Meredith P.

Atlanta, GA

Joined September 2018

“Glamping” in a magical place

Yosemite Valley is pure magic and Half Dome Village is no exception. It’s definitely more “glamping” than camping and the tents feel like cabins and are very close together. Bathrooms are nice and there’s a store, bar, cafeteria, coffee shop and pizza place to take care of your needs. It does have a bit of a party atmosphere at night as folks from other campgrounds gather at the bar/pizza spot but the tent area was pretty quiet (save for me hearing someone peeing outside my tent one night…). Dark at night, bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Biggest complaint is the price. Location can’t be beat but it’s so expensive for canvas tents that aren’t super clean and are smushed together. I love Half Dome Village but next time will probably camp elsewhere and shuttle in for pizza and beer.

Beautiful state park, cramped campground

Tallulah Gorge is beautiful and often crowded, and the regular campsite is no exception. Next time, we’ll opt for a hike in backcountry spot for sure.

All the amenities and bells and whistles you need are available in the campsite but we found it cramped and loud. We knew everything our neighbors were doing and vice versa. There are good hikes from the campsite and the sites are in good shape. We had a nice time finding a dark spot to stargaze and did have room to hang our hammocks.

If you can’t get a gorge floor permit, our favorite hike is just 10 min down the road at Panther Creek Falls.

Primitive camping near Lake Burton

Wildcat #2 is about 4 miles up a gravel road from #1 and provides no amenities but great dispersed car camping sites in the national forest. Spots are huge and spread out, great for groups as multiple cars and tents can easy fit. Makeshift fire rings and tent spots are at most sites. No water so get some on the way in. No cell service either. Great stargazing, lots of trees/shade and hammock spots. Hang your food and pack out your trash!

Awesome dispersed camping in a national forest

So far, this is our favorite car campsite in Georgia. Take the gravel road past the Raven Cliff Trail parking lot to find many great campsites. A few are available before you get to a water crossing, and there are at least a dozen more after the water but only cross in a AWD/truck/etc. We did it once in a sedan but it hadn’t rained in a while. Most are along a water source with lots of trees for hammocks, quite secluded and peaceful in the national forest. It’s all very primitive with no amenities except some makeshift fire rings, but sites are close to your car. Two great hikes in the area, Raven Cliff and Dukes Creek falls. Please pack out your trash! Get there early to claim the best sites if it’s a nice weekend.

Very nice new campground on the lake

Great, newer state park only an hour from intown Atlanta. We really enjoyed the primitive tent sites, especially the lake view loop. Really spread out, shady, good trees for hammocks, nice lake views at sites 11 and 12. Short walk from the parking lot and they have carts you can use for your stuff. Water and port-a-potties also available at the parking lot. Relatively cheap and can hike all the park’s trails from the primitive sites. Firewood available to purchase when you check in. Bring the kayaks, there’s a boat ramp right by the campground! It was a tiny bit louder at night then we’re used to, could hear nearby roads.