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Best Dispersed Camping near Waleska, GA

23 Reviews

The mountainous terrain surrounding Waleska, Georgia features predominantly dispersed camping options within the Chattahoochee National Forest and nearby wildlife management areas. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground and Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area represent the typical primitive camping experience in this region, with sites situated along creeks, rivers, and mountain overlooks. Most locations are free, first-come-first-served areas with minimal to no facilities, appealing to self-sufficient campers seeking natural settings. The Cohutta Wilderness Area and Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area contain multiple backcountry camping zones accessible via forest service roads or hiking trails.

Rough gravel roads and deep potholes characterize access to many camping areas, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Hidden Creek Campground, "There are a few substantial potholes, so wouldn't recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle." Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent, particularly in remote locations like Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area where visitors report "intermittent and usually only one bar (or no cell)." Wildlife considerations include black bears, especially in the Cohutta Wilderness region where proper food storage is essential. Summer weekends see the highest visitation rates, with popular waterfront sites at locations like Dick's Creek Falls filling quickly.

Waterside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with creeks and rivers providing both scenic value and recreational opportunities. Jones Creek offers "amazing" water access with "low current" that "makes it easy to walk in," according to recent visitors. Mountain views constitute another highlight, particularly at elevated sites like Cowrock Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, where campers enjoy "long range views of the Blue Ridge." Stargazing opportunities attract some visitors, with Ball Field Dispersed Area praised for having "little light pollution" and excellent southern sky visibility. Campers should note that GPS coordinates are sometimes inaccurate, with multiple reviews mentioning navigation challenges and the importance of looking for physical markers like wooden signs to locate the correct turnoffs.

Map showing campgrounds near Waleska, GeorgiaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Waleska, Georgia (16)

    1. Hidden Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Calhoun, GA
    33 miles

    "A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle."

    "GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks."

    2. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
    30 miles

    "Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.

    When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road."

    3. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    38 miles
    Website

    "This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) "

    "This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on"

    4. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Cherry Log, GA
    33 miles
    Website

    "Nice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."

    5. Justus Creek Campsite

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    37 miles

    "We were warned about bears in the area so were very cautious about hanging our bear bag a little extra distance away on the opposite side of the creek."

    6. SongBird Trail Camp (Cohutta WMA)

    1 Review
    Crandall, GA
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 695-6736

    7. Jack's River Falls Trail/Cohutta Wilderness Backcountry Group Camp

    4 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    45 miles

    "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls. Camping is primitive as back country can be but worth the trek."

    "Obviously very close to the river to filter water from. We didn't see any wildlife at this site, but we did see a copperhead at another earlier in the trip, so be aware!"

    8. Preacher's Rock

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    41 miles
    Website

    9. Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    43 miles

    "They have a couple closer to water but most are more remote. There is a 3 mile long dirt road to travel on."

    10. Conasauga River Camp

    2 Reviews
    Cisco, TN
    47 miles

    "Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."

    "My go-to spot gets picked up during the fall A lot but best dispersed site I’ve found in a while"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Waleska, GA

23 Photos of 16 Waleska Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Waleska, GA

23 Reviews of 16 Waleska Campgrounds

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Pretty Decent Place to Stay

    A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.

  • Roy B.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Roy B.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • B
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    Beautiful but popular

    Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.

    When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road. This area seems to be popular for local dirt bikers, but we seen people fishing and relaxing all the same.

    I would have gave 5 stars, but these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns( in the distance), which isn’t a problem for us, but reduced the relaxing nature of the visit with all this combined.

    This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit.

  • Karen The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2021

    Murrays Lake Primitive

    It's in Georgia, not Tennesse!

    Although there is a Murray's Lake in TN, as you'll note on the location map, this campsite is in Georgia.

  • Robyn W.
    Jun. 1, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very Decent Primitive Spot

    Overall we enjoyed this stay! GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks. We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF DEEP POTHOLES. The road then opens up to a four way, we kept going straight, followed the road down and then came to three sites all empty. It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes. Our truck is pretty high and 4x4 so wasn’t too bad for us but a low car may not fair as well. We were there on a Friday

Guide to Waleska

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Waleska, Georgia, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers several spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Scenic Waterfalls for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience the stunning views at Dicks Creek Falls, a favorite spot for families and adventurers alike, featuring multiple campsites near beautiful waterfalls.
  • The area is known for its accessibility, with a dirt road leading to several camping spots that allow for easy access to the creek and hiking trails.
  • Visitors often enjoy fishing and exploring the nearby trails, making it a perfect location for those who appreciate both relaxation and adventure.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Waleska, Georgia

  • When heading to Jones Creek Dispersed Campground, be prepared for a popular spot that attracts local dirt bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, so arrive early to secure a good site.
  • Keep in mind that many dispersed camping areas, like Hidden Creek Campground, do not provide amenities such as drinking water or toilets, so plan accordingly and bring all necessary supplies.
  • Always check the road conditions before your trip, as some access roads can be rough and may require a vehicle with higher clearance, especially when visiting places like Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area.

Hiking and Nature Exploration While Free Camping Near Waleska

  • The Justus Creek Campsite is located along the Appalachian Trail, offering hikers a chance to enjoy breathtaking views and the soothing sounds of nature.
  • For those seeking solitude, SongBird Trail Camp (Cohutta WMA) provides a peaceful environment with beautiful hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife observation.
  • Don't miss the chance to explore the nearby trails at Dick’s Creek Falls, where you can enjoy a mix of off-road adventures and scenic views while camping in a remote setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Waleska, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Waleska, GA is Hidden Creek Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Waleska, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Waleska, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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