The Peach State is an ideal place to start your boondocking adventures. Not only does it have dozens of free campsites to enjoy with your RV rental, but it’s also home to some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the South.
Getting off the grid is a fantastic way to explore all that Georgia has to offer. While you won’t have any hookups, you will have much better access to hiking trails, kayak put-in points, and hunting areas compared to developed RV parks. Keep reading to see where some of the best sites for boondocking in Georgia for family vacations are located.
Is Boondocking Legal in Georgia?
Good news, camping enthusiasts! Boondocking is legal in Georgia, especially in the more rural or mountainous sections of the state. Free dispersed camping can be found on Forest Service land and areas managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia State Parks. Dry camping is allowed in some private parking lots, but city ordinances bar it in places like Atlanta, Columbus, and Macon.
The South doesn’t have nearly as many boondocking sites compared to the Western United States. Chalk this up to the fact that the federal government doesn’t own as much land as they do out west, so it’s up to the state and municipal governments to set up sites for boondocking in Georgia.
The vast majority of boondocking in Georgia takes place in wildlife management areas, which are open to hunters for at least part of the year. During the hunting season, it’s best to wear bright orange clothing and to make your presence known.
Your Guide to the Best Boondocking in Georgia
Now that we’ve covered the legalities, let’s get into the good stuff. Below you will find fifteen Georgia boondocking spots that are just waiting to be explored. So pack your boondocking essentials and load up the RV! We’re headed on an awesome adventure.
Boondocking Locations in Northern Georgia
Oconee Ranger District
This boondocking area is located nearly 60 miles southeast of Atlanta and provides boondockers with 38 dispersed campsites. These sites are often called “Hunt Camps,” but are not limited to hunters.
What to Do: Fish in Lake Sinclair, hike some of the many trails, or go target shooting at Cedar Creek Shooting Range.
More Information: Oconee Ranger District
Woody Gap
One of the access points for the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, Woody Gap has a vault toilet, but no other facilities. But that’s perfectly fine. You’ll have all the comforts of home available to you in your Georgia RV rental.
What to Do: Do a section hike on the Appalachian Trail and greet thru-hikers as they start their multi-month journey northward.
More Information: Woody Gap
Pine Log Mountain Wildlife Management Area
An hour and fifteen minutes north of Atlanta, the Pine Log Mountain area is an exciting boondocking location for nature lovers and is open year-round for camping.
What to Do: Hunt for deer, bear, turkey, and small game or hike/cycle the 23 miles of trail in the area.
More Information: Pine Log Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
About an hour north of Atlanta, Amicalola Creek flows through this 25,000-acre wilderness to create one of the most serene boondocking campsites. Relax and recharge in this secluded spot.
What to Do: There are many old singletracks and unimproved roads that make for a mountain biker’s paradise.
More Information: Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
Vogel State Park
This is one of Georgia’s most popular state parks and is only an hour and forty-five minutes northeast of Atlanta. While most of the campsites are developed, there is a primitive camping area perfect for boondockers.
What to Do: There’s excellent hiking on the Bear Hair Gap Trail or Coosa Backcountry Trail. In the mood for watersports? Paddling in Lake Trahlyta is a fun choice.
More Information: Vogel State Park
Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
This next spot is located a mile from the popular Lake Conasauga and a little less than two hours southeast of Chattanooga, TN. Ball Field is not open during the winter months, and using the parking lot at Lake Conasauga requires an extra fee.
What to Do: Enjoy swimming, paddling, and fishing at Lake Conasauga.
More Information: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
Cloudland Canyon State Park
While most of Cloudland’s campsites are developed, there is a primitive section that’s much quieter. This spot brings you amazing views of the canyon and convenient amenities like a camper store.
What to Do: Explore 1000-foot deep canyons and waterfalls. There are several day hikes inside the park that are only an hour or two long.
More Information: Cloudland Canyon State Park
Dicks Creek Falls
There are 11 primitive campsites near the confluence of Dicks Creek and Water Creek. It’s fairly secluded, and sometimes the road becomes impassable for RVs, so be sure to research the road conditions ahead of time.
What to Do: There is a short hiking trail around the namesake waterfall along with longer ones in the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest.
More Information: Dicks Creek Falls
Boondocking Locations in Southern Georgia
Mayhaw Wildlife Management Area
This 6,300-acre swamp and forest area is about an hour and fifteen minutes north of Tallahassee, Florida. Camping is first-come, first-served. Nearby is a full-service RV park with a dump station that you can pay to use.
What to Do: Most of Mayhaw’s visitors come for the hunting, specifically deer, turkey, and small game. If you’re not a hunter, there are plenty of hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
More Information: Mayhaw Wildlife Management Area
Clayhole Swamp Wildlife Management Area
This wildlife management area is about an hour south of Savannah and just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. While sites are first-come, first-served, they require a DNR permit, which can be obtained online.
What to Do: As with most of Georgia’s wildlife management areas, hunting is the primary activity. Deer, waterfowl, turkey, and small game are all prevalent here. The nearby waterways are also popular for fishing and paddling.
More Information: Clayhole Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Townsend Wildlife Management Area
This 32,000-acre recreation area sits just north of the Altamaha River and an hour and a half south of Savannah. It’s just a short distance from the Atlantic Coast and is a spectacular place to see estuary ecology.
What to Do: Paddle through the swampy Altamaha River or go hunting in this expansive locale.
More Information: Townsend Wildlife Management Area
Barrington County Park
The county park sits on the north shore of Harper Laka, off the Altamaha River, and is a little over an hour south of Savannah. It’s one of the more developed boondocking options, with showers, flush toilets, a boat ramp, and picnic tables.
What to Do: The lake and river are both popular for kayaks and canoes, but you’re also not far from the Atlantic Ocean (30 minutes). You can also explore the remains of the 18th century Spanish Fort Barrington.
More Information: Barrington County Park
Flat Tub Wildlife Management Area
This wildlife management area consists of over 7,000 acres of upland pine and river bottomland. It’s very popular with hunters and anglers from south-central Georgia. All of its access roads are well-maintained and suitable for RVs.
What to Do: Hunting and fishing on the Ocmulgee River are the primary activities here.
More Information: Flat Tub Wildlife Management Area
Flint River Wildlife Management Area
An hour southwest of Macon, this hunting and fishing area is very near Lake Blackshear, one of the more popular spots for watersports in southern Georgia.
What to Do: Within the WMA, there are a few short hiking trails and great fishing in the Flint River.
More Information: Flint River Wildlife Management Area
Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area
About an hour southeast of Macon, this is a rural oasis in otherwise a fairly developed region. It’s home to some beautiful swamplands and forests ideal for boondock camping.
What to Do: Hunting for deer, turkey, and small game along with paddling and fishing in the swamplands.
More Information: Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area
3 Tips for RV Boondocking in Georgia
Taking a road trip into the wildernesses of the Peach State doesn’t require too much preparation, but there are a few key tips that’ll help you to have better while boondocking in Georgia.
- Know your campsite. Some areas, particularly those that are several miles down dirt roads, are nearly inaccessible to RVs. Familiarize yourself with how accessible your campsite is, and choose your RV rental based on that information.
- Be wary of critters. The hot and humid weather in the Peach State is a breeding ground for all sorts of insects you probably don’t want in your RV rental. Know what’s lurking in the woods and bring protection against them if necessary.
- Get there early. Most of the boondocking sites in Georgia are first-come, first-served, so it pays to show up before the crowds. This is doubly true on weekends and holidays.
Everything’s Peachy with a Georgia RV Rental
Choosing an RV rental in Georgia is an excellent way to start a vacation. Not only does the state have some of the best boondocking locations in the country, but there are several locations where you can pick up your Cruise America RV rental.
Cruise America has a wide range of RVs so that you can select the vehicle that best suits your needs. Plus, the RV rental process is simple and hassle-free.
If you’re ready to start planning your adventure, book your Cruise America RV rental today!
