U.S. Forest Service · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest · Helen, GA

Low Gap Campground

Located within the Chattahoochee National Forest and veiled by the Mark Trail Wilderness. This 13-site developed campground is as close as it gets to a dispersed camping experience with amenities. This clandestine campground is best known for its plethora of opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and simply basking in the light of the natural world. Low Gap Campground is located only a few miles from Georgia's much-loved vacation destination, the alpine village of Helen. A trip to this campground is sure to make memories, be sure to pack a camera and take some home with you.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in Georgia · reservable in Georgia · pets allowed in Georgia

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Campsite #13Campsite #12Welcome to the first on the creeksideTypical Campsite
Photos courtesy of USFS, Brett Grizzle, Pete Seabolt (CC BY 3.0) · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups13
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 26 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

13 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
1Pull-through20GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
2Back-in24GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
3Back-in24GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
4Back-in24GravelNo / –Springs8 / –YesStandard
5Pull-through26GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
6Back-in33GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
7Back-in21GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
8Pull-through24GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
914GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard
10Back-in21GravelNo / –Springs8 / 2YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length25 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesAll camping is by Reservation Only.

Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a lantern post. There are 3 areas in the campground with bear resistant trash bins. There is one chemical vault toilet located across the bridge at the back of the campground. Drinking water from our fresh well is located at the back of the campground and has a seasonal hand pump to draw out the water.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusTemporarily closed
ForestChattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
BookingAll camping is by Reservations only. There are No First Come, First Serve sites.
FeesCamping: $12/site/night
RulesThe maximum stay is 14 days. Due to narrow, curving, and steep roads to and from this area, the recommended size of a RV is 28 ft. No UTV's, ATV's or Golf Carts allowed in the campgrounds or surrounding Forest Service Roads they are not county roads.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Low Gap Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 6.53 inches of precipitationFebruary: 6.01 inches of precipitationMarch: 6.39 inches of precipitationApril: 5.76 inches of precipitationMay: 5.92 inches of precipitationJune: 6.41 inches of precipitationJuly: 6.32 inches of precipitationAugust: 6.10 inches of precipitationSeptember: 6.27 inches of precipitationOctober: 5.14 inches of precipitationNovember: 5.98 inches of precipitationDecember: 7.26 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 36.2°F averageFebruary: 39.2°F averageMarch: 46.0°F averageApril: 54.5°F averageMay: 61.6°F averageJune: 67.8°F averageJuly: 71.0°F averageAugust: 70.0°F averageSeptember: 64.8°F averageOctober: 55.2°F averageNovember: 46.3°F averageDecember: 39.3°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Germany Valley, 5 miles from the campground at 2,832 feet, station USC00093675 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 74 inches a year.

Getting there

From Helen, Georgia go North on Hwy 75 North, turn left on 75 Alt cross the bridge, and make the immediate right turn onto Poplar Stump/Upper Chattahoochee River Road. Continue on this road for approximately 4.5 miles and the campground is straight ahead.

Nearest townHelen, Georgia
Coordinates34.9272° N, 83.5432° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel? Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for: Adding or removing nights to your stay. Changing to a different campsite. Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate. Cancellations You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees: $10 cancellation fee Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking) Any previous change fees Late cancellation penalties may also apply: What is “Late”? For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearWander North Georgia ↗8.7 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗12.2 mi
RV sales & serviceBlairsville RV Sales ↗18.7 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Video of Low Gap Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest, GA from James N.

Worth a stop

The alpine village of Helen, Georgia is located a few miles south of the campground where there are a host of water and non-water activities for all to enjoy. Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, and Ravens Cliff are all a short distance away for those who love to hike. Other nearby recreation activities include the National Scenic Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and over the gap is Brasstown Bald the highest mountain peak in Georgia rising to 4784 feet above sea level.

  • 0.3 mi
    Coleman River
    0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 5 mi
    Beech Creek ↗
    6.4 mi trail · hiking, horse

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Low Gap Campground is located in the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Named for Low Gap Creek that flows through the campground, this creek is stocked with trout weekly from April to July by the Georgia DNR. This National Forest is rich in history and is said to be a hiker's paradise with its winding trails, scenic mountains, and rolling hills.

Recreation

The area is host to some of the most scenic views. Or you can take a drive along FS 44 Road (Upper Chattahoochee River Road) and see some waterfalls that are along the roadway and or others a short walk in nearby areas. If hiking is in your plans the National Scenic Appalachian Trail has two main entry points near the area. Other favorite nearby hiking areas are Ravens Cliff Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, and Anna Ruby Falls. All are only a short drive from this campground. If you like wetting fishing lines there is fishing is available in the campground, and along the nearby Chattahoochee River, whose headwaters are in the Mark Trail Wilderness. Be sure you are following the state fishing licensing regulations. Drive into "Alpine" Helen try tubing and swimming on the river, or explore the unique shops and restaurants of Georgia's own Bavarian village.

Guidebooks for Georgia

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Low Gap Campground?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Low Gap Campground?

All camping is by Reservation Only.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Low Gap Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Low Gap Campground?

You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees: $10 cancellation fee Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking) Any previous change fees Late cancellation penalties may also apply: What is “Late”?

Source: Charges and cancellations

Is Low Gap Campground open right now?

Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Low Gap Campground have?

13 sites, including 13 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Low Gap Campground?

The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Low Gap Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Low Gap Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Low Gap Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. The maximum stay is 14 days.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Low Gap Campground?

The area is host to some of the most scenic views. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Low Gap Campground?

Helen, Georgia. The alpine village of Helen, Georgia is located a few miles south of the campground where there are a host of water and non-water activities for all to enjoy.

Source: Getting there

What if Low Gap Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Tallulah River Campground (0.1 mi, partly first-come), Tate Branch Campground (2 mi), and Wildcat Creek Campground #2 Upper (8.1 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby