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Shoal Creek Campground: Honest Review & What to Expect

ByMorgan Middleton

After spending years camping on Lake Lanier, we finally decided to test out Shoal Creek. With our 31′ Class C (previous RV) parked lakeside and a cold beverage in hand, the view was stunning! But by the end of the weekend, we realized it wouldn’t make our top three.

If you’re looking for the best camping spot on Lake Lanier, you might want to check out some of the other campgrounds on Lake Lanier. Shoal Creek has some benefits but is not high on our list of places to stay.

Why listen to us? We both grew up on Lake Lanier and have RVed all over Georgia (the US actually).

Plus we have a ton of RV and camping experience on Lake Lanier and just in general.

Follow along below as we go through what we consider the positives and negatives of camping at Shoal Creek Campground.

Positives of Shoal Creek Campground

Lakefront campsite at Shoal Creek Campground with a concrete pad, picnic table, grill, and water spigot overlooking blue water and wooded hills in the distance. The site is partially shaded with a tree stump and fire ring near the paved drive, surrounded by scattered fall leaves.

Beautiful Location on Lake Lanier

Most of the campsites have a view of the water; some do not have much of a water view but offer more privacy and a wooded feel.

If you do not select a waterfront site, you can still enjoy the view from the campground beach.

Boat Launch & Courtesy Dock

If you have a boat, bring it with you!

There are several great places to go on the lake including several restaurants like Pig Tales, Twisted Oar, Fish Tales, and Pelican Pete’s.

If you do not have a boat, you can access Lanier Islands, Margaritaville, and Twisted Oar (inside Holiday Marina) by car.

Paved boat ramp at Shoal Creek Campground leading into Lake Lanier, surrounded by tall pine trees and partially shaded by their branches. Signs are posted near the water’s edge, with calm lake water and a forested shoreline visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

24/7 Gated Access

Shoal Creek Campground has an automatic gate with keypad access for guests. You will be provided with the gate code upon check in. This helped us feel secure, especially since we arrived after dark.

Year Round Camping

Unlike a lot of the other Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, Shoal Creek Campground is open all year. If you like to camp during the winter months, this might be the perfect location for you! We have camped on the lake during the winter; expect quiet mornings and plenty of open sites.

Negatives of Shoal Creek Campground

General Condition / Upkeep

Unfortunately, the campground has not been kept in the best shape. As of our last stay in 2024, there were multiple areas of disrepair (damaged stairs and ramps) and trash scattered throughout the campground. We had a firepit full of broken glass and one of the steps was rotted through.

This was shocking considering the nightly prices at Shoal Creek are higher than many of the other campgrounds on Lake Lanier.

Stairs to Access Campsite Amenities

Many of the sites at Shoal Creek have stairs between your parking area and your campsite amenities (grill, picnic table, firepit, etc.). We typically prefer flat campsites.

No Sewer Connection

The sites do not have an individual sewer connection but there is a dump station in the campground.

During the summer, the line to use the dump station often gets backed up on Sunday mornings so plan accordingly. We left early because to avoid a 30+ minute wait.

Site Sizes

Unfortunately, our current rig (44′ Fifth Wheel Toyhauler) doesn’t fit at Shoal Creek Campground. They have 2 sites that they say MIGHT work. However, since we upgraded to our current RV, we have chosen to not stay at Shoal Creek.

Campsite 22 at Shoal Creek Campground with a paved driveway, picnic table, and grill set in a wooded area beside a quiet cove. The site is surrounded by tall trees and overlooks calm, green-tinted water with scattered autumn leaves on the ground.

If you have a larger RV like us, this might not be the campground for you. Many sites max out at 38′ but you are best off if you are 35′ or under.

Limits on Length of Stay

Your stay is limited to 14 days of camping in any rolling 30 day period.

No Adult Beverages

Depending on your personal preferences, this may be considered a positive or a negative. Like all other Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, no alcoholic beverages are allowed on site. Personally, we like to enjoy a beer or two by our campfire so these rules are not our favorite.

Side note: if you want to be able to drink an adult beverage around your campfire, consider camping at Margaritaville Lanier Islands. They even have a beverage cart that will drive around the campground!

Shoal Creek Campground Amenities

Stone and wood restroom building at Shoal Creek Campground surrounded by trees, with a sloped shingle roof and a red trash bin outside the entrance. The facility sits on a small hill with a bench and stair access from the paved path below.
  • 5 Bath Houses
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Boat Ramp with Courtesy Dock (10 minute limit)
  • Boat Trailer Parking
  • Playground and Basketball Court
  • 56 tent sites – each site has a fire ring, charcoal grill, and picnic table
  • 63 RV sites – each site has power and water as well as a fire ring, charcoal grill, and picnic table
  • Dump Station
  • Automatic Gates with 24/7 Access
  • Walking Trails
Wooded hiking trail entrance at Shoal Creek Campground marked by a small brown sign with a hiker icon. The trail begins on a gently sloping forest floor surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight.
Trailhead at Shoal Creek Campground marked by a brown hiker sign beside a wooden footbridge leading into a wooded path under power lines. Fallen leaves cover the ground, and the trail stretches into a sunlit forest surrounded by tall trees.

Picking Your Campsite

Trying to figure out the layout of the campground? You can use this map of Shoal Creek Campground to decide which campsite you would prefer.

Unfortunately the Shoal Creek Campground’s booking website is not as user friendly as some of the others. They do specify between RV and tent sites.

They also notate the maximum length of the campsites.

Illustrated campground map of Shoal Creek Campground showing lakefront and lake-view campsites, restrooms, group areas, and recreational amenities. Icons indicate locations for water, dump stations, playgrounds, trails, pavilions, and the Shoal Creek Beach and Boat Ramp. The campground layout follows the shoreline with several loops extending into Lake Lanier.

Individual Campsite Amenities

Each RV campsite is equipped with power and water. All sites have their own fire ring, charcoal grill, and picnic table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Shoal Creek Campground located?

The easiest way to locate the campground is using its address: 6300 Shadburn Ferry Rd – Buford, GA 30518.

The campground is located at the end of Shadburn Ferry Road which intersects with Buford Dam Road. There is a Shell Station at the intersection.

How do I make a reservation at Shoal Creek Campground?

To book a campsite, use this booking link for Shoal Creek Campground.

Does Shoal Creek Campground have full hookups?

Tent sites are primitive. Every RV site includes power (50 Amp) and water. Sewer is not available on each site but there is a dump station in the campground.

What hours are the gates open at Shoal Creek Campground?

The guard house is staffed daily from 2-7pm.

Outside of staffed hours, the campground has automatic gates that are accessible 24/7. Upon check in, the camp hosts will provide you with your parking pass and the gate code so you can enter and exit as needed during your stay.

Can I bring my dog camping?

Yes! Each site allows up to 2 pets.

They are required to be kept on a leash not exceeding 6′ in length. Additionally, pets are not allowed in the bath houses, at the playground, or in the swim areas.

How much does it cost to camp at Shoal Creek Campground?

Nightly costs vary based on the specific site you select and the date. Based on our experience, the cost for a site with power and water is typically $35-60 per night.

However, they do offer some discounts (senior, military, non-profit).

Final Thoughts on Visiting Shoal Creek Campground

While the views were gorgeous, Shoal Creek’s upkeep didn’t meet our expectations, especially when compared to some beautiful campgrounds like Bald Ridge or Shady Grove where we’ve stayed multiple times.

Shaded picnic area at Shoal Creek Campground with a metal picnic table near a sandy swimming beach, surrounded by tall pine trees. The calm lake water is bordered by a grassy shoreline and a distant white dock, with swim area markers floating in the water.

But if it’s the only spot available and you’re in a smaller rig, it could work… just come prepared with gloves and a broom… and hopefully they will have made some updates and repairs by the time you arrive.

Campgrounds on Lake Lanier

Want to consider other campgrounds on Lake Lanier? Here are some other options:

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Whether you’re setting up for the first time or the fiftieth, we’re glad you’re here—and we’re always just a blog post away.

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Morgan is the author behind Middletons on the Move, where she shares practical RV travel tips, campground reviews, and real-world advice for life on the road. She and her husband travel full-time in a 44' fifth wheel with their dog, Coco, and have camped in everything from pop-up to a 31' Class C. With a planner’s mindset and a love for exploring, Morgan helps fellow RVers hit the road with confidence and curiosity.