Desoto Falls Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service campground in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, near Dahlonega, Georgia.
Summary
Desoto Falls Recreation Area in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is about 71 miles (straight line) from Atlanta; it is run by the USDA Forest Service. It has 23 overnight sites (including 2 tent-only sites and 1 group site) and nightly fees from $20 to $40, and it is listed as open year-round. Mountain bikers get 3.3 miles of bike-legal trail within 5 miles, the closest being Appalachian Trail (1.8 mi away). Sites are reservable on Recreation.gov; the largest accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 ft.
When it's open
Year-round
More Georgia campgrounds open year-round →
Source: USDA Forest Service recreation page. It says: “Open all year; peak Apr 1 – Oct 31, non-peak Nov 1 – Mar 31 (no water, lower rate)”
Hookups & amenities
- 🚿ShowersNot listed
- 🚻ToiletsNot listed
- 🚰Drinking waterNot listed
- ⚡Electric hookupsNot listed
- 💧Water hookupsNot listed
- 🔧Sewer hookupsNot listed
- 🔌Full hookups (E/W/S)Not listed
- 🚐Dump stationNot listed
- 📶Wi-FiNot listed
- 🧺LaundryNot listed
- 🏪Camp storeNot listed
- 🛝PlaygroundNot listed
- 🏊SwimmingNot listed
- 🚤Boat rampNot listed
- 🐕Pet-friendlyListed
- ♿ADA-accessible sitesNot listed
- 🛖CabinsNot listed
- 🔥Fire ringsListed
- 🍖GrillsListed
- 🪑Picnic tablesListed
- 🧑Camp hostNot listed
- 🐻Food storage lockersNot listed
Listed only when Recreation.gov site records report it. "Not listed" means the source doesn't say, not that the campground lacks it.
Map: trails and roads near Desoto Falls Recreation Area
Loads MapLibre with OpenFreeMap tiles only when you tap.
Campsite layout
Check live availability on Recreation.gov ↗
We don't show live availability. Openings change by the minute and only the official reservation system has them.
How it compares
- With 23 sites it is the #69 largest of 92 Georgia campgrounds that publish a site count (small and usually quieter).
- Its lowest fee ($20) is $5 above the Georgia median of $15/night.
- There are 38 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 7 of them list a lower starting fee.
- 67% of Georgia campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (40 ft).
- Pets allowed on 23 of 23 sites; campfires allowed on 23 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
- Straight-line distance: Atlanta ~71 mi, Chattanooga ~82 mi, Knoxville ~87 mi.
Site mix
Amenities & rules
Fire ringsGrillsLantern postsPicnic tablesTent padsPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers
Nightly fee: $20–$40, from the USDA Forest Service recreation page page (retrieved Oct 20, 2026).
Fee notes from Recreation.gov: DURING NON-PEAK SEASON THE FEES CHANGE TO HALF PRICE Standard Non Electric $10.00 Standard Non Electric Double Site $20.00 Tent Only Non Electric $10.00
Trails within 5 miles
| Trail | Closest point | Mapped miles within 5 mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desoto Falls | 0.1 mi | 0.8 | USFS |
| Appalachian Trail | 1.8 mi | 16.5 | USFS |
| Freeman | 2.1 mi | 1.7 | USFS |
| Byron Herbert Reece | 2.2 mi | 0.6 | USFS |
| Duncan Ridge | 2.9 mi | 3.4 | USFS |
| Slaughter Creek | 2.9 mi | 2.5 | USFS |
| Woods Hole Shelter Spur | 2.9 mi | 0.4 | USFS |
| Jarrard Gap | 3.2 mi | 1.1 | USFS |
| Coosa Backcountry | 3.3 mi | 5.5 | USFS |
| Bear Hair Gap | 3.4 mi | 2.4 | USFS |
| Helton Creek Falls | 3.4 mi | 0.1 | USFS |
| Dockery Lake | 3.7 mi | 3.0 | USFS |
+ 6 more named trails.
Mountain biking nearby
3.3 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles. Difficulty mix: Unrated: 3.3 mi
| Trail | Closest point | Miles within 5 mi | Difficulty (as tagged) | Kids | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Trail | 1.8 mi | 2.6 | Unrated | USFS | |
| Burnett Creek Connector | 4.9 mi | 0.7 | Unrated | OSM |
Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.
Dump stations near Desoto Falls Recreation Area
| Public dump station (OpenStreetMap) | Distance | Fee | Water | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dump station (unnamed in OSM) | 21.0 mi | Free | Yes | Customers |
Straight-line distances. Dump station points: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); fees, hours and access change, so confirm before you go.
Activities listed
BikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingOff Highway VehiclePicnickingRecreational VehiclesSwimmingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
Nearest campgrounds
| Campground | Miles | State | Fee/night | Sites | Hookups | Max RV | Pets | Booking | Trails ≤5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area Cabins Open year-round Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
2.7 | GA | $26–$48 | 32 | E 50A W | 40 ft | yes | Reserve | 17 (47.0 mi) |
| Turners Corner Campground Private Private RV park |
2.9 | GA | — | — | — | yes | — | ? | 6 (10.0 mi) |
| Jarrard Gap Campsite OpenStreetMap listing |
3.2 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 17 (48.6 mi) |
| Lake Winfield Scott Campground Open year-round United States Forest Service |
3.8 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | Reserve | 18 (50.7 mi) |
| Lance Creek Campsite OpenStreetMap listing |
4.0 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 16 (40.7 mi) |
| Vogel State Park Campground Cabins Vogel State Park |
4.0 | GA | $23–$50 (GA schedule) | 108 | — | yes | — | Reserve | 14 (41.6 mi) |
Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby. "Open year-round" and month ranges come from the agency, state park or OpenStreetMap season; no tag means no season is published.