North GA camping spots

Hey guys I will be in N GA today with my girl and planning on camping over night. I figure you guys may know of some awesome campsites that aren't that well traveled and wont have people constantly driving by.

I have a 4x4 so if theres a trail that can utilize that without the need of a winch or rock sliders lol that would be a plus. And if there is a stream or water nearby that would be a bonus.

I would like to camp in an area to the top of a mountain with an awesome view for my girl.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Turned in to a camping spot thread! Please see below and feel free to provide any more spots and detail for these locations.

This is what I got so far from this thread:


1) Bear Creek (Ellijay GA)

Cost: Free

Access: Gravel with a small water crossing 10-14 inches high. 2WD just fine

Comments: Next to the creek. Following the trail the camp site is on the right, past the camp site on the left trail there is a hiking/mountain bike trail. – Russianman92

Coordinates: 34°48'05.0"N 84°33'54.6"W

Gaia Link: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/J8AIhvlkIohdZH9GHzjIAO5A

Suggested by: Russianman92


2) Tray Mountain

Cost: Free

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: Frankenstuff & BYJOSHCOOK


3) Sarah’s Creek Campground (NE GA)

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: Gilmorec61


4) Dockery Lake

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: “Nice long winding dirt road down to a trout pond and Appalachian trail access. 8-10 sites that are first come first serve. Pitch black out there at night and some fun trails to hike.” – TacoTaco24

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: TacoTaco24


5) Charles Creek (Canton GA)

Cost: Free

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: “Stream runs next to it.” – USMCtaco88 “On the main trail”, “3 definite campsites”, “After following the trail all the way, it turns back into asphalt at a farm. There are some offshoots I have not been on though so that is where the open camping clearing may end!” - SummitBound

Coordinates:

Gaia GPS link for trail: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/4AGzOGV0O6TAs8iZRny7zsNY?embed=True

Suggested by: USMCtaco88 & SummitBound


6) Hawk Mountain:

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: BYJOSHCOOK


7) Winding Stair Gap

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: BYJOSHCOOK


8) Hickey Gap (Cohutta Wilderness)

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: TRDridgerunner


9) West Wolf Creek (Cooper’s Creek WMA)

Cost: (Need detail)

Access: (Need detail)

Comments: (Need detail)

Coordinates: (Need detail)

Suggested by: TRDridgerunner

 

Little spot at the top of tray mountain

 

Look up Sarah’s Creek Campground if you’re on the east side of north ga

 

Next time you're up there check out Dockery Lake, Nice long winding dirt road down to a trout pond and Appalachian trail access. I believe they have 8-10 sites that are first come first serve. Pitch black out there at night and some fun trails to hike.

 

I appreciate all the input! Unfortunately as my GF likes to take 10 years to get ready (although we planned it for a week for an overnight camping trip) So we didn't get there until 6-7PM and didnt want to risk traveling to a new location without daylight.

We ended up staying at a place I am well versed with at Bear Creek.

I would love to actually keep this thread going to make a list of all interesting spots!

 

Campsite at Charles Creek. Stream runs next to it.

 

I second this! I wouldn't mind hearing about some new spots as well.

 

I will add it to the list! Thanks!

 

That sounds great! Definitely add it to the list!

 

Small world, I was here 3 days ago from Saturday into Sunday. At that exact campsite!

Managed to get some hot coals going and finished burning that charred log in your firepit!

 

Nice. But I haven't ever camped there. I was riding Charles Creek and saw the spot so i decided to give it a look for future reference. Only down side to that camp site i saw was when it rains hard it can turn into mud pit.

 

I want to take everyone's suggestions here and keep the list going! Pictures would be a plus!

Basically map out awesome N GA camp spots with some coordinates, terrain to get there (if it is a lockers required type of deal or just gravel), if it is part of the traverse or not, and photos!

I think this would be an awesome thread for anyone who is looking to get away for the weekend and see some new stuff with a game plan in mind.

When I found out about Bear Creek 6+ years ago, you couldn't even google it and it wasn't on google maps. The way I found out about it was via word of mouth. I was in Walmart in Ellijay with a buddy getting fishing supplies to go trout fishing and saw another guy that looked super local (lol if you know what I mean) looking at fishing stuff as well. I ended up asking him if he knew of any good trout fishing spots and he said Bear Creek. He ended up just telling me how to get there (take this road then make a right at this spot etc..) Then we found the place and it was awesome. Trout there are somehow exceptionally smart. Never had an issue catching trout until this place. lol There were LOADS of them I could see through the water in the creek but they were not biting. NOT a big deal at all! As this place was gorgeous and a LOT of camp sites (unmarked you just see where fire pits are). Plenty of flat areas and wood to burn. Green moss growing up the huge trees it looked like a movie.

Went back after not being there for over 2 years now this past weekend and I was not disappointed! My GF loved it and it was a great over night trip!

 

It's my favorite of the 3 campsites there. Tons of space and close to the stream. It definitely can turn into a mud pit, so I only pick it when we know we're getting out before the rain comes in. We usually ride the trail and then circle back around and snag it if its still available.

 

have you been to the one on that trail straight across the water hole? the trail goes on for a bit but apparently dead ends at a clearing for camping.

 

On the main trail, I can think of 3 definite campsites:
1. This first one
2. One after the smaller stream crossing (room for one truck on the left and one on the right)
3. One about 4 minutes farther, after crossing a 2-3 foot deep water hole, on the right.

After following the trail all the way, it turns back into asphalt at a farm. There are some offshoots I have not been on though so that is where the open camping clearing may end! Definitely still need to do some more exploring out there.

 

sub'd for this. I'll put a few down that are google-able

1. Hawk Mtn.
2. Trey Mtn.
3. Winding Stair Gap Rd

 

Great thread idea. Two of my favorites are

Hickey Gap- Cohutta Wilderness
West Wolf Creek- Cooper’s Creek WMA

 

Got directions or a google map pin for this place?

 

Here's my gaia tracks leaving that side of Clayton to get to the campsite. I was a fool and stopped the GPS when we got to this campsite. Forgot to turn it back on when we did the rest of the trail. Just keep going past this and you'll have plenty of fun:

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/4AGzOGV0O6TAs8iZRny7zsNY?embed=True

 

BUMP! Please see EDITS to main post!