Camping is a terrific activity for Georgia families, whether you love the smell of a campfire or enjoy exploring the area. It can also be an exciting yet budget-friendly vacation that will teach your children how to appreciate the great outdoors. So, get back to nature at these six camping spots near Buckhead.

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Image via Flickr by jeffgunn Licensed CC BY 2.0

Take your kids camping at Sweetwater Creek this year. Located on Mt. Vernon Road, just 30 minutes from Buckhead in Lithia Springs, this 2,549-acre natural area offers primitive camping opportunities close to home. Bring your tent or reserve one of 10 available yurts. This circular structure is a bit sturdier than your average tent, thanks to a wooden framework, and they are large enough to sleep six.

The kids will love exploring the wooded trail as it follows the stream up to the remains of a Civil-War era textile mill. Take a guided hike and explore inside the ruins or photograph the exterior anytime. If your family has a boat, launch it into the reservoir and go fishing, or drop your line from a pair of piers. This park has heated restrooms for your convenience and an outstanding nature center with wildlife exhibits, trail maps, and snacks, plus a bait and gift shop.

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort

If your family prefers a few more amenities from your new camping facility, head to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort. It sits off Wylie Road in Marietta, about 45 minutes north of Buckhead, making it another convenient choice for a quick weekend getaway. With an island-inspired vibe and an incredible lakeside location, it’s a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, this local paradise offers year-round recreational opportunities like a summer water park and a winter snow island.

Camp Margaritaville offers visitors beautiful swimming beaches, boating, and golf. Set up camp in your RV or stay in a cabin. There’s plenty of room for your big rig, and this resort’s paved roads make it easy to maneuver into your site. Get your spot with full hookups so you can plug into 30- or 50-amp power and still surround yourself with nature. You’ll appreciate this pet-friendly park’s free Wi-Fi and cable, too.

Jacks River Fields Campground

Avid campers will love the remote location of our next pick. It’s ideal for adventurous families who want to experience the thrills that come with some of Georgia’s most secluded camping spots. Skip the sold-out state campgrounds and packed RV parks and head to the scenic Jacks River Fields Campground. It touts just seven forested sites along the banks of the Jacks River, plus a vault-style toilet. Staff equipped each spot with a grill and picnic table.

Get off-the-beaten-path less than two hours north in Epworth at this U.S. Forest Service-managed area. You’ll want to bring your hiking boots and wander down the popular Jacks River and Bear Creek trails or angle for native trout in the stream. Remember to put the kids’ Crème de la Crème culinary education to work around the campfire and make s’mores.

Lake Conasauga Campground

Spend Buckhead’s warm summer nights in a tent at the Lake Conasauga Campground. It sits just over two hours north of Buckhead, in the town of Chatsworth near the summit of Grassy Mountain. This campground’s crowning jewel is its small, 19-acre spring-fed lake. At 3,150 feet above sea level, it is the highest lake in the state.

Families love camping in this quiet, rustic setting with cool summertime temperatures. It offers loads of hiking in the Songbird Management area, which is rich in plants, birds, and wildlife. Hop on the Grassy Mountain Tower trail and climb up to the history fire town. At the top, you’ll discover spectacular views of Fort Mountain, Lake Conasauga, and the Cohutta Wilderness area. After your hike, take a refreshing dip in the water. Conasauga is open seasonally from mid-April through the end of October.

Enota Mountain Retreat

Load the car with all your gear and head two hours north to Enota Mountain Retreat in Hiawassee. Nestled in the mountains, it offers visitors a unique camping adventure. This award-winning non-profit conservation facility is a top-ranking vacation destination and touts four waterfalls, five streams, and two trout ponds spread across its 60 acres. A field of solar panels helps offset some of the facility’s electricity costs while preserving nature’s delicate balance.

Enota is a world-class center with something for everyone. Get an RV site with water and electric service or stake your claim on an old-fashioned tent camping spot. There’s also ample room for a pop-up camper, or you can stay in one of the waterside cabins. The staff at Enota offer workshops, health and wellness retreats, a playground with trampolines, and a farm where children can interact with the animals.

Red Gate Campground and RV Resort

Camping is all about unplugging and spending time with the family, and Georgia is one of the best places to do this. Our final recommendation where you can immerse yourself in this wholesome activity is at the Red Gate Campground and RV Resort in Savannah. It will take you about four hours to get to the campsite on Red Gate Farms Trail, but it’s well worth the time.

Spend a night or two under the stars at this relaxing oasis within 200 acres of breathtakingly beautiful countryside. Red Gate is also a top pick if your family loves horses. You and the kids can reserve a 60- or 90-minute trail ride, complete with instruction and riding equipment. This family-owned and operated resort also offers guests walking trails, fishing ponds, an outdoor pool, and grills.

So, there you have it. Crème de la Crème of Buckhead just informed you of the six best camping spots near home. Did you like the destinations we picked? Did we miss a favorite campground of yours — one Georgia families would love? Let us know if we did, and drop us a line. We’ll add your suggestions to our list of recommendations.