Atlanta area residents are blessed with many local attractions, from scenic destinations like the 30-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden to important museums, such as the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Georgia Aquarium, the fourth largest in the world.
But as many RV enthusiasts know, there’s nothing more refreshing than a great road trip, even a short one, either alone to spend quality time with family and friends.
Fortunately for Atlanta area RVers, there are many attractions close by that make for easy mid-week or weekend getaways. Here are several of them, along with suggestions of great places to camp along the way:
Anna Ruby Falls: This scenic waterfall in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is roughly two hours from Atlanta and is one of Georgia’s top vacation destinations. The falls can be accessed easily by a short hiking trail. The forest itself offers more than 2,200 miles of rivers and streams and numerous hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail. Nearby campgrounds include Hearthstone Cabins & Camping in Helen.
Georgia’s Antebellum Trail: This is a 100-mile trek through seven historic communities that escaped General Sherman’s burning march through Georgia. Sights along the trail include Antebellum architecture and historic house museums. The historic towns along this route include Athens, Watkinsville, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, Gray-Old Clinton, and Macon, all of which offer fine Southern dining, antique shops and other attractions. Athens alone has 17 historic districts, while Macon is the site of the historic Hay House, a four-story, 18,000-square foot mansion built from 1855 to 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, a marked contrast to the Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period. There are so many beautiful homes, museums, and historic sites to see along this trail that it could easily require multiple trips to see it all. Nearby campgrounds include Pine Lake RV Campground, 12 miles south of Athens; Scenic Mountain RV Resort in Milledgeville; and Fair Harbor RV Park and Campground in Perry.
Jekyll Island: This is one of the most popular islands along the Georgia coast with beautiful beaches, historic homes and the famed Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Nearby campgrounds include Jekyll Island Campground.
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus: This museum preserves and displays one of the greatest collections of military artifacts in the world, with 190,000 square feet of galleries standing on a 200-acre tract just outside the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) at Fort Benning, Georgia. The MCoE is one of the Army’s largest installations, the home of the Infantry and Armor schools, as well as Ranger School, Officer Candidate School, and Airborne School. Nearby campgrounds include Camp David RV Resort in Columbus.
Okefenokee Swamp Park & Adventures: Okefenokee Swamp Park offers boat tours, train rides, interactive exhibits, and animal encounters. Okefenokee Adventures, located within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, offers guided boat tours, kayaking, hiking trailers and camping excursions. Nearby campgrounds include Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground in Folkston and Shady Grove RV Park in Waycross.
Pine Mountain: This charming southern town is located about an hour southwest of Atlanta. You can find an assortment of activities that appeal to every member of the family. The town is close to Callaway Gardens, one of the finest golf courses in the state. Other nearby activities include horseback riding, fishing, and hiking the trails of F. D. Roosevelt State Park. Nearby campgrounds include Pine Mountain RV Resort.
Savannah:
Savannah’s three-square mile historic preserves much of the city as it appeared before the Civil War. Savannah’s shaded squares, historic architecture and abundance of oak trees draped in Spanish moss have prompted some to consider Savannah to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. Nearby campgrounds include Creekfire RV Resort and Red Gate Campground, both in
Savannah.
Tybee Island: This Georgia barrier island has been a popular vacation spot since the late 1800s. Its wide, clean beaches offer respite for those seeking a dose of sun and sand. The historic Tybee Island Lighthouse dates back to 1736 and is one of only seven colonial-era lighthouses remaining in the U.S. Nearby campgrounds include River’s End Campground.
