Desoto Falls Recreation Area

De Soto Falls Recreation Area, Dahlonega, Georgia, United States
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View from the Observation Deck
Foot Bridge(across from host site) that accesses the trail to the upper and lower water falls.

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
View all amenities

Available sites

23 total sites
RV Sites 15 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 8 sites Check Availability

About Desoto Falls Recreation Area

Desoto Falls Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service Campground located approximately 2 hours North of Atlanta in the North Georgia mountains of the Chattahoochee National Forest.  Desoto Falls offers visitors year-round recreation opportunities including camping, fishing, picnicking, and beautiful hikes to our nearby waterfalls. The campground is situated along Frogtown Creek with at an elevation of 2.1 ft above sea level, under a dense forest of deciduous and evergreen trees.   23 campsites are neatly arranged in two loops(upper and lower), with each loop having creek sites. The climate here is fairly mild and generally offers all four seasons, so it is a wonderful place to relax and experience each of these throughout the year. North Georgia is a playground for wildlife watchers. An abundance of Deer, Turkey, Bear and, small furbearers can be seen as well as bird watching. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, come to Desoto Falls.   

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Grill
  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

23 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 30 ft · Gravel
⛺ 10, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 11, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 12, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 27 ft · Gravel
⛺ 13, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 14, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 90 × 33 ft · Gravel
🚐 15, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 42 ft · Gravel
🚐 16, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 36 ft · Gravel
🚐 17, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 21 ft · Gravel
🚐 18, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 36 ft · Gravel
🚐 19, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 36 ft · Gravel
🚐 2, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 20, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 40 ft · Gravel
🚐 21, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 36 ft · Gravel
🚐 22, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 27 ft · Gravel
🚐 23, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 42 ft · Gravel
🚐 3, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 36 ft · Gravel
🚐 4, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 36 ft · Gravel
⛺ 5, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 6, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 7, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 8, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 9, Loop: B Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (323)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Desoto Falls Recreation Area offers a clean and well-maintained campground with beautiful surroundings and spacious sites, especially along the creek. Many visitors appreciate the friendly camp hosts and the proximity to hiking trails leading to stunning waterfalls. However, some guests note significant road noise from nearby traffic and mention that the facilities could use improvements, particularly the bathrooms. Overall, it remains a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful camping experience in nature.

Review Summary

4.3
323 reviews
5
57.0%
184
4
24.1%
78
3
10.8%
35
2
5.0%
16
1
3.1%
10

Erika C

Verified

July 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A

5

We had a wonderful time! There was some confusion about our campsite when we first got there but the camp host was so helpful and super nice. We will definitely go back!

Allison W

Verified

July 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: B

5

So many things to discover around the campgrounds. The bathrooms and showers were very clean at all times during our stay.

Anna S

Verified

July 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: B

5

This is a beautiful remote campground with amazing access to 2 short easy hikes to see the falls. The forest is lovely and the sites are private.

PHIL P

Verified

August 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: B

2

We camp annually at De Soto, Paul’s, and have a favorite campsite because of the features of the creek access at this campsite. Our annual trip was basically ruined because the neighboring campers had two dogs there that were constantly barking. Please Folks, if you’re going to bring markers with you at least attempt to quiet them. Better yet get a bark collar. We actually clapped when they left and stayed right till checkout time so we could at least enjoy two hours of peace.

David W

Verified

August 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: B

4

This is a very good campsite. Good roads and parking. Fair price. Quite close to the highway and trucks using engine braking throughout the day and night.

Jennifer B

Verified

August 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: B

5

No water or electric hookups. But even mid summer, it was nice and cool here. A rustic but clean bathhouse, hiking to the falls, playing in cold creek, all the while surrounded by blossoms and mature forest. Magical place with abundant bird life.

Damian H

Verified

September 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: B

5

Very nice area

Rebecca S

Verified

September 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A

5

We had the best time here!! Campsite 3 was so peaceful, even on a packed holiday weekend. The hosts were so kind and inviting, we loved them. Great bathrooms, trails, clean sites, hiking, and parking. There’s no cell service, so it was the perfect, quiet weekend. I just hate how much road noise you get, but the site is perfect other than proximity to the road.

Rachel S

Verified

September 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A

5

Staying at Desoto Falls Recreation Area was extremely convenient. The campground itself was peaceful with nice bathroom accommodations. However, you are definitely going to hear the speeding traffic up and down the curvy highway. The hiking trail and creek offered some good nature fun, and you are close enough to other spectacular 'attractions' that you won't run out of things to do. Corner store is right down the road for supplies and cell service - zero reception on site. Only thing I wish is for better information on neighboring sites for larger groups! We booked site 1 and 2 just to find out that the camp host is smack dab in the middle.

Jason N

Verified

September 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: B

4

Nothing wrong with the campground itself. Very nice spots and a wonderful outdoor shower. The problem is the road next to it that is used as a dragstrip and racetrack for motorcycles and cars. Went on for hours.

Location & Directions for Desoto Falls Recreation Area

De Soto Falls Recreation Area, Dahlonega, GA 30533 United States

Elevation: 624 ft

Getting There

<p>From Blairsville, GA take U.S. Highway 19/129 South for 17 mi and the campground entrance is on your right. From Dahlonega, GA take Highway 19 North for 18 mi and the entrance in on your left. From Cleveland, GA, take 19/129 North for 16 mi and...

Nearest town

Dahlonega, GA - 17 mi

About 29 min to downtown

Highway access

Desoto Falls Recreation Area is accessible via U.S. Highway 19, with connections to U.S. Highway 129. It is approximately 17 miles from Blairsville and 18 miles from Dahlonega.

Policies & Rules

General

  • During non-peak season (November 1 - April 1), all water is turned off to the entire campground.
  • Be bear aware; keep all food in containers or locked inside a vehicle as much as possible. Remove all food from the area after eating and during nighttime hours. Dispose of garbage promptly in our bear proof garbage dumpster.
  • Limit of two vehicles per campsite except the double site (site #14), which is a maximum of 4 vehicles.
  • No generators, music or other loud noises during this time. Be respectful to other campground visitors.
  • Campfires are permitted in grills only.
  • Pets must be on a leash at all times.
  • Discharging of firearms and fireworks is prohibited.
  • Do not leave fires unattended; they must be fully-extinguished and cold to the touch before check-out.
  • Note: cell phone service may not work in some areas due to tower location and terrain.
  • No day use or picnicking in the campground. Please use the day-use area or the picnic area if you do not have a reservation.

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Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Dahlonega, GA

Population: 7,299

Nearby city: Alpharetta, GA

Approx. 49 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,450 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service