High Falls Campground

RV camping at the High Falls Campground offers easy access to all the recreational pursuits of High Falls State Park, which sprawls across more than 1,000 acres. It was once the location of a 19th-century industrial hub (with a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, and several stores), but it transformed into a ghost town in the late 19th century after it was bypassed by a major railroad. Today, the area is renowned for boasting the largest waterfall in the region, with a number of scenic trails offering good views of the 135-foot cascade. Hiking trails also lead to the foundations of the original grist mill and the remains of an old bridge that was constructed in 1890.

The High Falls Campground is also within easy access to Indian Springs State Park, whose waters have long been revered for their healing qualities. You can sample the spring water inside the stone-built Spring House, which was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, then get active swimming, fishing, or boating on McIntosh Lake. Other popular activities in the park include wading in Sandy Creek and mountain biking to the nearby Dauset Trails.

Directly east of the High Falls Campground is the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 35,000 acres of hardwood forests, wetlands, and beaver ponds. The land was cleared for farming during the 19th century, but the continuous planting of cotton led to infertile soils and the eventual abandonment of the area. Through hard work, the forest has now been re-established, and the refuge is a popular destination for spotting white-tailed deer and a variety of birdlife, including endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Campsites at the High Falls Campground are just 15 minutes' drive from Jackson, where you’ll find numerous supermarkets and gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental. There’s also a good selection of fast-food restaurants and eateries if you want to dine out in Jackson, or you can drive west to Griffin for a wider selection.

A short drive from Jackson is the Dauset Trails Nature Center, which serves as an environmental education center, wildlife viewing destination, and outdoor recreation hub. Get up close to their resident bobcats and otters that have been rescued from the wild or say “hello” to the domesticated goats, donkeys, and cows at the 19th-century inspired farm. The Dauset Trails Nature Center is also the departure point for a number of hikes, including the easy Woodland Garden Trail, and houses a small museum that highlights the region’s Native American and Civilian Conservation Corps history.

Jackson campers are also within easy reach of the Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site, which is one of the best-preserved examples of a middle-class Southern plantation and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about the 19th-century history of the plantation as you explore its original farmhouse, cotton gin, and sawmill on a guided tour. Aside from housing the Jarrell family, the plantation was home to around 40 slaves prior to the Civil War, with some continuing to work at the farm once being freed.

The High Falls Campground is just 45 minutes’ drive from Atlanta, which serves as the vibrant capital of Georgia. Spend a day exploring its excellent museums, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the Atlanta History Center. Stroll along the leafy trails of picturesque Piedmont Park or admire the marine life on show at the immense Georgia Aquarium, then step into the World of Coca-Cola to learn about the history of this ever-popular soda. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the High Museum of Art, while animal lovers can head directly to the Zoo Atlanta to see African elephants and giant pandas in their naturally-inspired enclosures.

Whether you want to witness the stunning cascade of High Falls or learn about the cotton plantation history of Georgia, book an RV in Butts County and start planning your next vacation.