Named in 1963 as just a basic campground, Moccasin Creek State Park was the vision of Fulton Lovell, who was the Director of the Georgia Game and Fish Commission at the time. The Lake Burton Fish Hatchery ran the park for several years before turning it over to the Georgia State Parks Department because it was just too much for the hatchery to handle. In 1966, the 32-acre park was renamed to Moccasin Creek State Park, and a pavilion by Fulton Lake was named to honor Fulton Lovell.
Located just a few miles north of Clarkesville, the park is also next to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the famous Appalachian Trail, which is a 2,200-mile backpacking trail that starts in Georgia and runs all the way to Maine. Moccasin Creek State Park also has its own trail to explore, although it is only one mile long, it is an interpretive trail where you can learn about the area in and around the park.
There is so much to do at the park all year long that you will have to bring your RV and get a campsite so you can fit it all in. Boating, fishing, and paddleboarding are popular activities during the early spring on into late fall since it does not get too chilly here during the off-season, except for a few days here and there in late December through February. Pack your camera because there is a lot of beauty here from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Tallulah Gorge State Park.
On GA-197 in the northeastern corner of Georgia, you can reach the park from several highways, including US-75, US-76, US-23, or GA-255. You will be about a half-hour from Tallulah Falls, which is a beautiful resort town or two hours from Atlanta, which is the state capital and has a ton of historical sites to explore. At Moccasin Creek State Park, you are surrounded by other state parks, so if you find yourself wanting to do something that this park does not offer, there are several others nearby.
Only 17 miles from the park, you can find Unicoi State Park, which has ziplining, archery, and air gun ranges, fly fishing classes, mountain biking, and much more. Black Rock Mountain State Park is just 20 miles away and has more trails and picnicking opportunities as well as a gift shop. And there are several more parks within a 30-mile radius.
The roads on the way to the park are very curvy, including GA-197, which can be tricky for large rigs, so take it easy and drive slowly. Once you get into the park, it is easier to maneuver since they are used to having visitors with RVs, motorhomes, and boat trailers. However, it is a good idea to leave the RV at the campsite and walk or ride a bike. That way, you get to see more of the natural beauty and experience the sights and sounds of the park.
Camping at Moccasin Creek State Park is an awesome experience whatever time of year you visit. The campground has 53 spacious campsites to choose from with 30-amp electric and water hookups available. Additionally, several host sites also feature sewer hookups. The length limits for motorhomes and trailers vary from 15 to 50 feet, so make sure you check the specifics before booking your spot. Each of the campsites has its own fire pit and a picnic table that seats six, and the sites also have a cleared space for your group to sit around the fire.
If you want to be close to the creek, get one of the first five campsites. If you would rather be nearer to the picnic area and playground, site 16 would be perfect for you if your rig is less than 40 feet long. You will also have access to two comfort stations that offer showers, restrooms, and running water. A fish cleaning station is nearby in case you catch some fish for dinner, and an RV dump site is available for your convenience. Pets are welcome but must be restrained at all times.
Did you try digging for a buried treasure when you were a kid? Well, you may not have found any hidden treasure then, but you can find it at Moccasin Creek State Park. Geocaching is really catching on with everyone from grade-schoolers to grandmas. All you need is a cell phone and some comfortable shoes to find a treasure just waiting for you. The geocaching website will tell you the coordinates, and your GPS will tell you where to go. That’s all there is to it! What will you uncover? It could be anything from a Tupperware bowl with some trinkets inside to a treasure chest made specifically for geocaching. Bring a pen or pencil too so that you can sign the logbook.
The Wildlife Trail is the only official trail in the park, but it is fantastic for everyone. At only one mile long, this short loop trail is an interpretive trek so you can learn more about flora and fauna in the park. The trail starts and ends at the dam by the park entrance. You can also go further down from the parking lot by the Wildlife Trail, where you will find the two-mile USFS Hemlock Falls Hiking Trail. You will wander along the edge of the creek until you come to the main attraction, which is the waterfall that cascades into a bunch of smaller waterfalls. Be sure to bring a camera so you can share the beauty on your favorite social media pages.
Even though it doesn’t get very cold in the off-season, you will notice that the park really thins out from October until March. What a perfect time to pack the family in the motorhome and head to Moccasin Creek State Park for a picnic. If you have a big group of 30 or less, you can reserve the picnic shelter. And your furry family members can come too, as long as you keep them on a leash. The pavilion has electricity, five picnic tables, restrooms with running water, and a playground for the kids. And the pavilion is ADA accessible, so everyone can come and enjoy the day.
With a boat dock and ramp, it would be crazy not to bring your boat along on your RV trip to Moccasin Creek State Park. Whether you have a big fishing boat or a small raft or kayak, the water on Lake Burton is too pretty not to get out there and explore. The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the middle of the lake is unbelievable, so make sure you have that waterproof camera with you. You can also take a mini-float trip or whitewater session on Moccasin Creek if the water is high enough. Make sure you have a life jacket for everyone, though, as safety is essential for every age boater.
If you like trout, you’ll love fishing at Moccasin Creek State Park. Whether you are tossing the line in Moccasin Creek or Lake Burton, you can try some fly fishing to catch some of the tasty trout for dinner. Or you can put a sinker on your line and add some live bait to entice some of the bottom feeders like catfish and carp, which can get up to 20 pounds or more here. No matter what you are fishing for, make sure you have your Georgia state fishing license.
Lake Burton may not have a designated swimming area, but there are plenty of places for you to get in there and splash around. At almost 2,800 acres, the lake is the perfect place to cool off during Georgia’s hot summer days. Pack the floaties and life jackets in the RV because there is no lifeguard on duty anywhere in the park. You can also cool off in Moccasin Creek, which is typically only a few feet of water, but crystal clear and nice and cool. There is nothing quite as relaxing as floating around on a raft while looking at the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
