Vogel State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Vogel State Park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in a beautiful section of the Chattahoochee National Forest; it is a superb example of some of Georgia's most beautiful landscapes. Vogel State Park provides a spectacular view of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, providing vistas worth seeing any time of year. As one of Georgia's oldest state parks, this park stands apart from many others in the state.
The grounds of the park feature miles of hiking and biking trails, a 22-acre lake, a campground, cottages, waterfalls, and mountain views. There's something for everyone here, and guests can spend the day taking in as many activities as possible. Whether you want to get wet or stay on dry land, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy here.
The park is rich in both history and fun. There is plenty to discover, and you can have fun whatever you seek out. What's even better is that the park makes it a no-brainer to get your haul situated without the worry, as well as makes it easy to get around after setting up for the night. Since popular pieces of the park are in separate places, it makes for longer travel on foot. Seasonal bike rentals help make long journeys easier, and for people who've not packed their own bikes, bike rentals are the perfect way to explore the park more quickly. The campground is open all year, and the facilities welcome visitors to get parked and get out exploring. There's much more to uncover alongside the mountains during your stay at Vogel State Park.
RV Rentals in Vogel State Park
Transportation
Driving
Vogel State Park is located off of US-19 in Blairsville, Georgia. Just two hours north of Atlanta in the northern part of the state, you will find Vogel State Park easy to get to from I-85, US-129, I-75, or GA-76. Roads leading to and into the park are level and paved; however, they have quite a few twists and turns. You’ll want to take caution driving your big rig on these hilly, curvy roads. Several local roads make it easy to navigate once you’re inside the park.
While Vogel State Park offers ample space for parking, it still can get packed on beautiful sunny days, weekends, and holidays. Beginning in the spring and throughout the fall, the park sees all sorts of guests. With a thriving lake and popular hiking trails, it's no wonder it gets so busy. We recommend that overnight guests trade in their four wheels in for two when you get here, making it easier to get around the large park. If you forgot to pack your bike, you could rent one on-site. This way, camp visitors can still get around fast and efficiently.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Vogel State Park
Campsites in Vogel State Park
Reservations camping
Vogel State Park Campground
Vogel State Park Campground features 90 sites that are available by reservation. These sites can host traditional tent camping, travel trailers, or even larger RVs. There are both back-in and pull-through sites available, and all 90 sites within the campground have hookups for electricity and water as well as a fire ring and picnic table. These sites can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet in length. Campground guests will also have access to restrooms, showers, a laundry facility, a trading post, and a dump station.
Open year-round, the park even hosts events in the winter and offers the perfect setting for getting active in the cold. The park's campground is pet-friendly and extremely family-friendly. Bike rentals are made available nearby, meaning you can park your rig and ride a bike to see the sights. It's a great way to be active and get around much faster.
Pioneer Campground
The Pioneer Campground has two campsites with pioneer-type shelters that hold between 10 to 50 people. Each site has two shelters, which are wooden structures with no doors or windows, so don’t count on them keeping the hot or cold weather out. They will help shelter you from the rain or snow. You can bring your pooch along with you, too, since pets are welcome. You’ll also have six picnic tables, and campfire rings with grills to cook on, a pit toilet, and a picnic shelter at the campground. There are no utilities, and you will have to walk about 0.3 miles from the parking lot at Wolf Creek to get to your site, so if you like rugged camping, this camping area is for you. Just park your rig in the lot and hike into the woods. The only life you will see here besides your group will be wildlife. Deer, bears, raccoons, and skunks are likely to make an appearance during your stay, so keep your food locked up.
First-come first-served
First-Come, First-Served
Vogel State Park's cozy campground is open year-round to guests. Reservations are not required to stay here, but you might be able to snag a site on a first-come, first-served basis. With 90 sites for traditional tent campers, tow-behind travelers, and RVs, everyone can find a welcome place to stay. All 90 of these pet-friendly sites come with electricity and water hookups. The campground facilities also include a trading post, a laundry facility, bathrooms, showers, and an RV sanitation dump station. Sites will fit rigs up to 40 feet, and you can choose from either back-in or pull-through spaces. Be sure to get in as early as you can, or even plan to get to the campground mid-week. Weekends, holidays, and just beautiful days, in general, are all rather busy times at the park. The lure of the surroundings here stretches far into the colder days of winter.
Alternate camping
Walk-in and Backcountry Campsites
If you're more of the rugged, outdoorsy type, the park's campground has 18 walk-in-only tent sites. These walk-in sites feature a picnic table and fire ring. You can even bring your pet to keep you company during your stay, as long as you keep it restrained and supervised. Backcountry campers can also find shelter along the nearby Appalachian Trail. This famed trail has a shelter placed at the summit of Blood Mountain. The area can be accessed by hikers traveling along the park's many trails and is a great way to enjoy a secluded and peaceful back to nature type of camping trip. The sites are about 1,500 feet from the parking lot, and there is a toilet but no electricity or water. If you are looking for a private area to get away from the crowds, this is a good choice.
Cottages
If you want to park the RV and stay somewhere a bit cozier, Vogel State Park has options for a pleasant indoor experience. The park's grounds feature 34 cottages, some of which are wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. The cabins range in size so you can choose a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom set-up. They are furnished with beds, tables, and a fully functional kitchen.
Some of the outdoor spaces feature a fire ring and grill so you can cook up a delicious meal during your stay. In some of the cottages, bed and bath linens are provided, as well as a coffee maker and microwave. You can stay in comfort with a fireplace and air conditioning and heat. All of the cottages are close to the lake, and several are lakeside. Cottages 33, 34, and 35 are all right on Lake Trahlyta while the rest are along Wolf Creek, so you get a beautiful water view no matter which cottage you choose.
Seasonal activities in Vogel State Park
Off-Season
Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by RVers and visitors of all ages. Guests who engage in the hunt will be on a GPS-fueled adventure. Any smartphone will work just fine to take part in this technological treasure hunt. Vogel State Park is one of the more than 60 parks in Georgia that hosts these hidden caches. Guests can discover so much with this unique and interactive park opportunity. To enjoy this fun game of global treasure hunting, all you have to do is look up the GPS coordinates on your phone and let it lead you to the treasure.
Hiking
Vogel State Park is a perfect destination for hiking throughout the year. Guests regularly come to the park to take on the miles and miles of trails. The park offers diverse hiking opportunities, meaning hikers of all levels can find a pathway that suits them best. More than 17 miles are available to choose from, including the five-mile moderate Bear Hair Gap Trail, the mile-long Lake Trahlyta Trail, and the almost 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail. The winter season offers a spectacular way to see scenic views through the bare trees, and hikers don't have to worry much about bugs or overheating.
Fishing
If you've been itching to throw a few lines in the water, you won't want to miss out on an opportunity to pack your rod and gear for this one. An RV trip to Vogel State Park's lake is sure to wet your line. No matter your skill level, Lake Trahlyta's generous reservoir is a fantastic place to snag a few good bites. Anglers will be happy to hear it's quite common to catch all sorts of trout; brown, rainbow, and brook are abundant catches. Even throughout the winter, Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division periodically stocks the lake, so no matter the season, you will have a reel-y good time on the water.
Attending a Park Event
The park hosts events for visitors to enjoy, even during the off-season. The Fall Fest is held at the end of October and has all kinds of fun activities for the whole family. Open year-round, Vogel State Park features events well into the winter season. In fact, visitors planning on traveling in December won't want to miss out on the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. This event is held at the park and features all sorts of fun, joy-filled activities the whole family can partake in. Warm up the winter with some festive cheer.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
A few of the park's trails lead to the pathway that begins a trek along the famed Appalachian Trail. The summit of Blood Mountain is where you will find the Appalachian Trail's connecting point. You can also find a rest shelter at the summit. The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking trail in the world. In total, the length of the entire Appalachian Trail extends more than 2,000 miles and runs through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. The trail is popular, with over three million visitors every year.
In-Season
Miniature Golfing
Not many state parks can boast their own miniature golf course. It's yet another small gem that sets Vogel State Park apart from the rest of the parks in Georgia. After a beautiful summer day out on the water of Lake Trahlyta or hiking the trails of Blood Mountain, it's a pleasant treat to end the day by having some fun at the park's golf and concession area. Here, you can grab some ice cream and enjoy a relaxing game of put-put, or you can keep the fun alive with a few competitive rounds between your friends.
Attending the Junior Ranger Program
If you're planning an RV trip with your kids, you may want to look into signing up for available Junior Ranger Programs. These educational programs are open to children ages six to 12 years, and the program offers three different levels of badges. The activities provide endless learning opportunities, such as identifying species of plants and animals in the park, going for hikes, attending camping events, and learning about the history of the park. The Junior Ranger Programs are a fantastic way to keep your kids engaged and involved over the summer break.
Biking
Ditch the four wheels of your rig for two bike wheels. Getting around on a bike is one of the best ways to zip around the park while still getting to take in all of the sights. You can go just about anywhere on your bike here. In fact, riding a bike makes getting from the campground to other popular parts of the park, such as the lake and the mini-golf course, a lot faster. It's okay if you haven't packed your bikes along with you for this trip. The park has you covered with available bike rentals.
Paddling
Lake Trahlyta's water is so inviting that you're sure to see visitors out in the lake enjoying the water in several different ways. If you're not quite willing to get wet with a full dip, you can still get out on the water by paddling above it. A boat launch at the lake offers guests the chance to take out their canoes, kayaks, standing paddleboards, and pedal boats. Don't fret if you didn't pack your own. The park offers lakeside rentals.
Swimming
Vogel State Park features the serene setting of Lake Trahlyta. It's a sparkling representation of summer fun and the ideal place to cool down from the Georgia sun. The beaches of this lake are popular for all sorts of aquatic enthusiasts, even for those merely looking to take a dip. A section of the lake remains roped off for swimmers — and swimming is a spectacular way to take in the surroundings of the park. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer a scenic backdrop for a summer swim.
