Tallulah Gorge State Park offers traditional camping in addition to the luxury glamping options. The campground provides 50 sites with water and electrical hookups, with full bathroom facilities available for campers. The main campground sits at 1,200 feet elevation in dense forest, creating naturally cooler temperatures than surrounding areas. Multiple trailheads connect directly to the camping areas, with permits required for gorge floor access.
What to do
Explore waterfalls and streams: At Tallulah Gorge State Park, visitors can view multiple cascading waterfalls along the gorge. "A ton of waterfalls. A very pretty gorge, you will walk up and down lots of stairs! Stop by if you are in the area," notes Aaron S. The trail system includes over 1,000 stairs leading to viewpoints.
Hike challenging terrain: The hiking around Oconee State Park offers varied difficulty levels with multiple waterfall access points. "There are tons of hiking opportunities in the area with tons of waterfalls. We did get to hike to a few, but wish we had more time to spend there," shares Jay B. Most trails are moderate to difficult with elevation changes.
Kayak and paddleboard: Water activities on Lake Tugaloo include kayaking directly from campsites. "Able to kayak right from campsite. Campground has over 100 sites. None of the lake front were bad," reports Liz H. Rental equipment is available seasonally at park offices with hourly rates starting at $15.
What campers like
Riverside camping experiences: Tallulah Gorge River Campground offers sites directly on the water. "Loved Tallulah Gorge campground. We had a spot right on the river. Full hookups. Clean bathrooms and showers. Incredible river to fish and swim in," says Sarah R. The riverside sites include covered tent platforms to help manage rain.
Lakefront sites: Tugaloo State Park provides waterfront camping with easy access. "Most campsites have views of the lake and access directly to the stoney beaches. Lots of mature trees make shade an easily accessible feature," writes Maggie G. Sites include water, power and multiple grey water dumps throughout the camping area.
Diverse accommodation options: Luxury glamping near Toccoa Falls ranges from cabins to yurts. "We stayed in a cabin at Unicoi State Park after our Spring Break camping trip got rained out. The fireplace was nice and we appreciated the covered parking during the downpour when arrived," explains Dana B. Yurt options include heating and cooling systems for year-round comfort.
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer temperatures in the mountains can still reach 90°F but typically cool significantly at night. "We camped in our trusty pop up camper so direct sun is always an issue (non-insulated bunk ends) but a travel trailer/RV would probably fare well (as far as temp goes)," observes George & Patty C. at Don Carter State Park.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal to no cellular connectivity. "The area very serene, quiet and pretty. Nice hiking area and swimming area. If you need to get ahold of someone though you'll have to drive 10 to 15 minutes into town," explains Ashley S. about Oconee State Park.