RESOURCES: • Georgia Glamping, Cumming, www.gaglamping.com • Elatse’yi, Ellijay, www.northgeorgiaglamping.com • Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, www.amicalolafallslodge.com • Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Unicoi north of Helen, www.unicoilodge.com • Margaritaville RV Resort, Lanier Islands, Buford, www.lanierislands.com/ margaritaville/Margaritaville-RV-Resort • Lake Lanier Campgrounds, various managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, recreation.gov • Georgia State Parks, various locations in North Georgia, www.gastateparks.org
“This is the first-ever RV park associated with Margaritaville in the United States,” says Bucky Perry, director of operations for Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. “We are very excited about this new amenity here at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. And of course all our guests will be able to enjoy all that Margaritaville has to offer as well.” Lake Lanier has several campgrounds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Popular choices include Old Federal Park and Van Pugh South in Flowery Branch, Ducket Mill and Bolding Mill in Gainesville, Bald Ridge Campground and Sawnee in Cumming and Shoal Creek in Buford. Accommodations are varied, depending on the location. Throughout North Georgia, state parks are filled with camping choices. Unicoi State Park and Lodge just north of Helen offers a full ranging of camping experiences. Primitive camping platforms allow guests to sleep outdoors in sleeping bags or hammocks, or bring your own tent or trailer. You can also bring 30- or 40-foot RVs with water, power and sewer. The parks charming Barrel Cabins are an excellent alternative to going rustic. They are available in 1- or 2-bedroom configurations. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge in Dawsonville has 24 wooded campsites nestled in its 829 acres of tall hardwoods and winding trails. For camping basics, bring a tent. RV sites offer water, power, grills and fire rings. Hike to Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Southeast, for a breath-
TOP: Rebekah and Nathan Self enjoy a quiet moment with their dogs at one of their camping/glamping sites at Lake Lanier. Credit: The Decisive Moment Photography (www. thedecisivemoment.com) BOTTOM: Jase and Reed Humphries share some quality brother time while glamping. Credit: Lauren Humphries Photography (www.laurenhumphriesphotography.com).
taking view of the water as it cascades 729 feet from top to bottom. Other options for camping at Georgia State Parks include Don Carter State Park in Gainesville, Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls, Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia and Vogel State Park in Blairsville. Different parks offer distinct choices from primitive sites for tent camping to yurts at Fort Yargo and Tugaloo. All have hiking trails and other amenities that put guests close to the state’s natural beauty.
“Sometimes connecting with nature is the best way to unplug and unwind,” says Kim Hatcher, public affairs coordinator for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. “The nice thing about staying in Georgia’s State Parks is that you can choose from a variety of ways to sleep under the stars, from the barrel cabins at Unicoi to the campsites at Vogel State Park. And when you wake up, you’re in the middle of the gorgeous mountains with hiking trails right outside your door.” H
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