You won’t find as much free camping and boondocking on the east coast. However, you can discover some hidden gems in Georgia. It takes a bit more work to find these locations, so we’ve scouted out a few to help you get started. Let’s get boondocking in Georgia!
What Is Boondocking?
Boondocking is camping without access to hookups such as electricity, water, or sewer. It is also called dry camping. Boondockers often use public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or other government agencies for this. These locations are usually free, though some require a fee and a camping permit.
Best Time of Year to Boondock Georgia
You’ll find balmy summers but gentle winters when you visit Georgia. The summer heat may drive some boondockers away. However, others endure thanks to air conditioning in their RVs. Similarly, while winter is typically mild, you might want a heater overnight.
Spring and fall provide pleasant boondocking weather. You may want to aim for those times of the year.
Activities to Do While Traveling in Georgia
Georgia offers an abundance of activities to enjoy while traveling the state. Many head to Georgia’s state parks for mountain biking and hiking. You might be surprised to discover the variety of landscapes around these parks.
In warmer months, visitors flock to Georgia’s many lakes and rivers. In addition to boating, kayaking, and swimming, visitors can enjoy fishing (with a license, of course).
Georgia also contains a wealth of historical landmarks. Discover a fort in Savannah, explore battlefields in Kennesaw, or see the Indian mounds in Cartersville. Many great museums and national landmarks await you.
You could also try apple picking in September and October. Create lifelong memories for your family while enjoying the beautiful scenery in Georgia.
7 Best Spots for Awesome Boondocking in Georgia
Boondockers often focus on the west coast while overlooking places like Georgia on the east coast. However, that would be a mistake. Georgia, for example, boasts gorgeous scenery, beautiful weather, and great locations for boondocking.
Hidden Creek Campsites in Calhoun, Georgia
GPS: 34.5129, -85.0724
Hidden Creek Campsites is located in northwest Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Campers will enjoy plenty of privacy and space while staying among the pines of the northern hills. You can also hike in the area.
Accessing the camping area will involve driving down about a mile and a half of gravel roads. Some campers report low tree branches that might scrape taller RVs, as well as a few potholes. At the campsites, there are no facilities or amenities. Campers should be self-contained. Campsites do provide a rock ring for enjoying a fire.
Pine Hill Campground in Waynesboro, Georgia
GPS: 32.9641, -82.0899
Pine Hill Campground is perfect for those truly wanting to get away from it all. Located in east-central Georgia, campers will travel a dirt road for 20 miles to find this secluded spot.
There is limited to no cell service in this area. Because of the lack of connectivity, be sure to download maps and update your GPS before embarking on your trip. It can be easy to lose your way on forest service roads like these.
Rood Creek Park in Omaha, Georgia
GPS: 32.0253, -85.0365
Corp of Engineer parks tend to be spacious and clean. Rood Creek Park offers all that, plus free boondocking. It sits right on the Alabama border in southern Georgia and provides for dry camping with no hookups. Enjoy some fishing while you’re here, but watch out for gators. Campers report quite a few flies and mosquitoes as well, so be sure to pack the bug spray.
The campsites here do tend to be on the smaller size, but rigs 25 feet or shorter should have few problems. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There is a restroom nearby.
Ocmulgee Flats Hunt Camp in Monticello, Georgia
GPS: 33.179848, -83.81768
Ocmulgee Flats Hunt Camp sits in central Georgia. Located an hour south of Atlanta, you’ll have little trouble accessing this site. Plus, there’s room for multiple rigs. Campers will need to be self-contained as there are no facilities or hookups.
You’ll love this site if you enjoy hiking, fishing, and trails. The campground serves as the trailhead for Ocmulgee River Trail, a three-mile trail that runs along the Ocmulgee River. The turnaround space can be tight, so this site is better suited to trailers 20 feet or shorter.
Barrington County Park in Hortense, Georgia
GPS: 31.472189, -81.607265
Barrington County Park accommodates rigs of all sizes. This county park provides campers with picnic tables and flushable restrooms. It does have a seven-day stay limit, but campers have reported that the site is relatively clean.
This campground sits alongside the river. While you can fish, you cannot swim, though. A boat ramp offers access for those who wish to take to the water. Or visit nearby historical sites such as the Fort Barrington remains.
Keep an eye on the forecast if traveling to this site. Reports say the road can get rough if there’s been any rain recently.
Chattahoochee River Road in Helen, Georgia
GPS: 34.785942, -83.765368
Chattahoochee River Road provides a great boondocking spot in northern Georgia. You’ll camp close to the Appalachian Trail, as well as a waterfall. However, campers have reported poor cell service.
The site limits rigs to 25 feet or less. Each site features a designated fire ring but no other amenities or facilities.
Dicks Creek Falls in Cleveland, Georgia
GPS: 34.6902, -83.9474
Tucked away in the Chattahoochee National Forest lies Dicks Creek Falls. You’ll find a nearby stream and a waterfall you can hike up to. This would make for a great spot to cool off in the summer. There’s limited to no cell service, so camping here truly allows you to escape civilization for a while.
You’ll need to arrive here self-sufficient, as there are no hookups. If you have a small rig and enjoy dry camping off the grid, this spot may be for you.
Boondocking Isn’t Only On The West Coast
The west coast may have a lot of boondocking, but don’t forget about the east. Georgia provides some gorgeous boondocking locations. Have you scored any great spots while exploring Georgia?
Leave a Reply