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The best camping near Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Watson Mill Bridge adventure.

100% (2 reviews)
100% (2 reviews)

Discover Watson Mill Bridge State Park's historic charm and outdoor splendor.  

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Community favorites near Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Watson Mill Bridge State Park

100%
(15)

The Fenn Farm

1 site ¡ RV, Tent15 acres ¡ Arnoldsville, GA
Welcome to The Fenn Farm! We currently have a full time camper and can only offer spaces to self sufficient campers. Primitive camping is offered for a different rate upon request. Located on 15 acres with morning and evening deer sightings, some Nigerian dwarf goats to visit, and walking paths through the property down to the creek and falls, come and enjoy the simple life. From the neighboring cows and horses to the beautiful sunsets, come enjoy the peace and serenity! Only 15 to 30 minutes from most places in Athens including downtown. Small town, grocery, and small restaurants located about 5 to 7 minutes away. 25 minutes away from Watson Mill State park.
from 
$45
 / night
100%
(263)

Smith Farm

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Danielsville, GA
Convenient to Athens and near the south fork of the Broad River, this beautiful land features ponds, meandering streams, and amazing views. Enjoy fishing, exploring, or just relaxing in this special place. Veterans, active military, and first responders receive a free night. Message for details!
from 
$25
 / night
97%
(78)

Lakeside RV Resort

2 sites ¡ RVs9 acres ¡ Hull, GA
9.3 Acres of Private Serenity! 80 Acre private lake with dock, fire pit, covered pavilion, long quiet walks through the woods. Our famous Ila Cafe is only 5 minutes away! 20 minutes to Athens Restaurant, UGA Campus and Georgia Football! And only 20 minutes to Commerce Outlet Malls and Walmart, 15 minutes to the Boutier Winery, 30 minutes to Watson Mill State Park, located directly on an 80 acre reservoir lake! Enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, taking long walks, hiking, or just relaxing! Beautiful Lake View Campsite! Full Hook-ups! No motorboats. 50 Amp & 30 Amp Service. You'll have access to a Fire Pit and Pavillon; a Gas/Charcoal Grill, along with a dock on an 80 Acre Fishing Lake, and 2 double Kayaks with life vests. Swimming, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking, Roasting Marshmallows, Picnicking or just Relaxing. Pets are welcome, on leashes, portable water, picnic tables, wifi, and trash bins are available on property. Camp fires are permitted (outside of burn bans), and firewood is available for sale on site. Guests love staying with us: "My wife, 2 dogs, and I had an amazing weekend stay at Debbie's campsite. The RV site was level and all the hookups were conveniently located and worked great. Her lakefront property is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed walking our dogs around the property and also taking some camping chairs down to the dock to take in the sunset. The firepit can hold a massive fire and I would definitely recommend buying some firewood from Debbie as it is perfectly seasoned and burns great. We really appreciated having the gas grill/charcoal combo grill on site to cook dinners on and there is plenty of space to play some yard games (cornhole, frisbee etc). We will absolutely come back!"
from 
$35
 / night
98%
(76)

Lakefront get away

1 site ¡ RV5 acres ¡ Ila, GA
My wife and I built this campsite for friends and family to enjoy our beautiful lake and peaceful site. Hopefully you will come and begin to be part of our camping family!! Learn more about this land: Our lakefront campsite has a wonderful view with full Rv hookups, 50&30 Amp great fishing, kayaks and paddle boards welcome the 80 acre lake will give you all recreational entertainment you can ask for. Boat ramp for Boats with electric motors only. Pets welcome with leash rules followed. Picnic table, fire pit and charcoal grill available pull through, campsite with minimal leveling for Rv’s, Property is down a gravel road a little bumpy and a few hills but doesn’t require 4 wheel drive, but helpful (Sometimes the road to paradise is a little bumpy)
from 
$50
 / night
90%
(15)

Goat Hill Camp

3 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre ¡ Athens Clarke County Unified Government (Balance), GA
My residential acres are surrounded by old growth forest with a creek and the North Oconee river. My home is up on the hill, overlooking the campsites, and the goats are busy landscaping the Hill. You can enjoy the river and go for hikes along the trails in the woods. You’re very close to the Eastside, Of Athens, and all the commercial needs. The property backs up to Uga’s golf course.
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(40)

Broad River Retreat

1 site ¡ Tent6 acres ¡ Comer, GA
Located on the beautiful Broad River, summer offers views of kayakers and tubers floating down the river, close enough to see, but far enough away to feel alone. Eagle spottings and colorful landscapes make this retreat a camper's heaven. Learn more about this land: 20 minutes from downtown Athens. A quarter mile down a winding dirt drive will open up to a beautiful scene of river and nature. Quiet solitude and you are at one with this piece of heaven. Keep your eyes open for the bald eagle. If you are agile enough, climb down the terrain to the river for an early morning bath or fish for lunch. This site is a singular rental. You will have it to yourself. You may choose to camp with friends in which there is space for an Rv and a pull behind or two small rvs. It can also be used to tent camp. There is a small shed with a full bunk on bottom and a twin on top. A table with two chairs and electric fireplace. There is in addition, a small A/C unit in the shed. It is a small space with nothing but outlets and a small refrigerator. You will need to bring all of your essentials. Pillows/Sheets/Linens/towels are not provided. The bath house is steps away. You will need towels/rags/soap/toilet paper and all essentials. It is merely a toilet, sink, and shower. There is a Weber charcoal grill available on site. Bring your essentials. You will need to bring your own firewood.. The driveway to the site is marked with the 1793 address sign on Davids Home Church rd. If you are driving N/NW on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 2 miles on the right from where you turned onto the road. If you are traveling E/SE on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 1.7 miles on the left from where you turned onto David's Home Church Rd. The gate will be closed, please close the gate back when you leave. Please take advantage of the Broad River outpost to rent kayaks/canoes/tubes. Also The Sandbar is located minutes away and they also provide rentals as well as zip lining. Royston has a grocery store and fast food.
from 
$100
 / night
Booked 1 time

Peace Camp Site 01

1 site ¡ RV, Tent4 acres ¡ Colbert, GA
Welcome to Peace Camp, your tranquil retreat nestled off the beaten path near Athens, GA, in the serene town of Colbert. If you're seeking a peaceful getaway where you can unwind, sleep undisturbed, and explore nearby points of interest, you've come to the right place. Our site offers: A cozy bench for relaxation A convenient prep table A small firepit for cozy evenings under the stars This space was recently cleared and prepared with your comfort in mind. While there are no utilities available, potable water can be provided upon request. As stewards of nature, we kindly ask that you pack in and pack out your belongings, leaving only footprints behind. So, pull up in your adventure van and enjoy a worry-free evening surrounded by the tranquility of Peace Camp.
from 
$19
 / night
Saved 1 time

The Sleepy Sasquatch

1 site ¡ Lodging3 acres ¡ GA
Get away from it all when you stay amongst the trees in our rustic, creek side Bell Tent. With only a short walk to Richard B. Russell Lake through C.O.E land, you can fish, kayak or just hike around the pristine water. Everything you’ll need for a luxurious outdoor experience is provided at the site including grilling, showering, restroom and a pillow top queen bed (fit for a Sasquatch 👣). Come visit our serene forest glampsite and relax in the beauty of the wild or create your own adventure.
from 
$90
 / night
75%
(6)

Big Water Marina & Campground

46 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs84 acres ¡ SC
Big Water Marina is a full-service facility that provides an unspoiled oasis for all types of lake lovers. Located on the largest expanse of open water on Lake Hartwell, the marina is one of the most accessible spots for visitors to fully embrace the atmosphere of the lake — on and off the water. Campers can enjoy the best of lake livin' with a stay at our waterfront campground. With over 40+ RV sites, including full hook-up and partial hook-up sites, and access to free wi-fi, fire pits and picnic tables there are so many ways to camp *your way*. Our campground also features a Tiny Cabin Village with 6 new cabins. Each cabin accommodates between 4-6 guests and includes kitchen/dining areas, bedrooms and/or lofts, full bathrooms, and a porch so you can enjoy a family vacation or an escape with friends. In addition, our property boasts a variety of top-notch amenities that are available to our guests. Spend a day on the water with our selection of watercraft rentals, which includes pontoon boats, kayaks, paddle boards and hyrdobikes. Rentals come equipped with all necessary safety gear and are available to rent for the full day or a half day, so you and your crew can explore the lake at your leisure. Visitors can also enjoy some family-friendly fun at Splash Island, our newest recreation area with access to the Wibit inflatable obstacle course as well as lounge areas set on our sandy waterfront beaches. Big Water Marina & Campground provides campers with a lakeside getaway + gorgeous views and full access to our ship store, boat ramps and docks during each stay. Throughout warmer months, visitors can also enjoy an afternoon on land at our lakeside bar and grill (open seasonally). Dine by the water or catch incredible sunsets at their rooftop bar.
from 
$65
 / night
96%
(168)

3 Creeks Camp and Nature Preserve

14 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres ¡ Anderson, SC
This Property was purchased by Grandfather in the 70s  and then was passed to my Mother. In 2013 I decided to live life differently and start from the ground up building with natural materials and found materials. At that time I was fortunate enough to have the land passed to me and I started building a home for myself and to be close to my mothers home nearby. After achieving the basics I decided that the best use of this beautiful land was to create a place for people to relax and enjoy, a park like environment dedicated to preserving natural beauty and amplifying it through a permaculture lifestyle. 8 years later I am blown away at how far the dream has become a reality and love sharing my space with people from all over the country.
from 
$28
 / night
100%
(3)

Sonny South Farm

3 sites ¡ RVs30 acres ¡ Colbert, GA
Sonny South Farm is our ~30 acre horse farm nestled in the foothills of north Georgia's mountains. We are ~10 miles northeast of Athens and the University of Georgia, and we are ~15 miles southeast of I-85 at Commerce. Sonny South offers beautiful views of animals and farmland. It's common to see deer, coyotes, turkeys, opossums, raccoons, and birds of prey on the farm. There is even a buffalo herd in a neighbor's pasture. It's tranquil and quiet out here. Local Attractions: University of Georgia, Downtown Athens, UGA Botanical Gardens, Georgia Museum of Art, Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Boutier Winery, Soldier of the Sea Distillery Further Afoot: North Georgia Mountains, Lake Hartwell, Ty Cobb Museum, Victoria Bryant State Park. We are NOT a commercial campground.
from 
$35
 / night
96%
(54)

Beechwood Farms

23 sites ¡ RVs, TentsWatkinsville, GA
Southern living at its finest. The farm has been in our family for over 200 years. Nestled deep within the heart of Oconee County, GA this property offers both rolling fields and dense woods. 
from 
$29
 / night

The best camping near Watson Mill Bridge State Park guide

Overview

About

If there was a beauty contest for state parks, Watson Mill Bridge State Park would definitely win in Georgia. This pretty place has the longest covered bridge in the state, and history buffs will love checking this piece of our past out. For some perspective, back in the day Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges, and now less than 20 remain. But anyhoo, back to the great outdoors. The campground is quiet, and the trails are plentiful. Bikers, hikers, and equestrians will all adore traveling through the thick forest and along the river (take a dip just below the bridge!). The park also caters to it’s equestrian-loving visitors, with helpful amenities like stalls. Just remember to bring that negative Coggins test if your horse plans on joining you—the park requires it.

Notable campgrounds

  • Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites: Nestle into nature with 21 sites perfect for a classic camping experience amid the park's lush scenery.
  • Equestrian Campsites: With 11 sites and a buddy site, these campgrounds offer horse enthusiasts a unique stay near 22 horse stables.
  • Pioneer Campsites: For the more adventurous, 3 pioneer campsites provide a rustic and secluded outdoor adventure.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, especially during peak seasons when the park's beauty is in full display.
  • Consider weekday camping for better availability and to enjoy a 30% off discount at certain times of the year.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities to snag a prime campsite.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked, ensuring you don't miss out on the area's natural wonders.

When to go

The best time to visit Watson Mill Bridge State Park is during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm days perfect for river activities, though it can be crowded. Winters are quiet but can be chilly for camping.

Know before you go

  • Check the park's official website or call ahead for any alerts on covered bridge restrictions or event-related closures.
  • Accessibility is a priority; inquire about the park's facilities if you have specific needs.
  • Remember to pack essentials for outdoor activities, including sturdy footwear for the trails.
  • Respect wildlife and natural habitats by following park rules and guidelines during your visit.
  • Don't forget to purchase a ParkPass for parking, available for $5 per vehicle, with annual passes also on offer.

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