Dockery Lake Recreation Area
Dockery Lake Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service Campground located approximately 2 hours North of Atlanta in the North Georgia mountains of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Dockery Lake is nestled deep within the mountains 12 miles north of Dahlonega, GA. Dockery Lake Recreation Area offers camping, picnicking and fishing for all ages. Dockery Lake Campground is small and located right along the banks of Dockery Lake. The campground is situated under a dense forest of deciduous and evergreen trees which brings plenty of shade in the summer time. 11 campsites are neatly arranged within close proximity to the Lake and the Day Use area (no fee).
More like this: reservable in Georgia · pets allowed in Georgia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 11 |
Site guide
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 5 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 2 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 4 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 6 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 8 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 10 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 11 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 3(lake site) | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 5(lake site) | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| Site 7(lake site) | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $8.00 a night from 4/1-10/31. $4.00 a night from 11/1-12/31. Campground closed from 1/1-3/31 |
There are no water or electric hook-ups or dump station available in the campground. 1 flush facility in the campground and 1 vault toilet in the day use area. Standard Amenities (i.e. grill, picnic tables, lantern post, etc) Flush facilty and drinking water is only available from 4/1 through 10/31.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are required to camp in this campground. Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). |
| Fees | Peak Season: April 1 - October 31 $8.00 per night/site Off Peak Season(no water): November 1 - January 1 $4.00 per night/site Closed: January 2 - March 31 Day Use Free |
| Rules | Swimming prohibited in Dockery Lake. 14 day stay limit. Maximum 2 vehicles per campsite. Dogs must be leashed at all times. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions From Blairsville, GA take U.S. 19/129 south for 10.0 miles, turn right on GA Hwy 180. Go approximately 11.0 miles. Turn left on GA Highway 60, go 4.0 miles to Forest Service Road 654 on the left. Turn left, go 1.0 mile to campground.
| Nearest town | Dahlonega, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34.6641° N, 83.9813° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Crossings ↗ | 6.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cleveland RV ↗ | 16.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
MUST VISIT ... Dockery Lake Campground ... near Appalachian Trail ... BEAUTIFUL
Worth a stop
Dockery Lake Recreation Area is about thirty minutes north of Dahlonega, Georgia off GA Highway 60. Just a short drive down the highway is Woody Gap Recreation Area, Chestatee Overlook, or Deep Hole Recreation Area. About fifteen minutes away is Dicks Creek Recreation Area. Nearby water falls to visit are Dicks Creek Falls, Helton Creek Falls, Dukes Creeks Falls, Long Creek Falls, Fall Branch Falls, and Raven Cliffs Falls. If you turn down Rock Creek Road (FSR 69) you can find the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, Frank Gross Recreation Area, and access to the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area. Also nearby, within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, the Brasstown Bald Recreation Area & Visitor Center is a great place to visit. It is the highest point in Georgia, and rises to 4,784 feet above sea level with a 360 degree view of four states. Towns within a short drive are Blairsville, Helen, Blue Ridge, and Dahlonega, GA.
- 1.4 miWoody Gap Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 4.8 miDesoto Falls Day Use Pass ↗Day use
- 5.9 miWhissenhunt Ohv ↗OHV / range
- 10.4 miDeep Hole Day Use Pass ↗Day use
- 11.4 miRaven Cliffs Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miLakeshore0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 0.9 miDockery Lake3.2 mi trail · hiking
- 4.4 miJarrard Gap1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 4.7 miDesoto Falls0.9 mi trail · hiking
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.4 miWoody Gap Trailhead ↗Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest · Season Year round
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
- inChattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,796,317 acres
- 1.9 miBlood Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,742 acres
- 6.2 miRaven Cliffs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 9,240 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Blood Mountain Trail ShelterBuilding · Blairsville · 5.8 mi
- Walasi-Yi InnBuilding · Blairsville · 6.1 mi
- Lumpkin County JailBuilding · Dahlonega · 9 mi
Natural features
Dockery Lake campground and day-use area is constructed next to a small pond. The area, operated by the U.S. Forest Service of the Blue Ridge Ranger Disctict in the Chattahoochee National Forest, is nestled among the Cedar Ridge range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Situated on a small tributary to Waters Creek, Dockery Lake is a 6-acre (24,000 m2) man-made lake stocked with trout. During the Month of October, North Georgia’s trees put on a vibrant show. Summer's dark greens change to brilliant reds, oranges and yellows which makes the camping atmosphere amazing. Thousands make the yearly trek into the mountains near Dockery Lake for a front row seat.
Recreation
Day Hiking: Lakeshore Trail - 0.5 mile easy loop around lake. Dockery Lake Trail( leads from day use area) - 3.5 miles leads to the Appalachian Trail in Miller Gap. Other trails within a 30 minute drive: The Appalachian Trail cross Hwy 60 at Woody Gap, The Benton MacKaye Trail crosses Hwy. 60 in two places, approximately 12 miles north. Dockery Lake - Carry Down Electric Motors Only
Guidebooks for Georgia
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Dockery Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations are required to camp in this campground. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
$8.00 a night from 4/1-10/31. $4.00 a night from 11/1-12/31. Campground closed from 1/1-3/31
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Dockery Lake Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Dockery Lake Recreation Area have?
11 sites, including 11 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Dockery Lake Recreation Area is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
There are no water or electric hook-ups or dump station available in the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dockery Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Swimming prohibited in Dockery Lake.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Day Hiking: Lakeshore Trail - 0.5 mile easy loop around lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Dockery Lake Recreation Area?
Dahlonega, Georgia. Dockery Lake Recreation Area is about thirty minutes north of Dahlonega, Georgia off GA Highway 60.
Source: Getting there
What if Dockery Lake Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Desoto Falls Recreation Area (4.7 mi), Lake Winfield Scott Campground (4.8 mi, first-come), and Boggs Creek Recreation Area (5.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby