Georgia · Dispersed and low-cost sites
Free and Dispersed Camping in Georgia
Where Georgia allows camping outside developed campgrounds, from the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to wildlife management areas, with the rules that apply.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0), Wikimedia Commons
Dispersed camping in Georgia, county by county
Fannin County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Floyd County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Greene County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Habersham County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Jasper County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Lumpkin County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Murray County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
- Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area (Conasauga Ranger District)USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. A large grassy field about 1 mile from the Lake Conasauga Recreation Area. Primitive camping with no amenities; no potable water or restroom information published. Campers may use Lake Conasauga recreation opportunities by parking in the picnic area lot ($5 parking fee) or the boat ramp lot. Emery Creek trail leaves from the Bal Source
- Hickey Gap Campground (free campground)USDA Forest Service. Free Source
Putnam County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Rabun County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Towns County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Union County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
White County
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest general forest dispersed campingUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary, with few or no facilities; pack it in and pack it out and follow Leave No Trace. Camping outside developed campgrounds is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period (General Forest Order on Camping Limits CO-08-03-00-25-02, issued May 6, 2025, e Source
Statewide or unlisted
- Appalachian Trail in Georgia: dispersed camping and bear canister ordersUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Beginning January 1, 2027 (Forest Order 00-26-02, issued 2026-11-06), all persons camping overnight along Georgia's 78 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the A.T. Approach Trail and one-half mile on each side of the trail, including A.T. shelters, must possess and use a non-pliable bear-resistant canister for all food, food contain Source
- Cohutta Wilderness (Georgia)USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The 37,000 acre Cohutta Wilderness has about 90 miles of trails; primitive backcountry camping is permitted in wilderness. In the Beech Bottom / Jacks River Falls area the Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads page states day use only from April 1 through October 31 each year, with a year-round campfire and alcohol ban in that closure a Source
- Georgia wilderness areas on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National ForestUSDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Primitive camping is permitted in wildernesses, though camping alongside streams and in heavily vegetated areas is discouraged. Markers (a steel post or rod) are often placed in areas chosen by wilderness rangers as safe for camping. Travel is non-motorized. Visitor controls such as permits, party size limits and camping closure Source
- Site-specific camping restrictions listed in forest orders (Georgia)USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The Forest Supervisor orders page lists site-specific orders that limit or prohibit camping or campfires. Blue Ridge district: camping restricted to designated areas in Montgomery, Nimblewill and Jones Creek dispersed recreation areas; camping restrictions in the area of FS Roads 69 and 236 and Cooper Creek Scenic Area; camping Source
Places where Georgia agencies say camping is not allowed
- Boggs Creek Recreation Area (no camping)Day use only, sunrise to sunset, seven days per week. Area closed to all camping. No RVs or trailers; park in designated areas only; no OHVs or non-street-legal vehicles. No fee. The page points campers to DeSoto Falls, Dockery Lake and Lake Winfield Scott. Source
- Trailhead parking lots: Cohutta Wilderness trailheads and Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead (no camping)No camping in trailhead parking lots at the Cohutta Wilderness trailheads. At the Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead the parking lot is day use only: no camping in the parking lot (26 miles of trails; gravel parking for 30 horse trailers; $5 per vehicle per day recreation fee). Source
- Ocmulgee Bluff Horse, Bike and Hike Trail System (no overnight camping on site)Overnight camping is not allowed at this recreation area. Primitive camping is provided at the Ocmulgee Horse Camp on Forest Service 1099 off GA 83 south of Smith Mill Rd. Entry fee $5.00 per day per person; OHVs are not allowed; a special use permit is required for guide-led tours (Oconee Ranger Di Source
- Cumberland Island National Seashore: no dispersed or beach campingCamping is permitted only in the five designated campgrounds (Sea Camp, Stafford Beach, Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, Brickhill Bluff) with a reservation and printed permit; dispersed camping and beach camping are not permitted. Stay limit is 7 consecutive nights. Individual site maximum six people Source
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: designated platforms onlyCamping is permitted only at the designated campsite listed on a Wilderness Camping Permit and only for the permit dates. Open fires are prohibited except at Canal Run, Floyds Island and Mixons Hammock. Canoes and kayaks only, no motors. See campground record. Source
Camping on Georgia wildlife management areas
Camping, pre-season scouting, hiking, picnicking, horse riding, canoeing and other recreational uses are allowed year-round on WMAs unless otherwise indicated or posted at the check station or at a specific recreation site. The department may close specific sites by posting.
Anyone 16 or older needs a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass to access WRD properties (WMAs and Public Fishing Areas). Lands Pass: $30 Georgia residents, $60 non-residents, annual. Those 15 or younger need no license or pass. A ParkPass is not valid at WMAs or PFAs. At Tallulah Gorge WMA a Park Pass satisfies the Lands Pass requirement.
The table lists the 41 WMAs whose DNR list page carries a camping statement. These come from list-page teasers, not from every area page, so an area missing here is unknown, not open. Rule 391-4-2-.60
| Area | What DNR says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clarks Hill-East | Camping is only allowed in designated sites. | DNR page |
| Little River WMA | No Camping is allowed. | DNR page |
| Treat Mountain WMA | No ATVs or camping allowed. | DNR page |
| Tallapoosa River WMA | No ATVs or camping allowed. | DNR page |
| Ceylon WMA | Accommodations & Facilities Pond/Tidal Creeks Primitive Campground Activities Canoeing Fishing Hiking Hunting Quota Hunts Primitive Camping Wildlife Viewing Read more about Ceylon WMA | DNR page |
| Ball's Ferry | No camping allowed on the area. | DNR page |
| Perry Dove Field | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Sandhills WMA: West | Primitive camping is allowed in designated areas. | DNR page |
| Conasauga River WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Yuchi WMA | Camping is allowed in designated sites only. | DNR page |
| Tuckahoe WMA | Camping is allowed only in designated sites. | DNR page |
| Sprewell Bluff WMA: West | Camping is only allowed in designated areas. | DNR page |
| Sprewell Bluff WMA: East | No hunting in the day-use park area and no camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Oliver Bridge WMA | No ATVs or camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Ohoopee Dunes WMA | Camping is available at the end of Claxton Scott Way off HWY 57 on the North Tract. | DNR page |
| Little Satilla WMA | No camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Lake Walter F. George WMA | No Camping allowed on this property. | DNR page |
| Lake Seminole WMA | No camping is allowed on this property. | DNR page |
| Hiltonia WMA | during turkey season Hunting Primitive Camping Wildlife Viewing Nearby Properties Read more about Hiltonia WMA | DNR page |
| Elmodel WMA | Camping is not allowed on this property. | DNR page |
| Echeconnee Creek WMA | No camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Big Dukes Pond WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Alexander WMA | No camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Sandhills WMA: East | No camping is allowed. | DNR page |
| Keg Creek WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Germany Creek WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Soap Creek WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Elbert County WMA | No camping is allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Rogers WMA | There is no camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Ossabaw Island WMA | Campfires are restricted to provided fire ring areas. | DNR page |
| Paulks Pasture WMA | No camping is allowed on the property and no horseback riding is allowed during deer hunts. | DNR page |
| Spirit Creek Forest WMA | No camping or ATVs allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Sansavilla WMA | There is no camping allowed on the property. | DNR page |
| Phinizy Swamp WMA | No camping is allowed on the WMA. | DNR page |
| Ocmulgee WMA | No camping is allowed on this tract. | DNR page |
| Lower Broad River WMA | No camping is allowed on the WMA. | DNR page |
| Griffin Ridge WMA | Camping allowed only at Fountain Hole Camping Area. | DNR page |
| Bartram Forest WMA | No camping allowed on the WMA. | DNR page |
| Allatoona WMA | No ATVs and no camping allowed on the WMA. | DNR page |
| Albany Nursery WMA | No camping is allowed on this property. | DNR page |
| Chickasawhatchee WMA | The 19,700-acre WMA includes the Mike Commander Shooting Range, a managed dove field and campsites for tents and RVs. | DNR page |
Free camping in Georgia: questions
Can I camp for free in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest?
Dispersed camping is allowed in most places inside the forest boundary, limited to 14 days in any 30-day period, with a forest-wide food storage order. The forest campfire ban of April 2026 may still apply, so check alerts.
Is camping allowed on Cumberland Island outside the campgrounds?
No. Cumberland Island National Seashore allows camping only at its designated campgrounds.
Can I camp on a Georgia WMA?
Rule 391-4-2-.60 allows camping year-round unless the area is posted otherwise, and alcohol is allowed only at campsites. Anyone 16 or older needs a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass.
How much is a Lands Pass?
Lands Pass: $30 Georgia residents, $60 non-residents, annual. Those 15 or younger need no
Is there a stay limit on WMAs?
No stay limit appears in the WMA rule that was read.
Which campgrounds are free?
Campgrounds with a published fee of zero appear under their county above.
Know the rules
Stay limits, food storage and where camping is not allowed.