors enhance the camping experience. One Magnolia Springs camper shared, "We participated in a hike with the park manager where she told us about the animals in the park and even let us feel grey fox and beaver pelts... On Saturday we took the beginner archery lesson with another ranger."
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings additional amenities like splash pads, while winter camping offers quieter experiences. "We were there May 8-11 and only had one colder evening and weather in the 70's during the day," reports Jay B. about their stay at Magnolia Springs.
Wildlife awareness: Alligators are present in waterways throughout the region. Joel R. warns, "The spring is very pretty, with turtles and fish swimming under the bridges of the walkway, and there were lots of alligators along the stream. We let our dogs swim in the lake before we realized the gators were probably there as well."
Limited privacy at some sites: RV areas typically have less vegetation between sites. Kait G. explains, "The RV sites do not offer much for privacy as the trees are spread out and far between, however each site is spread out enough that it's not terrible."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Warthen RV Park, Maryam W. describes, "My daughter and I have stayed here the last 3 summers. It's officially a must for our summer camp trips. The serenity of the area and huge fields and beautiful trees."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites and nature programs offer learning experiences. Sarah F. shares about Magnolia Springs, "We participated in a scavenger hunt. Also done very well, definitely geared towards kids, (as expected) but it was definitely fun for the whole family."
Water activities: Paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks provide family-friendly recreation. According to Joy D., "We love boating, so using your own boat or renting one of their paddle boats, kayaks or canoes is simple. You will love the friendliness of this park."
Site selection guidance: Site 16 at Magnolia Springs is highly sought after for its lake view. G F. notes, "Campground very well kept. Friendly staff. Not as small as pictures suggest. Sites nicely spread around so while there's no vegetation in between, there's privacy. Only one site has water views, 16."
Level sites available: Most RV sites in the area require minimal leveling. Don H. shares about Roy's Hideaway, "The sites are water & electric with a dump site as you leave 30/50 amp pull through/back in. All sites appear to be close to level."
Connectivity considerations: Some campgrounds offer stable utilities despite rural locations. Illya A. from Camp South RV Park reports, "Campsites are large, and easy to maneuver, it has a red clay sand base to drive on but even when it's raining it's no issue. The power is stable and so is the Wi-Fi."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Swainsboro, GA is George L. Smith State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
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