Best Tent Camping near Thomaston, GA

Tent campsites near Thomaston, Georgia provide primitive camping experiences in diverse natural settings. Several dispersed camping areas are available in the region, including Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area and Ocmulgee River Camp, which offer secluded tent camping locations. Additional options include The Hollow at Triple Threat Farm and Tyler Hunt Camp, which provide different levels of amenities for tent campers seeking a backcountry experience within reasonable driving distance of Thomaston.

Sites throughout the region have minimal infrastructure, with most requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Many locations lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, requiring visitors to pack in all necessities and pack out all waste. Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area requires a valid Georgia hunting or fishing license to camp. Some campgrounds feature basic fire pits, but campers should verify current fire regulations before visits, especially during dry seasons. Road access varies significantly, with some sites like Ocmulgee River Camp accessible via somewhat bumpy gravel roads that may require careful navigation but remain passable for most vehicles.

Areas farther from Thomaston generally offer greater seclusion for backcountry tent camping. Most sites provide flat spaces suitable for tent setups, though ground conditions vary seasonally. Wildlife observations are common, with deer sightings frequently reported by campers. Hunting activity occurs in several areas, particularly at Joe Kurz WMA and near Ocmulgee River Camp, so tent campers should be aware of hunting seasons for safety. As one visitor to Ocmulgee River Camp noted, "It was nice and quiet this time of year with open spaces, though you might hear train horns and occasional gunshots from hunters in the distance." Evening quiet varies by location, with some sites experiencing occasional vehicle traffic after dark.

Best Tent Sites Near Thomaston, Georgia (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Thomaston, GA

347 Reviews of 10 Thomaston Campgrounds


  • Rachel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2020

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Falls

    Went to High Falls State Park in January. site number 27. We stayed 8 nights There are two campgrounds- lakeside and River camping area. Lakeside is by High falls Lake and is closest to the falls. River camping is across the street we stayed in River camping area. Nice sites but open to neighbors. Sites included table, fire ring, lantern hook. Some sites are 30 amp some 50 amp and had some pull through sites. After the weekend we were one of only a few in the campground in January. Weather may change this time of year we had a lot of rain one day and freezing temperatures overnight but mostly it was good camping weather. Camp hosts were awesome!!! This park is not far off i-75. Dollar general was a few miles other than that not much around. Very easy hiking trail to waterfalls and several trails along Towaliga River, ruins of an old Mill. There is no swimming in falls or river. Afterr rain falls were flowing very fast. This park also has a swimming pool, mini golf, yurts, boat rentals all were closed in January. Bathhouses were well maintained and had laundry facilities. Phone and TV reception we're good at this park. 8 days was too much here I would recommend 4 to 5 days or as a stopover point but would definitely return here.

  • L
    Apr. 11, 2021

    Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Great State park and camping

    We were on site 213 and 214. Beautiful wooded site lots of space between sites in this loop. Very short walk to lake. Loop 1 sites are lake front and lake view but more close together than we like. Sites pretty level and gravel. Concrete picnic table, fire ring and light pole with lots of room fir our dogs. Bathroom facilities were very clean, with showers and laundry. Placed well around the campground. Playground but not opened at this time. Lots of hiking trails, pool, can rent canoes and paddle boats on the lake. Dog friendly. Close to Calloway Gardens and little town of Pine Mountain.

  • Justin R.
    Nov. 3, 2024

    Claystone Park Campground

    First Time Camping and It Set the Bar

    Claystone Park was our first ever experience tent camping. Everything was great from the location of the bathroom and shower house, to ample space, and spectacular views. Quiet hours were respectfully observed, and all the amenities provided within our campsite were more than enough. Clean clean clean

  • L
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Blanton Creek Park Georgia Power

    Great campground and lake area

    Loved the area. We had lake front site #6. Had our kayak and small fishing boat at site shore. Our golden retrievers loved being at the water. Sites are very large with good space between them. Most are shaded, level, gravel with picnic tables, large fire ring, lots of space for chairs. Had plenty of space for our grill as well. This Harding Lake runs into/part of Chattahoochee River. No wake zone around the campground area so it was perfect for kayaking and small boat fishing. Nice bathroom facility and laundry area too. Very clean. Bob was a great camp host and was informative about the park. Will have to try in the fall with leaf change. Still ok for 90 plus temps. 🥵 Slight breeze off lake. Highly recommend this Georgia Power campground!

  • Angie G.
    Jun. 12, 2020

    Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Outdoor recreation happy place!

    We stayed at FDR state park for 4 nights and it was a beautiful park with great hosts and great campsites! Bath houses were well-maintained and sites not on top of each other like some other places. They have horseback riding stables and kayaks for rent (but COVID is not allowing rentals). We took our kayaks and used them in Lake Delanor. Our campsite was #312 and it accommodated our 22 ft camper well, had an additional large tent pad, a fire ring and picnic table. We were located next to a group pavilion which we utilized when the rains came down. For dog owners like us, a big green grassy area was located behind our site to walk our 4-legged kids. Totally enjoyable experience and would love to return to backcountry camp and do some trails.

  • C
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Blanton Creek Park Georgia Power

    Excellent port in the storm

    Made a stopover here to cut a long drive in half. We’d never heard about these GA Power campgrounds so we weren’t sure what to expect. Arrived during a driving rainstorm and under a tornado warning. Fortunately our site (40) was perfectly level so we were able to setup in no time and get out of the bad weather. Very nice, large gravel sites, well spaced, with a concrete picnic table and a fire ring. We didn’t use any of the amenities, but the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful and as far as we could see the campground was pristine. We will definitely return.

  • Samantha R.
    Jun. 22, 2020

    Pyne Road Park Campground

    Trash everywhere!

    My husband, parents, niece, nephew, infant son and I all stayed in the primitive camping, because it apparently was the only camp sites close enough to the water to bring kayak/paddle board. There was no one in the office when we arrived and had to call the only number we had then wait 20 min for the man, I assume, running the place to come and tell us where to go, since this was our first time here. We reserved site 10, then when we arrived someone else was already set up on it. We began to set up camp and noticed that the beach area was so full of trash we had to clean it up before we could even put out boards into the water. It filled an entire trash bag. There was trash all in the water where we walked in at as well. There was trash all over the sites and parking area. The first night there a man was arrested because he was walking up and down the road yelling. Thankfully my parents, niece, nephew and small child didn’t come until the next day. The whole experience was awful!

  • Caitlin S.
    Jan. 31, 2022

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Nice campground for a weekend getaway!

    We stayed in the River Camping Area - Loop D. The campground felt secluded and the sites were spacious. We enjoyed hiking Falls Trail with our two dogs and checking out some of the nearby cities - Jackson & Forsyth.

    A few things to note: the internet is VERY spotty and the sites are not level. The entrance is very dark at night and the road is narrow and windy, so try to arrive before dark if you can.

  • N P.
    Aug. 23, 2020

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Good pit stop with trails

    Spent one night on the road here at a RV site on the lakeside camping area (they also offer additional entrance to river side camping.) Busy but courteous neighbors. Playground, mini golf, swimming pool (closed), and pretty clean toilets. Keep that trash far—ants love it here! Nice falls trail hike in the afternoon. Well-marked trails with some fun off shoot paths. Ordered Papa Johns right to the campsite entrance!


Guide to Thomaston

Dispersed camping opportunities near Thomaston, Georgia range from wildlife management areas to riverside sites within a 45-mile radius. The region features mixed hardwood forests with rolling hills at elevations between 600-800 feet. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing, while summer camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September.

What to do

Hunting opportunities: Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area requires planning around seasonal regulations. "Visitors should also be aware of the active hunting seasons, indicating times when the WMA is frequented by hunters," notes Lonnie B., emphasizing the importance of checking current regulations with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Wildlife viewing: Tyler Hunt Camp offers good opportunities for animal sightings throughout the day. "This place is a refuge. There are privately owned homes around but the folks keep to themselves. It's quiet, super dark at night and beautiful," according to LeeAnne T., who appreciated the natural setting.

Hiking trails: Ocmulgee River Camp provides access to horse trails suitable for hiking. One visitor mentioned, "Spot with a nice horse trail to hike - saw some deer and a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear - unsure," highlighting the wildlife viewing potential along these paths.

Military history: While camping at Kings Pond at Fort Benning, visitors can experience a unique combination of wilderness and military history. "Although it's on post, and you can still hear training some nights, You feel as if you're a million miles away," reports Nikki W., describing the paradoxical peace found there.

What campers like

Solitude and dark skies: Tyler Hunt Camp offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. Campers report the area is "super dark at night" making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

Winter camping comfort: Ocmulgee River Camp maintains mild temperatures even in December. As SJ W. discovered, "It was nice and warm even in December! Almost 70 degrees!" This makes it a viable option for tent camping near Thomaston during cooler months when other areas might be too cold.

Cell service availability: Some dispersed sites offer surprising connectivity. One visitor to Ocmulgee River Camp titled their review "Peaceful beautiful Verizon works perfectly," noting they had full phone service despite the remote location.

Flat camping areas: Many campers appreciate the terrain at Ocmulgee River Camp, with Julie H. mentioning "Beautiful campsite, just a few neighbors, tons of flat space and a few fire pits," which makes tent setup considerably easier than at more rugged sites.

What you should know

License requirements: A Georgia hunting or fishing license is required for camping at Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area. Lenear B. mentions basic conditions: "No cell coverage, has fire pit, mostly tent and car campers. I went with a travel trailer."

Road conditions: Access roads to most dispersed camping locations require careful driving. For Ocmulgee River Camp, Michael S. noted it's "Only a mile off the road, which is a little bumpy but manageable," while another camper described it as "Very nice a bit bumpy on the drive in but no major holes."

Nighttime activity: Some camping areas experience unexpected nighttime visitors. At Tyler Hunt Camp, Micah C. reported: "I enjoyed my stay here during the day, but things changed after dark... As night fell, I began preparing for bed, but I noticed vehicles coming and going—at least three within an hour."

Environmental sounds: Background noise varies by location. At Ocmulgee River Camp, Greg D. observed it was "very quiet this time of the year (January) train horn in the distance and gunshots in the distance as well from hunters here and there."

Tips for camping with families

Off-grid experience: The Hollow at Triple Threat Farm provides a balanced introduction to primitive camping with some basic amenities. Tiffany B. succinctly described it as "Off-grid done right!"

Bug preparation: Insect activity varies seasonally at riverside locations. At Ocmulgee River Camp, one camper noted, "It was quite hot but surprisingly not that buggy," though this may change with seasons.

Wildlife education: Camping trips offer educational opportunities about local fauna. SJ W. recounted: "Saw some deer and a mystery black animal, maybe a boar or a bear - unsure," creating potential teaching moments about identifying wildlife.

Security considerations: Plan arrival times for daylight hours, especially at more remote locations. Based on experiences at Tyler Hunt Camp, families should consider that some sites have "privately owned homes around" and occasional drive-throughs "around 9/10" as LeeAnne T. mentioned.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Thomaston have limited space for larger rigs. At Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area, Lenear B. noted it's "mostly tent and car campers. I went with a travel trailer," suggesting smaller RVs can access the area despite it not being primarily designed for them.

Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks even to sites described as flat. At Ocmulgee River Camp, despite mentions of "tons of flat space," the natural terrain still requires preparation for proper RV setup.

Self-sufficiency: No hookups are available at dispersed sites, requiring RVers to be fully self-contained. LeeAnne T. emphasized at Tyler Hunt Camp: "No amenities, you pack it in, you pack it out," a rule that applies to all dispersed tent campsites near Thomaston.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Thomaston, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Thomaston, GA is Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Thomaston, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Thomaston, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.