Ray Charles had it right, of course. Despite flirtations with other states, snowbirds who have tasted the sweetness of the Peachtree State always seem to find that the road leads back to Georgia. And it’s no wonder, since the state offers something for almost everyone. From the sophistication and culture of its capital, Atlanta, to the historical seduction of Savannah and on to the natural and sporting attractions served up along its coastline, Georgia appeals to RVers like an old sweet song.
Moss decorates the trees of the east-coast jewel of Savannah as if a Hollywood set designer was trying to create “perfect Southern charm.” Of course, nature’s provided much of the handiwork in its historic district, so it’s no wonder that dozens of television shows and movies have worked their magic here.
If your bag of tricks is the kind filled with golf clubs, scoot down I-95 past the shopping bounty of Darian and the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. A Tiger-Woods’ drive off shore, the posh resorts and ocean-scented courses on St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Jekyll Island will prove that they’re world-class. And since sometimes less really is more, the miles and miles of deserted barrier islands provide explorers seeking wind-swept solitude plenty of room to comb the shoreline for shells. You’ll be happy as a clam, of course, if you’re one of the 300 daily visitors allowed to ferry out to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a place so beautiful it could make an octopus lose its grip. Within reach, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area is swamped with the full complement of Georgia’s animals, who probably all know at least the melody to Georgia on My Mind. Call 800-VISITGA.
AUSTELL
Arrowhead Campground
Facilities: Fair paved/gravel interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas. Sites: 160 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel; 128 pull-through (25×50); back-in (25×40); 100 tent sites. Recreation: Stream; pool; horseshoes; game room; recreation field; playground. Contact: 7400 Six Flags Drive SW, Austell, Georgia 30168; (770) 732-1130; www.arrowheadcampground.com.
BISHOP
Pine Lake Campground
Facilities: Good gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; limited RV supplies; firewood. Sites: 30 total, full hookups (30 amps), gravel, mostly shaded; 10 pull-through (22×50); back-in (22×50); 7 tent sites. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Pond; freshwater fishing; tackle; horseshoes; recreation hall; playground. Contact: 5540 High Shoals Road, Bishop, Georgia 30621; (706) 769-5486. A Good Sam Park.
COVINGTON
Riverside Estates RV Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; LP-gas. Sites: 172 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved; 23 pull-through (23×55); back-in (23×45). Modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: River; pool; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; recreation field; playground. Contact: 1891-1 Access Road, Covington, Georgia 30014; (770) 787-3707. A Good Sam Park.
HIAWASSEE
Bald Mountain Park Resort Campground
Facilities: Good paved/gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; mobile sewer service; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; firewood. Sites: 400 total, hookups (20/30 amps), 75 gravel, 80 grass, 75 dirt, mostly shaded; back-in (22×40); some side-by-side hookups; 2 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: Fodder Creek: freshwater fishing and tackle, pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, game room; recreation field; playground. Contact: 3540 Fodder Creek Road, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546; (706) 896-8896. MARIETTA
Brookwood RV Resort Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; LP-gas. Sites: 54 total; 24 available, full hookups (20/50 amps), paved, patios, mostly shaded; back-in (22×50). Central modem hookup; cable TV; Recreation: Stream; pool. Contact: 1031 Wylie Road, Marietta, Georgia 30067; (877) 727-5787. A Good Sam Park.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Stone Mountain Park Campground
Facilities: Good paved interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood; food service. Sites: 392 total, hookups (30/50 amps), 148 paved, 244 gravel, patios, mostly shaded; 18 pull-through (25×50); back-in (25×50); big-rig sites; 40 tent sites; 14-day maximum stay. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Stone Mountain Park Lake: freshwater fishing, swimming, tackle, boating, ramp, dock, rental; Pool; horseshoes; gameroom. Contact: P.O. Box 778, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30086; (800) 385-9807; www.stonemountainpark.com.
TOWNSEND
Lake Harmony RV Park and Campground
Facilities: Fair dirt interior roads; restrooms and showers; dump station; private phone; laundry; limited groceries; LP-gas; firewood. Sites: 50 total, full hookups (30 amps), dirt, some shaded; 50 pull-through (25×65); 20 tent sites. Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Lake Harmony: Freshwater fishing, swimming, tackle, boat rentals. Contact: Route 3, Box 3128, Townsend, Georgia 31331; (888) 767-7864; hometown.aol.com/lakeharmonypark. A Good Sam Park.