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Tallulah Gorge State Park is designated one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia and is a great place for camping near Atlanta. Tallulah Gorge is a 2-mile-long, 1000-foot-deep canyon of metamorphic rock, where the Tallulah River tumbles over six dramatic waterfalls. This unique ecosystem is also the home to several endangered plant species, including the persistent trillium. These natural features have drawn visitors to the gorge since the early 1800s, and with the construction of the Tallulah Falls Railway in 1882, it became Georgia’s first official tourist attraction. Now the gorge is a hotspot for outdoor activity, ranging from hiking, fishing and swimming, to more adventurous pursuits, such as rock climbing and whitewater paddling.
The best way to explore Tallulah Gorge is to camp at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Located 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, this 2700-acre park provides 50 tent and RV sites (two are ADA-accessible) on the rim of the raging river gorge. The park also has one group site, and three hike-in backcountry sites. Campsites in the park are fairly compact and close together, so don’t expect a lot of seclusion. Campground amenities include flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. There are also two playgrounds for the kids, picnic areas, an interpretive center, and access to a sandy beach on Tallulah Falls Lake.
The main draw to Tallulah Gorge is hiking down to Sliding Rock at the bottom of the gorge. The park only issues 100 permits per day for this hike in order to minimize impact and maintain the canyon’s natural character. These permits are given on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cannot be reserved in advance—so get yours early! Without a permit, there are many more trails to hike along the rim of the gorge, with each offering stunning viewpoints. Don’t miss the suspension bridge on the Hurricane Falls Trail, which provides a spectacular river view from 80 feet directly above the churning waterfall.
FUN FACT: Tallulah Gorge was used as a filming location for Marvel’s Infinity War. Eagle-eyed fans may recognize Hurricane Falls in the final battle in Wakanda.
After hours of scrolling through nature photos and majestic mountains, the urge to get out and explore is hard to ignore. We applaud the explorers and adventurers of the world who brave the treacherous elements, as well as the sweet photos that come as a result. However, for many the ideal of a fun weekend away consists less of roughing it, and more relaxing on a beach or in a warm cabin. If you’re in the latter of these groups, you’re going to love Oconee State Park.
Oconee is the idealistic place for families and friends looking for a nostalgic getaway complete with rustic charm and character. Dotted throughout the park are rustic, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Cabins available for nightly and weekly rental. Meanwhile, a small, glassy lake lazily invites campers to disrupt its reflection with the canoes and kayaks located on shore.
The Greenville region is known for 25+ waterfalls found throughout. Closer in, the 1,100+ acre state park hosts a number of wooded nature trails snake throughout. It also serves as the trailhead for South Carolina’s 77 miles Foothills Trail. Friends and families visiting can enjoy the local wildlife, as well as the regional flora and fauna which proudly thrive in abundance.
In the summer Lake Oconee comes alive, creating the backdrop for unforgettable family vacations. Festivities begin in June, including Square Dancing, mini golf, pedal boating competitions, and so much more. However the Winter Months are just as enjoyable if you don’t mind getting cozy in a warm cabin, sipping some coco, and reading a good book. The rangers here are known for their hospitality, and are knowledgeable on the area. Stop in their lodge for a small convenience store, firewood, and great conversations.
Oconee offers all the benefits of a mountain resort without the upscale pricing. There are 140+ sites available for rent, starting at just $21/night. Cabins and lodging is available but pricing is dependent on group sizes and room choice, so be sure plan out your trip in advance before coming.
Table Rock State Park is known for being a perfect glimpse into the scenic bliss that South Carolina's Highway 11 is known for. Most prominent to the park is the towering mountain Table Rock, where the park earns its name. This also serves as a backdrop for the 3,000 acre park, and its numerous camping facilities. Below this section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors can enjoy Table Rock State Park's cabins and campground, as well as lakes and various hiking trails located within.
The Table Rock State Park hiking trails weave through mountain streams, babbling brooks, and rushing waterfalls to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains. The views here showcase the entirety of the region, and shouldn’t be skipped if you’re planning on visiting. That said, while the park is well known for its natural features, Table Rock also has its place in history.
For example, the park’s hiking trails host the access point for the 80-mile Foothills Trail, one of the most famous in the Midwest. Hikers often use this trail to travel through the extensive network of SC state parks. These trails date all the way back to the Pioneers who would use them as trade routes and for homesteading. In fact, many of the Table Rock State Park cabins and other structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps remain standing and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
This park is unique in that it is one of only 16 South Carolina state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Moreover, there is even a historic CCC-built Lodge available for weddings, receptions, meetings and other special occasions. Additionally, the park features 2 park lakes: the 36-acre Pinnacle Lake and the 67-acre Lake Oolenoy.
94 standard campsites for tent or RV camping, plus 14 renovated cabins provide ample accommodation to visitors. Aside from the larger lakes, there is also an old-fashioned swimming hole complete with a high-dive that is open during the summer season. Take your family out and use one of the 4 picnic shelters available to rent for group gatherings, for a day of fun, music, and recreation. And for those wanting an event to check out, the Music on the Mountain bluegrass jam takes place each month at the Table Rock Lodge–perfect for anyone wanting to escape the outdoors for a minute.
Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago.
Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' most famous tourist towns, is located about nine miles from Elkmont and offers organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
$30 / night
Whether you’re looking for a campsite to set up your tent underneath the stars or would prefer a more comfortable stay in a cabin or villa, South Carolina’s state parks have you covered. With more than 3,000 campsites and 220 cabins and lodging facilities from the mountains to the sea, you’ll be comfortable wherever you decide to venture.
$7 - $26 / night
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is a camper’s paradise. Nestled in the natural setting of the Appalachian foothills, Unicoi State Park & Lodge offers campers a wide range of camping options. From luxury RV hookups to secluded tent campsites to the distinct outdoor hammock experience of the Squirrels Nest, our Georgia State Park campground is designed to suit the various needs of our guests.
We have nearly 100 campsites and a variety of arrangements to choose from including ADA sites and Buddy Hook-up sites, 30-foot and 40-foot RV sites, primitive campsites and sites designed for family tent camping. All our powered sites are suitable for tent, trailer and RV campers.
As a Georgia State Park, countless guests come to explore the 1,029 acres of adventure activities and mountain marvels on their own terms. Some enjoy navigating the hiking and mountain biking trails to nearby Alpine Helen and Anna Ruby Falls. Others opt for peaceful mornings fishing on Unicoi Lake or a sandy, sun-soaked day at Unicoi Beach.
The park’s proximity to popular Helen, GA events and activities allow guests to experience one of Georgia’s top tourist attractions but still return to the natural confines of the park for rest and relaxation.
For your convenience, our campgrounds feature comfort stations, which include restrooms and showers, while campers also have access to group structures and picnic shelters.
We are a pet-friendly State Park as long as your pets are friendly and always kept on a short, sturdy leash. Please be courteous to other patrons and be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of our park and trails by cleaning up after your animals.
For a bird’s eye view of Unicoi State Park & Lodge and campground locations, check out our Georgia State Park Map.
RV CAMPING As one of the premier Georgia State Parks with RV camping, our full hookup RV sites include water, power and sewer, a fire ring, grill and picnic table. We have many RV campsites and arrangements to choose from including ADA sites, Buddy Hook-up sites, plus 30-foot or 40-foot sites. Be sure to know your vehicle’s specifications when booking your campsite.
TENT CAMPING We also offer walk-in primitive campsites that have both privacy and convenience with comfort stations, nearby parking and a playground. Walk-in anywhere from a few feet to about 100 yards out. Sites include a fire ring, picnic table and grill top to put over fire ring for grilling.
SQUIRREL’S NEST Bring your hammock or just a sleeping bag and sleep under the stars at our one-of-a-kind Squirrel’s Nest covered primitive camping platforms. It’s a favorite spot for scouts, groups and adventurers that really want to experience the wild and do it themselves. The platforms are built up off the ground and are stacked up the side of a ridge in 3 groups of 2 and 2 groups of 5. Each platform sleeps 4 guests in sleeping bags. Air mattresses are recommended for adult guests. Tents are not allowed on the platforms or down in the hollow below. The “hollow” has grills, picnic tables and a group fire ring.
GLAMPING SITES Combining luxury and the great outdoors, our extra spacious completely furnished Safari Tents give large families or groups of friends the extra space they need to glamp in comfort. Unicoi State Park offers 4 glamping sites.
__Glamping sites are now available at Lake Powhatan! Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure, only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. Learn more about glamping near Asheville . To book your glamping site, click here.__ Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan has something for everyone. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping and dining in Asheville, scenic driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, numerous hiking trails and lakeside recreation.
Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem. The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.__
Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem. The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.__
The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.
For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.
Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.
Any cancellations must be taken care of directly with recreation.gov. Note that this facility does not provide refunds for No Shows or incliment weather.
$43 / night
Established in 1931, Vogel State Park stands today as one of Georgia’s oldest state parks. Over 223 acres of land make up this beautiful reserve, known for its extensive selection of trails and crisp, brightly colored forests. Located at the base of Blood Mountain in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel is especially popular during the fall thanks to the blanket of colors that transform the park’s trees and wildlife. In fact, Red, yellow, and gold leaves cover the landscape of the surrounding hills, mountains, and valleys for months at a time.
This park is also full of history, with many facilities being constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. To learn about the “CCC” boys and their incredible story, check out the park museum open seasonally.
The North Georgia Mountains around Vogel were also linked to native tribes for generations before European settlement, and the adventurous individual can still find remnants from their time on this land via the surrounding trails. In fact, there are a variety of trails available, including the 4 mile Bear Hair Gap loop. Bear Hair is easier than other hikes in the area and leads to the Trahlyta Falls, a peaceful set of waterfalls perfect for photo opportunities or a small picnic. More seasoned hikers can undergo the challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail, which showcases the regional wildlife and various water features throughout.
If hiking isn’t your thing, the park’s 22 acre lake is open to non-motorized boats, and during summer, visitors can cool off at the mountain-view beach. Enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking while your family watches you from shore, then finish up with a round of mini golf at the park’s 18 hole course.
For overnight accommodations, 34 Cottages, 85 campsites and 18 primitive backpacking sites are all available for a reasonable rate.There is also a pioneer campground available for rent, which is perfect for groups and allows campers to see how past settlers would have lived. During your stay, there are 4 picnic shelters available for use, as well as a group shelter and a lake pavilion, which seat 90 and 100 guests respectively. There is also a general store open year round, with Wifi open at the visitor center.
$30 - $250 / night
This recreation area is part of Hartwell Lake
Greenbrier Campground TN is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River and offer RV sites, tent camping, RV rentals, cabins, and bell tents. Located only 6 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and 8 miles from the entrance to the GSMNP, we are convenient to all area attractions.
$35 - $258 / night
Traveler
Beautifully well maintained, clean grounds! Beautiful lake and stables and plenty of room ,yet campsites are tucked away to also give u a private feel as well! Pet friendly as well!
Guide
Very good spot near the lake. Awesome views and good signal at least for Verizon. Water pressure was a bit inconsistent so watch out for any issues that may cause
Ranger
The site was big with lot of more plus private. The bathroom was clean and showers were hot.
Ranger
We drove here and the it was gated up with overgrown vines. Looks like it’s been closed for awhile
ScoutWe’ve stayed several times. The people are so kind. The only property is gorgeous and it’s always a great stay!
Scout
Spent Labor Day weekend there. Awesome trip! Super clean campground and showers. Lots for the kids to do. Trolley that goes into Gatlinburg. Friendly, Christian atmosphere. Great Sunday service. .
Traveler
That's a great recommendation! Elkmont Campground sounds like a wonderful place to experience the Great Smoky Mountains. The variety of accommodation options makes it accessible to campers of all preferences. Therefore SRSLY Low Carb helps me stick to a diet and it reflects well on my body. I love active recreation. However, I always take care of my diet because I have health problems. Have a nice trip and take care of your health.
TravelerWe had an amazing time, the campground is beautiful and the park rangers were awesome. Hoping to come back soon.
Scout
This "campground" is two camp sites max being sold as like 6 "LARGE" sites. My brother and I were genuinely confused because it's essentially two group sites with individual sites being grouped together sharing a fireplace. The individual "sites" themselves are not level and barely big enough for a tent. My brother and I took one set of sites and the other person that showed up with small children took the other set of sites thankfully. I'm not trying to be crammed in with other people's small children while I'm camping. Was not expecting that to be a possibility. Any other people had shown up to the campground my brother and I would have just left. The porta potty is an absolute nightmare of spiders and insects. Don't bother opening it. No water supply
RangerBeautiful campground with a small lake and wooded sites. A little hilly but that provides some space between sites. Campground staff were very nice and facilities were clean and in good repair. Dog friendly with trails on site, as well as stables adjoining.
Legend
We live in NC and have camped all over the eastern US. By far Georgia is a state with some of the very best infrastructure. Roads are great. State Parks are some of the best and we’ve camped at many. Tugaloo State Park is a nice park. Right on the lake. Lots of lake related activities. This area of the campground (sites 73-105) has a unique layout in that a large number of sites are pull through and arranged sideways along the access roads. This makes the sites long and narrow and results in close neighbors. The elongated sites mean the picnic table and fire pit are at far end and feel disconnected from the site. Roads are well maintained and sites all seemed pretty level. We were in site 97 with W/E. The bathhouse was very close, but we did not use it. We were a few rows back from the lake but had a view of the lake through the tall pines that provided some shade. We’ve camped here a couple of other times and would come back again.
Traveler
This was a perfect spot to explore the Cashiers and Sapphire area. Owners are super attentive and facilities are clean and well kept.
Guide
We frequently visit this campground for weekend trips as it is close to us. It is easily accessible and does have areas for your garbage but there are no bathrooms which puts a small damper on a family visit. The water is pretty clear and has an abundance of trout so it is great for fishing and swimming.
Guide
Pretty nice campground, although the sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to. Campground facilities are clean and very well kept (they rake the sites and shovel out the fire pits). Bath houses are kept clean and stocked also. We camped in site 31 with our 32 ft TT. It was tight backing in, I would say that out of the "standard" sites 28, 30, 32 and 34 are the best sites available. Nice trails with beautiful scenery, the hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous with LOTS of stair steps back up but if you can do it certainly worth it. Overall a really wonderful park.
Scout
Very clean and well maintained. The staff is very nice and helpful. Location is perfect if you want to enjoy all Gatlinburg has to offer yet have a quiet, peaceful place to rest and relax. We have always had the pull through sites and they are very easy to pull into. The tree houses, tent sites and retro campers they have set up are adorable and perfect if you have family or friends visiting. We are coming back next month with family!
Guide
Very nice place to camp. The bath houses are kept very clean. The owner is very friendly. The fishing is great and so is the environment. Already looking to book again.
TravelerGood sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground. We heard some people on dirt bikes on the trails too.
ScoutIt looks so good so far. Thank you so much for sharing. Have a very good day!
GuideMy two girls 18 and 20 had rented a van from Atlanta and this was our first stop , we had rented space 28 ,with hookup for water and electric.
Great spot ,stone bench and table ,fire pit , and grill ,the grill was a big hole in so a bit difficult to BBQ on it .
We got there around 3 pm , and went for a walk to check out the area first that day .
Nice area and trail. Toilet and shower is opposite in bathhouse,my oldest daughter tought it was dirty and old. It was her first trip in a van and camplife. We slept very well the first night.
Next morning we got up and run walked to get a permit to walk the stairs down to Tallulah gorge and to walk over, we got the permit and walked back to get breakfast ,and after that we walked all the stairs down. I had had a incindent with my foot two weeks before leaving and coming down to the falls , I got scared looking at the others walking over the rocky stones in the water and fall in . And I decied that for me that was probably not the good way to start the camping life and only driver to walk over there. Told the girls to go without me, they went out in the middel of there ,but think they felt sorry for their mum not be able to join so they came back and we went up again.
Its heavy to go up the stairs again,but its very beautiful . When we got up we felt we had seen what s to see there and since we had next day was rafting in Nanthala river early morning ,we decied maybe it was a good idea to leave the campground and find another spot nearer to that . That turned out to be a good idea, the traffic to get there took longer and would have been hopless the next day.
So dump statition is on way out ,first time for the girls and me to deal with this alone,we managed.
Ranger
We had a lot of fun at our glamping campsite. The gorgeous tent was on a platform and included a large bed and decorated interior. The site had a campfire ring and was close to the bathroom. The platform had some chairs and the campfire wood was there for us.
I did have a bear encounter on my way to the bathroom during the night, but we both just backed away slowly. This was actually the experience that made me pro-camper with a bathroom lol.
The camp host arrived shortly after we did to check in on us and to give us the lay of the land. He fortunately also came around the next morning when our car battery was dead and gave us a jump.
The best thing about Lake Powhatan is the the nice hike around the lake and the fun little lake beach. It’s the perfect size for kids. Plenty of people also seem to enjoy the biking, but it’s a bit uphill for me and there can be a fair amount of cars.
Lake Powhatan is a great little getaway!
Scout
We had a great experience. Space was easy to get the camper backed into and spaces were far enough apart for small kids to have room to play without bothering other campers. Only concern was the spot we chose was on an exposed point on the lake and was very windy. Would probably be great on a 90 degree summer day but was very cold when the temps dropped into the 40s on our last day.
TravelerGreat management. Clean grounds; level concrete pads; quiet area and very close to downtown Gatlinburg.
ScoutMy family of five camped three nights at Elkmont the last week of March 2024. High was in the 50's and 60's and low in the 30's. It was windy and cold at nights. I did a ton of research attempting to book a"private" site at this campground--but now I'll share what I have learned-- there are none! We had site A-7, which is"walk-in", but the walk is incredibly short and not far from your car. All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them. That said, the campsite is gorgeous and I do recommend it. Despite having no visual privacy, the sound of the rushing water masks all the sounds of talking, etc. and I slept great with the rushing water. Considering the walk-in sites are no more private than any other, I think my highest recommendation would be the B sites. Otherwise try to book any site along the river.
The bathrooms were adequate--sinks and toilets and cleaned daily (no showers). We did one of our hikes from our site--the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap at it was beautiful. While the technical distance of that loop is 5 and a half miles, it was 7 miles total from our site. I recommend doing Little River Trail first, as it is a gradual uphill on a gravel road. While the wide road is not ideal, it is along the beautiful river. Cucumber Gap trail is single track with some nice views. The final portion of that loop, Jakes Creek Trail to the Elkmont Historic District is STEEP--so I was glad we were going down, not up.
Guide
Vogel State Park was beautiful! Even before all the leaves came out from the trees. The kids had loads of fun playing by the little rivers. Several hikes/trails ranging in difficulty to choose from. There is construction for the new visitor center so parking is limited. Overall, the campground is very well maintained and looks newly refurbished. Roads are smooth but narrow in some places. Definitely worth the drive!
Guide
This is a great campground if you like to disconnect. To road in is a narrow gravel road so be prepared if you're not used to that. If you are used to that you'll love the ride. If you come in from the north around Big Creek and down the old Chattahoochee highway you're in for a real treat. Once you get to the campground turn off your phone it won't work there!!! That's great when you're camping!!!
ScoutMy adventure was quiet and full of stars at night. I liked the clean restroom and bike friendly space
Guide
I stayed here many times as a student at Clemson. Only a 45 minute drive. The cabins are amazing. Very clean as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Highlands, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Highlands, NC is Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Highlands, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 glamping camping locations near Highlands, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
