First Time Camping Family-Friendly Campgrounds

[section_title title=Georgia State Parks & Other GA Camps]

First Time Camping Georgia

Georgia State Parks First Time Camper Parks
Georgia State Parks have teamed up with REI & The North Face to make family camping more accessible to families with little or no experience & gear. The First Time Camping Program provides families with all the gear they need, expert advice, and two nights accommodations at a participating park for just $50.

There are eight “First Time Camper,” parks spread across the State of Georgia. The parks offer a wide variety of environments from mountains to lakes and even the coastal region. Many of these parks offer a variety of accommodations, in addition to First Time Camper, that can make easier the transition to outdoor family! With this range, you’ll definitely be able to find a first time camper park near your home or your desired vacation destination.

  • A. H. Stephens State Park – East of Atlanta
    Visit this historic park just west of Augusta to enjoy hiking, biking and boating. Boat rentals include fishing boats, canoes and pedal boats for your family. You can carry your own bikes or conveniently rent them at the park. You’ll enjoy 4 miles of hiking trails, volleyball, horseshoes & a playground. A. H. Stephens also offers the opportunity to learn about key figures in the United State Civil War with a fine collection of artifacts & an historic home tour. Other attractions nearby include Lake Oconee, Hard Labor Creek State Park & Hamburg Outdoor Recreation Area. Visit the Official AH Stephens State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park also offers 4 cottages.
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  • F.D. Roosevelt State Park – West Georgia
    This heavenly place is Georgia’s largest state park. The 40 miles of trails will take you wandering through great hardwoods, Georgia’s pines, over creeks and past waterfalls. The park offers a wide variety of activities that will easily fill a vacation itinerary that will please everyone in your family. There are the historic sites for the history buff, a playground for the kids and a spring-fed swimming pool for everyone to cool down. Enhance your visit by renting a fishing boat, canoe or kayak and taking a horseback ride with the nearby stables. Nearby attractions to fill up your days include Wild Animal Safari and Callaway Gardens. Visit the Official FDR State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park also offers 22 cottages.
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  • Fort Mountain State Park – North Georgia Mountains
    A refreshing getaway to the mountains will renew your senses of wonder & adventure. Hike up to 14 miles of trail or bring your bike and explore 27 miles of mountain bike trails. Rent fishing boats, canoes and pedal boats or just lounge at the swimming area. Other activities include geocaching with your family, mini golf and playgrounds. You can also visit nearby stables for horseback riding tours. Some of the nearby attractions to visit are Amicalola Falls State Park, Funk Heritage Center, and several historic sites. Visit the Official Fort Mountain State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park also offers 15 cottages.
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  • Fort Yargo State Park – East of Atlanta
    Fort Yargo is a beautiful location to begin your family camping adventures. Enjoy 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. You can carry your own bikes or rent them from the park. The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and boating. The park offers rentals of fishing boats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. Play the family in a round of mini golf, basketball, tennis or just get the kids on the playground. Nearby attractions include Stone Mountain Park and Lake Lanier.
    Visit the Official Fort Yargo State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: Take your pick of 3 cottages or 6 yurts. Yurts are an excellent way to help beginners transition to camping without overwhelming them. These yurts are lakeside and made of canvas. They offer your new campers furniture & electricity.
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  • General Coffee State Park – South Georgia
    A great place to get in touch with nature, Seventeen Mile River & a boardwalk will take you through the cypress swamp. There, you’ll have excellent opportunities to view endangered plants and get closer to the area wildlife. Known for it’s agricultural history, the park has several exhibits pertaining to farm life. Rent bikes, canoes or pedal boats to further explore the park in different ways. Other attractions nearby include Stephen C Foster State Park where you can rent boats to explore Okefenokee Territory.  Visit the Official General Coffee State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park also offers 5 cottages.
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  • James H. Floyd State Park – Northwest Georgia
    Take your family to this quiet park to bond & make some lasting memories. Rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats to explore the two stocked lakes. You’re sure to create a lasting memory with a great fishing trip. Go geocaching, play on the playgrounds and wander the 5 miles of trails. You’ll be nearby Cloudland Canyon & Etowah Indian Mounds for more adventures. Visit the Official James H. Floyd State Park website for more info & reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park also offers 4 cottages.
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  • Reed Bingham State Park – South Georgia
    If viewing wildlife and getting close to nature is your thing, this park boasts one of the most diverse habitats in the country.  Exploring this park will bring you opportunities to view tortoises, turtles, snakes, bald eagles and alligators to name a few.  Canoe, kayak & bicycle rentals makes it a breeze to experience all this park has to offer. You’ll also be able to relax while the kids play on the playground or join them for a round of mini golf. If that’s not enough, you’ll be nearby Wild Adventures Theme Park & Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the Official Reed Bingham State Park website for more info & reservations.
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  • Skidaway Island State Park – Coastal Georgia
    Enjoy your coastal getaway with bike rentals, 4 miles of trails and wildlife observation tower. Inside the interpretive center, you’ll find binoculars and bird books to help identify your sightings along with a reptile room that children will enjoy. Take the famiy hiking, biking or participate in one of the many events hosted by the park. Nearby you can tour historic Savannah or cool down at Tybee Island beaches. Visit the Official Skidaway Island State Park website for more info and reservations.
    Other Accommodations: The park’s Camper Cabins make camping easy!  Guests rest easy in a fully sheltered cabin with showers, kitchen, sleeping quarters, screened porches and air conditioning. Just bring your own linens, towels, dishes and utensils. 

Other great programs in Georgia for First Time Family Campers.

Stone Mountain Park – Ready, Set, Camp! 
The Stone Mountain Park Ready, Set, Camp program takes the challenge out of that first camping trip by providing you with a 4-person tent & 4 sleeping pads already set up for you when you arrive. When you’re ready to leave, you pack up your new gear and take it home with you. The $99 cost of the Ready, Set, Camp program does not include campsite rental or parking fees for the park. Visit the Stone Mountain Park Ready, Set, Camp page for more information.

North Georgia Canopy Tours
In addition to many awesome activities such as ziplining and disc golf, NGCT offers teepee camping. This is a great middleman from hotel/motel lodging & tent camping. The teepees include electricity & heating/air conditioning. Visit the NGCT Website for more info on the teepees and other activities.

First Time Family Camping in… Georgia | Alabama | Florida | North Carolina & South Carolina | Tennessee

3 thoughts on “First Time Camping Family-Friendly Campgrounds

  1. I think that it would be awesome to go camping. Especially for my family. If we ever get a chance to go it will be the first time for all of us. I think I’m going to try to talk them into it.

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