Top-rated campgrounds
Top-rated campgrounds
Public campgrounds near Columbus
Stories from the community
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
The best river, stream, or creek camping near Columbus guide
Where to go
Florence Marina State Park
About 40 minutes south of Columbus, Florence Marina State Park offers terrific opportunities to fish for bass, bream, and catfish in Walter F. George Lake and Chattahoochee River. The accessible pier and boat ramp can accommodate anglers of all types who hit the bait shop in the visitor center from spring to fall. After a day on the water, spend the night glamping in a cottage, camping in a tent, or settling in at a back-in or pull-through RV campsite with full electricity and water hookups. Picnic tables, fire rings, and a children’s playground are among the amenities in this quiet Georgia park.
Tuskegee National Forest
Cross over to Alabama, less than an hour east of Columbus, to visit Tuskegee National Forest, home to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that vary in difficulty. Check with the Tuskegee Ranger District office for camping permits at one of the year-round designated primitive campsites. For big-game hunters, Tuskegee is the only national forest in Alabama without a wildlife management area (WMA), but licenses are still required.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park
Less than an hour north of Columbus, near Pine Mountain, sits F.D. Roosevelt State Park—the largest state park in Georgia covering 9,000 acres. Hikers and backpackers can daytrip in or reserve a pet-friendly campsite next to a small fishing pond. Cast a line from the shore or head out in a kayak to catch catfish, bream, and largemouth bass. Back-in and pull-through RV campsites are open year-round with up to 50-amp electrical hookups, water hookups, picnic tables, and firepits. Shared amenities include laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers.
When to go
The hot and humid summer in Georgia is also the peak tourist season for campgrounds in Columbus. For a milder, quieter escape into nature, reserve a campsite in the spring or fall. In spring, daytime temperatures hover around 70°F. During this time, many campers hike among the blooming wildflowers. Fall temperatures are a bit chillier, around 60°F, with picturesque foliage creating a colorful backdrop for year-round hiking trails in the region. Spring and fall tend to be the best times for fishing near Columbus, as well, particularly for bass.