Upper Chattahoochee River Campground
The drive up through the winding misty roads of North Georgia leading to this 19-site, developed campground is almost as breath-taking as the site itself. Although the drive leaves one feeling as if civilization has been left far, far behind, the ever-popular and beloved alpine village of Helen, Georgia is less than an hour away. Camping here, visitors can enjoy the pleasure of Georgia's number one vacation spot with shopping, dining, and entertainment in the City of Helen and many recreational activities.
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 ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 16 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | Back-in | 10 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | Back-in | 10 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Back-in | 10 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 5 | 10 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | Back-in | 10 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | 10 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | 10 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 9 | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | 44 | Gravel | No / – | Springs | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | All camping is by Reservation only and needs to be completed online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777. |
The campground offers 19 campsites, with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts at each site. There are trash bins available for placing your camping trash. Please don't overflow the bins to help reduce the bear-human negative interactions.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
| Booking | All camping is by Reservations only. There are No First Come, First Serve sites. |
| Fees | Camping: $12/site/night |
| Rules | The maximum stay is 14 day. Pick out your site and pay the fee within 30 minutes after arrival. Quiet hours from 10pm-6am. No generators to be operating during quiet hours. No UTV's, ATV's, or Golf Carts to be unloaded or used in or around the campground or the Upper Chattahoochee River Road aka Willis Road. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Hiawassee or Clayton Georgia travel on Hwy 76 to Hwy 75. Turn south on Hwy 75 towards Helen, Georgia for approximately 13 miles. Turn right on Forest Service 44 Road, aka Upper Chattahoochee River Road just past the Unicoi Gap parking lot of the A. T.
| Nearest town | Helen, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34.7869° N, 83.7829° 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 gear | Mountain Crossings ↗ | 8.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blairsville RV Sales ↗ | 9.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground: Helen, GA
Worth a stop
You don't have to stroll far from your campsite to see the first of the nearby attractions with the Horsetrough Falls at the back end of the campground. Take a drive along the beautiful scenic Upper Chattahoochee River Road (FS 44 Road), and you can see many other waterfalls along the way while you are making your way to the many nearby attractions. Brasstown Bald is the highest peak in the State of Georgia at a height of 4784 feet above sea level is a 45-minute drive. Along the way you pass Unicoi Gap, one of the many areas of the National Scenic Appalachian Trail (A.T.) where hikers will cross Hwy 75 North coming out of Mark Trail Wilderness and heading into Tray Mountain Wilderness. Other attractions in the area include Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Ravens Cliff Wilderness, and many things of wonder in the alpine village of Helen, Georgia.
- 5.3 miRaven Cliffs Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5.4 mi
- 5.8 mi
- 9.3 miDesoto Falls Day Use Pass ↗Day use
- 10.4 miBeasley Knob Ohv ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miHorse Trough Falls0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 2.6 miJacks Knob ↗4.4 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
- 2.7 miAndrews Cove1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miRocky Mountain1.8 mi trail · hiking
- 3.8 miHigh Shoals1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 4.2 miHigh Shoals Falls Spurunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking
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 Mark Trail Wilderness, which overlaps Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
- inMark Trail Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 16,618 acres
- inChattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,796,317 acres
- 0.9 miNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 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
- Walasi-Yi InnBuilding · Blairsville · 8.4 mi
- Blood Mountain Trail ShelterBuilding · Blairsville · 9.4 mi
- Towns County JailBuilding · Hiawassee · 11.1 mi
Natural features
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, a place of exploration and wonder. This National Forest is rich in history and is said to be a hiker's paradise with it's winding trails, scenic mountains, and rolling hills.
Recreation
At the rear of the campground, visitors will find the short walking trail for the beautiful Horse Trough Falls. It is just a mile downstream from the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. Recreational activities in this area include hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting. Right outside the campground, there is a Day-use picnic area for a nice break with the creek running just a few feet away. For those wanting to take the 7-mile drive along Upper Chattahoochee Road (FS 44 Road), you will find yourself outside of Helen, Georgia with many other recreational opportunities including rafting, kayaking, ziplining, and some great hiking trails.
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 Upper Chattahoochee River 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 Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
All camping is by Reservation only and needs to be completed online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Upper Chattahoochee River 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 Upper Chattahoochee River Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Upper Chattahoochee River Campground have?
19 sites, including 19 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. The maximum stay is 14 day.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
At the rear of the campground, visitors will find the short walking trail for the beautiful Horse Trough Falls. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Helen, Georgia. You don't have to stroll far from your campsite to see the first of the nearby attractions with the Horsetrough Falls at the back end of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Andrew's Cove Campground (2.6 mi, partly first-come), Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (7 mi), and Boggs Creek Recreation Area (9.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby