The Best Places to Camp in the Chattahoochee National Forest

Spread out across 51,000 acres, and 4 counties in North Georgia, the Chattahoochee National Forest offers many places to visit and explore from vast fields and valleys to mountains and waterfalls. In the beginning, the Chattahoochee was part of the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests in North Carolina and Tennessee. With both states still bordering the forest it is easy to hike throughout all three states if you plan to hike, backpack or camp out in the Chattahoochee.

Easily one of the most beautiful national forests in the Southeast there are a lot of places you can choose to camp at while hiking through the area. While hiking in the forest you will find numerous waterfalls with fresh mountain water running through them, plenty of places to swim in or fish from, scenic nature hikes and family friendly activities you can enjoy. A hiking vacation with your family is also a great way for children to explore the earth around them, nature, science and animal life. There are also plenty of picnic areas and lots of camping locations.

Here are just a few of the best camping spots in the Chattahoochee National Forest with the websites included in this article providing directions to these spots.

DeSoto Falls -

Located at the northern half of the Chattahoochee National Forest, DeSoto Falls consists of 3 beautiful waterfalls and 2 miles of trails that make their way to each of the falls. This is also one of the most popular spots to camp at in the forest and has 24 primitive spots for camping on that range from $10.00 - $12.00 per night.

DeSoto Falls Scenic Area is adjacent to the campground, and is a favorite for hikers and families visiting the park. Swimming is also available in the falls pools. The DeSoto Falls Trail is a 2-mile trail with the first mile of the trail being easy for anyone to use and leads to two waterfalls. The last mile of the trail is considerably more difficult and strenuous and leads to the third waterfall. You will find picnic tables, grills and restrooms throughout the park and are available for day use only. The DeSoto Falls day use area is open year round and the camping areas are available from mid April to mid October. A day use fee is required at this recreation area of $3.00 per vehicle and is enforced by management.

For more information you can also visit DeSoto Campground Information

Deep Hole -

Deep Hole camping and recreation area is a laid back camping area deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest that is away from the busy tourist areas and allows for scenic nature scenes and swimming. With the water of the Toccoa River just off the camp grounds this area is great for fishing for bass, trout and catfish, boating or swimming and laying out on the beach. Deep Hole also allows for easy access to nearby attractions like the Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail and the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery.

There are 8 primitive camp spots here with camp fire rings, grills and picnic tables. The cost for each of the camping spots is $12.00 per day and if you plan to visit for a day trip it is $5.00 per vehicle. Tubing down the Toccoa River is very popular with visitors and is not far from the camping areas. The loop through the recreation area is gravel, and toilets and drinking water are available.

For more information about swimming in the Chattahoochee National Forest visit Swimming Holes.

Morganton Point -

Morganton Point is a beautiful place for camping or just a day visit. Located in the middle of the North Georgia Mountains, and overlooking beautiful Lake Blue Ridge, Morganton Point is a great place for hikers, backpacking, day trips and family friendly activities surrounded by nature. With 3 miles of trails through this area making your way to a swimming area is easy.

The recreation area offers camping on 43 sites with several primitive sites, 16 lake front sites and 2 large group sites available. You can picnic anywhere in the camp grounds with tables, grills and fire pits at each site. Boating and swimming facilities are open from mid April through late October. There are two bathroom facilities, one of which has hot showers and both are easily accessible from any of the camp sites. The campground is broken down into two loops with an upper loop and lower loop plus 6 sites that are walk-in only sites. The walk-in sites are all lake front and are very beautiful.

Lake Winfield Scott -

Situated high in a mountain valley, Lake Winfield Scott offers visitors recreation and activities year-round. Lake Winfield Scott is a remote area of the Chattahoochee National Forest and requires a hike to get to the camp sites. Overlooking Lake Winfield Scott this area offers camping on 36 different sites for $12.00 - $14.00, boating, fishing and hiking. The north loop campground area is open year round with limited facilities in the winter months and the south loop area is open from mid-April until mid-November. All sites feature picnic tables, grills and fire pits and there are bathrooms with showers and clean water near each site.

There are 3 miles of trails through this area and they are flat and family friendly and great for nature walks or brisk day hikes. Lake Winfield Scott is great for swimming and boating activities but is not supervised by lifeguards.