RV camping in Georgia is a wonderful way to get to know the beautiful southeast part of our country. During your time in the state, you’re likely to meet some of the most friendly people around while also seeing some fantastic attractions. Of course, you’ll want to make sure to try a Georgia peach or two as well!
Not sure how to start planning your RV camping in Georgia adventure? This guide is the perfect resource. Below, we’ve included everything you could ever need to know to go RV camping in Georgia. Use these tips for a problem-free camping trip.
Preparing for RV Camping
First, you will need to prepare for your RV trip. This involves ensuring you have an RV to stay in and packing that RV so you have everything you need as you go exploring. If you have an RV of your own, you’re probably all set, but those who don’t will want to use the tips below.
Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs
Picking the right Georgia rental RV is a very important part of the planning process. You’ll need to decide whether you want to have the RV delivered or drive it yourself, and whether you prefer a driveable RV or you want to tow one behind your own vehicle (make sure it’s capable).
Besides all of that, you’ll also need to decide on the best floor plan for your family and ensure you get an RV that is large enough to accommodate your group, but small enough to fit into the campsite you choose. Of course, amenities should come into play during the decision process as well!
Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip
Next, you’ll need to pack that RV up. You’ll need clothing, food, toiletries, and of course, some camping gear. Have no idea how to begin packing an RV? You are not alone; it can be an overwhelming task. We recommend using the list below to get started and expanding upon it as you see fit:
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Tools
- Entertainment (books, games, movies, toys for kids)
- Outdoor recreation gear
- Electronics and chargers
- Pots, pans, and dishes
- Paper towels
- Groceries
- Flashlights
- Folding chairs
- Bed sheets
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Pet gear
- RV leveling blocks
- Sewer hose and adapter
- Freshwater hose
- RV surge protector
This is a very basic list and is in no way comprehensive. If you need more packing suggestions, be sure to check out this RV packing list.
Considerations for Camping in Georgia
RVing in Georgia is much like RVing in any other state. That said, this state (like all others) does have a few special RV-related laws that you should be aware of.
For starters, motorhomes in Georgia cannot be longer than 40 feet long, and trailers must be 53 feet long or less. The total length of your rig should never exceed 60 feet and you must not be more than 8.5 feet wide or 13.5 feet tall.
It’s also good to note that triple towing (i.e. towing something behind your travel trailer or fifth wheel) is not allowed in Georgia. Brakes are required on trailers over 1,500 lbs, wipers and headlights are required when conditions call for it, and overnight parking is not permitted in state rest areas.
Finding Campgrounds
With your RV picked and packed, the next step is choosing the right campground. Lucky for you, there are plenty of fantastic campgrounds in the state of Georgia. This means that whether you prefer luxury camping, roughing it in a state park, or camping in the middle of the city, there will be something that suits you.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Georgia
We can start by discussing the public camping areas in Georgia. This includes camping at state parks and in national forests. These campsites tend to be a bit more rustic than private campgrounds, but also tend to be in absolutely beautiful natural areas.
National Forest Camping
Georgia plays host to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. These natural areas boast camping areas for RVers and are totally worth checking out while in the state.
Some of the best camping spots in these forests include the creekside camping at Cooper Creek Recreation Area in the North Georgia Mountains, and the tree-covered camping at Andrews Cove Campground in White County just outside of Helen. Just make sure your rig is small enough to fit!
State Park Camping
Georgia’s state parks are another great option for rustic, low-cost camping that the whole family will love. These places all give you the chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty found in Georgia’s nature.
One of our favorite Georgia state park campgrounds is Skidaway Island State Park. Here you can camp in an RV (big rigs are welcome) with water and electric hookups. You’ll be surrounded by live oak trees that are covered in Spanish moss, and you’ll have access to freshwater and saltwater fishing.
We also really love Black Rock Mountain State Park. This park boasts spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and might just have the best scenery of all the Georgia state parks. There are 44 campsites in the park, and electric hookups and showers are available.
Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
Wondering about private campgrounds in Georgia? Oh, there are plenty of those as well. Glamping is available in many areas, as are simple family campgrounds with basic amenities such as showers, laundry rooms, and dump stations.
An ideal private campground in Georgia? Camp Margaritaville RV Resort at Lanier Islands. This campground offers excellent views of Lake Lanier, a seasonal water park, onsite dining, hiking trails, boat rentals, and more!
Coastal GA RV Resort is another top pick. This one is located in Brunswick, GA right by a number of excellent beaches. We love the full hookups, swimming pool, and laundry facilities in the park, as well as the water-based recreational opportunities nearby.
Boondocking in Georgia
Hoping to do a little dry camping during your time in Georgia? Good news, there are plenty of boondocking options in the state. These spots offer simple camping for free, making them ideal for budget travelers.
Redlands Wildlife Management Area offers free campsites in their many hunt camps. Meanwhile, the Oconee Ranger District has a number of dispersed campsites about 60 miles from Atlanta. The Forest Service’s Hickey Gap Campground is another free option that is good for RVs up to 24 feet in length.
Researching Campground Options and Making Reservations
The campgrounds listed above are some of the best in the state, but they are far from the only options. To continue researching and then booking your campsite online, be sure to use the many tools available to you.
Some of our favorite campsite research and booking tools include The Dyrt, RoverPass, Campspot, and BookOutdoors. We love Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts for more unique stays, and KOA and Jellystone for finding family-friendly campsites.
Planning Your Itinerary
The next step is the most fun part of planning any trip: deciding on an itinerary. Georgia has tons of natural areas, museums, NPS sites, landmarks, and other amazing things to see and do. In fact, there are so many options that the hardest part will likely be deciding which to include in your trip.
Features and Attractions in Georgia
First, we highly recommend starting your trip with a drive along one of Georgia’s scenic byways. This will give you a chance to get acquainted with the area and appreciate Georgia’s natural beauty.
At some point during your trip, you will also want to check out some of the state’s landmarks. These include the Tybee Island Light, Stone Mountain, and the Atlanta Botanical garden, but those are far from the only options.
Of course, adding some NPS sites to your itinerary is a must as well. Georgia may not have any big national parks, but the state does have a number of national historic sites, monuments, trails, and more. Some of our favorites include Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Georgia
Want to make your time in Georgia extra memorable? Why not add an event into the mix? Festivals, concerts, and other events happen throughout the year in the state, and attending one is bound to make a great trip even better.
Some of the best events in Georgia include Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Festival in March, the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon in March, the Hot Air Balloon Glow event in Pine Mountain in September, and Helen Oktoberfest in September and October.
Exploring Outdoor Activities
You will absolutely want to spend some of your time in Georgia exploring the great outdoors. As mentioned before, Georgia has tons of amazing natural areas for you to explore. Whether you prefer beaches, mountains, lakes, or forests, you’ll find a place to reconnect with Mother Nature in this amazing state.
Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails
Enjoy a good hike or bike ride? Then you’ll want to learn about the many trails that wind their way through Georgia. There are a number of excellent ones, so be sure you give yourself time to explore a few.
For hiking, we recommend the trails below:
- Mount Yonah Trail in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest — Hard
- East Palisades and Bamboo Forest in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest — Moderate
- Cloudland Canyon West Rim Loop in Cloudland Canyon State Park — Moderate
- Amicalola Falls via East Ridge Loop Trail in Amicalola Falls State Park — Moderate
- Tallulah Gorge and North and South Rim Loop Trail in Tallulah Gorge State Park
Those who prefer to hit the trails on a bicycle should try one of the following trails:
- Iron Hill Trail in Red Top Mountain State Park
- Arabia Mountain, Klondike, and Forest Trails Loop in Arabia Mountain Park
- Fort Yargo Lake Loop Trail in Fort Yargo State Park
- Sope Creek Loop from Paper Mill Road in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- Cartecay River Loop Trail in Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area
None of these tickle your fancy? That’s okay, there are a huge number of amazing trails listed on AllTrails. Why not head over there and find the perfect trail for you?
Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities
Hoping to get in some outdoor playtime in the water? Lucky for you, Georgia has plenty of that too. Here are some of our favorite water-based activities the state has to offer:
Fishing is a popular activity in Georgia. The Chattahoochee River is a must for the trout anglers out there, and Golden Isles offers a great place to go saltwater fishing. Prefer lake fishing? Lake Seminole, Lake Lanier, and Lake Jackson are for you.
Those who like to relax on the beach will also be happy in Georgia. There are a number of great beaches in the state, making this a great place for those who love a good day by the water. Cumberland Island National Seashore is one of our absolute favorites, but Driftwood Beach and Gould’s Inlet are also pretty great.
Lastly, we must mention the waterfalls in Georgia. Becky Branch Falls located just east of Clayton is a beautiful place, and Horsetrough Falls in northeast Georgia offers a lovely pool for wading and cooling off. Other great falls include Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Ready to break out the binoculars and check out some local wildlife? Georgia won’t disappoint. Many of the state parks we’ve already mentioned play host to local animals, and the national forests have their fair share of critters as well. Additionally, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and many other refuges in the state offer excellent wildlife viewing.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
Taking the kids with you to Georgia? Worried the options listed so far won’t be enough to keep them happy? Don’t worry, whether you are exploring Atlanta, Buford, or Savannah, you will find plenty of awesome family-friendly activities.
Historical Sites and Museums
We love when we can squish a little education into our family trips. Fortunately, Georgia offers lots of opportunities to do so.
National sites such as Andersonville National Historic Site and Fort Frederica National Monument offer excellent history lessons. Meanwhile, the many museums throughout the state give visitors a chance to dive into a variety of topics.
Some of our favorite museums in Georgia include:
- World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta
- Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta
- Tellus Science Museums in Cartersville
- High Museum of Art in Atlanta
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta
- Old Fort Jackson in Savannah
Amusement Parks, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Amusement parks are a must-do when you have kids in tow. Luckily, Georgia is home to several awesome amusement parks. Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta is an awesome place for thrill seekers. Meanwhile, families looking to have fun at a more unique park might turn to Stone Mountain Park. Want to cool off in the water? Helen Water Park & Tubing is a fun place to do just that!
Of course, we can’t forget to mention zoos as a great option for families. Zoo Atlanta is an excellent zoo, as is the Wild Adventure zoological theme park in Clyattville. Chehalis Park in Albany has some fun animals to check out, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the place to go to see marine life.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Georgia
Obviously, you will want to make sure you are safe during your time in Georgia. The good news? This is super easy to do as long as you go in prepared.
Here is what you need to know.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
Georgia might not technically be in Tornado Alley, but it still sees its fair share of tornadoes each year. Additionally, the state often gets large hail and damaging thunderstorms.
To ensure you and your family are safe from severe weather, make sure you have a couple of weather apps downloaded and that your push notifications are turned on. Pay attention to any warnings that are issued and follow the instructions in each warning.
Always know where the nearest tornado shelter is and avoid camping in areas that are known to flood. It’s also good to keep a “bug out” bag with a hand-crank radio, some water, and other emergency supplies ready in case you must evacuate quickly.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
The most dangerous creatures in Georgia include bobcats, venomous snakes, and certain kinds of insects. Simple things like watching out for snakes as you walk through the wilderness and checking dark nooks before sticking your hands inside can help you avoid most of these critters. If you happen upon a bobcat, do not approach it, turn your back to it, or run away. Instead, make as much noise as possible to scare the cat away.
Another thing to be aware of? Poisonous plants. Poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, and other such plants call Georgia home. We recommend learning to identify these plants so you can actively avoid them. It also helps to avoid walking through overgrown areas and always wear long sleeves and long pants when hiking.
More Inspiration for Your Georgia Travels
Clearly, RV camping in Georgia is a lot of fun. Need more ideas of things to do and places to go? Check out the links below for more great tips.
- The Top 10 Amusement Parks in Georgia
- Urban Camping in Georgia
- Top 10 Waterfalls in Georgia
- Luxury Camping in Georgia
- Glamping in Georgia
- Fishing in Georgia
- Top 10 Beaches in Georgia
- Top 24 Bucket List Destinations in Georgia
- Boondocking in Georgia
- Top 10 Landmarks in Georgia
- Top 10 Places to See in Your RV in Georgia
