Cumberland Island, one of the world’s largest undeveloped barrier islands, is the only national park in Georgia with camping. Ride a ferry to the island and use a National Park Service hand cart to tote your camping gear to the campground. Reserve a campsite well in advance of your trip as Cumberland has a small number of campsites. Sandy sites feature a picnic table, grill, fire ring and food cache box. All food and scented items must be stored in the box. Plan to pack your trash out when you go. Restrooms have cold water showers, flush toilets and sinks. Clean fish outside at the utility sink. Consider a screened shelter or insect repellent in warm months to combat sand gnats, mosquitoes and ticks. Spend your time collecting shark teeth and shells, stargazing, swimming, wildlife watching or touring the historical areas of salt marshes.
Sea Camp, Cumberland Island National Seashore
101 Wheeler St.
St Marys, GA 31558
912-882-4336
http://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm#camping
Lake Sinclair sits the in rolling Piedmont in central Georgia, about 90 minutes southeast of Atlanta. The 44-site campground has tables, grills, flush toilets and hot showers, an unusual feature for a national forest campground. Some sites have electrical hookups. Camp on rolling hills under shady trees overlooking the lake. Potable water is available at several locations throughout the campground. Swim, fish, boat, sail, water ski or hike during your stay. The campground also has a playground for children. It is open mid-April to mid-December.
Lake Sinclair, Oconee National Forest
1199 Madison Rd.
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-485-3180
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/oconinfo.htm#addresses
Scenic at any season, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and 1,000 feet deep. Obtain a free permit to hike to the bottom or hike a rim trail and cross the suspension bridge to view the river and waterfalls. The park has 50 combination tent, trailer and recreational vehicle shady campsites. Each has electrical and water hookups, grills or fire rings, picnic tables and a parking space. Bath houses feature hot showers, flush toilets and electrical outlets. A dump station is located nearby. Since many state parks do not offer camping, reservations are recommended. A park ranger recommends an October visit to enjoy the colorful fall leaves, but suggests you make a camping reservation six weeks ahead of time.
Terrora Campground, Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr.
Tallulah Falls , GA 30573
706-754-7979
http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?locationid=46&rtype=2&s=0.0.1.5
