About half an hour's drive northeast of Cleveland is Enota Mountain Retreat, a highly rated conservation facility with tent and RV sites as well as rental cabins. It is surrounded on all sides by Chattahoochee National Forest and has four waterfalls, five streams, hiking trails and fishing. Enota's management is also environmentally oriented. It runs an on-site organic farm and offers fair-trade goods at the local store, and the entire operation is nonprofit. Pets are welcome, as are large groups. High-speed Internet is available in meeting areas.
Enota Mountain Retreat
1000 Highway 180
Hiawassee, GA 30546
800-990-8869
enota.com
Yonah Mountain Campground, one of the closest to Cleveland, is popular with families, day trippers and seasonal visitors. In fact, there is a separate area for long-term stays. A full campus with pool, Wi-Fi, laundry, fishing hole and movie rentals, Yonah Mountain also celebrates summer holidays with campground picnics. This facility accommodates RVs, trailers and tents. Reservations are recommended.
Yonah Mountain Campground
3678 Helen Highway
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-6546
yonahcampground.com
This kid-oriented site has an added bonus--rockhounding with the help of trained employees. Gold n Gem, the only commercially operating gold mine in north Georgia, has a supply of hidden treasure to be found. You can hunt for your own gems, pan for gold or buy a bucket of seeded soil. Gold n Gem also offers tent and RV sites, including sites along a river.
Gold n Gem Grubbin
75 Gold Nugget Lane
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-5454
goldngem.com
This small campground is on the shores of Lake Burton and can accommodate families, RVs, bikes and physically limited travelers. It can has sites for RVs, trailers and tents and has access to hiking trails and a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.
Moccasin Creek State Park
3655 Highway 197
Clarkesville, GA 30523
800-864-7275
gastateparks.org
