Camping in the West Point Lake area features a mix of Army Corps of Engineers sites, state park campgrounds, and private glamping operations across the Georgia-Alabama border. The region sits within the Piedmont plateau at elevations averaging 600-700 feet, featuring a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Water levels at West Point Lake fluctuate seasonally, with lower levels during winter dam maintenance affecting some shoreline campsites.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers numerous trail options with varying difficulty levels. "They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing," notes Joshua H., who camped at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground with his four children. The park contains several trails starting directly from camping areas.
Waterfront exploration: Many lake access points provide swimming and fishing opportunities from shore. "The kids thoroughly enjoyed playing at the edge of the water. The nearby restroom was old but serviceable and the playground was small. Trailhead is a short drive and the trails we went on were very nice," reports Dianna B. who visited R. Shaefer Heard Campground.
Wildlife observation: Amity Campground offers excellent wildlife viewing options, particularly for bird enthusiasts. "The Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail goes thru the park which is a great hike. Lots of wildlife to see. We spent 14 days there this summer," shares AMANDA D. The park's boardwalks and marsh areas create ideal habitats for spotting turtles, frogs, and various bird species.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Lake visibility and privacy levels vary widely between campgrounds. "Most all are concrete pads and level but if your camper is over 25' or so length may cause a problem. Lake sites are huge and well spaced out with plenty of shade and privacy, others seemed packed in," explains Ward from their stay at R. Shaefer Heard Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive reviews at several locations. "The bathhouse is heated and has five toilet stalls and four nicely tiled showers with benches," reports Fran H. about Blanton Creek Campground. The campground provides water and electric hookups with some waterfront sites featuring boat docks.
Extended checkout options: Some campgrounds offer flexible departure schedules. "Late checkout (3pm) was so nice. Overall, a great campground. Will definitely return in the future," shares Dianna B. about R. Shaefer Heard. This extra time allows campers to maximize their final day without rushing.
What you should know
Gate closure policies: Several campgrounds implement strict nighttime security protocols. "But beware: the gate is locked shut from 10 PM to 8 AM, no exceptions unless the elderly host personally deems your emergency worthy," warns Denis P. about R. Shaefer Heard. Similar gate restrictions exist at other parks, with Amity visitor Jan P. noting, "They lock the gate at 10, sharp."
Bathroom quality varies: While some campgrounds maintain excellent facilities, others struggle. "The bathhouses are something out of a post-apocalyptic travel journal— rusted fixtures, broken tiles, and enough cockroaches and spiders to start a nature documentary," reports Denis P., contrasting with cleaner facilities elsewhere in the region.
Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Amity Campground "is currently only open from April to Labor Day," according to AMANDA D., who wishes "the Corps of Engineers would keep it open all year long." R. Shaefer Heard operates from early March through mid-October.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near recreational facilities for convenience with children. "We camped in campground 5 and from where our site was we could see the playground and also let our kids ride there bikes around the circle that the camp sites where on," recommends Joshua H. about Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park.
Water-adjacent sites: Select campsites with direct water access for family swimming. "We had spot 96 and we tent camped. The spot was recommended in another review and it was wonderful. Right beside the water so the kids were able to play in the water most of the time," shares Justin W. about Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground.
Tent-friendly options: For family tent camping, certain sites offer better experiences. "Platform sites are super nice. Short walk into the sites, right beside a river. Not much privacy between platforms but every time we have been it hasn't been full or crowded," notes Jessica D. about Chattahoochee Bend, which features raised wooden platforms near the water.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for longer rigs: Careful site selection prevents leveling issues. "Backing in was not difficult even though we had to raise the right tire 3" to be level," reports Erin C. about their 21-foot Lance travel trailer at Chattahoochee Bend. At Blanton Creek, "larger rigs need to be sure that the site is level for the length of the rig. Some spots have a driveway that goes downhill from the camper and others go uphill from the camper which might be an issue for 5th wheels," advises Stacy H.
Internet access considerations: Connection quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon LTE is one tiny bar, but webpages and videos load, albeit slow," reports Fran H. about Blanton Creek. At Chewacla State Park Campground, "WiFi works great in our section as well if you need that. Speed test showed 10Mbps on my device and I had no issues streaming 4K on a Roku TV," notes Jared W.
