With its natural beauty, lush forests, towering mountains, stunning beaches, and iconic waterfalls, Georgia is known to be one of the best states in the country for taking in everything nature has to offer. And there’s no better way to do that then by soaking it all in on a camping trip.
Fortunately, Georgia is filled with incredible spots to camp out and to serve as your home base for exploring the nearby natural landmarks and adventures. From hiking and fishing to beachcombing and swimming, the best camping in Georgia is available to you no matter what your specific interests may be. The only challenge is choosing where to camp from all of the amazing options.
That’s where we come in. Our Freedom National team has put together a list of the best camping in Georgia, from beachside spots to campsites nestled into lush old-growth forests, from barely developed wilderness adventures to curated experiences with a hint of glamor. Here’s our list of 13 great spots to camp in Georgia!
Shady Grove Campground
Shady Grove Campground offers a range of camping options, but we’re sticking it on our list for one reason in particular— the glamping tents unlike anywhere else. Each tent can fit up to six guests, and features full beds, sheets, and even lighting and a coffee maker included. Some even include miniature fridges for keeping food and drinks cold. Other amenities include a hammock and fire pit, and overall you’ll discover that you might not be able to go back to traditional camping after experience glamping like you’ll find at Shady Grove Campground. It all adds up to some of the best camping in Georgia— and if you want to rough it a bit more, traditional campsites are also available.
Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Chattahoochee Bend State Park is filled with some of the best camping in Georgia, including multiple camping spot types for every taste. For those that want to be right on the river, there are riverfront platform sites that will allow you to fall asleep to the sound of rushing water just beneath you. For something with its own rustic charm, try out one of the Adirondack shelters. There are also plenty of RV spots, undeveloped campsites and more developed options if you want a few basic amenities to make your campout more convenient. Overall, much of the best camping in Georgia can be found at Chattahoochee Bend.
Mistletoe State Park
Mistletoe State Park makes our list for multiple reasons, including the calm and pristine waters of Clarks Hill Lake and the excellently maintained campgrounds that let you sleep right alongside the water. The peninsula location of many campsites means that you’ll have the opportunity to take in both sunsets and sunrises right from your tent, so you might find it hard to not rotate your tent in the morning and evening to face the beauty on either side. Otherwise, it’s some of the best camping in Georgia.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
One of the most famous and popular state parks in Georgia is that way for a reason— the view of the gorge is absolutely stunning and one you won’t soon forget. When it comes to camping options at Tallulah Gorge, you can stay right inside the park with one of 50 sites available (including electric and water hookups for RVs, as well as hot showers). There are also lots of camping options available just outside the park if the park spots fill up too quickly. Either way, you don’t want to miss out on a visit to Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Vogel State Park
Vogel State Park is located near Blairsville in North Georgia, and it more than earns its spot on our list of the best camping in Georgia. The best camping spots are located along Wolf Creek, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the babbling creek just a few feet away. Now that’s the way to end a day out in nature.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park
The largest state park in Georgia is F.D. Roosevelt State Park, filled with miles and miles of hiking and biking trails that will be sure to keep you busy. Central Georgia’s beautiful hills and the lovely Lake Delanor are right nearby, so the only question is just how long you want to camp amidst the beauty of this natural landscape. We recommend visiting in fall, when crowds are reduced and the autumn colors will take your breath away.
Stephen C. Foster State Park
Situated along the Okefenokee Swamp, Stephen C. Foster State Park is located in the lowlands of Georgia amidst memorable wildlife and an idyllic natural setting. The park is particularly famous for its designation as a dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association, which means that it’s one of the best places in the country for stargazing. There’s nothing quite like listening to the nighttime hum of the forest and staring up at the Milky Way before turning into your tent for a sleep in the wild.
Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway Island is a perfect getaway for families and grown-ups alike, offering a lushly green environment filled with Spanish moss and idyllic marshland. If you’re looking for a spot for a large group, Skidaway Island State Parks offers picnic shelters and even an enclosed group shelter for reunions, birthday parties, celebrations, and more. Plus, there are plenty of spots to camp and more hiking trails than you’ll have time to fully explore even over a whole weekend. We highly recommend Skidaway Island as one of the best places to camp in Georgia.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park offers beauty that more than lives up to its name, with cliffs and forests that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of for miles around. You also have multiple ways to camp at Cloudland Canyon State Park, from the West Rim campground with beautiful cliff views or other options scattered around the area. For some of the best camping in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon is tough to beat. Be sure to watch the skies for some of Georgia’s native birds, too!
Okefenokee Platform Camp Spots
Want a camping experience unlike any other? Try the Okefenokee platforms. Across three islands in the largest blackwater swamp in North America, a series of platform campsites allow you to sleep above the water and take in the beautiful skies free from nighttime light pollution. Be sure to watch out for chances to spot the local wildlife, too!
Unicoi State Park
If you want truly unique camping and lodging, you can’t beat Unicoi State Park. Have you ever slept in a giant cylinder drum that’s been turned into a cabin? At Unicoi State Park, you can. The barrel-shaped cabins of this park may look strange on the outside, but on the inside they’re outfitting with everything you need for some serious glamping— comfortable beds, kitchens, heat and air conditioning, and even televisions. If you want a unique experience that doesn’t require you to sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag, this is it.
Little Raccoon Key
Located in the Golden Isles resort area, Little Raccoon Key features glamping tents with all the premium amenities for those who don’t love to rough it. You can experience the beauty of nature all within the comfort of a canvas tent outfitted with memory foam bedding, a stove for warming the tent, toiletries, and cookware. You even get an outdoor shower. Check out Little Raccoon Key for some of the best camping in Georgia.
Hike Inn
Hidden deep in the backcountry of Amicalola Falls State Park, you might just stumble upon the Hike Inn. This unique spot can only be accessed via hiking trails— that’s right, no parking lot at this lodge. Pack in your own items and be rewarded with straightforward rooms featuring bunk beds, hot showers in a communal bathhouse, and communal meals served nightly. This is truly an experience unlike any other.
Conclusion
Are you a Georgia resident who loves driving to some of the great spots to camp in Georgia and wants to do it for less? And if you’re looking for more information about driving in Georgia and staying insured while you do it, our website has the resources and tools to help you be more informed and safe on the roads. You can also check out our blog to learn more about car insurance and the sights and attractions of the beautiful state of Georgia.
Freedom National offers some of the best cheap car insurance online, thanks to our automated quote generator and our commitment to making car insurance more accessible to all. We also look for ways to insure those who may find it difficult to get coverage. For example, we offer a path to insurance coverage for those with negative driving histories or SR-22s on their record. We want to help you get driving and see the beauty that states like Georgia have to offer. Get your quote today.
