Perfect Camping for You in Georgia! Whether it’s rafting down the Chattooga River, hiking along the Bartram Trail, or sea kayaking around Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia is stuffed with opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. To help these adventurers on their way, Best Tent Camping: Georgia, by Johnny Molloy, reveals the best places in the Peach State to pitch a tent, from mountainous Amicalola Falls State Park, starting point for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, to the windswept dunes of Cumberland Island. Written to steer campers away from concrete slabs and convoys of RVs, Best Tent Camping: Georgia points tent campers to only the most scenic and serene campsites in the state. Painstakingly selected from hundreds of campgrounds, each of the 50 campsites is rated for beauty, noise, privacy, security, spaciousness, and cleanliness. In addition, each campground profile provides essential details on facilities, reservations, fees, and restrictions, as well as an accurate, easy-to-read map, making the campground a snap to locate. Also included are suggestions for nearby outdoor recreation and sightseeing, pinpointing attractions that often go unnoticed. Johnny Molloy is a writer and adventurer based in Johnson City, TN. He has written more than 40 books about the outdoors, including hiking guidebooks, camping guidebooks, paddling guidebooks, comprehensive guidebooks about a specific area, and true outdoor adventure books throughout the Eastern United States. Molloy writes for varied magazines and websites, and he is a columnist and feature writer for his local paper, the Johnson City Press. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground Beauty: 4 stars / Privacy: 4 stars / Spaciousness: 4 stars / Quiet: 3 stars / Security: 5 stars / Cleanliness: 4 stars Development on Lookout Mountain means top-notch camping and scenic overlooks. KEY INFORMATION ADDRESS: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd., Rising Fawn, GA 30738 OPERATED BY: Georgia State Parks CONTACT: 706-657-4050, gastateparks.org OPEN: year-round SITES: 30 walk-in, tents only; 73 tent and trailer; 11 backcountry SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, tent pad, fire ring; tent and trailer sites have electricity and water hookups ASSIGNMENT: May choose preferred site if available REGISTRATION: Reservations required; call 800-864-7275 at least 2 days prior to arrival; persons without reservations are guaranteed a maximum 1-night stay FACILITIES: Water, hot showers, flush toilets, phone PARKING: At campsites only FEE: $16-20 walk-in sites, $25-30 tent and trailer sites, $6-8 per person backcountry sites ELEVATION: 1,800 feet RESTRICTIONS: PETS: On 6-foot or shorter leash FIRES: In fire rings only ALCOHOL: Not allowed VEHICLES: None OTHER: 14-day stay limit Cloudland Canyon is an example of a state stepping in to preserve a special slice of nature for all of us to enjoy. Sure, Cloudland Canyon is developed to a degree, but part of that development consists of three campgrounds, including a delightful one for tents only. The facilities augment the natural state of things on Lookout Mountain, where Sitton Gulch Creek has carved a gorge on the mountain’s western edge, allowing vistas from the rim of the gorge into the lands below. Atop Lookout Mountain, the waters of Daniel Creek and Bear Creek cut their own gorges into the land before converging to form Sitton Gulch Creek. It is between these two creeks that the East Rim Campground lies. East Rim has 24 campsites spread along a loop meandering through the second growth, pine-oak forest commonly found on the mountaintop. Many of the sites have drive-through parking areas. That means RVs. All sites have water and electrical hookups. A bathhouse with hot showers centers the loop. Many of the park’s developed amenities are nearby. This campground may be appropriate for families with young children. The West Rim Campground is located across Daniel Creek, away from the main section of the park. The mixed forest there is fairly thick, with second-growth trees competing with each other on a slight slope. The 48 spacious sites are spread along two loops. An understory of young hardwoods provides plenty of privacy between sites, each of which offers water and electrical hookups. Each loop has a comfort station with flush toilets and hot showers. The Walk-In Campground is by far the best. Why? First, it allows tents only. Second, it is farthest from the rest of the park developments. Third, it is well laid out in a handsome, forested setting. Park your vehicle in the Walk-In Campground parking area. The sites are spread along a looping footpath on gently rolling terrain. The farthest sites are three-fourths of a mile from the parking area―and are worth every step. Each site is set off in the woods, providing maximum privacy. There is ample room to spread out your gear. A short trail bisects the campground to access the comfort station, with its hot shower