Boating

Timberline Glamping at Lake Lanier - Shady Grove

Timberline Glamping at Lake Lanier Shady Grove in Cumming, Georgia, provides a gated glamping and camping retreat on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier in Forsyth County's northern metro Atlanta lake country, combining direct water recreation access on one of the most visited lakes in the United States with the privacy and natural character of a wooded shoreline setting that the lake's more developed commercial areas cannot replicate. Positioned on Lake Lanier's eastern shore just south of the US Army Corps of Engineers' Shady Grove Recreation Area, the property serves both local metro Atlanta day visitors and overnight guests seeking the Georgia lake lifestyle in a gated property away from the crowded public beach and marina facilities. The property's water recreation focus is evident in every facility decision: boat docks, boat rentals, kayak rentals, paddle boats, and paddleboarding access give guests multiple on-water options without leaving the property, and the gated entrance and shoreline setting provide the private lake access that Lanier's most sought-after properties command. A beach for swimming, general store, firewood, laundry, playground, showers, and dump station serve the practical needs of overnight guests, and the bird and wildlife watching available in the property's wooded shoreline complements the active water sports recreation with quieter natural observation opportunities. Wine and beer tasting options accessible nearby reflect the north Georgia wine country character developing in the Forsyth County hills. Lake Sidney Lanier is a 38,000-acre reservoir on the Chattahoochee River in the northern Georgia Piedmont, created by Buford Dam in 1956 and now one of the most visited US Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the country with approximately 11 million annual visitors. The lake's proximity to Atlanta—approximately 40 miles northeast via GA-400—makes it the primary lake recreation resource for the nation's ninth-largest metropolitan area, driving the boating, fishing, and swimming demand that makes summer weekends on Lanier among the most energetically social lake experiences in the American Southeast. The Lake Lanier Islands Resort complex on the lake's eastern shore provides the most concentrated public amenity infrastructure with a water park, golf course, and marina that complement the more natural glamping experience at Timberline's wooded shoreline property. The north Georgia wine country developing in the Dahlonega area above the lake, and the Gold Rush heritage of Dahlonega's historic downtown—where the nation's first major gold rush occurred in 1829, 20 years before California's—provide cultural and culinary day-trip destinations that extend the Lake Lanier visit beyond the water recreation itself. Timberline Glamping at Lake Lanier Shady Grove operates seasonally from late spring through early fall in north Georgia's four-season climate, with the summer swimming and boating season from Memorial Day through Labor Day driving peak demand for the boat docks and water recreation access that distinguish this property from inland alternatives. The lake's famous July 4th fireworks display, visible from the water, represents the single most competitive reservation period of the summer when boat traffic on Lanier reaches its annual maximum. Fall's Georgia Piedmont foliage through October and the cooler temperatures of September provide a more relaxed canoeing and paddleboarding experience on water with significantly lighter boat traffic than the summer peak.

Talking Rock Motorcoach Resort

One hour north of Atlanta in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Talking Rock Motorcoach Resort offers a category of RV experience that is genuinely difficult to find: a luxury adults-only retreat on 115 private acres where the natural setting and the resort amenities are both operating at the highest level. Designed exclusively for Class A and Class B motorcoaches, the resort trades campground conventions for something closer to a mountain boutique hotel—without asking you to leave your rig behind. Talking Rock village sits at the doorstep, and the greater mountain corridor stretches in every direction. A Mediterranean-style clubhouse forms the social heart of the property, hosting everything from morning coffee hour to live music performances, ice cream socials, and community dance parties that draw guests out of their coaches and into good company. Dual pools—one heated, one chilled—accommodate different preferences, while a dedicated adult pool stays serene for those seeking a quieter soak. The hot tub with mountain views makes a strong case for lingering well past sunset. A full-service spa, fitness center, and pickleball courts round out the wellness and recreation options, and the resort's beautifully maintained gardens and open veranda make outdoor relaxation a genuine draw in itself. The 115-acre property backs up against the forested ridgelines of the North Georgia Mountains, and hiking trails winding through the grounds deliver immediate access to hardwood forests, seasonal wildflowers, and long views across the ridgeline. Elevation runs noticeably cooler than Atlanta, making the resort a popular escape from late spring through fall when the mountain climate is at its most inviting. Evenings carry a particular quality here—quiet except for the sounds of the Georgia woods, with the ridges catching the last colors of the day before the stars come out fully. Blue Ridge, one of the most beloved small mountain towns in the Southeast, is close at hand with its antique shops, wine trail, scenic railway, and outstanding trout fishing and tubing on the Toccoa River. Ellijay, Georgia's self-proclaimed apple capital, offers orchards, wineries, and seasonal festivals within easy reach. Amicalola Falls State Park—home to the southern approach to the Appalachian Trail—is accessible for day trips. Atlanta's world-class museums, dining, and entertainment remain within a comfortable hour's drive for those who feel the pull of the city. Talking Rock Motorcoach Resort is open year-round, though spring and fall claim the most devoted repeat visitors drawn by foliage and mild mountain temperatures. The resort caters exclusively to motorcoaches, so verifying rig compatibility before booking is essential. Event weekends with live music fill quickly, and checking the resort's calendar when planning around specific dates is recommended. If you're searching for an upscale North Georgia mountain retreat that blends genuine natural beauty with resort-quality amenities and a warm sense of community, Talking Rock delivers at every turn. Reserve your site and discover why loyal guests return season after season.

from $79 $68/night

Foxfire of Murphy RV Park

18 RV Sites

Foxfire of Murphy RV Park in Murphy, North Carolina, offers 18 full-hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted up to 110 feet — a remarkable length allowance for an 18-site boutique property. Premium creekside back-ins join premium full-hookup and pull-through categories in the far western corner of the state. Eighteen sites run in premium creekside back-in, premium full-hookup, and premium pull-through categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp, sized to 110 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and site WiFi. The creekside category is worth requesting. A general store, laundry, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. With 18 sites, reserve rather than counting on availability. Pets are welcome. A creek runs the property with walking trails alongside, and a community fire pit and dog park fill the grounds. Birding and picnicking run from the site. The intimate scale and year-round operation make this a genuine home base rather than an overnight stop. Murphy is the Cherokee County seat and the westernmost city of any size in North Carolina, at the convergence of the Hiwassee and Valley Rivers near the Tennessee and Georgia lines. That tri-state position gives an outdoor variety few small Appalachian cities match: whitewater rafting, Fields of the Wood, fishing, swimming and boating, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino, and extensive hiking, with mountains and a lake nearby. Summer and October foliage drive demand. Reserve well ahead.

from $55/night

Rolling Meadows Family Campground

1 RV Site

Rolling Meadows Family Campground in Murphy, North Carolina, offers a water-and-electric back-in RV site alongside cabins and tent camping in the far western corner of the state, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 35 feet. A brand-new heated bathhouse, disc golf course, and laundry serve a Cherokee County property still finding its way onto the maps. The RV site is water-and-electric back-in, carrying 20, 30, and 50-amp service, sized to 35 feet, with a fire pit and picnic table. Plan around the hookups — water and electric rather than sewer, with a dump station on site — and note the 35-foot cap. Contact the campground for current availability of additional sites; the property is new and expanding. Cabins and tent camping round out the lodging. A dump station, portable toilets, and a new heated bathhouse and laundry handle the practical side. One navigation note the campground states plainly: the campground and its road are so new that many GPS applications do not have them yet. Try 195 Hampton Church Road — their radio station neighbor — and follow signs from there. A disc golf course, bocce ball, corn hole, and horseshoes fill the grounds, with boating nearby. Pets are welcome. Murphy sits at the far western tip of North Carolina where the state meets Georgia and Tennessee, surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. The Hiwassee and Valley Rivers, Lake Hiwassee, the Tail of the Dragon, and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River are all close. Spring and fall foliage drive demand in the western mountains. Reserve ahead for October.

from $39/night

North Shore Landing Resort

Lake Oconee — Georgia's longest lake, stretching 374 miles of forested Piedmont shoreline across Greene and Morgan counties — consistently ranks among the Southeast's most desirable recreational waterways, and North Shore Landing Resort occupies a 55-acre prime lakefront position just 90 minutes east of Atlanta in the Greene County town of Greensboro. What distinguishes the property immediately is the campus: 13 historic railroad cars, repurposed as resort amenities and unique rental accommodations, give North Shore Landing a one-of-a-kind character that no conventional campground can replicate. The railroad-themed campus sets the visual tone from the moment of arrival, and the resort's full-hookup RV sites and tent areas complement the repurposed-rail lodging options with more traditional camping infrastructure alongside the lakefront. Lake Oconee waterfront access provides boating, bass fishing, kayaking, and waterfront relaxation directly from the resort's shoreline, and the community-oriented atmosphere — where neighbors quickly become familiar faces across many seasons — gives the property a warmth that distinguishes it from purely transactional campground experiences. Pets are welcome throughout. Lake Oconee itself is a superlative natural backdrop: consistently clear water in a setting where the rolling Georgia Piedmont countryside descends to the shoreline in forested ridges and coves that create hundreds of sheltered inlets for boating and fishing. The lake's calm waters are ideal for pontoon cruises and wakeboarding, and largemouth bass fishing on Lake Oconee is among the most productive in Georgia, drawing tournament anglers and recreational fishers from across the region. The surrounding hardwood forests light up spectacularly in October, when the combination of lake views and fall color makes the resort particularly beautiful. Harbor Club on Lake Oconee, 15 minutes from the resort, is one of Georgia's premier lake communities, featuring a Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course, fine dining, and sweeping lake views that make the surrounding area worth exploring beyond the campground. The historic town of Greensboro, seat of Greene County, offers antique shops, local restaurants, and a genuinely preserved small-town Georgia downtown character. Reynolds Lake Oconee, one of the most acclaimed resort communities in the South, encompasses multiple championship golf courses and lakeside dining in the broader Lake Oconee corridor. North Shore Landing Resort is open through the camping season, with summer on Lake Oconee being the clear peak for boating and water activities. Spring and fall bring comfortable temperatures for exploring the lakeside community and Greene County's broader landscape, and the fall foliage window in October makes these months particularly compelling for guests who haven't seen the Georgia Piedmont in autumn. The fall foliage window in October adds a visual dimension to Lake Oconee that surprises guests who associate Georgia primarily with its coast or metropolitan areas — hardwood color reflected in the lake's clear surface creates a photographic opportunity that regional visitors travel specifically to experience each year. Reserve waterfront sites and railroad-car accommodations as early as possible — they are consistently the first options to fill each season, and for very good reason.

Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center

28 RV Sites, 19 Tent Sites, 1 Lodge

Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center in Cave Spring, GA, offers 28 full-hookup creekside back-in RV sites, 1 lodge, and 19 tent sites, with 30 and 50-amp service and room for rigs up to 40 feet. Every site is a creekside full-hookup back-in carrying water, sewer, and electric with site-delivered WiFi, a fire pit, picnic table, and barbecue. Check-in is 3pm and early check-ins can't be guaranteed, though the center asks guests to reach out in advance if they need one. Laundry, a bathhouse with showers, a general store, firewood, propane fills and exchange, kayak rentals, and both RV and boat storage cover the practical side. Pets are welcome. Big Cedar Creek runs the length of the property, with a ball field, sport courts, volleyball, a playground, and walking trails, plus kayaking, boating, water sports, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Cave Spring sits in the ridge-and-valley country of Floyd County, about 40 miles northwest of Rome in the northwest Georgia mountains. Rates for sites, the lodge, and tent spots are on the booking page. Summer creek season books first — and ask about early check-in ahead of time if you need it.

from $21/night

The Cabins at Long Branch

3 Cabins

The Cabins at Long Branch in Topton, NC, offers 3 handcrafted two-bedroom cabins at 3,500 feet above the Nantahala Gorge. This is a cabin property rather than a serviced RV park — the published record shows no RV sites or hookups, so contact them directly if you're traveling in a rig. WiFi covers the property, and there's a playground. The elevation and the seclusion are the product. A lake, creek frontage, and mountain forest surround the cabins, with fishing, kayaking, boating, whitewater rafting, and birding all close. Topton sits high above the Nantahala River's Class III and IV whitewater corridor in the southern Blue Ridge — one of the most-run stretches of whitewater in the eastern United States, with the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Great Smoky Mountains National Park nearby. Rates for the cabins are on the booking page. Three cabins in peak rafting and fall color season book out early — and call about RV accommodation before you tow.

from $169/night

Scenic City RV Campground

44 RV Sites, 2 Glamping Sites

Scenic City RV Campground in Ringgold, Georgia, offers 44 full-hookup RV sites and two glamping sites on 10 wooded acres, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 45 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. Open all year, with a clubhouse, boat rentals, a game room, and a dedicated Class B site category, it sits at Georgia's northwest gateway to Chattanooga. Forty-four sites carry water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp in back-in and pull-through configurations, sized to 45 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. A separate back-in category is reserved for Class B vans — a genuinely useful distinction that keeps small rigs from being placed on oversized pads. Two glamping sites round out the accommodations. A general store, boutique shop, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. The 10 wooded acres give the campground its character. A pond and creek run the property for fishing, boat rentals are available, and a clubhouse, game room, playground, and dog park fill the grounds. Planned activities run through the season, and the tree canopy and dark surroundings make for good stargazing. A lake, boating, and an amusement park are nearby. Pets are welcome. Ringgold sits in Catoosa County on the I-75 and US-41 corridors, at the edge of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park's 5,300 acres of Civil War battlefield. The Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain recreation corridor extends Chattanooga's outdoor footprint into the northwest Georgia ridgeline. The campground is open year-round and family-owned. Summer and fall color drive demand — reserve ahead for October, when Chattanooga-area lodging tightens.

Nantahala Ridge Campground

3 RV Sites, 5 Cabins

Nantahala Ridge Campground in Bryson City, NC, offers 3 full-hookup RV sites and 5 cabins, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service. Sites come as back-ins and pull-thrus, each carrying water, sewer, and electric with site-delivered WiFi, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Maximum rig length isn't published, so call with your dimensions before booking — the roads in this canyon are narrow and it's worth the minute. Laundry is on site, and the five cabins give guests without a rig a place to stay. Pets are welcome. Three RV sites in a river canyon is the appeal: hiking from the property, dark-sky stargazing, and no crowd. Bryson City sits in Swain County where the Nantahala runs cold and clear through a corridor of rhododendron and hemlock, minutes from the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the southern entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rates for sites and cabins are on the booking page. Confirm your rig's fit when you reserve, and book early for rafting season and fall color.

from $49/night

Gorgeous Stays

5 Cabins, 3 Tent Sites, 2 Glamping Sites, 1 Yurt, 3 Vintage RV Rentals

Gorgeous Stays in Bryson City, NC, offers 3 RV rentals, 5 cabins, 3 tent sites, and 3 glamping sites and yurts. The RV accommodations here are the point and they are not ordinary: a double decker bus called The Crown Jewel, a converted school bus billed as the Travel-Inn Skoolie, and a vintage Shasta camper. These are rentals rather than sites for your own rig — if you're towing, contact the property directly about hookups and fit before booking. A bathhouse with showers, a general store, firewood, a community fire pit, and a pavilion serve the grounds. Pets are welcome. Glamping here means the conveniences of home without the distractions, and the property leans into that: billiards, ping pong, picnicking, planned activities, creek frontage, and fishing, with biking and a casino close by. Bryson City sits in Swain County in the western North Carolina mountains, minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the Nantahala, Fontana Lake, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad all nearby. Rates for every accommodation type are on the booking page. The vintage rentals are one-of-one — book them early.

from $30/night

Great Escapes Chestnut Bay Campground

157 RV Sites, 10 Tent Sites, 32 Cottages

Great Escapes Chestnut Bay in Leesburg, Alabama, offers 157 RV sites, 32 cottages, and 10 tent sites on Weiss Lake, with 20, 30, and 50-amp full hookups, cable TV, and rigs accepted to 45 feet. Back-in and pull-through categories join a water park, splash pad, mini-golf, and a full marina operation. One hundred fifty-seven sites run in back-in and pull-through categories carrying water, sewer, and electric on 20, 30, and 50-amp with cable TV and site WiFi, sized to 45 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Thirty-two cottages and 10 tent sites round out the accommodations. A general store, laundry, dump station, boat storage, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. Pools and the water park run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with pool hours 9am to 9pm and the water park from 10am, closing after October 31. A water park, outdoor pool, splash pad, and beach anchor the summer, with a boat ramp, boat docks, and boat rentals giving direct lake access for boating, fishing, paddle boats, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Mini-golf, a jumping pillow, gaga ball, sports courts, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, golf cart rentals, walking trails, a playground, dog park, barn, pavilion, and on-site dining fill the rest. Pets are welcome. Weiss Lake is one of the most productive crappie fisheries in the Southeast, within reach of both Atlanta and Birmingham. Summer is decisively the season. Reserve well ahead.

from $40/night

Cherokee Camping

Weiss Lake earns its nickname — the "Crappie Capital of the World" — honestly, with more than 30,000 acres of water that have produced record-setting catches and dedicated fishing communities for decades. Cherokee Camping in Leesburg puts you squarely on those legendary shores, offering a campground designed for guests who want to wake up to mountain air, step outside to a lake view, and spend their days doing exactly what brought them to Cherokee County, Alabama in the first place. The campground offers a thoughtful selection of sites to fit different preferences and budgets. Standard sites include full hookups with 30- and 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer, while premium waterfront sites add the scenic bonus of direct lake views. Elite sites offer expanded space for guests who want extra room to spread out. A full bathhouse with hot showers, on-site laundry, a swimming pool, and a boat ramp with fishing dock ensure that both the practical and recreational bases are covered. Propane exchange and free Wi-Fi round out the day-to-day comforts. The walking trails that wind through the property are ideal for morning and evening strolls through the quiet scenery that defines this part of northeast Alabama. The gentle hills, the sound of the lake, and the crisp mountain air that rolls in from the ridgelines give Cherokee Camping a natural peacefulness that's difficult to replicate at busier destination resorts. Fishing from the dock, an evening launch from the boat ramp, or simply watching the sun settle over the water from a camp chair — the unhurried pace here is the point. Cherokee County's outdoor offerings extend well beyond the lakeshore. Cherokee Rock Village, just minutes away, presents a remarkable collection of natural rock formations with hiking trails, observation decks, and sweeping views across the surrounding ridges that have made it one of Alabama's hidden outdoor gems. Yellow Creek Falls adds a waterfall destination for short hikes, and for history and culture, Cornwall Furnace Park and the Cherokee Historical Museum provide meaningful context for the region's story. Nearby Gadsden offers additional dining, shopping, and services. Little River Canyon National Preserve, one of the deepest canyons east of the Mississippi, is within driving range for guests who want to extend their northeast Alabama adventure into some of the region's most dramatic geology. Cherokee Camping is a year-round property, though spring and fall deliver the most enjoyable conditions for fishing and outdoor exploration — mild temperatures, active fish, and uncrowded campgrounds make these the seasons favored by regulars. Summer brings warmer water, boat traffic, and the full energy of lake season. No matter when you visit, the combination of world-class fishing, peaceful natural surroundings, and a well-equipped campground makes Cherokee Camping a destination worth building your Alabama trip around. Reserve your site and come find out why Weiss Lake keeps anglers coming back.

from $21/night