15 Must-Visit State Parks for Camping in Georgia

Named for the Vice President of the Confederacy, A.H. Stephens is a park mostly for those who own horses or "know a guy who owns a horse." It also has a Confederate museum.

The president claims that even fighting against the federal government does not bar someone from going on to become the governor of a state in the future because he went on to become the governor of Georgia following the war.

With lofty trees and virtually little foliage for seclusion, the campsites are set in a pine forest. Crawfordsville, which lies close by, is a Main Street ghost town that is mostly supported by a single eatery. A Dollar General, a tax collector, a petrol station, and an uneven number of churches complete the town, which seems to have been something more productive in the past.

The restrooms are clean and pleasant, phone coverage is mediocre, and you may stroll to a tiny lake.

The main attraction of this park, which is the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail, is the 700+ feet of tumbling water, of which around 430 are a true straight drop. Although the park is privately owned, it seems a little different than the majority of Georgia's state parks, yet it is still a stunning location.

Amicalola Falls has the sense of a resort thanks to lodges, an on-site restaurant, and opportunities to reserve activities like ziplining. There are additional eateries and supermarkets within 30 minutes.

The sites aren't as private as those found at Georgia State Park, and the large hill up to the campgrounds is a nail-biter. Additionally, phone network service isn't very dependable.

Back Rock Mountain is Georgia's highest state park at 3,640 feet, although it is still more than 1,000 feet lower than the state's highest mountain, Brasstown Bald. Private areas are dominated by oak trees, while the campsites are covered with hardwoods.

It has 11 miles of paths and is well-liked by people who want to paddle a kayak or canoe across the lake. If you don't have a way to connect to the Internet, there is a tiny gift shop in the tourist center with WiFi.

Since the walking distance between sites ranges from 30 to 150 feet, the park stays dry during the winter. Even more isolated than RV parks is the central bathhouse. Only two two-person tents or one four-person tent can fit on the little pads.

Highlights of this park include Georgia's characteristic water activities, three miles of bicycling and twelve miles of hiking trails, and the pure delight of being able to enunciate "Chattahoochee" again. Cell coverage is spotty or nonexistent at the campsite.

Northwest Coweta County's Chattahoochee Bend State Park is an impressive wilderness area. A paradise for paddlers, campers, and fishermen, the park is situated in a picturesque bend of the Chattahoochee River.

For those who are not interested in the more spectacular five-and-a-half-mile paddle-in (or trek) sites, there are plenty of well-spaced camping areas. If you want to try camping without the annoying Southern summer bugs, there are also screened-in Adirondack-style shelters available.

There are around thirty miles of bike paths, sixteen for horses, and sixty-four for hikers when visitors arrive at Cloud Canyon. One of Georgia's most picturesque and expansive state parks is home to enormous canyons, striking cliffs, and expansive woodlands. The package is well rounded out with animals, waterfalls, and caves.

Although there are other vistas along the rim route, the most breathtaking view of the canyon is located next to the picnic area parking lot. Two waterfalls cascade across sandstone and shale strata into pools below for hardy hikers who reach the gorge's bottom. The park's walk-in campsites offer great tent seclusion, while cottages are situated close to the canyon edge.

There are east and west sections for camping, and each location is either a paradise or a close-in scenario with little rhyme or cause. Nevertheless, the location is a masterpiece of autumn and is well worth a visit.

Crooked River State Park, which is situated on Georgia's southern edge, is the ideal place to explore the maritime forest and Intracoastal Waterway. Cottages are situated close to the tidal river, and campsites are encircled by palmettos and trees covered with Spanish moss.

Anglers who frequently hit the sea before dawn favor boat ramps. A ferry to the well-known Cumberland Island National Seashore, which is renowned for its untamed horses and remote beaches, is located just down the road. Hikers may spot gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons, and other birds along the nature walk, which meanders through salt marsh and forest.

Fish, turtles, snakes, and other creatures indigenous to Georgia's coast can be found in a wildlife center. The neighboring tabby mill ruins, which were constructed about 1825 and subsequently utilized as a starch factory during the Civil War, are open to visitors.

The sole campsite on the 3,600-acre Lake Juliette, a pristine lake created by Rum Creek, is called Beautiful Dames Ferry. Numerous campsites provide stunning views of the waterfront. For bream, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass, redear, and perch, fishermen can cast a line.

The movie Fried Green Tomatoes made Juliette, a little village nearby, famous. The neighboring High Falls State Park is in charge of managing the campsite. The 28 campsites at Dames Ferry campground, which is situated on the banks of stunning Lake Juliette, include power and water. Numerous locations provide stunning views of the lake and are along the shore.

RVs, trailers, and tents can all be parked at campsites. Each site features a fire ring, grate, and table in addition to power and water hookups. Potable water, flush toilets, showers, a dump station, a playground, and boat ramps are among the facilities offered by the campground. There's also firewood and ice for sale.

Don Carter is the first state park on the 38,000-acre Lake Lanier and the newest state park in Georgia. The park, which is located on the reservoir's north end, has excellent water sports opportunities. There is a wide swimming beach with sand and a bathhouse where guests may keep cool. A paved, multipurpose route invites hikers and cyclists to explore the hardwood forest, while boat ramps offer easy access to the lake.

There are also a number of options for overnight stays at this new park. Cabins with two bedrooms are situated close to the lake on forested slopes. RVs are allowed at one campground, whereas just tents and hammocks are allowed at another.

The park bears the name of Don Carter, a real estate maestro who spent 29 years on the board of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and helped create the first state park in Lake Lanier.

One of the biggest lakes in the Southeast, Clarks Hill Lake, spans 71,100 acres, and Elijah Clark State Park is situated on its western bank. It is particularly well-liked by boaters and anglers because of its accessible fishing pier and boat ramps. During Georgia summers, guests are invited to cool off on a sandy swimming beach.

A large campsite is tucked away in the forest, and rental cabins are situated on the lake's shore. The walk-in area will provide tent occupants with more privacy.

The campsite is located by a lake or in a forest, and while some of the sites are really secluded, others are not. You won't be let down if you learn to read your campsite maps, conduct some research using Google Maps' satellite view, and make your reservation in advance.

The largest state park in Georgia, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, is 9,049 acres and is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. The sight of undulating mountains 80 miles southeast of Atlanta surprises many tourists. Dowdell's Knob, located above King's Gap, is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt occasionally had picnics and thought about global issues.

There are more than 40 miles of hiking routes, many of which are accessible to hikers on horseback, much exceeding the amount of hiking trails found in most state parks. The area is heavily influenced by the CCC, and those who are up for a leisurely walk into the forest can engage in traditional "backcountry" camping—tents only—without ever venturing too far into the woods.

If you become weary or tired of simple camp life, they also have amenities including an outdoor gym, playgrounds, WiFi at the park office, and a swimming pool.

Florence Marina State Park, which is located at the northern end of the 45,000-acre Lake Walter F. George, is the ideal retreat for lovers of water activities. A natural deep-water marina with boat docks, a boat ramp, and an accessible fishing pier is located next to it. There are several options for overnight visitors, such as fully furnished cottages, compact efficiency units, and a modern campsite.

Nature lovers are also big fans of Florence Marina. Birdwatchers can spot bald eagles, egrets, and herons. The Kirbo Interpretive Center features local history, flora, and fauna. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, also called Providence Canyon State Park, lies eight miles to the east.

Although they include sewage hookups, which are uncommon in state parks generally, including Georgia's, the large campsites are not always or precisely private.

The best-preserved Confederate earthwork fortress is found in Fort McAllister State Park, which is situated on the banks of the Ogeechee River south of Savannah. While the Civil War museum features relics, a film, and a gift shop, visitors may tour grounds with cannons, a furnace, bombproof barracks, palisades, and more.

Camping, fishing, boating, and picnics are all made possible at this lovely park, which is surrounded by salt marsh, enormous live oaks, and Spanish moss. Surrounded by palm trees and palmettos, seven cottages are perched on stilts next to the marsh.

A nature path, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and tidal Redbird Creek are all around the shaded campsite. Another boat ramp gives access to the Ogeechee River, and a sizable picnic park offers playgrounds and views of the river.

Visitors come to this mountain retreat via a picturesque journey on Hwy. 52 close to Cohutta Wilderness. Some of Georgia's most stunning trails are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian riders. These routes run through hardwood forests and blueberry thickets, cross streams, and round a lovely lake.

In addition, hikers may explore an old rock wall on the mountain's highest point and a stone fire tower constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Early Indians are believed to have constructed the enigmatic 855-foot wall as a defensive structure against more aggressive Indians or for ceremonial purposes.

While stables provide year-round stall rentals and guided equestrian rides, guests may cool off on the lakeside beach in the summer. Visitors to the park can spend the night in backpacking campsites, fully furnished villas, or campgrounds.

Between Atlanta and Athens is Fort Yargo State Park, a well-known park with a wood fort constructed in 1792 by settlers to stave against Creek and Cherokee Indians. Today, Fort Yargo attracts tourists because of its many outdoor activities and natural beauty. There are boat ramps, fishing, and a huge swimming beach on a 260-acre lake.

A lovely setting for outdoor weddings, reunions, and other festivities is Fort Yargo State Park. From group shelters to pavilions with views of the lake, visitors may choose from a wide variety of amenities to suit their budgets. Cozy campsites or fully furnished cottages are available to overnight visitors.

Visitors may rent canvas tents called lakeside yurts for a more distinctive experience. Every yurt features a fire ring, picnic table, and grill outdoors, as well as furnishings and power inside.

Nearby Attractions:

• Hard Labor Creek State Park
• Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant
• The Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor Creek
• Victoria Bryant State Park
• Watson Mill Bridge State Park

The 1,308-acre Georgia Veterans State Park was built in 1946 as a tribute to American veterans and provides a range of recreational opportunities as well as lodging options. Situated atop magnificent Lake Blackshear, the park boasts four miles of nature paths, one of Georgia's most naturally stunning golf courses, and countless chances for camping, boating, fishing, and water sports.

At this historically significant and scenic Georgia State Park, you may rejuvenate yourself, so pay tribute to those who have served, and take in the great outdoors along the shores of Lake Blackshear.

Although there are many trees for shelter, the campsite is kept up like the fairway of a golf course. The general public must pay $5.00 per car to enter the park, but active military personnel or veterans with valid identification must pay $3.75 per car.