Lake Conasauga Overflow

Summary

The Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground is a small, first-come, first-served campground with 6 non-reservable sites. Hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing are available within the area and visitors can access the Lake Conasauga Picnic Area approximately 1/2 mile away. The campground provides tent pads, parking spurs, picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts. Bear-proof trash cans are centrally located in the campground.

Overview

The Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground is a small campground with six non-reservable campsites. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app or by following instructions for depositing cash or checks in the fee deposit box. Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

The Overflow Campground is within the Lake Conasauga Recreation Area. The main Lake Conasauga Campground is approximately one mile away and is a camping by reservation only campground.

Recreation

Approximately 1/2 mile from the Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground, visitors can access the Lake Conasauga Picnic Area. A swimming and picnic area with a picnic shelter, along with tables and grills are provided. A swimming dock is provided for visitors to take a swim in the cold natural spring waters of Lake Conasauga.  

Hiking trails include the Lake Loop Trail (1 mile loop), the Songbird Trail (2.8 mile loop), and the Tower Trail (4 miles round trip).  

A small boat launch provides boating access for canoes, kayaks, and small boats (electric motors only). Fishermen may catch bass, bream, and even an occasional catfish. A fishing dock is also provided. The Lake Loop Trail provides various locations along the shoreline for fishermen to cast. A Georgia fishing license is required for those 16 and older.

Facilities

Tent pads, parking spurs, picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts are provided at each campsite. Bear-Proof trash cans are centrally located in the campground. There is no running water, no electricity, and no dumping station located at this campground. A pit toilet is provided for visitors. Access to the Songbird Trail is located within the campground.

Natural Features

Surrounded by forested mountains, Lake Conasauga is a 17 acre man-made lake located near the summit of Grassy Mountain in northwest Georgia. It is the highest elevation lake in Georgia, sitting at an elevation of 3,150 feet. No matter the route taken to get to Lake Conasauga, visitors will pass mountain streams, overlooks, and beautiful scenery. The Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground is approximately one mile past the main Lake Conasauga Campground. 

The Songbird Management Area is located across the road from the Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground. Centered around a large beaver pond, the Songbird Management Area provides a peaceful interpretive nature hike. Many bird species and wildflowers can be found along the interpretive nature hike in this area.  

Adjacent to the Lake Conasauga Recreation area is the 45,000 acre Cohutta/Big Frog Wilderness (the largest designated wilderness area east of the Mississippi River.). The Cohutta Wilderness contains 91 miles of arduous backpacking trails. 

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Nearby Attractions

Lake Conasauga Picnic Area:

This is a picnic/day use area located in the Lake Conasauga Recreation Area. Picnic tables and grills are located throughout the area, along with a shelter and swimming area with a dock.

Turn left out of the Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground onto FSR 49. Follow FSR 49 approximately 1/4 mile to an intersection. Turn left at this intersection. The parking lot for the Picnic Area is approximately 1/4 miles from this intersection. Signs can be found directing visitors to the picnic area. 

Barnes Creek Picnic Area: 

This small picnic area was historically used as a rock quarry by the Civilian Conservation Corps and U.S. Forest Service in the 1930s. The picnic tables sit near the base of a waterfall. A short trail from the parking area leads to an observation deck above the waterfall. 

Turn left out of the Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground and follow Forest Road 68 for 5.5 miles. Turn right and continue following Forest Road 68 for another 3.5 miles.  

Gennett Poplar:

The Gennett Poplar is the second largest tree in the state of Georgia with a circumference of 18 feet. This tree was left by the Conasauga River Lumber Company as a tribute to the size of the trees that once inhabited the Appalachian Mountains. 

Turn left out of the Lake Conasauga Campground and follow Forest Road 49/68 for 5.5 miles. Turn right and continue following Forest Road 68 for 3.5 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 90. Follow Forest Road 90 for 2 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 241. Follow Forest Road 241 for 2 miles until it dead ends. Follow the trail upstream for 3/4 mile.