High Falls State Park offers glamping in yurts situated on the lake's edge, providing electricity and access to nearby amenities. Each unit features wooden floors and outdoor living spaces. Indian Springs State Park provides cabin accommodations in a historic setting with water views at several sites. Pine Mountain RV Resort extends the options with yurts that combine rustic elements with modern conveniences. Glampers enjoy access to High Falls' waterfall, hiking trails along the Towaliga River, and water recreation opportunities. Additional amenities include mini-golf, a playground, and seasonal swimming. Heart of Georgia RV Park provides fishing opportunities across three ponds. Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers glamping with hiking access for outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfortable natural immersion.
What to do
Hiking at Franklin Roosevelt State Park: The park maintains numerous well-marked trails suitable for various skill levels. One camper noted, "Very clean and shady sights, being upgraded this year. Many trails a lake and history," highlighting the park's natural and historical features. Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground offers access to these trails directly from the camping areas.
Fishing at Blanton Creek: The park provides direct lake access with specialized sites for anglers. According to a visitor, "Sites are on the smallish side but well shaded. There are docks that, if you put a boat in, you can dock right at your site on some select sites (3 and 9)." This setup allows for convenient fishing directly from your campsite at Blanton Creek Campground.
Boating at Lake Juliette: The lake offers motorized and non-motorized boating with restrictions that maintain a peaceful atmosphere. A camper explained, "There Is a 25hp restriction on the lake so no loud motorboats, making it very peaceful for campers. We kayaked and chilled at our site by the water for 5 nights." This makes Dames Ferry State Park Campground ideal for paddling enthusiasts.
Swimming at the park pool: While lake swimming is restricted at some locations, High Falls provides a pool option during summer months. A visitor mentioned, "Swimming is not allowed but there is a pool, it cost $5 person." This offers a safe alternative when natural swimming is prohibited.
What campers like
Privacy at R. Shaefer Heard: The campground features secluded sites positioned within forested areas. A recent camper observed, "The sites themselves? Old, worn, and could desperately use even a single coat of fresh paint— but the lawns are mowed, and the forest is real. If you value privacy, you'll love the layout: each site is tucked deep into the woods, with excellent space and seclusion." R. Shaefer Heard Campground offers this natural isolation despite being a developed campground.
Clean facilities at Indian Springs: The park maintains well-kept bathroom facilities despite their age. One visitor commented, "Very nice park. Very clean. Restrooms were very old, but clean. Beautiful site. Large backing with plenty of room on all sides." The Indian Springs State Park Campground prioritizes cleanliness in facilities.
Spacious sites at High Falls: The campground features multiple camping areas with varying levels of space and privacy. A camper noted, "We tent camped here on site 112 on the lakeside camping area. We had a view of the lake and enjoyed renting a double kayak from the state park. Sites on lake are spaced apart a little more than river campground." This demonstrates the thoughtful layout at High Falls.
Family amenities at Pine Mountain: The resort offers child-friendly facilities including a playground and pool complex. According to a recent visitor, "The campground is very clean and has a great pool area. The pool area has a kids pool and hot tub along with the regular inground pool." These amenities make glamping in Thomaston, Georgia area particularly appealing for families with children.
What you should know
Gate closures: Some parks implement strict overnight access restrictions. At R. Shaefer Heard, "The gate is locked shut from 10 PM to 8 AM, no exceptions unless the elderly host personally deems your emergency worthy." Plan evening activities accordingly to avoid being locked out of your campsite.
Water conditions: Several lakes in the region have restrictions or conditions to be aware of. A visitor to High Falls noted, "Entering the water was prohibited due to leaches," while another mentioned water levels can impact activities: "The lake is down right now because they are repairing the dam so it was fun to walk along the banks."
Road noise: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. A Dames Ferry camper cautioned, "The road noice in the far loop is horrible, all night long!! I didn't realize it was so close to the road! There are 18 wheelers for the nearby rock plant that run at all hours and they are loud!!" Select sites away from roads when booking.
Seasonal considerations: Fair Harbor RV Park offers year-round accessibility with 280 sites. A visitor noted, "We had a terrible experience with another campground in the area, & rolled in here at 9:30 PM to wonderful, spacious, gravel pull-thru sites with full hook-ups, & views of the pond." This makes it a reliable option during off-season when other parks may have limited services.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select campsites near recreational facilities for convenient supervision. At High Falls, one parent shared, "This campground is great if you have kids. The playground is centrally located. Trails are easy to get to and the falls are a nice sight." This central layout allows adults to monitor children from nearby sites.
Activity options: The region offers multiple family-oriented amenities beyond typical camping. A visitor to Franklin Roosevelt State Park reported, "My four kids and I had a blast at FDR state park. They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing." These organized activities provide structure for family outings.
Site selection for kids: When glamping in Thomaston area with children, prioritize sites with open play areas. One camper at Pine Mountain RV Resort explained, "We stayed in site 185. While it was one of the more expensive sites in the park it was well worth it. The nice lady that answered the phone made the recommendation when I told her I'd like somewhere for my kids to run. They're 5 and 3. We ended up spending more time sitting and watching them just play in the grass than we really thought."
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Some parks experience power issues that affect larger rigs. At Indian Springs, a camper cautioned, "The RV sorta aren't that great. They have power fluctuations a lot." Bring a surge protector to safeguard electronics when glamping near Thomaston.
Site levelness: RV sites vary significantly in grading across campgrounds. A Blanton Creek visitor advised, "Small rigs can pretty much enjoy any spot but larger rigs need to be sure that the site is level for the length of the rig. Some spots have a driveway that goes downhill from the camper and others go uphill from the camper which might be an issue for 5th wheels."
Pull-through availability: For easier setup, several parks offer drive-through sites. A Fair Harbor guest noted, "280 sites, & over 100 are pull-thrus. Amenities: camp store, playground, pond, WiFi, cable, laundry, bathrooms, shed/storage, etc." These pull-through sites eliminate the need for difficult backing maneuvers.
Late check-in options: When traveling long distances, consider parks with after-hours arrival procedures. At Crossroads Travel Park, "They have a pull up station for late nite check in after the office closes and works on an honor system to put your payment in the drop box." This flexibility accommodates travelers with unpredictable arrival times.
