Camping at Unicoi State Park
Tent sites, RV hookups, hammock platforms and glamping tents 10 minutes from Helen
The short answer
Why camp at Unicoi
Unicoi State Park puts a campground, a lake and a trail system 10 minutes from Helen. The 53-acre Unicoi Lake is the center of it: the 2.5-mile Lake Trail circles it, and the park's own trail map calls it a great fall hike. The Unicoi/Helen Trail runs about 3 miles each way into town if you'd rather leave the car at the campsite. Park open hours are 7 AM to 10 PM year-round.
You can sleep a lot of ways here, from a hammock platform to a tent with air conditioning. The park is run by the North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality, and reservations go through the lodge at 706-878-2201.
Camping options at a glance
| Option | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tent and family sites | Primitive and family tent camping, plus walk-in sites | Tent camping check-in before 9 PM. |
| Trailer and RV sites | 30-foot and 40-foot sites, ADA sites and buddy hookup sites | Pick your rig size when you reserve. |
| Squirrel's Nest | Hammock platforms on the hillside | Bring hammocks and sleeping bags. |
| Glamping safari tents | 4 sites with queen, king or bunk-bed layouts | Keurig, mini fridge, ceiling fan, A/C and heat, hammocks, fire ring, string lights. |
| Cabins and lodge | 29 cabins (Smith Creek, Barrel, Deluxe) and 96 lodge rooms | Four cabins are pet-friendly. |
The park lists nearly 100 campsites in all, with the options above. Full details and booking are on the Unicoi Lodge accommodations page. Pets are welcome in the campground on a leash.
Glamping tents
Four safari tents give you a real bed with linens, heat and air conditioning, and your own fire ring and hammocks. Timberline Glamping runs the bookings: tents start at $149 a night (standard) or $159 (deluxe and double), with a $55 cleaning fee per site, before taxes and fees. You share the park's bathhouse, beach, playground and trails. Call 706-709-0222 or book online. Our glamping guide compares the other options.
Things to do from the campsite
Walk the lake loop, rent a paddleboard or kayak, or try the zipline course. Anna Ruby Falls is about 20 minutes from downtown, and a trail connects the park to the falls (4.8 miles one way per the park map). Read the Anna Ruby Falls trail guide and the lake loop guide for details. Anna Ruby charges its own admission ($6 for ages 16 and up) and doesn't accept the ParkPass.
Camp smart
Pack for the cold
Helen's normal October lows are 46 degrees and November lows 36, with freezing nights possible from late October. January lows average 29. A bag rated for the low 30s keeps shoulder-season trips comfortable.
Bears are real
Keep food, coolers and trash in your vehicle or a bear-resistant container, and keep the campsite clean. Don't store food in a tent.
Buy firewood locally
Moving firewood spreads insect pests. Buy bundles near the campground instead of hauling them in.
Check status before you drive
Forest Service campgrounds close for repairs and seasons. Check the Chattahoochee-Oconee page first.
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