Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area Campground (Clayton, GA)
USDA Forest Service campground in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, near Clayton, Georgia.
Summary
Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area Campground (Clayton, GA) is a USDA Forest Service campground in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, about 63 miles (straight line) from Chattanooga. The campground lists 12 overnight sites; it charges a nightly fee of $15, and it is open seasonally (about Mar to Oct). Within 5 miles there are 18.6 miles of trail open to bikes, the closest being Long Branch Loop (2.5 mi away). RVs and trailers up to 50 ft can fit, and sites are reservable on Recreation.gov.
When it's open
Seasonal (approx Mar–Oct) Mar 15 – Oct 31
Georgia campgrounds open year-round →
Source: USDA Forest Service recreation page. It says: “Season 03/15 – 10/31; page also notes reopening Mar 15, 2026” Opening and closing dates can shift with weather and staffing.
Hookups & amenities
- 🚿ShowersNot listed
- 🚻Toilets (vault or pit)Listed
- 🚰Drinking waterListed
- ⚡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
- 🍖GrillsNot listed
- 🪑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 Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area Campground (Clayton, GA)
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 12 sites it is the #75 largest of 92 Georgia campgrounds that publish a site count (small and usually quieter).
- Its lowest fee ($15) is equal to the Georgia median of $15/night.
- There are 34 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 4 of them list a lower starting fee.
- 54% of Georgia campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (50 ft).
- 100% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
- Pets allowed on 11 of 12 sites; campfires allowed on 12 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
- Straight-line distance: Chattanooga ~63 mi, Atlanta ~72 mi, Knoxville ~83 mi.
Amenities & rules
Fire ringsLantern postsPicnic tablesTent padsTrash collectionVault toiletsPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers
Nightly fee: $15, from the USDA Forest Service recreation page page (retrieved Oct 20, 2026).
Fee notes from Recreation.gov: Beginning May 1st, 2025 all sites will require reservations via recreation.gov for camping at the Sandy Bottoms campground
Trails within 5 miles
| Trail | Closest point | Mapped miles within 5 mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toccoa Canoe Trail | 0.1 mi | 7.8 | USFS |
| Benton Mackaye | 0.4 mi | 20.5 | USFS |
| Long Branch Loop | 2.5 mi | 1.9 | USFS |
| Long Branch Connector | 3.2 mi | 0.4 | USFS |
| Flat Creek Loop | 3.4 mi | 4.8 | USFS |
| Green Mountain | 3.5 mi | 2.5 | USFS |
| Flat Ck Connector | 3.8 mi | 0.2 | USFS |
| Lower Green Mountain (Connecto | 3.8 mi | 0.9 | USFS |
| Stanley Creek | 3.9 mi | 0.8 | USFS |
| Stanley Gap | 4.0 mi | 4.7 | USFS |
| Duncan Ridge | 4.4 mi | 4.1 | USFS |
| Lake Blue Ridge Trail | 4.9 mi | 0.4 | USFS |
Mountain biking nearby
18.6 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles. Difficulty mix: Unrated: 18.6 mi
| Trail | Closest point | Miles within 5 mi | Difficulty (as tagged) | Kids | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Loop | 2.5 mi | 2.0 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Long Branch Loop Connector | 3.2 mi | 0.4 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Long Branch Connector | 3.2 mi | 0.4 | Unrated | USFS | |
| Flat Creek Loop | 3.4 mi | 4.8 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Whissenhunt Loop | 3.5 mi | 3.5 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Flat Creek Loop Connector | 3.8 mi | 0.1 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Lower Green Mountain | 3.8 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Flat Ck Connector | 3.8 mi | 0.2 | Unrated | USFS | |
| Green Mountain Connector | 3.9 mi | 0.2 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Stanley Gap | 3.9 mi | 2.7 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Stanley Creek | 3.9 mi | 0.8 | Unrated | USFS | |
| Stanley Gap / Benton MacKaye Trail | 4.3 mi | 2.1 | Unrated | OSM |
+ 1 more.
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 Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area Campground (Clayton, GA)
| Public dump station (OpenStreetMap) | Distance | Fee | Water | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dump station (unnamed in OSM) | 14.9 mi | Free | Yes | Customers |
Nearby campgrounds with an on-site dump station: Doll Mountain Campground (24.9 mi). Many limit dumping to registered guests.
Straight-line distances. Dump station points: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); fees, hours and access change, so confirm before you go.
Activities listed
BackpackingBikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingOff Highway VehiclePicnickingRecreational VehiclesScenic DriveSwimmingVisitor CenterWater AccessWildernessWildlife Viewing
Nearest campgrounds
| Campground | Miles | State | Fee/night | Sites | Hookups | Max RV | Pets | Booking | Trails ≤5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Campground Open year-round Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
0.0 | GA | $8 | 6 | — | 20 ft | yes | Reserve | 12 (49.0 mi) |
| Hawk Mountain (Base) Campsite OpenStreetMap listing |
5.6 | GA | — | 10 | — | — | — | ? | 3 (41.3 mi) |
| Morganton Point Open year-round Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
6.1 | GA | $30–$50 | 41 | E 50A W S | 30 ft | yes | Reserve | 8 (6.7 mi) |
| Deep Hole Recreation Area Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
6.5 | GA | $15 | 9 | — | 30 ft | yes | Reserve | 6 (43.0 mi) |
| Blue Ridge / Toccoa River KOA Holiday Private Private RV park |
7.7 | GA | — | — | E | yes | — | ? | 5 (4.2 mi) |
| Frank Gross Campground Apr–Oct Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
7.8 | GA | $8 | 8 | — | yes | yes | Reserve | 4 (44.5 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.