Georgia Campgrounds: Starry skies, rugged trails, and best nature escapes

Encompassing a lake measuring more than 26,000 acres, Richard B. Russell State Park is home to some of the finest boating and fishing in the state of Georgia. The park offers great camping opportunities as well, with fully-equipped cottages and a campground situated near or on the edge of the water, providing a relaxing camping trip. Most of the facilities in the state park are wheelchair-accessible, including the beach and swimming. There’s also a nature trail that follows along the lakeshore to one of the area’s oldest steel pin bridges, and then meanders through the adjoining woods before returning to the beach.

2650 Russell State Park Dr, Elberton, GA 30635, Phone: 706-213-2045

Located on a wooded peninsula, the majority of campsites and cottages within the Tugaloo State Park provide amazing views of Lake Hartwell, the park’s 55,590-acre lake, in nearly every direction. Some of the cottages even include a private boat dock. Campers who prefer tent camping can choose from one of the primitive campsites or the developed campground. DUring the summer season, Lake Hartwell is particularly popular for boating, sailing, water skiing, and swimming. Both the Muscadine and Sassafras hiking trails wind their way through cherry, mulberry, walnut, and oak trees. Fishin is also a popular year-round activity at the park.

1763 Tugalo State Park Road, Lavonia, GA 30553, Phone: 706-356-4362

Black Rock Mountain State Park boasts the highest elevation anywhere in the state of Georgia, showcasing some of the Blue Ridge Mountains most spectacular scenery. Overlooks throughout the park offer breathtaking vistas stretching up to eighty miles. Visitors wanting to stay in the Black Rock Mountain State Park overnight have a choice between several different overnight options, including a campground, backcountry campsites, and comfortable cottages. Along with camping, the state park offers several other outdoor recreation activities for guests, such as hiking, picnicking, photography, geocaching, and fishing. Facilities include a playground, two picnic shelters, variety of campsites, and cottages.

3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy, Mountain City, GA 30562, Phone: 706-746-2141

Chattahoochee Bend State Park preserves an amazing stretch of wilderness in Georgia’s northwest Coweta County, located along one of the Chattahoochee River’s graceful bends. The park has become a haven for anglers, campers, and paddlers, and at just over 2,900 acres, it is one of the largest state parks in Georgia. While the majority of Chattahoochee Bend State Park remains in its natural state, visitors looking to camp overnight have several options within the boundaries of the park. There are both back-in and pull-through RV sites, as well as traditional developed campsites, walk-in campsites, and riverfront platform sites for tent camping.

425 Bobwhite Way, Newnan, GA 30263, Phone: 770-254-7271

Located in Rising Fawn, along the Lookout Mountain’s western edge, Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of the state’s most scenic parks, providing opportunities for exceptional hiking and exploring rugged geology. The state park features a deep gorge and the best views into this canyon is just an easy for visitors from the park’s picnic area. Hikers, however, can explore the rim trail or venture out into the canyon floor by way of several staircases. Campers can choose from several options in Cloudland Canyon State Park, including walk-in, spacious tent campsites, a modern campground, and cottages located near the canyon.

122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, Phone: 706-657-4050

The F.D. Roosevelt State Park is the largest state park in Georgia, spanning across approximately 9,049 acres, offering a haven for backpackers and hikers. The rolling mountains can be found only eighty miles away from the bustling city of Atlanta. A wooded campground is located near the shore of a small lake that can be used by visitors for fishing. There are also privately operated stables offering guided horseback rides to guests. Recreation activities at F. D. Roosevelt State Park include a seasonal swimming pool, a playground, picnic areas, horseback riding, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, backpacking, and hiking.

2970 GA-190, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, Phone: 706-663-4858

Situated between the cities of Athens and Atlanta, Fort Yargo State Park is a popular Georgia state park featuring a circ 1792 log fort that was constructed by early settlers to protect themselves against Cherokee and Creek Indians. The park is known for its broad array of scenery and outdoor recreation possibilities The 260-acre lake provides boat ramps, waters for fishing, a spacious swimming beach. Overnight visitors can stay for the night in one of Fort Yargo State Park’s cozy campsites or one of the fully-equipped cottages. There are also lakeside yurts, or canvas tents, available for reservation.

210 S Broad St, Winder, GA 30680, Phone: 770-867-3489

High Falls State Park is situated just northwest of Macon, Georgia and is named after the falling cascades of the Towaliga River. Guests can hike along the edge of the river and through a hill forest to reach what remains of the local power plant foundation. Formerly an early 1800’s prosperous industrial town, High Falls turned into a ghost town by the 1880’s. Today, it’s a popular destination for camping or a side trip for people traveling along Interstate 75. Recreation activities at High Falls State Park include RV, tent, and yurt camping, as well as swimming, hiking, geocaching, fishing, and boating.

76 High Falls Park Dr, Jackson, GA 30233, Phone: 478-993-3053

The Chattahoochee National Forest and the rural countryside of Georgia surround the quiet James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park near Summerville. There are two stocked lakes for fishing and visitors can travel along one of the lakeside loop trails, a total of three miles, relax in swings, or watch the numerous bluebirds who call the park home. The state park also contains four camper cottages and a small campground nestled within the tree-covered hillsides. Children can play on the playground or feed the ducks, and visitors can also rent pedal boats, kayaks, or canoes and explore the boardwalk.

2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Rd, Summerville, GA 30747, Phone: 706-857-0826