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The Ultimate RVer’s Guide to Lake Lanier Campgrounds

ByMorgan Middleton

If you’re wondering which Lake Lanier campground is actually worth hauling your RV to, you’re in the right place.

We’ve camped at every major Lake Lanier campground in our 44′ fifth wheel toyhauler (or one of our previous RVs) with our dog, Coco, and we have real opinions on which ones are worth the trip and which ones we would skip.

Whether you are a local looking for a quick weekend escape or a fellow full-timer planning your next stop, this guide will help you make the right call. From quiet lakefront sites to campgrounds that barely fit big rigs, we are sharing exactly what to expect based on personal stays.

In this post, you will find quick takeaways, our top recommendations, helpful summaries, and links to our full campground reviews. If you want to camp at Lake Lanier without wasting a weekend on a bad site, keep reading.

Map of Lake Lanier Campgrounds

Interactive map showing the locations of Lake Lanier Campgrounds in northern Georgia, with blue location markers identifying campgrounds such as Sawnee, Shoal Creek, Shady Grove, Bald Ridge Creek, and others. The map includes surrounding cities like Cumming, Gainesville, Dawsonville, and Buford, with Lake Lanier’s shoreline and coves prominently displayed.

Bald Ridge Creek Campground

If we had to pick just one Lake Lanier campground to stay at again, it would be Bald Ridge. That is probably pretty evident by the fact we have camped here easily 100+ nights.

Lakeside RV campsite at Bald Ridge Campground with a large Brinkley RV and black Ford truck parked on a paved drive beside calm water. The site includes a picnic table and grill on a concrete pad, surrounded by green grass and views of a forested shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.

Most of the sites have great lake views, the campground is relatively quiet, and the park is well-maintained. It is also one of the few campgrounds on Lake Lanier where we have never had trouble maneuvering our toyhauler.

Just make sure to book early because the good sites go fast.

👉 Read our full review of Bald Ridge Creek Campground

Best for: Big rigs, lake views, quiet weekends
Open: Seasonally

Bolding Mill Campground

We have not stayed at Bolding Mill Campground because our 44-foot toyhauler is too large for the site sizes here. Most sites are approximately 32’x10′ which makes it best suited for smaller RVs or tents.

That said, the campground is located in a quiet area on the northern part of Lake Lanier and is popular with those who want a more relaxed, less crowded experience.

👉 Visit the Bolding Mill Campground website

Best for: Small RVs or tent campers, peaceful settings, northern lake access
Open: Year-round

Don Carter State Park Campground

Don Carter is Georgia’s newest state park and one of the only options on the north end of Lake Lanier. The campground offers large, paved sites, several of which can accommodate big rigs.

It’s a well-maintained park with great lake access, sandy swim beaches, and hiking trails, though it is a bit of a drive from restaurants or stores.

👉 Visit the Don Carter State Park website

Best for: Big rigs, north lake access
Open: Year-round

Duckett Mill Campground

Duckett Mill is a seasonal campground located in a quieter area on the western side of Lake Lanier. Most sites are wooded and offer decent privacy, but the loops are tighter and the majority of the sites are like Bolding Mill – 32’x10′.

This is a solid option if you have a smaller setup and want a low-key camping experience near the water.

👉 Visit the Duckett Mill Campground website

Best for: Smaller RVs, quiet wooded sites
Open: Seasonally

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

If you are looking for more than just a campsite, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands brings the full resort experience. It is also the only Lake Lanier campground we stayed at where alcohol is allowed on-site, which changes the vibe quite a bit from the more traditional Army Corps of Engineers parks.

A lakeside pavilion with a blue metal roof and turquoise bar stools sits among tall pine trees. The open-air structure overlooks calm blue water under a clear sky, creating a peaceful outdoor gathering spot.

This campground sits inside a full-on entertainment complex. You are close to the water park, multiple lakeside restaurants, beach bars, and golf cart rentals. It is significantly more expensive than the other Lake Lanier options, but you are paying for the amenities and convenience.

While the sites are not as spacious as we expected for the price, the location and access to entertainment are unbeatable. It is a great option if you are camping with friends or want a weekend that feels more like a getaway than a traditional campground stay.

👉 Read our full review of Margaritaville RV Resort

Best for: Resort-style camping, entertainment, couples getaways
Hookups: Full hookups
Open: Year-round

Old Federal Campground

Old Federal is one of our favorite campgrounds on Lake Lanier and is a fantastic option if you want to be right on the water. Many of the campsites sit directly on the lake, and we loved being able to launch our kayaks just a few steps from our site. That said, it can get muddy after a good rain, so pack accordingly.

A lakeside campsite at Old Federal Campground features a fire ring, grill, and two ducks walking across an outdoor mat, with two people relaxing in chairs. The view overlooks calm waters and a forested shoreline under a clear blue sky.

It is also one of the more spacious campgrounds, which makes it a solid pick for longer rigs. We had no problem navigating the park with our fifth wheel, and the vibe was laid-back without being loud.

👉 See our full review of Old Federal Campground

Best for: Kayaking, lake access, waterfront views
Open: Seasonally

River Forks Park

If you’re planning a Lake Lanier camping trip with water access and group-friendly amenities, River Forks Park is a strong contender. We stayed here with our 44′ fifth wheel and Coco, and found plenty to like especially the large sandy beach and boat ramp right on site.

That said, it’s not ideal for every setup. Most sites max out around 35–40 feet and take some careful maneuvering to back into. There are no sewer hookups, only a dump station, and the beach and lake access areas can get crowded on weekends due to the public day-use traffic.

👉 See our full review of River Forks Park

Best for: Convenience to Gainesville, families, groups
Open: Year-round

Sawnee Campground

Sawnee has a beautiful setting and is located in a convenient area, but it is not ideal for bigger rigs. We were able to fit, but it required more maneuvering than we are usually comfortable with. It is a decent backup if nothing else is available, but we would not book it unless needed.

Shaded lakeside path at Sawnee Campground on Lake Lanier with tree branches framing the view of calm blue water and distant forested islands. Pine needles cover parts of the ground near the water's edge, adding to the peaceful, natural setting.

We also created a full comparison between Sawnee and Bald Ridge, so you can decide which might work better for your needs.

👉 Read our full review of Sawnee Campground
👉 Compare Sawnee vs. Bald Ridge

Best for: Smaller RVs, backup bookings
Open: Seasonally

Shady Grove Campground

Shady Grove lives up to its name with many sites tucked under the trees. It feels more secluded than some of the other Lake Lanier campgrounds and has a peaceful, forested vibe. We had no problem fitting our RV into several of the spots here but double-check site lengths before booking.

Sunrise over Lake Lanier viewed from Site 78 at Shady Grove Campground, with golden and pink reflections on the calm water. The foreground shows a lakeside campsite with camping chairs, a picnic table, grill, and water spigot, framed by tall trees and silhouetted branches.

We also appreciated how dog-friendly this campground was. Coco had plenty of space to walk and explore, and many of the sites had easy access to wooded trails or grassy areas.

👉 Check out our full review of Shady Grove Campground

Best for: Shade, pet owners, RVs and tents
Open: Seasonally

Shoal Creek Campground

This was the only Lake Lanier campground that we have stayed at and would not return to. The sites felt crammed in, many were unlevel, and the entire area seemed less maintained than others.

In our experience in summer 2024, it did not live up to the other options on the lake.

👉 Read our full review of Shoal Creek Campground

Best for: ??? (we don’t recommend it so we don’t think it is best for anyone…)
Open: Seasonally

Toto Creek Campground

Toto Creek is a primitive campground with tent-only sites. There are no hookups or RV access here, but it can be a quiet option for those looking to paddle or fish on the northern end of Lake Lanier.

👉 Learn more about Toto Creek Campground in Dawsonville

Best for: Primitive campers
Open: Seasonally

War Hill Park & Campground

War Hill is another primitive-only campground located in a quiet area on the east side of the lake. There are no RV hookups or drive-in access for large rigs, but it’s a peaceful spot for tents or small van setups.

👉 Learn more about War Hill Park in Dawsonville

Best for: Primitive campers
Open: Seasonally

Final Thoughts on Lake Lanier Campgrounds

Whether you’re looking for quiet lake views, full resort vibes, or a tent site under the trees, Lake Lanier has a campground that fits. After exploring all of these locations ourselves, from the north end near Don Carter to the southern shoreline at Margaritaville, we have learned that picking the right spot can make or break your trip.

If you’re still deciding, dive into the full campground reviews for more insights on each location.

We will keep this guide updated as we explore more and revisit our favorites. Let us know which campground you love or where you are headed next.

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.