14 Georgia State Park Hike-In Campsites

Ah, the life! Imagine it: you’re alone in a covering of trees. The wind is gently stirring. The fragrance of honeysuckle in the air and you take a deep breath in…. and sigh loudly as you side-eye the loud-mouthed campers in the plot beside you. The running RV across from you drowns out the sweet, sweet sound of the birds chirping and a generator, running three lots down, drowns out the RV.

Again, I say, “Ah, the life!”

I hate camping in overcrowded campgrounds, but I have a bucket list to camp in every State Park in Georgia. So what’s a girl to do? Look for remote campsites that require a hike-in. These sites are usually quiet and more spacious so even if you have neighbors, they won’t be directly on top of you. Below are links to Georgia state parks that have backwoods campsites.

Tallulah Gorge State Park

1-2 mile hike through the gorge to 1 of two isolated campsites that are close to the river. You must be at the park 2 hours prior to sunset to begin the hike, as you don’t want to be wandering the gorge at night.

BlackRock Mountain State Park

4 backwoods sites that are between 1.5 miles to 4 miles from amenities. These sites are entirely secluded. The reservation is site-specific which means what you book is the site you get. This trail is quite steep in some places and is rated as “moderate to strenuous.” the trail follows cascading streams with small waterfalls surrounded by laurel-filled coves. In the northernmost section of the park, the trail climbs to the summit of Lookout Mountain and offers a stunning view.

Chattahoochee Bend State Park

8 paddle-in riverside campsites for kayakers traveling down the Chattahoochee River.  You can also hike to these sites. The hike/canoe in distance to the North Platform campsites from the day use parking area is 5 miles. These campsites are primitive. Water and electricity are not available. 15 x 15 wooden deck style platforms are where your Tents should be pitched with weights only. For tent staking, you will need longer cords to reach the natural terrain.

FD Roosevelt State Park

If you wanna be super adventurous, you can hike up to 23 miles at FDR and stay in campsites along the way. Backcountry permits must be obtained from the park office before hitting the trail, and you will still need to make reservations. On this trek, you can view Cascade Falls, a wolf den, beaver ponds, and massive boulders.

Fort Mountain State Park

These 4 site-specific backcountry campsites offer visitors isolated campsites. Other campers are miles from you. It is you and nature. Site one is 1.4 miles when hiking east along the trail. Site two is 3.5 miles east. Number three western hike-in distance to the site is 3.2 miles, and four is 1.1 miles west along the trail. Number 3 and 4 offer visitors gorgeous seasonal views looking out over the Chatsworth valley area. Make sure you visit the ancient wall in the park that was built by Native Americans.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

10 backwoods sites are approximately 1 mile from parking. Site 7 looks like the most secluded; however, these sites are all non-site specific reservation so you get what is open when you arrive.

High Falls State Park Paddle-In Primitive Campsite

This single site is ding-dang awesome! Paddle across the lake to a secluded campsite that is all for you. There is only 1 site, and it costs 75.00 per night for this luxury. Can you picture canoeing across the lake to your own private site under the stars?

Fort McAllister State Park

This state park offers only 2 backwood sites, 1.5 miles along the red bird creek trail. These are not site-specific, and you will be issued one or the other when you arrive. Currently, as of this writing in May 2018, these are closed due to a pine beetle infestation. Hopefully, they will be reopened for camping in 2019. This is a reminder that you should not bring outside firewood into campgrounds. Buy it in the park to prevent pine beetles from being transported into the park and infesting the copses.

George L. Smith State Park

4 site-specific primitive tent sites that are nestled 3/4 of a mile along a circular sandy trail. The sites are nicely shaded under a canopy of trees. Make sure you check out Parrish Mill and pond, a combination grist mill, saw mill, covered bridge, and dam built in 1880.

James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park

Staying at one of these 4 site-specific hike-in sites is on our bucket list. The sites are located 1/2 mile along a wooded trail on the lower lake.  It is you and nature here.

Mistletoe State Park

3 hike-in sites that are 4 miles along the Rock Dam trail. All three are close to an inlet of water so cooling off after the long hike won’t be an issue.

Panola State Park

5 traditional hike-in primitive sites. There is no additional camping at Panola State Park so it should be pretty quiet. The camping area is approximately 1 mile from the parking.

Reed Bingham State Park

One paddle-in campsite is hidden on its own island. Can you envision having an entire island to yourself for only 35.00 a night? Eagle Island sits in the middle of the park’s 375-acre lake. The island is just a 15-minute paddle from the shore, and campers may rent canoes or bring their own. This one of a kind area is great for bird watching and camping under the stars.

Seminole State Park

How about primitive treehouse camping. While I would not call this precisely a “treehouse”, this 30 x 30 screened-in covered shelter is on raised stilts. No water or power nor indoor toilets. The maximum number of people 15. If only it were near the lake. With this being in Georgia’s deep south, you probably want to camp here in the winter months.

Keep the Lust for Wandering Y’all!

Fran