Wildcat Campground #1

About

Wildcat Creek Campground #1, also known as the Lower campground, sits at 2,420 feet elevation in the North Georgia mountains west of Lake Burton. The campground is positioned along the headwaters of Wildcat Creek, which flows directly adjacent to the campsites and is seasonally stocked with rainbow trout by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. A valid Georgia fishing license and trout stamp are required. This is a primitive tent-only campground accessed via Wildcat Road (Forest Road 26), a steep, narrow gravel road with single lanes and turnouts. The road conditions make it unsuitable for RVs or trailers even when open. Potable water is not available at this site, so campers must bring their own water supply. The campground has been closed indefinitely since Wildcat Road sustained four landslides beginning in 2019. The first slide has been repaired, but slides 2-4 remain and await funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Relief program. Hiking access to the area is still permitted, but there is no safe vehicle access to the campgrounds and no services are available during the closure.

Directions

From Clayton, GA, take U.S. Route 76 west for 9.7 miles to State Route 197. Turn left onto Route 197 and go 5.1 miles to West Wildcat Road (Forest Road 26). Turn right onto West Wildcat Road and go 2.8 miles to the campground.