Amicalola Falls State Park offers RV, tent, and yurt camping at 2,136 feet elevation in north Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding area near Talking Rock experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging 80-90°F. The park features Georgia's tallest waterfall at 730 feet, with camping available year-round despite winter temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Amicalola Falls can be accessed via a staircase and bridge system that spans the entire 730-foot cascade from top to bottom. "This 730ft cascading waterfall is accessible by stairs and bridge from top to bottom. It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better," notes Fain H. about Amicalola Falls State Park Camping.
Mountain biking trails: Fort Mountain State Park offers extensive mountain bike trail networks with varying technical difficulty. "Most of the trails except the Gahuti are multi use and there is a strong community of mountain biking here. We didn't bike the trails here with our hybrid specialized bikes because we felt the trails (other than the lake trail and the park roads) to be too technical for us due to the major elevation changes, loose gravel and rocks," shares Travyl Couple about Fort Mountain State Park Campground.
Water recreation on Carters Lake: The 3,200-acre Carters Lake provides swimming, fishing and boating options. "Carters Lake is a great deep lake, clean and private. Bring your kayaks cause y'all wanna explore the lake plenty of little swimming holes," suggests Ronna W. about her experience at Woodring Campground.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The higher elevation campgrounds offer excellent night sky viewing opportunities away from city lights. "Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by. Campground is small and quiet; hardly any light pollution at my nonelectric site," shares Tia K. about Morganton Point Campground.
Wildlife observation: The forested campgrounds provide opportunities to spot local fauna. "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. Beautiful area, my teens loved it. They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth," reports Traci C. at Amicalola Falls State Park.
Overnight backpacking alternatives: For those looking beyond traditional yurt camping near Talking Rock, Georgia, the backcountry offers unique overnight experiences. "Pack a light daypack, park your car and enjoy your 5 mile hike to Len Foote's Hike Inn, sustainable lodging primarily powered by solar panels. Once at the inn, you'll find the composting operation interesting: composting toilets and happy composting worm bins converting leftover food into black gold!" explains John about his stay at Len Foote Hike Inn.
What you should know
Steep terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in the area feature significant elevation changes that affect site selection and accessibility. "Nice state park with good amenities. Loved the hike and waterfalls. Roads are extremely steep getting to the campground," warns Kevin B. about Amicalola Falls State Park Camping.
Varying bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between campgrounds. "This campground has the nicest bathhouse!!!!! The staff was super friendly. The campground has many sites with an awesome view of Lake Blue Ridge," notes Shanna S. about Morganton Point, while another camper at Fort Mountain mentions "Bathrooms were clean with very hot water."
Seasonal water levels: Lake levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting waterfront sites. "We stayed at Morganton in October. The campground was busy, but it was still quiet. Our site (D) would have been waterfront if the lake weren't so low from the drought. It still made for a beautiful and peaceful setting," explains John W.
Tips for camping with families
Platform camping options: For families wanting an alternative to yurt camping in Talking Rock, Georgia area, consider raised platforms. "We camped here just before all of the COVID-19 shutdowns began happening, hoping to get in a family trip that didn't involve a long drive from home/Chattanooga. We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites. As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect—and it was," shares Stephanie J.
Recreation amenities: Look for campgrounds with built-in activities for children. "Been going since I was a kid, now I get to take my kids! Tons to do, tons of fun!" says Chris R. about Vogel State Park Campground, which offers mini-golf, playgrounds, and a beach area.
Educational programs: Many state parks offer ranger-led activities. "They have a Junior Ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!" notes Cheryl C. about Red Top Mountain State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV sites often require leveling blocks due to the mountainous terrain. "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. Number 18 does not look hard, but the layout is very difficult to get into. The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper," warns Soren B. about Amicalola Falls.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads may be narrow or rough. "Heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained. Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in. Sites were very narrow," cautions Brock D. about Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.
Alternative to traditional yurt camping: Consider cabin options for more space. "The campground is easy to find and check in was a breeze. We then proceeded to pull through site 62 with FHUs for a planned two night's stay. The couple running the CG are first class and very nice, plus they delivered fresh baked chocolate chip cookies that evening," reports MickandKarla W. about Calhoun A-OK Campground.