Free primitive camping that I can drive up to next to a stream easy for a 5 and 9 year old!

[u/Lxrge]

Wanting to get away with the kids here in a few weeks where would be the best place to do the above?

Edit I’ve been flamed in other socials because I know primitive and drive up are not the same I’d like to just escape with the kids that’s still easy to access 🙏

[u/Confident_Chipmonk]

3 forks, cooper creek, springer mountain or any other close AT shelters

[u/NotAUsefullDoctor → u/Confident_Chipmonk]

I drove out to park at Nimblewill Gap and saw a bunch of pull up spots along the creek on the way there. The road is a little rough, but you don't need anything special to drive out there.

As an aside, this was to finish the last section of the AT in Georgia, including the approach, for me. I've now backpacked the entire AT in Georgia piecewise in 2 to 5 night sprints.

[u/Andersonbush847 → u/NotAUsefullDoctor]

Hoofa, say Nimblewill and all I can see is endless switchbacks and aggressive ascents all the way to Justus.

[u/NotAUsefullDoctor → u/Andersonbush847]

That's how I feel with Tesnatee to Hogpen. That little stint is a killer, despite Unicoi gap being longer and higher. There's something about the 18 rapid switchbacks that just destroys the spirit.

[u/Caesar419 → u/Confident_Chipmonk]

3 Forks is a great one!

[u/obvsthwawy]

Rock creek up in Suches is my primitive, off grid free campground. Lots of spots next to to creek and they stock it with corn fed trout. Plus you can drive to the country store down the road and leave a car at deep whole and bring your own tubes and do some river tubing with the kids. It’s a super easy tube and impossible to miss the get off.

Go over the big bridge and then when you see the small bridge on the right turn off, and the spots are all back in there. If you get to the hatchery you missed it.

If you go all I ask is you DM me some pics of what it’s looking like right now cause I think I’m gonna be making the 3.5 hour drive and doing some solo camping soon. Need to get off the internet and decompress for a day or two 😂

[u/Roadscrape → u/obvsthwawy]

That was the first place I thought of after reading OPs post. Great area, easy to access. Note the road above Blue Hole falls is not near a creek of note until Indian Grave Gap.

[u/Altruistic-Two1309 → u/obvsthwawy]

Is it anywhere off rock creek rd?

[u/Altruistic-Two1309 → u/Altruistic-Two1309]

I see the frank gross recreational area. Is it near there

[u/obvsthwawy → u/Altruistic-Two1309]

Yup that’s it!

[u/Altruistic-Two1309 → u/obvsthwawy]

Okie doke thanks. Is the camping anywhere along that road, or anywhere in the frank Rec area?

[u/obvsthwawy → u/Altruistic-Two1309]

There are a few “spots” because people tend to use the same places, but it’s really up to you. Find the creek and the little bridge to cross it and head to the right. Not the bigger bridge that’s super high off the creek, the little one after you pass that one.

[u/obvsthwawy → u/obvsthwawy]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/afLHikUyhVQRskkF9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

I found the little bridge on maps. Cross this bridge from rock creek road, turn right up the dirt trail, and starting right there you can find spots all along the creek on your right.

[u/Altruistic-Two1309 → u/obvsthwawy]

Wow thanks so much i added it to my map.

[u/obvsthwawy → u/Altruistic-Two1309]

NP! I should be up there soon I think.

[u/just_eh_guy]

There's a great spot up past Helen, on the forest service road Corbin Creek - FR 698. Plenty of drive up spots right along the creek.

[u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

If you're not dead set on being in the mountains, there are some spots along the Oconee River off Highway 15 in Georgia. Probably best would be the actual DNR campground where 15 crosses the Oconee. It's not free, but the cost is minimal - I believe it's a $5 parking fee and that's it.

Be advised that deer season starts soon. If you're going to be in the woods, wear some orange for safety.

[u/NihilistKarlHungus]

I’ve seen dispersed tent camping next to streams at Desoto Falls campground and Ravens Cliff Falls. The latter is only a few miles from Helen with lots of kids activities. Here is the USFS link for campgrounds. Camping

[u/Plantguysteve]

Not sure where u at but Hester’s Ferry was a good spot for us. Not a creek but we were on the lake. Easy to swim, fish, cook. Sites with electricity available or primitive should you prefer.

[u/Plantguysteve → u/Plantguysteve]

My bad, this one isn’t free.

[u/Herdsengineers]

there were free sites right off the dirt road that got you to blue falls near hiawasse. awesome locale.

[u/ctopherv]

Check out long creek falls on the Appalachian trail. Over night parking is along a gravel road near the trail intersection. Plenty of spots to camp along the mile hike to the falls/swimming hole. The hike is flat, the sites sit along a river, and the waterfall gives them plenty to do.

[u/Dry-Lavishness-7951]

Cooper creek wildlife management area. Lots of camp sites right off the dirt road by the creek. Love it there

[u/Good_Log_5108]

You’re looking for a national forest recreation area—good luck, have fun! 

[u/AltruisticCrab2990]

I bit further for you, but Snowbird (road leading to wilderness area entrance) has several really nice sites right along Snowbird Creek. I'm pretty sure it's first come, first serve, but it's gorgeous. (SW NC - Near Robbinsville.) No facilities, just some picnic tables

[u/Lxrge]

https://imgur.com/a/2TdpN1G

Nimblewell was a hit!