We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Waleska. Camping with your horse in Waleska just got easier. These scenic and easy-to-reach Georgia campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
This recreation area is part of Lake Sidney Lanier
$10 - $25 / night
Cottonwood Patch Campground is a multi-use campground focused primarily on equestrian camping, but welcomes traditional "car" camping. The campground is located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the Alaculsy Valley of the Cohutta Mountains in north Georgia. Cottonwood Patch Campground is a quaint campground found along the Conasauga River, just above its junction with the Jacks River. Mixed hardwood forest surrounds the campground. The campground is partially shaded most of the summer with planted cottonwoods and sawtooth oaks. Average daytime summer temperatures are in the mid-80s with average daytime winter temperatures in the 50s.__ In the late 1800s into the 1930s, Alaculsy Valley was a thriving community. The valley contained homes, farms, a church, a post office, a grist mill, a school, cemeteries, and possibly a furnace for smelting iron. Across the Jacks River, in Tennessee, were other similar communities, a Civilian Conservation Corps work camp, and the location of the original U.S. Forest Service facility that managed the area. Some of the most development in the area was during the logging boom of the early 1900s. This area was the main hub for logging operations in the Cohutta Mountains. Train tracks followed the Conasauga and Jacks Rivers deep into the mountains. Lumbermen in logging camps far back in the mountains would cut timber and have it loaded onto flat cars. These loaded railroad cars would be pulled by the powerful Shay locomotives owned by the Conasauga River Lumber Company to its mill in Conasauga, Tennessee. Once an area was logged, the camp buildings would be loaded up onto the flat cars by small steam cranes and unloaded at the next area prepared for a camp. The Conasauga Trail in Tennessee follows the old railroad bed downstream and the Jacks River Trail in Georgia follows the old railroad bed upstream into the Cohutta Wilderness.__ Looking at the area today, one would never know such development once existed. The U.S. Forest Service, along with partnerships with other agencies and organizations, work together to manage the National Forest lands.__ Recreation activities around the Cottonwood Patch Campground include camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding (visitors must provide their own horses). Hunting and fishing regulations are set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Cottonwood Patch Campground not only serves as a place to rest and relax by the campfire, but it serves as a base camp for activities located throughout the National Forest, such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and birdwatching.__ Cottonwood Patch Campground is a popular area for equestrian users. The start of the Iron Mountain trail is located in the campground. The trail can be used by both horse riders and hikers. Horses are permitted on numbered Forest Service Roads that are both open to traffic and gated. Please be aware and mindful of vehicular traffic on Forest Service Roads.__ Hunting is also a popular activity near the Cottonwood Patch Campground area. The 96,583 acre Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a cooperatively managed area within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources work together to provide hunters opportunities to harvest bear, deer, wild hog, and various species of small game. The Georgia DNR maintains the majority of wildlife openings/food plots, conduct wildlife surveys, and set the hunting regulations. The U.S. Forest Service manages the receation facilities, roads, vegetation, fire, vegetation, and general forest. When hiking or riding horses during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and be aware that hunters are out legally participating in their version of recreational activities.__ Amateur naturalists can have a great time seeking out non-game species, such as birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, along with hundreds of species of plants to check off their life lists.
The Cottonwood Patch Campground not only serves as a place to rest and relax by the campfire, but it serves as a base camp for activities located throughout the National Forest, such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and birdwatching.__ Cottonwood Patch Campground is a popular area for equestrian users. The start of the Iron Mountain trail is located in the campground. The trail can be used by both horse riders and hikers. Horses are permitted on numbered Forest Service Roads that are both open to traffic and gated. Please be aware and mindful of vehicular traffic on Forest Service Roads.__ Hunting is also a popular activity near the Cottonwood Patch Campground area. The 96,583 acre Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a cooperatively managed area within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources work together to provide hunters opportunities to harvest bear, deer, wild hog, and various species of small game. The Georgia DNR maintains the majority of wildlife openings/food plots, conduct wildlife surveys, and set the hunting regulations. The U.S. Forest Service manages the receation facilities, roads, vegetation, fire, vegetation, and general forest. When hiking or riding horses during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and be aware that hunters are out legally participating in their version of recreational activities.__ Amateur naturalists can have a great time seeking out non-game species, such as birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, along with hundreds of species of plants to check off their life lists.
Cottonwood Patch Campground is located in the Georgia mountains near the Tennessee/Georgia state line. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, free flowing mountain rivers, and babbling streams. It is located along the Conasauga River and near the border of the the Cohutta Wilderness.__ The Conasauga River watershed is one of the most ecologically diverse watersheds in the United States. This watershed contains 76 species of fish, more than the entire Columbia and Colorado Watersheds combined. Rare crayfish, mollusks, and even the Federally Endangered Blue Shiner are found in the Conasauga River. The U.S. Forest Service along with conservation partners annually place spawning logs in the river to provide habitat for Blue Shiners.__ Adjacent to Cottonwood Patch Campground is the 45,000 acre Cohutta/Big Frog Wilderness (the largest Federally Designated Wilderness Area east of the Mississippi River). The Cohutta Wilderness contains 91 miles of arduous backpacking trails. The 1964 Wilderness Act requires Federally established Wilderness Areas to maintain a wild character about them. Wilderness trails are maintained by volunteers, Forestry Technicians, and partner organizations. Directed by the Wilderness Act, trails are cleared using traditional hand tools, such as crosscut saws and sling blades. The use of gas powered and mechanized equipment is prohibited, even for forest managers in the Cohutta Wilderness. These trails are minimally managed and minimally marked, keeping with Wilderness character. These trails are not meant for simple strolls through the forest. Trails are frequently blocked by trees and undergrowth, making them difficult to follow at times. Orienteering skills using terrain features, map, and compass are extremely important and essential in the Cohutta Wilderness, as GPS is unreliable and not recommended.__ An array of colorful wildflowers can be found throughout spring and summer months. In spring, the beautiful purple/blue flowers of Virginia Bluebells can be found in large colonies along the Conasauga River. Numerous trilliums carpet the forest floor. Wild Geraniums, Blood Root, Mayapple and many other wildflowers provide flashes of color to the the new spring forest. Summer gives way to asters, rhododendron, and other flowers, providing a splash of color until the changing leaves provide the color in fall. Please only look at wildflowers, do not pick them.
Conasauga River Blue Hole: The Conasauga River has an array of colorful and unique fish species. The best way to see them is to get in the water with them. The Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee maintains a small picnic area and snorkeling area located 1.5 miles north of Cottonwood Patch Campground in Tennessee. Visitors can either snorkel on their own (provide your own equipment) or take a guided tour with the Cherokee National Forest. For guided tours and more infomation visit the Cherokee National Forest at the following link. Conasauga River Blue Hole__ Directions: Turn left out of the campground onto Forest Service Road 16. Follow FSR 16 for 3/4 mile. Cross the metal Jacks River Bridge and turn left onto Sheeds Creek Road. Follow Sheeds Creek road 3/4 mile until reaching the entrance to the Conasauga River Blue Hole parking lot on the left.__ Sumac Creek Shooting Range (Digital Fee Area, see Recreation.gov page): A U.S. Forest Service shooting range provided to hone your shooting skills. You must provide your own firearm, ammunition, and targets. For more information visit: Sumac Creek Shooting Range__ Directions: Leaving the campground, turn right onto Forest Road 16. Follow this road for approximately 7 miles. The entrance to the shooting range is on the left where gravel road turns back into pavement.
$8 / night
This park is located at the intersection of Browns Bridge Road and Appalachee Church Road and was newly dedicated for the late Council member James Shackelford. Before its dedication and reopening, the park was renovated by Scout Troop 774. This park offers camping areas with shelters, and a beautiful nature trail that circles the park.
Guide
Site 7 is separate from the others and has the whole point except there is a trail behind the site. No easy, sandy water access unless you go to the nice beach they have.
Guide
Very nice CG with picnic tables, pit toilet and trash can. I saw 3 copper heads at the creek.
Guide
Level spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible. A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained.
Scout
What’s the point in advertising a resort that doesn’t even allow a stay?
LegendNice state park with easy sites. Plenty large enough. Has grey tank hookup which is nice. Lots of trails to hike.
GuideClean and well-maintained including the facilities.
ScoutNot much to say about it pretty much all the sites around the lake area the same in Hall county Gwinnett it was very peaceful nice people was able to find plenty of outdoor stuff to do hope other people enjoy it too
LegendVery quite and easy to utilize all amenities. Nice having grey tank connection at the sites. Will be back.
TravelerThis was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available.
There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean.
There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box.
Lastly, the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep. Our 2WD (front wheel drive) Honda Passport struggled to get back up it on our way out, and we had to hit the steepest part with some speed to make it out.
We saw a van/bus dweller there, but just know what you're getting into.
GuideA great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean.
GuideWe go camping every memorial day weekend and this year it was at Don Carter. We love this camp ground! Its fairly new, probably under 12 years, and everything is so clean and well taken care of. The campsites are always clean when you arrive, and the volunteers are so sweet. We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and its just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept. Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit. Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it! Wonderful campground!
RangerI might be a little spoiled after staying at places like Black Rock and Cloudland, but this park was a bit boring. Definitely not a destination park by any means, but it was clean and easy to navigate, and the little beach was nice. The walk in campsites were nice, with plenty of room for our large group. However, there were no showers for the walk in sites, so we ended up showering down at the beach bathrooms at the outdoor showers. I wish the park had even put an open-air shower on the back of the bathrooms for the walk in. Would've made the stay a lot better.
GuideThis area is easily accessible but can be packed during prime camping season! There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!
RangerWe’re still here. But we are enjoying our site. Great level site took no time to setup. Grey water on each site, power, and cable hookups. Our cable hookup was stripped but didn’t matter much. Campgrounds seem very new. Clean playground, quiet environment, and quiet camp grounds.
TravelerThis park is one of the newest in the GA state system and it shows based on how new the facilities look. The we camped at site 10 of the walk-in camp sites. There was one bathroom facility with flush toilets, but no showers. It looked like one could use the beach showers, but they were still close for winter. Site 10 was a nice spot with a decent distance from other sites. We were there at the beginning of spring. Once the tree coverage grows back in the site would be more secluded. There are many miles of hiking trails that are interconnected so one can make the a long challenging hike if so inclined. Overall this park was a nice basic state park, but seemed to be more of a day use park for locals than a destination park like many of the other GA state parks.
Guide
We visited and camped in our RV at Timber Ridge during October and November 2021. The layout of the camp park is very 3D as the roads wind up and down through the mountain forest. There is lots of shade and a beautiful lake. Staff were very friendly and helpful. One helped me get our rig backed safely in to our site.
GuideMy wife and I did the walk-in tent camping. We had a nice, relatively secluded spot. This area of Lake Lanier is pretty quiet. Great for kayaking or paddle boarding.
RangerNice modern rv spots with water and electric. Nice facilities even had laundry! As far as privacy goes, it really wasn’t too bad for how close the spots were. Right next to the Chattahoochee River. Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me.
ScoutWe stayed in Primitive #9. It was a short walk from the parking lot and the park provides wheelbarrows to help you move your stuff! This campsite and #8 were basically one site, so you'll get to know those neighbors, which for us was fine...a lovely family who went to bed early. The site is set in the trees and it was quiet at night, with owls and peepers singing a night chorus. Water, trash cans and a clean modern bathroon were at the parking lot. It was too cold yet to go swimming, but in the summer it would be a short walk to the beach.
TravelerI went with my family and they enjoyed it. Very nice and clean.
TravelerVery new, clean campground. Everything is well maintained. We camped after Zeta rolled through, so there were some trees down on some of the hiking trails but I could hear chainsaws running, clearing the paths. The camp sites were a little on the smaller side but still comfortable. It was far from being full, so even though the sites were a little close we weren’t near other campers. The RV spots are paved and easy to get level while the table and fire pit are in gravel. I didn’t get a chance to check out the tent campsites, so I can’t speak to that. The hiking trails were fun and peaceful. We also brought bikes and rode around the park which was fun. All in all, not the best campground I’ve ever been to, but it’s easy to get to and was fun for the family. I’d definitely come back.
Scout
One of the best campgrounds, hands down. As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well. With a large lake, open field, and well maintained roads and accommodations - Woodruff is one of my favorite camps!
RangerWe are here for Halloween and its fantastic! People have decorated and all the kids are running and having fun. So happy to stay here even though its a bit of a maze to get in and find spots. The camp host are also very nice and helpful.
GuideSo far we've enjoyed our stay at Don Carter. Bathroom facility is sparkling clean. Campsite is very nice, we docked the boat and were able to walk to the dock. Afternoon ride on the water was very relaxing.
ScoutRV sites are right on top of each other and you’ll need a chain saw and some rope to get down to the water and back up again. New facilities but very poorly laid out. Make sure your blinds work well in your camper...your neighbors will let you know if they don’t.
GuideReally nice state park located at north end of Lake Lanier. Site 13 was great. Had woods and lake view. Paved pull through site with gravel pad for picnic and fire pit area. Plenty of room for camper, cars and boat trailer. Bathroom facilities were extremely clean, well lighted, no spiders or bugs, etc. Enjoyed fishing and kayaking. Nice beach and swim area, boat docks and 2 boat launch sites, playground, etc. Saw lots of deer and enjoyed walking some of the trails. Will plan a trip in cooler weather fall or spring. Camp hosts were helpful and visitor center staff were very nice. Great cell service too.
LegendDon Carter State Park is Georgia's newest campground. Very clean restrooms. There is a gate code to get in after hours and a separate gate code to get into the campground. The Cabins are very nice. We enjoyed the trails.
Horse camping in Georgia offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of well-reviewed spots, equestrians can find the perfect place to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Waleska, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Waleska, GA is Don Carter State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Waleska, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Waleska, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
