Camping


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A Note from the Richardson Tribe:
When the Tribe began taking adventures, they were typically just day trips. In 2007 we acquired a small Class C motorhome and started camping. We upgraded to a larger motorhome in 2009, and we try to camp as often as possible.

The term camping can mean many things. To some, it's a tent in the wilderness, to others, it's a 45' coach in an exclusive RV park. The Tribe enjoys the rugged nature of state and national parks, but in the comfort of and RV. If we plan on staying somewhere more than a couple of nights, we really need a campground with full hookups (sewer). Also, with four young children, we prefer campgrounds with amenities like a playground, a pool or beach, fishing, bike trails, hiking, naturalist/interpretive programs. The local area's history, beauty, and activities will also influence the selection of a destination.

Over the last few years, the Tribe has stayed at many campgrounds, mostly in the Southeast. This page is dedicated to al the great places we have been, and we hope you will go too.

The Richardson Tribe

Some of our favorite campgrounds...

Fort Mountain, Chatsworth, Georgia
Fort Mountain State Park has two beautiful campgrounds, a lake, beach, playground, miniature golf, mountain biking, and so much more. This is one of the Tribe's favorite camping destination.

James H (Sloppy) Floyd State Park
Sloppy Floyd, as the locals call it, is a charming little state park with two lakes, hiking, mountain biking, pedal boats, fishing, and the best rockhounding in the area.

Desoto State Park, Fort Payne, Alabama
Desoto State Park is located atop rugged Lookout Mountain. Mountain biking, hiking, and sight seeing are incredible here. See Desoto Falls! This state park has full hookup campsites for extended stays.

Fall Creek Falls State Park - Spencer, TN
Fall Creek Falls has multiple campgrounds, some with full hookup sites. This park accommodates the family bike riders with a paved bike path winding through the woods to a beautiful view of the falls. A lake, pool, tennis courts, horseback riding, 18 hole golf course, and multiple playgrounds will keep any family busy.

James Island County Park, Charleston, SC
James Island is located in the grassy wetlands on the South Carolina coast. The campground has a tropical feel with lots of vegetation. Bike riding is great here as is fishing. The park's playground is beyond awesome, and the little water park is cleanest and safest feeling attraction of its type we've ever visited.

McKinney Campground, Acworth, GA
Mckinney Campground is an Army Corps of Engineers facility located on Lake Allatoona less than 30 miles north of Atlanta. It's a perfect place to camp if you enjoy fishing and boating. There are two beaches and a playground for the kids. Wildlife abounds at McKinney. We almost always see deer.

Backyard Farming - Back to Basics
Camp Cooking - Dutch Ovens and Pie Irons
Camping
Canoeing/Kayaking
Rockhounding - Collecting and Polishing

Camping, What You Need to Know.
There's something about a campfire. The flicker, the smell, the warmth. If you stare into the flames, you can see limitless patterns and colors. Food cooked outside over a fire is always a little better too. The morning's crisp clean air and the prospect of a day away from the everyday grind is like being reborn to a simpler life, even if it is for just a day or two. Camping has a way of bringing people together as well. Families that camp together share experiences that will provide a lifetime of memories. Want something to talk about over the dinner table? Start camping, the stories will come.

Before you dive into camping, there are some things you need to know and some decisions you need to make. First, do your homework. Start out small. Decide what kind of camping appeals to you the most and is most affordable. Acquire the supplies you need. Select a date and place to camp, preferably a park close to home the first time. Decide what you want to do while you are there.

Here is a list of topics to research before your first camping adventure.

Various types of camping (hammock, tent, pop-up, trailer, fifth wheel, motorhome, etc)
RV styles, costs, ease of use
Things you need (consumable supplies, tools, cooking needs, etc.)
Activities (hiking, biking, games, rockhounding, Geocaching, canoeing, fishing, etc.)

Watch for a series of articles on camping that will answer many questions raised by this list of topics.

Places to Camp Click link to visit page.	Map	Things to do A brief list of activities and events associated with the destination.
Amicalola Falls State Park Dawsonville, GA		Camping, waterfalls, hiking Appalachian Trail, fishing, lodge, nearby Dahlonega has panning, gem grubbing, gold museum, music, restaurants.
Cedar Creek Park Cave Spring, GA		RV camping, canoes, kayak, tubes, camping, fishing, driving range, near Cave Spring, Rome, and Lake Weiss.
Charlestown State Park Charlestown, IN		A nice park with a wonderful campground near Louisville, KY. Lots of wildlife, playground, fishing, boating, bike riding, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
Chattahoochee Bend State Park Newnan, GA		3000 acres, miles of river coastline, boat ramp, camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. Near McIntosh Reserve and John Tanner Park
Cherry Hill Park Campground College Park, MD		Awesome amenities, close to DC, public transit, expensive, narrow sites. Outdoor movies, pool, playground, miniature golf, full hookup RV camping, etc.
Chester Frost Park Hixson, TN		One of the Richardson Tribe's Top Ten destinations - Beautiful park on the Tennessee river, camping, playground, beach, canoeing, boating, fishing, etc.
Cloudland Canyon State Park Rising Fawn, GA		Camping, scenery, playground, hiking, disc golf, mountain biking, waterfalls, etc. Near Lula Lake Land Trust on Lookout Mountain.
Cohutta Wilderness Georgia/Tennessee		Camping, hiking, mountain biking, ORV trails, wildlife, fishing, hunting, and more. Near Fort Mountain State Park (Richardson Tribe's Top Ten)
Cumberland Island Saint Marys, GA		Hiking, wildlife, beach, tent camping, pristine unspoiled tropical island off the coast of Georgia. Near Crooked River State Park.
Desoto State Park Mentone/Ft. Payne, AL		Camping (full hookup), hiking, mountain biking, pool, tennis, etc. Near Little River Canyon Center, Desoto Falls, and much more.
Doll Mountain Campground Ellijay, GA		Camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, beach, marina, river, skiing, tubing, etc. Near Fort Mountain State Park and the Cohutta Wilderness.
Enota Mountain Retreat Hiawassee, GA		Camping, hiking, waterfalls playground, garden, fishing, farm animals, near Brasstown Bald and Blairsville, GA.
Fall Creek Falls State Park Pikeville, Tennessee		Camping (full hookups), scenery, bike paths, lake, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, golf, pool, tennis, amusement center, etc.
Florala State Park Florala, AL		Camping, Full RV hookups, beach, fishing, playground, hiking, etc. Near the Beaches of South Walton, Live Oak Landing, Big Kahunas, and much more.
Fort Mountain State Park Chatsworth, GA		Camping, canoeing, kayaking, peddle boats, fishing, biking, mountain hiking, beach, playground, etc. The Richardson Tribe's favorite state park.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park Pine Mountain, GA		Camping, fishing, hiking, biking, scenery, and more. Near Callaway Gardens. Additional camping at Pine Mountain RV (full hookup)
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee, GA		Awesome fairgrounds with historical buildings, farm museum, water wheel, music hall, events, festivals, bluegrass, concerts, camping, lake, etc.
Georgia Veterans State Park Cordele, GA		Camping, fishing, boating, military museum, Sam's Shortline Train to Plains. Near the Parks at Chehaw.
Gold N Gem Grubbin' Cleveland, GA		Camping (full hookup), gold panning, gem grubbing. Near Helen, Blairsville, Vogel State Park, Unicoi State Park, Enota Mountain Retreat, and more.
James H.Floyd State Park Summerville, GA		Camping, rockhounding (very good), fishing, peddle boats, fishing boats, canoes, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Near Rome, Desoto State Park.
James Island County Park Charleston, SC		Awesome little water park (seasonal), camping (full hookup), biking, playgrounds, beautiful, Spanish moss, near Charleston.
Jellystone Park Cave City, KY		Great for kids. Near Mammoth Cave National Park. Lots of activities. Pool, miniature golf, water slide, arts crafts, camping, outdoor movies, etc.
John Tanner Park Carrollton, GA		Beach, concessions, camping, lake, fishing, peddle boats, biking, hiking, picnicking. Near McIntosh Reserve and Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
Lake Allatoona Cartersville, GA		Boating, fishing, camping, rockhounding, canoeing, kayaking, etc. Places to camp at Lake Allatoona include McKinney and Red Top Mountain State Park.
Live Oak Landing Freeport, FL		RV camping, family adventures, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, alligators, near Florala State Park, Destin and Panama City
Mammoth Cave National Park Cave City Kentucky		Mammoth Cave National Park has the longest cave system in the world, camping, canoeing (Green River), hiking, biking, exploring, and more.
McKinney Campground Cartersville, GA		Lake Allatoona, camping, boating, fishing, rockhounding, beach, playground, near Red Top Mountain State Park and the Tellus Science Museum.
Old Stone Fort State Park Manchester, TN		Camping, historic, archaeology, hiking, playground, beautiful park, but with a little Interstate noise in the Winter.
Pine Mountain RV Park Pine Mountain, GA		A very nice PV Park with fun for the kids and grown-ups. Full hook-ups, lots of pull-through sites. Near Callaway Gardens and FD Roosevelt State Park.
Red Top Mountain State Park Cartersville, GA		Lake Allatoona, camping, fishing, boating, hiking, music, occasional iron pour demonstration, etc. Additional camping on Allatoona: McKinney Campground
Salt Springs Recreation Area Salt Springs, Florida		Camping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, boating, fishing, manatee, alligators, etc. Near Silver Springs and St Augustine.
Stone Mountain. Park Stone Mountain, GA		Camping, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, golf, light show, Snow Mountain, playgrounds, train, hiking, golf, and lots more...
Tannehill State Park McAlla, AL		Camping (full hookup, narrow sites), historical, educational, hiking, mountain biking, museum, creeks, rockhounding, and more.
Townsend KOA Townsend, TN		Camping, playground, river, National Park, Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood. Pricey, but great amenities for kids.
Vogel State Park Blairsville, Georgia		Vogel is one of the oldest Georgia State Parks, camping, RV, CCC museum, Lake, miniature golf, playgrounds, Appalachian Trail, Blairsville, Helen, etc.
Destinations and campgrounds are being added regularly. If you have one or more suggestions for family getaways in the southeast, please send them to us.