The best star host camping near Helen

·

The charming town of Helen packs a lot in a small area. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, despite being just 2.1 square miles. Float the Chattahoochee River and chase waterfalls, then browse more than 200 specialty shops, or grab a pint at a biergarten or a glass at a winery. Two state parks and a massive national forest surround Helen and offer miles of wilderness, trails, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and forests, and a wealth of camping options from backcountry to glamping. 

99% (4.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Life On The Vine

2. Life On The Vine

97%
(16)
28mi from Helen · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · Murphy, NC
Valley River Vineyards was established in 1997 by the late Bill and Brenda Stalcup Reece.  The property has been in Brenda's family for over 50 years.  The family owned and operated vineyards produces Old World and Northern Grapes.  Wine is produced and bottled in their winery.  The 32 acer property has a elongated pond with Martins Creek thru the vineyards.  There are picnic areas along with RV hook ups and Tent Camping. A quiet and serene place to enjoy a weekend get away.Learn more about this land:"Camping In The Vines" is 4 miles from the small town of Murphy NC.  Tranquil bright star nights, camp fire, wildlife watching and walking trails from the vineyards to the hill tops.  Wildflowers surround you while enjoying a glass of wine beside the cold running waters of Martins Creek. Primitive camping, RV power hook up, outside bathroom w/ sinks, indoor shower w/ hot-water, picnic tables, fire wood and garbage cans available.  Just a place to sit back and let the world go by for a little while.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Tent site surrounded by giant, mossy boulders.

3. Secluded Waterfall Haven

100%
(420)
29mi from Helen · 1 site · Tent, RV · Dillard, GA
This property has been in our family for over 50 years and has provided the backdrop for countless memories! We are delighted to share our piece of heaven with you and hope that you will enjoy the same love that we have!This is a camper's heaven with waterfalls on-site! A completely private, gated campsite with over 4.5 acres to call your own during your stay. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northeast Georgia, beautiful scenery abounds with ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.In addition to what you will find at our campsite, options for white-water rafting, zip-lining, kayaking and hiking are mere minutes away!This property is conveniently located to the charming towns of Highlands, NC and Clayton, GA where you will find a variety of local shops and restaurants. The regionally-aclaimed Dillard House is less than 5 miles away.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$99
 / night
Sunset from the site

4. Winding Stair Campground

99%
(198)
29mi from Helen · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Franklin, NC
Winding Stair Campground sits at an elevation of 3,380 feet, next to the headwaters of the Nantahala River and is surrounded by national forest and undeveloped private land trusts. The stunning mountain views in a remote tucked-away setting make our farm a perfect getaway! Just a 15-minute scenic drive from Franklin in North Carolina, easily accessible off Hwy 64, our campground offers a chance to enjoy nature without being far away from the public amenities of a small but well-equipped town. A few features about our property: - Working farm: Campers are welcome to meet our Icelandic sheep and take a self-guided tour of our farm, along designated pathways. - Security: The campground and farm are fenced in on three sides with the river being the fourth boundary. Personal code to the entrance gate will be given at check in. - Bath House: The restored bathhouse is split into boys’ and girls’ sides. Each side has 2 private showers, 4 flushing toilets, sinks, hot water, and gas heat. - Community Pavilion: The Pavilion is a large 40x30 ft. open sided structure overlooking the Nantahala River. It has an ample fireplace, running water sink, counter space, couches, and table with benches. - Pack Room: Where the adventure begins! A cozy hub where all guests get local information, view maps, and grab some local seasonal groceries. Also available to all campers are washing sinks with hot water, toaster oven and microwave. - Communication: Or rather, lack thereof! There's no cell service on the property so it's a great time to get away from it all. There is limited Wi-Fi available near the Pack Room and an emergency landline available. - Charging: Traveling in an electric vehicle? Recharge for free at our dedicated EV 50amp outlet when you stay at any of our sites. First come, first served. Want to know more about the history of the property? Visit the 'Our Story' section on our website. Learn more about this land:
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$55
 / night
The actual RV Site by the creek.

5. Barnett Old Tobacco Farm

100%
(76)
30mi from Helen · 1 site · RV · Murphy, NC
Our Old Tobacco Farm has been in the family for generations, hence "Barnett Road". Currently we just grow organic veggies in our high tunnel greenhouse and the old tobacco fields now are used for hay production and a safe haven for a large herd of deer. Learn more about this land: This site is gravel and level. It is in front of a babbling small creek. The site is private with robust wifi, water and 30 amp electric. The site is 40 feet in length but could probably work also for up to 50'. Slideouts are fine. There is a picnic table, gas grill, chairs and a firepit beside the site. We live on an 18 acre farm. We recently discovered the joy of traveling the US in an Airstream. When we came home after 6000+ miles, because some of our favorite sites were non-traditional ones, we decided to add a site on our farm. Enjoy the dark skies and quietness of the country. We are 10 minutes from downtown Murphy. There is only a small area of gravel which is the actual site. Everything else to get here is paved.
Electrical Hookup
Water Hookup
Pets
from 
$22
 / night

The charming town of Helen packs a lot in a small area. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, despite being just 2.1 square miles. Float the Chattahoochee River and chase waterfalls, then browse more than 200 specialty shops, or grab a pint at a biergarten or a glass at a winery. Two state parks and a massive national forest surround Helen and offer miles of wilderness, trails, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and forests, and a wealth of camping options from backcountry to glamping. 

99% (4.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Life On The Vine

2. Life On The Vine

97%
(16)
28mi from Helen · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · Murphy, NC
Valley River Vineyards was established in 1997 by the late Bill and Brenda Stalcup Reece.  The property has been in Brenda's family for over 50 years.  The family owned and operated vineyards produces Old World and Northern Grapes.  Wine is produced and bottled in their winery.  The 32 acer property has a elongated pond with Martins Creek thru the vineyards.  There are picnic areas along with RV hook ups and Tent Camping. A quiet and serene place to enjoy a weekend get away.Learn more about this land:"Camping In The Vines" is 4 miles from the small town of Murphy NC.  Tranquil bright star nights, camp fire, wildlife watching and walking trails from the vineyards to the hill tops.  Wildflowers surround you while enjoying a glass of wine beside the cold running waters of Martins Creek. Primitive camping, RV power hook up, outside bathroom w/ sinks, indoor shower w/ hot-water, picnic tables, fire wood and garbage cans available.  Just a place to sit back and let the world go by for a little while.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Tent site surrounded by giant, mossy boulders.

3. Secluded Waterfall Haven

100%
(420)
29mi from Helen · 1 site · Tent, RV · Dillard, GA
This property has been in our family for over 50 years and has provided the backdrop for countless memories! We are delighted to share our piece of heaven with you and hope that you will enjoy the same love that we have!This is a camper's heaven with waterfalls on-site! A completely private, gated campsite with over 4.5 acres to call your own during your stay. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northeast Georgia, beautiful scenery abounds with ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.In addition to what you will find at our campsite, options for white-water rafting, zip-lining, kayaking and hiking are mere minutes away!This property is conveniently located to the charming towns of Highlands, NC and Clayton, GA where you will find a variety of local shops and restaurants. The regionally-aclaimed Dillard House is less than 5 miles away.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$99
 / night
Sunset from the site

4. Winding Stair Campground

99%
(198)
29mi from Helen · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Franklin, NC
Winding Stair Campground sits at an elevation of 3,380 feet, next to the headwaters of the Nantahala River and is surrounded by national forest and undeveloped private land trusts. The stunning mountain views in a remote tucked-away setting make our farm a perfect getaway! Just a 15-minute scenic drive from Franklin in North Carolina, easily accessible off Hwy 64, our campground offers a chance to enjoy nature without being far away from the public amenities of a small but well-equipped town. A few features about our property: - Working farm: Campers are welcome to meet our Icelandic sheep and take a self-guided tour of our farm, along designated pathways. - Security: The campground and farm are fenced in on three sides with the river being the fourth boundary. Personal code to the entrance gate will be given at check in. - Bath House: The restored bathhouse is split into boys’ and girls’ sides. Each side has 2 private showers, 4 flushing toilets, sinks, hot water, and gas heat. - Community Pavilion: The Pavilion is a large 40x30 ft. open sided structure overlooking the Nantahala River. It has an ample fireplace, running water sink, counter space, couches, and table with benches. - Pack Room: Where the adventure begins! A cozy hub where all guests get local information, view maps, and grab some local seasonal groceries. Also available to all campers are washing sinks with hot water, toaster oven and microwave. - Communication: Or rather, lack thereof! There's no cell service on the property so it's a great time to get away from it all. There is limited Wi-Fi available near the Pack Room and an emergency landline available. - Charging: Traveling in an electric vehicle? Recharge for free at our dedicated EV 50amp outlet when you stay at any of our sites. First come, first served. Want to know more about the history of the property? Visit the 'Our Story' section on our website. Learn more about this land:
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$55
 / night
The actual RV Site by the creek.

5. Barnett Old Tobacco Farm

100%
(76)
30mi from Helen · 1 site · RV · Murphy, NC
Our Old Tobacco Farm has been in the family for generations, hence "Barnett Road". Currently we just grow organic veggies in our high tunnel greenhouse and the old tobacco fields now are used for hay production and a safe haven for a large herd of deer. Learn more about this land: This site is gravel and level. It is in front of a babbling small creek. The site is private with robust wifi, water and 30 amp electric. The site is 40 feet in length but could probably work also for up to 50'. Slideouts are fine. There is a picnic table, gas grill, chairs and a firepit beside the site. We live on an 18 acre farm. We recently discovered the joy of traveling the US in an Airstream. When we came home after 6000+ miles, because some of our favorite sites were non-traditional ones, we decided to add a site on our farm. Enjoy the dark skies and quietness of the country. We are 10 minutes from downtown Murphy. There is only a small area of gravel which is the actual site. Everything else to get here is paved.
Electrical Hookup
Water Hookup
Pets
from 
$22
 / night

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping near Helen guide

Where to go

Just outside Helen

Right outside of Helen, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest offers more than 800,000 acres of wilderness, hundreds of miles of trails, and dozens of developed campgrounds, plus plenty of space for dispersed camping. Within the forest, and just northeast of Helen, Unicoi State Park offers a lake, waterfalls, and a campground with everything from full hookup RV sites to covered primitive camping platforms perfect for hammocks. Just west of Helen, Smithgall Woods State Park offers premier trout fishing and several furnished cottages.

North Georgia

Further west, Vogel State Park offers a lake, along with cottages, campsites, and backpacking sites. At the Coopers Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), you can hunt and pitch your tent at a primitive campsite. At the southern edge of the national forest, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to the 729-foot Amicalola Falls, an adventure lodge, and a wooded campground with space for tents and RVs. Further east, Tallulah Gorge State Park is home to one of the most spectacular canyons in Georgia, along with miles of trails, a lake, and a convenient campground. For lakeside fun, head south to Don Carter State Park and Lake Lanier or Fort Yargo State Park with camping options that include lakeside glamping yurts.

North Carolina

At the Georgia-North Carolina border, Lake Chatuge offers more than 130 miles of shoreline and plenty of water recreation. Camping options include lakeside campsites, and can be found around the lake, including at Clay County Park, Gibson Cove Recreation Area, and Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area. The Nantahala National Forest offers more than half a million acres of wilderness, and more than a dozen developed campgrounds. For solitude, head deep into the forest and pitch your tent at a designated backcountry site. Head further north to explore and camp in the Great Smoky Mountains.

When to go

Summers can be hot and humid in Helen, though it’s the perfect time for floating the Chattahoochee River. Visit in spring and fall for the best hiking weather. Fall colors can be spectacular in the region. Visit in September and October to take part in the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Christmas is also a popular time to visit Helen, with numerous festive events.

Know before you go

  • Reservations may be required for camping and even entrance at certain campgrounds and parks. Some popular parks may limit capacity at peak times.
  • Be bear aware—black bears can be found in the mountains and woods around Georgia. Camping in certain areas requires the use of bear resistant canisters.
  • A license is required to fish in Georgia and North Carolina. Georgia also requires a separate trout license to fish in designated trout waters. 
  • Dispersed camping and recreation, including hunting, on Georgia Wildlife Managed Areas usually requires a license, permit, or pass.