Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping, near Clarkesville, Georgia, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. This campground is surrounded by the stunning Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, offering a perfect backdrop for your outdoor adventures.

The area features a variety of campsites, many of which come with fire rings, making it easy to gather around the fire after a day of hiking. Visitors rave about the beautiful trails leading to Panther Creek Falls, with one camper noting, “The hike is a little challenging to first timers... but it looks beautiful and is totally worth multiple trips!” 

While there are no electric hookups or showers, the campground does provide drinking water and toilets, ensuring you have the essentials for a comfortable stay. The nearby creek is a great spot for cooling off, and you might even catch a glimpse of local wildlife like deer and raccoons during your visit.

If you’re planning to hike, be prepared for a popular trail that can get crowded on weekends. As one reviewer mentioned, “The waterfall is amazing with a large pool and nice sandy beach at its base.” So, if you want to snag a good camping spot, arriving early is key. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just looking for a weekend escape, Panther Creek offers a memorable experience in the heart of Georgia's wilderness.

Enjoy a picnic, hold a Boy Scout troop meeting or have a family gathering within the historic CCC structures of this wooded recreation area. Directly adjacent to the picnic pavilions visitors can can follow their picnic with a mesmerizing day-hike to the awesome falls on the 6.6 mile Panther Creek Trail.

Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping

Turnerville, GA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Turnerville, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Turnerville, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Turnerville

The Best Camping Near Turnerville, Georgia

Panther Creek Trail and I go back about 30 years. The campground is on the other side of 441 from the trail head. This 7 mile round trip hike is a Georgia favorite and is usually pretty crowded so plan accordingly if you enjoy your solitude. There are a number of campsites directly off of the trail leading up to the waterfalls as well. The falls are very accessible and are great to cool down in after a good hike . Its been about 7 or 8 years since my last trip and I definitely plan on going back someday because this will always be special to me, its one of the places I first went camping.

A nostalgic hike 

We were directed here via Google Maps and the reviews on this site. Turns out there isn't camping allowed by the picnic areas as posted signs showed us, but we arrived late at night and no one else was there that evening so we didn't have much of a choice.

There's a very pretty creek that trickles by several covered pavilions, one with a camp fire spot. Leave no trace!

Great Picnic Area for groups large and small

This spot is very popular for hikers and campers alike. It offers a 3.5 mile trail to Panther Creek falls and if you want to hike all the way through to Yonah dam it is roughly 5.8 miles. Be warned, the trail after the falls is challenging. Campsites dotted through out the entire trail so you have a variety of spots to choose from, but they are first come first serve. The parking lot seems to fill up quickly so be prepared to come early if you expect to get a spot for the weekend, otherwise you will have to park along the road. There is a bathroom facility adjacent to the parking area if you need them before and after the hike.

The waterfall is amazing with a large pool and nice sandy beach at its base. Perfect for swimming and cooling off after the hike or camping if you are lucky enough to snag it before someone else.

Be on the lookout for wildlife if you camp here. I have encountered deer, skunks, opossums, raccoons, bobcats, bears and a wide variety of snakes. Also the creek is a great place for backwater fly fishing and ultralight fishing for trout, Browns, Rainbows, and Brooks.

Make sure you pack everything you need and pack light if you choose the camp here. The hike is relatively easy on the way in to the falls, but mostly up hill on the way out.

Beautiful Hike and Great Escape from Civilization

This campground is another small but nice backpacking campsite along the Panther Creek Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness in North Georgia. Read my review of [Conasauga River Campground](https://thedyrt.com/camping/georgia/conasauga-river-campground) for more about hiking in the area and some of the issues with the trail. With regards to this campground though it is plenty large for a tent or two with a nice firepit and good access to water (provided you have a filter). The site is level which is a big plus for backpacking sites and is nice and shaded from all of the trees in the surrounding area. The key thing to take a look at if planning to camp around here is the weather and temperature cause it can get pretty hot, humid, and buggy in summer.

Hot and Buggy

Hike down the trail and carefully cross the creek for some real nature camping. I found it best to remove my pack and slide down the hill on my butt and then very carefully cross the creek on a fallen tree. Great water and even a late night bear visit so best to raise your food up a free hanging rope. Enjoy but cover your tracks with leaves to avoid erosion. An early morning 1 mile hike to the falls was fun. Midweek is the best time

Off trail

Panther Creek was honestly my trip into the world of hiking and backpacking (aside from my military experience). But mice wife got me into hiking again and now we are backpacking a lot! Panther Creek has become probably my favorite place for a great weekend. The hike in campsites are plentiful and most already have fire rings. The trail is well maintained and always clean. Lots of great views here! The falls are a great spot to string up a hammock and just enjoy nature to the fullest. This place is pet friendly and you will see a lot of friendly pups on the trail. At the trailhead you do have s bathroom for those that don’t plan to stay overnight or just want the convenience. Overall Panther Creek is a must see must hike!

One of my favorite trails in Georgia

I haven’t camped here but I do go here all the time. It was closed for covid for a bit so things are a little overgrown around the rec area. It’s $4 to park in the lot and I saw 3-4 spots to camp when i explored the rec center. The sheltered picnic table area is nice. My only complaint is how packed it is on the weekends. There’s 150+ cars parked all on the side of the road and they leave the place trashed.  Other than that it’s a great trail with a beautiful waterfall at the end!

Great hike but packed on the weekends

As I was hiking Panther Creek to the base of the waterfall I saw 10-15 camp sites where you can camp for free, primitive style! 

Panther Creek

The hike is a little challenging to first timers and you do have to be careful on some of the cliff sides but it looks beautiful and is totally worth multiple trips! Dog friendly as well

Photos of Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping

Real photos from real campers