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Best Tallulah Gorge State Park Camping in Georgia

| Updated May 31, 2023

Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, and it’s easy to see why Tallulah Falls camping is so popular.

Located in North Georgia, Tallulah Gorge is 1000 feet deep and 2 miles long. 

It was formed by the Tallulah River, which visitors can hike alongside or whitewater raft if they can snag a permit to hike down to the bottom. 

One of the things Tallulah is most known for is the 200-foot suspension bridge. You don’t need a permit to see this. It sits 80 feet above the river and offers great views. 

For those afraid of heights, don’t worry! It’s not one of those creaky rope bridges you see in movies where you have to hold on tight or fall. It does sway a little, but you really have to jump around to make that happen!

There are plenty of other things to do in this natural wonder that can easily fill a few days. Luckily, to encourage visits, the Georgia State Parks service has many campgrounds available that are convenient and comfortable.

Here is a guide on what to expect when planning a trip for Tallulah Falls camping.

When to Visit Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge is open all year round, but there are certain times of the year more popular than others.

Tallulah Falls camping in Autumn is ideal if you want your views full of gorgeous fall foliage and spectacular views of the river. 

The Summer season has an activity for the more adventurous. Bridal Veil Falls turns into “Sliding Rock,” allowing visitors to slide down into the pool below. It's a great place for kids and teenagers to enjoy.

Winter is of course the low season. While it will be cold, you are rewarded with the trails and campgrounds mostly to yourself. 

If you can keep comfortable in your RV and bring warm clothes it may be well worth Tallulah Falls camping in winter. You may also want to review our RV Winterization Tips

About the Trails in Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge features more than 20 miles of trails. Many reach gorgeous scenic overlooks of the spectacular canyons, which glimpse the river and even several waterfalls.

Some trails are easy, like a 1 ½ mile paved one following an old railroad bed. If you have small children, a stroller would work well here. 

The Shortline Trail is great for families as well, and it follows the river. 

The paved path and trails are ideal for biking too. For more serious bikers seeking a challenge though, there is a 10-mile trail that includes hilly and rugged terrain. 

If you’re serious about hiking, you will want to make the dramatic journey to the rocky bottom of the gorge. 

Just keep in mind this will be quite a workout. To get back up is about 1,000 steps, so only attempt if you feel confident in your hiking ability and physical shape to do this.

If you decide to hike to the bottom, first go to the visitor center and pick up a free permit. Unfortunately, pets aren’t allowed into the gorge but are allowed on leash on the rim trails above.

Since the permits are limited to 100 per day (one permit per person), they go fast, especially on the weekends. So be sure to pick a gorge floor permit early in the day. 

The trek, though difficult, is worth it. At the bottom, you can cool off in the water, get the close-up views you wouldn’t see in the overlooks above, such as the wildlife. The green salamander and monkey-face orchid are protected species in the gorge.

And each spring and fall there are scheduled water releases that allow for some incredible kayaking with the increased water flow.

One thing to note is that the park sometimes opts not to issue permits. If it rained a lot the day before, they sometimes won’t allow anyone down to the gorge floor for safety reasons.

This is why it’s a good idea to stay multiple days in case you were really hoping to hike down.

Permits are also not issued on certain weekends in spring and autumn when the extra water is being released. The schedule for this is on their website so you can plan ahead.


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What You Need to Know About Camping in Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Falls camping couldn’t be easier with the 50 available campgrounds you can reserve in advance. All of these sites can accommodate RVs and have water and electrical hookups.

While you shouldn’t expect your individual site to be too far away from others, each comes with its own fire ring, picnic table, and grate.

The campground amenities are also top-notch if you need them. They include drinking water, hot showers, and flush toilets.

While there isn’t a sewer there is a convenient dump station next to the exit.

From my research, the most recommended campsites of the 50 available are numbers 10 and 13 for smaller rigs, and 43 and 44 for bigger rigs. 

43 and 44 are pull-through campsites and are conveniently located right at the trailhead. 

You can see the full schedule of campsite availability and reserve a site on Georgia’s park service website.

Things to Do Near the Campgrounds

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Besides trails, other nearby things to the campsites include playgrounds if you have kids, and wineries if you don’t! 

There is also the highly recommended Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. It features exhibits that explain the fragile ecosystem of the area and the rich history of this Victorian resort town.

The most famous stories covered in the exhibit are the tales of the two times the gorge was tightrope walked.

In 1970, 65-year-old German Karl Wallenda was invited to walk a tightrope across the entire gorge. The rope was 1,000 feet long, and he took 18 minutes, even doing a couple of handstands! His name is still well-known among tightrope walkers today.

The courage and majesty of such an act could only be comprehended while standing on the suspension bridge and gazing down to the rapids far below.

Also, there is a great hike to see the platforms built for this stunt, still there today.

While Tallulah Falls camping, hearing the Wallenda story certainly instills the call to adventure! I hope you get to have your own.

Share Your Tallulah Falls Camping Experience with Us

Have you ever gone Tallulah Falls camping? If you have any recommendations from your experience, please let us know in the comments!

Best Tallulah Gorge State Park Camping in Georgia 1

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Mike Wendland

Published on 2021-04-13

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

One Response to “Best Tallulah Gorge State Park Camping in Georgia”

April 14, 2021at9:26 am, Susan said:

This email was so timely yesterday. I read it at breakfast and, as we were planning our trip home from South Carolina to Iowa, told my husband about it. We are headed to South Carolina to see our son and daughter-in-law who we have not seen for over a year due to Covid. But all now have their shots and on our way home, we are spending 2 nights at the State Park in site 43. Happy travels!

Susan

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