Lake Conasauga Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter. Reservations will open in spring 2026 for the upcoming season, which typically runs mid-April through October 31.

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From Recreation.gov

The window to make reservations at the Lake Conasauga Campground will open in Spring of 2026.

About

Lake Conasauga Campground is a remote recreation area in the Chattahoochee National Forest, nestled at 3,150 feet elevation on Georgia's highest lake. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, the 17-acre spring-fed lake sits between Grassy Mountain and Little Bald Mountain in the Cohutta Mountains. The campground offers 30 sites split between a Lower Loop near the lake and an Upper Loop in the forest above. Each campsite includes a gravel parking spur, tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring with grill. Flush toilets are available in both loops, with water hydrants throughout the campground. No electricity, showers, or dump station are provided. Cell service is very limited. At this elevation, temperatures run 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys, providing comfortable summer camping. Recreation opportunities include swimming at a designated dock, fishing for bass and bream, hiking trails ranging from the 1-mile Lake Loop to the 4-mile Tower Trail, and boating with electric motors only. The adjacent Songbird Management Area offers wildlife viewing and wildflower displays. Access requires navigating 15+ miles of steep, narrow, winding gravel mountain roads through the Cohuttas. Tents, pop-ups, and trailers under 25 feet are recommended. The campground borders the 45,000-acre Cohutta/Big Frog Wilderness, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi.

Directions

From Chatsworth: Take US Hwy 411 north 3 miles to Eton. Turn right on Old CCC Camp Road. After 5 miles, pavement ends and becomes Forest Service Road 18. Continue 4 miles to fork; take left fork (FSR 68). Continue on FSR 68 for 6 miles to T-intersection at Potato Patch Mountain. Turn left to stay on FSR 68 for 4-5 miles to campground entrance. From Ellijay: From town circle, take GA Hwy 52 west 5 miles to Gates Chapel Road. Turn right; road becomes FSR 90 after 7 miles. Continue to stop sign, turn right on FSR 68, continue to T-intersection, turn left to stay on FSR 68 for 4-5 miles to entrance.