For many people, their pets are members of their family and taking a vacation without a member of the family is just wrong. Georgia's parks, recreation areas and campgrounds offer many opportunities to enjoy a wonderful camping vacation while still including your beloved furry friends.
North Georgia
The Chattahoochee National Forest spreads across the northern part of Georgia and is filled with an abundance of recreation areas and camping opportunities for you and your animals. The Forest Service website does not limit the number or type of animals welcome within the forest and includes special camping areas for horses and other pack animals. Pets must be restrained or leashed while in developed recreation areas and, with the exception of guide dogs, are not allowed in swimming areas.
Atlanta Area
Being near the metropolitan hub of Atlanta does not mean you're out of camping options. Stone Mountain Park, located just 15 minutes east of Atlanta, offers camping and hiking to satisfy any energetic trail dog. Both cats and dogs are welcome at the Stone Mountain Park campground and on most of the hiking trails. Park management asks that pets are kept on a leash no longer than six feet, that owners clean up after their animals and that pets are kept out of high traffic areas such as the walk-up trail, the Crossroads amusement area and the Laser Lightshow Lawn.
East Coast
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources offers three state parks along Georgia's Atlantic coastline that have reserve-able dog-friendly campsites: Fort McAllister Historic Park, Skidaway Island State Park and Crooked River State Park. The park authorities welcome up to two dogs per campsite in their campgrounds and ask that dogs are kept on leashes no longer than six feet long and are never left unattended. "Fido-Friendly" cottages are also available for an additional fee. The River's End Campground in Tybee does not designate specific pets allowed but does ask that owners act responsibly by cleaning up after pets and by bringing pets to RV campsites only.
Middle Georgia
Several state parks provide camping opportunities in the middle Georgia area. Indian Springs State Park, High Falls State Park, F.D. Roosevelt State Park and Magnolia Springs State Park offer dog-friendly camping including "Fido-Friendly" cottages. As with all Georgia state parks, pets must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times and must never be left unattended. The Tobesofkee Recreation Area near Macon does not specify types or number of pets allowed, but campground managers ask that pets be leashed at all times and never left unattended. Owners of excessively loud animals will be asked to remove the animal from the park.
South Georgia
State Parks in South Georgia such as General Coffee State Park, Laura S. Walker State Park and Seminole State Park offer dog-friendly camping with a maximum of two dogs per campsite, and dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet long. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Suwanee Canal Recreation Area in the southeast welcome pets on leads no longer than 10 feet. Pets are not allowed in boats, in public areas or on boardwalks.
Member Comments