Camping near Ellijay, Georgia spans developed campgrounds to primitive sites in the North Georgia mountains, with options for RV hookups, tent camping, and cabin accommodations. Doll Mountain Campground, located on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake, provides both RV and tent camping with many sites featuring lake views. Fort Mountain State Park Campground, situated between Chatsworth and Ellijay, offers a higher-elevation camping experience with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The region includes several Army Corps of Engineers facilities with boat-in access, while Three Forks Campground provides more primitive camping along creeks in the surrounding national forest lands.
Camping availability peaks from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Doll Mountain operates from early April to late October, while Fort Mountain State Park remains open year-round. The mountain terrain creates significant temperature variations, with Fort Mountain's higher elevation providing cooler temperatures even during Georgia's summer heat. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at Fort Mountain where visitors report very limited connectivity. Roads leading to campgrounds often feature steep grades and switchbacks, especially notable at Doll Mountain where the entrance road includes challenging hills. A camper noted, "Beware upon entering from the main road -- there are steep hills and switchbacks leading into and through the campground."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Ellijay area, with sites overlooking Carter's Lake being particularly popular. While some lakefront sites allow direct water access, others are positioned on ridges or cliffs overlooking the water. Several visitors mentioned the privacy of wooded sites as a key benefit, with Fort Mountain's campsites described as "private wooded campsites" that make "tent camping in Georgia's summer heat much more enjoyable." Bear activity has been reported in multiple campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. The region's proximity to apple orchards and wineries provides additional attractions, with one reviewer mentioning "Ellijay Apple Barn isn't far from the campsite" as a recommended stop. Campgrounds closer to town offer convenience while more remote options provide greater seclusion and wilderness experience.
$14 - $55 / night
"Its usually a good bit cooler due to the elevation, and the private wooded campsites make tent camping in Georgia’s summer heat much more enjoyable. Good hiking and things to do nearby."
"There's nice trails in the park one around the lake & one to a small waterfall across the street. There is no cell service."
"It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."
"If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be."
$26 - $100 / night
"Doll Mountain Campground near Ellijay, Georgia is located on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake, and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. "
"We loved our time in Ellijay and this camping spot was amazing. It was right on the lake, surrounded by trees so you had a nice private area to yourself."
$20 - $42 / night
"Easy access sites but some are close together with lots of trees on beautiful Carters Lake in the north Georgia mountains."
"Site 29 is on the peninsula, near the end. It is caddy corner from the beach swimming area and very close walking distance. You cannot see the site from the beach area or vice versa."
"Note, most sites will not offer beach style walk in access to the lake due to the park being higher in elevation with more cliff like edges down towards the lake surrounding it."
"We had 3 couples who spent the long weekend for 4th of July (2016) on two sites in the walk-in tent camping area."
$30 - $50 / night
"We went during the Ellijay apple festival, so they were busy, but the campground was great! Great view of the lake and staff is so helpful and nice!"
"Upon driving up, you see the office and the big lake behind it and it’s breathtaking. There’s a little beach to swim in or go fishing, etc."
$95 - $130 / night
"The cement pad was plenty long enough to position the rig for the sewer connection at the back of the pad, while still allowing us to put the patio down and park our F450 fully on the site."
"The top level also has the swimming pool and hot tub area next to the clubhouse, with the plan for this to be the adult pool area once they complete the second pool on the middle level."
$30 - $50 / night
"We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice! Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "
"Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."
$30 - $60 / night
"It was hard to find a place that allowed 1 night that still had reservations but based on positive feedback on the Georgia RV FB group I found this place."
"Very close to the highway, but quite and well maintained."
"All of the sites are situated along a creek, and a fair distance from each other (most sites you drive between) and off the road."
"Campground Review: Let me begin by specifying that there are two different Three Forks areas in Northh Georgia. One is on the Appalachian Trail and One is near Clayton, Georgia."
ScoutI was in a tent, not an RV. This spot is roomy and isn’t right on top of any other campers. Since no sites were to the east, I walked down to the creek with my chair to get away from people. It’s a very crowded campground, but quieter than expected, probably because the road to this site leads to a dead end. There’s a lot of road noise from Gainesville Hwy until dusk. The bathrooms are nearby and very clean.
TravelerI’m giving this place a 5/5 starts for my first experience primitive camping on my own with some friends. We were the first ones there so we had the leisure of picking which site we wanted. The designated camping area was recently scorched, so ground critters/excessive shrubbage was minimal. Was easy to find and collect firewood.
The site we chose has trash/metal in the fire pit and a hallow tree stump was used for a trash can. Don’t be those people. We cleaned up the campsite and made it our own. We had neighbors show up round 9pm, but they were friendly, quiet, and kept to themselves. The area was peaceful and I got some pretty stunning pics. It was truly a great camping experience. I did see a non-venomous rat snake a little ways away from the main camp area, so just watch your step.
We hiked at Cloudland the next day and it was so packed (we went camping literally the first day of Spring), so if you want a more relaxed, secluded camping vibe close to Cloudland, this is your spot. Highly recommend getting a Georgia land pass before camping here ($30 and easy to get online).
GuideThese sites are not where Dyrt says they are. The previous reviewer described them well and they have a couple of small creeks running past. Tents to the west, anything including a small off-road camper for the two sites to the east of the road. This is one of those sites I'll probably return to
The true location is just south of the High Falls Trailhead. 34.80718,-83.72466
Scoutthis cam ground grat for tents only ,you can drive up with your vehicle but when it rains you might need to have 4x4, otherwise spacious wooded 10 acres land with like 16 Camp sites,, Super easy to book on site, scan QR code at the entrance and choose your site #
GuideVery nice campground. So hard to believe it is free!! All sites clearly marked. Trash bins and vault toilet 🚻
The road in was twisty, and some spots had ruts. I came through when the road in was not muddy. A 2 wheel drive with decent clearance will be fine. Even a Jeep can make it in. ;) I was close enough to the stream that I could hear it babbling all night long. It was wonderful. Some spots were right on the water, but they were taken. Saw mostly car/truck camping with tents. There was one van camper and also two enclosed trailers (trailers were than 18 ft in length). I could easily see this place filling up.
LegendAndrews Cove Campground is a small and peaceful campground located about 6 miles north of Helen, Georgia in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. With only 10 sites, it offers a quiet mountain setting that’s perfect for tent campers looking to get away from the crowds. The campground is open from mid-March through late December and sits alongside a beautiful mountain stream that adds a relaxing natural sound throughout the area.
Facilities are simple, with vault toilets available, but campers should plan ahead and bring their own potable water since none is provided on site. One of the highlights of the campground is the nearby Andrews Cove Trail, a scenic 2-mile hike that connects to the Appalachian Trail. Overall, Andrews Cove Campground is a great spot for those looking for a rustic camping experience in the North Georgia mountains.
See all the sites and get a real feel for the place in our 360° video of the
https://youtu.be/chEtEX8cvfE
TravelerThis is not a negative review, but a bit of warning/advice. The walk up to the campsite is fairly treacherous. You will need to clamber up some rocks and hop over some flowing water to get to the site. It is a beautiful spot, but just be prepared for a less than gentle saunter up to the site. The site is also a little closer to a main, well-traveled road than I prefer, so if you want more solitude then you should hike up to the campsites farther up the creek.
TravelerA very well-kept campground given how off the beaten path it is. Most sites had tent pads and a concrete picnic table and were very clean. The garbage bins had been emptied so weren't overfowing. The bathroom was as clean as an outhouse-style bathroom can be (there was even toilet paper!). The drive to the site is unpaved for the 5.5 miles from the road, but is taken care of and passable without 4wd. There are 5 sites that are adjacent to the creek, whereas the rest are inside the traffic loop, with a few abutting the hillside. The sites are spaced fairly well apart from each other so you don't feel that you are all on top of each other. I camped on a Monday-Wednesday in mid-March, so I can't speak for what it's like on a weekend during peak season, but there were four other campers along with me, and everyone was very quiet, which I appreciated (except for the guy with the barking dog - you know who you are) (okay, only half joking about the dog - it did bark a lot, but it wasn't exceptionally annoying).
ScoutAll the free spots there except for one up on a hill is occupied by people that are staying there long term.
Camping opportunities near Ellijay, Georgia range from primitive riverside sites to full-service RV resorts, with elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 feet across the region. The area sits at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains where multiple rivers converge, creating diverse waterways for recreation. Weather patterns can shift rapidly during spring and fall, with temperature differences of 15-20 degrees between valley campgrounds and those at higher elevations.
Waterfall hiking: Access Long Creek Falls via a 2.5 mile hike from Three Forks Campground. The trail follows the Appalachian Trail corridor with moderate elevation changes. "Short 2.5 mile hike to Long Creek Falls off the AT. Three forks is only 1.4 miles away. Camped for three nights," reports one camper.
Lake activities: Explore Carters Lake from Woodring Campground. The campground offers direct access to swimming, fishing, and paddling on Georgia's deepest lake. "Carters Lake is a great deep lake, clean and private. Bring your kayaks cause y'all wanna explore the lake plenty of little swimming holes," advises a visitor.
Historic exploration: Discover CCC structures at Fort Mountain. Stone steps, overlooks, and the fire tower showcase 1930s craftsmanship. "The fire tower is a vision..To think that young men came and worked and set every stone step you walk on to get to see the tower is an amazing feat of engineering," notes a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings are common at several campsites near Ellijay. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though. The views here? Amazing. Camping? Amazing!" reports a Fort Mountain State Park Campground visitor.
Privacy: Wooded sites with separation from neighbors. "The sites are wooded and well spaced out. Boat ramp and trailer parking onsite," notes a Doll Mountain Campground camper. Sites are generally spread apart with natural barriers between them.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round access to trout streams and lake fishing. "Three trout streams, waterfalls, the AT. Only accessible by hiking or the unpaved forest service road," explains a Three Forks camper. Several campgrounds offer fishing options within walking distance of campsites.
Road conditions: Steep grades on campground access roads require caution, especially for RVs. Several campgrounds feature challenging entrance roads with tight curves and significant elevation changes. "Roads leading to campgrounds are extremely steep getting to the campground," notes an Amicalola Falls State Park Camping visitor.
Seasonal operations: Limited winter availability for facilities and services. Many campgrounds close between November and April, while others operate with reduced amenities during colder months. "It was January and basically had the place to ourselves," reports a winter visitor.
Food storage: Bear-proof containers required at most campgrounds. "Be sure to pack up ALL trash, food and water before sleeping or leaving camp. There are bears that like to rummage through your stuff looking for food," warns a Three Forks camper. Some campgrounds provide shared bear boxes at platform sites.
Platform camping: Squirrel's Nests at Fort Mountain offer unique elevated camping experiences. "We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites. As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect--and it was," shares a Diamond Lure Campground visitor.
Water features: Beaches and splash pads available at select locations. "There's a little beach to swim in or go fishing, etc. There are gorgeous, peaceful walking trails that are decorated really well!" notes a Diamond Lure camper. Swimming areas provide controlled environments for younger children.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "They have a nice sized dog park, playground, seasonal concession and rentals, beach area and a super nice walking trail for everybody," explains a Fort Mountain visitor. Playground availability varies by season.
Site selection: Request end spaces for more room and privacy. "We were on a very nice end site with plenty of yard space where our rally friends gathered for evening fires. The back-ins in front of our site were a little tricky to get into but doable," advises a Talona Ridge RV Resort visitor.
Leveling challenges: Bring additional blocks for significant slope compensation at some sites. "The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," notes a Fort Mountain camper about specific sites.
Utility placement: Position varies by campground and may require extension cords or hoses. "The utilities are at the middle of the pad so you can adjust according to your needs. The water pressure was good at around 50 psi," explains a Talona Ridge visitor. Some campgrounds feature older hookup configurations requiring adaptors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tent camping available in Ellijay, Georgia?
Tent camping is widely available in the Ellijay area with several excellent options. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area offers a more primitive experience in a relatively remote setting for the eastern U.S., making it perfect for tent campers seeking solitude in all four seasons. For tent campers wanting access to a beautiful lake, Doll Mountain offers dedicated walk-in tent camping areas with nearby non-flush toilets and bath houses a short drive away. The sites are set among trees providing privacy, and the location on Carter's Lake allows for excellent water activities. Both locations offer the natural beauty of North Georgia's mountains with varying levels of amenities.
What RV rental options are available in Ellijay, GA?
While Ellijay doesn't have many dedicated RV rental businesses within town limits, several options exist nearby. Talona Ridge RV Resort in East Ellijay offers RV accommodations with full hookups and resort amenities. For those bringing their own RVs, Diamond Lure Campground provides excellent RV facilities with beautiful lake views and helpful staff. The campground is particularly popular during the Ellijay Apple Festival. Many visitors to the area also rent RVs from dealers in larger nearby cities like Atlanta or Chattanooga and drive them to Ellijay. Online rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy connect local RV owners with renters, offering various RV types that can be delivered to your chosen Ellijay campground.
What camping sites in Ellijay offer the best amenities?
For campers seeking top amenities near Ellijay, 411 River Rest Campground offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Raven Cliff Falls provides a free camping experience with water and bathroom access, though it experiences high traffic on weekends due to its popularity. The campground is divided into two areas - a camp side and a trail side. For those wanting a complete camping experience with resort-style amenities, several private campgrounds in the area offer full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, swimming pools, camp stores, and organized activities. The best amenity-rich options typically require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons like fall when visitors flock to Ellijay for apple picking and leaf viewing.
Where are the best campgrounds near Ellijay, GA?
The Ellijay area offers several outstanding campgrounds. Doll Mountain Campground is situated on a peninsula extending into Carter's Lake, providing beautiful waterfront sites and privacy among the trees. The campground features well-maintained facilities, though be prepared for steep hills and switchbacks upon entry. For those seeking a state park experience, Fort Mountain State Park Campground offers cooler temperatures due to its elevation, private wooded campsites, and excellent hiking trails. The park is located between Chatsworth and Ellijay with scenic mountain views. Both locations provide water and electric hookups at most sites and are known for their natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
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