VAN PUGH SOUTH CAMPGROUND
VAN PUGH SOUTH CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

About Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

Van Pugh South Day Use Facility lies on the banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia. The popular lake boasts nearly 700 mi of shoreline and over 100 small islands, providing over 11 million annual visitors with limitless recreation opportunities.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Kayaking

Kayaking

Spring Summer Fall
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Reviews

631 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Van Pugh South Day Use Facility is highly praised for its friendly and accommodating staff, well-maintained sites, and cleanliness, making it a perfect spot for a day at the lake. Many visitors express a desire for the campground to reopen for overnight camping, highlighting its appeal for extended stays. Overall, guests enjoy the privacy and experience offered, especially in comparison to public beaches.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 631 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 62.4% (394)
4 stars 21.6% (136)
3 stars 5.9% (37)
2 stars 3.8% (24)
1 star 6.3% (40)

Showing 631 reviews

Sort by: Newest First

Ralph T

July 14, 2021

Quick Close to Home for us Campground. Some Beautiful Lake front sites. Well spaced out. Lots of Trees. We really like this place!

Helpful

Ralph T

July 14, 2021

Quick Close to Home for us Campground. Some Beautiful Lake front sites. Well spaced out. Lots of Trees. We really like this place!

Helpful

Peter N

July 13, 2021

Nice campsite and hosts were pleasant - 5 stars

Bathrooms are dark, dank and disgusting - 1 star

Helpful

Cory W

July 13, 2021

The park is beautiful but the staff is horrible. We booked on the rec app. When we arrived our daughter wanted to swim so we took some of our stuff out and then when down to the beach at our campsite, the park staff them had a park ranger come around and kick us out bc we had not set up our campsite yet. I didn’t know we had to set up our site at your convenience. When we tried to argue our point the park ranger said pack up and get out or I’ll write you tickets. When I called and spoke to rec.gov and tried to get our money back they said the park refused to refund our money! We will not be back to this park as long as the staff that is working this year is here. Very disappointed in the staff and Rec.gov

Helpful

Peter N

July 13, 2021

Nice campsite and hosts were pleasant - 5 stars

Bathrooms are dark, dank and disgusting - 1 star

Helpful

Cory W

July 13, 2021

The park is beautiful but the staff is horrible. We booked on the rec app. When we arrived our daughter wanted to swim so we took some of our stuff out and then when down to the beach at our campsite, the park staff them had a park ranger come around and kick us out bc we had not set up our campsite yet. I didn’t know we had to set up our site at your convenience. When we tried to argue our point the park ranger said pack up and get out or I’ll write you tickets. When I called and spoke to rec.gov and tried to get our money back they said the park refused to refund our money! We will not be back to this park as long as the staff that is working this year is here. Very disappointed in the staff and Rec.gov

Helpful

Peter N

July 13, 2021

Nice campsite and hosts were pleasant - 5 stars

Bathrooms are dark, dank and disgusting - 1 star

Helpful

Cory W

July 13, 2021

The park is beautiful but the staff is horrible. We booked on the rec app. When we arrived our daughter wanted to swim so we took some of our stuff out and then when down to the beach at our campsite, the park staff them had a park ranger come around and kick us out bc we had not set up our campsite yet. I didn’t know we had to set up our site at your convenience. When we tried to argue our point the park ranger said pack up and get out or I’ll write you tickets. When I called and spoke to rec.gov and tried to get our money back they said the park refused to refund our money! We will not be back to this park as long as the staff that is working this year is here. Very disappointed in the staff and Rec.gov

Helpful

vitali p

July 12, 2021

the rangers who work there are like the guards in the prison !

Helpful

Patricia G

July 12, 2021

The attendant at the gate was very rude. There was some confusion about the reservation and the lady at the gate could care less about the situation. My mother was in from out of town and wanted to come out to visit for a while. You are not allowed to have guests. Only people camping are allowed onsite. The site was also at the top of a steep hill. We ended up forfeiting the whole reservation and went next door to North Van Pugh. The attendants at South Van Pugh should go to North Van Pugh to see what customer service should be like. Never returning to this site. There are plenty of other campsites that do not nitpick who is at the site.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

6749 Gaines Ferry Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 United States

Elevation: 344 ft

Getting There

Take I-85 north to I-985, take Exit 8, turn left on Highway 347/Friendship Road. Turn right on McEver Road, then left on Gaines Ferry Road and follow signs to the campground.

Nearest town

Flowery Branch, GA - 5 mi

About 12 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via I-85 and I-985, with Exit 8 leading to Highway 347/Friendship Road. McEver Road and Gaines Ferry Road provide further access to the facility.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Explore Flowery Branch, GA

Population: 10,925

Nearby city: Alpharetta, GA

Approx. 19 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,122 ft

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