Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area

It has been well over 10 years since I took the wife camping. I planned on only 2 – 3 days and was a bit worried. Once we arrived at LWS Rec area we felt right at home. The south loop campground it great and perfect for austere camping. Perfect separation between the camp sites and adequate facilities for potable water and warm showers. The site manager is always available and keeps the campgrounds clean. He also has ice and firewood available for purchase if you feel like staying on the grounds for the day. There are numerous trails around the area that are great to trek on or go on a very difficult job. We loved this place and it made the North Georgia mountains so much more enjoyable. The lake is great for fishing or cooling off. We ended up staying the entire week and cancelled all other plans. Recommend visiting Dahlonega and Helen during the day trips, truly amazing and dog friendly. We will be back!

Great family campground! We reserved a double campsite for just our family of four because most of the smaller sites were already reserved. It was nice to have the bigger space for the kids to run around. Our campsite was number 11 in the South Loop. It can accommodate a RV, but we camped in our tents. There was a small creek right behind our site that provided very relaxing sounds of flowing water. This is a perfect site if you want to be close to a bathhouse. The bathhouse was rustic, but it is camping. It had running water and hot showers, so I was good! The campground itself was well maintained. Plenty of hiking and only a short walk to the lake/​beach area. A lot of big nice pavilions available for reservations as well.
Also, we realized Friday night when we arrived that we didn’t have stuff for smores. I know, how could we forget that?! There was a small local store close by that sold all the stuff you need for smores as well as firewood and other stuff you may have forgotten.

We camped in July 4 weekend. Both North and South loops were all full. Luckily we had a reservation for a site in the South loop. Note that the North Loop is bit closer to the lake but it is first come first served. None of the sites though are right on the lake.
Our site, #12 is possibly the worst in the campground. There is not much shade and no privacy at all. We could not relax in our site in the afternoon, ’cause it was too hot. Also, the hiking trail goes right by our site. Like other sites in the campground, there is a gravel tent pad, a lantern pole, a fire ring and a picnic table. The pad is only big enough for one tent. It is a short walk to the restroom/​bathroom. There are two toilets and one stall with hot shower. To take a shower, you have to keep pressing the shower button to keep the water coming. One night, both my husband and I were taking a shower at the same time. While he could keep hot water going in the man bathroom, the hot water on my side was just not there. Having said all that, the shower is still better then none.
The lake is very pretty and there is a nice swimming beach where we spent our afternoon when it was too hot. There are plenty of shades by the lake too. There is a fishing dock on the other side and a trail goes around the lake and the dam. We spent one morning on a canoe fishing the lake and got quite a few breams. No luck with bass or trout here though.
There are good trout streams nearby and we ended up fishing in Cooper Creek for trouts and got enough for a supper. Also, hiking
trails to the Blood Mountains start right by the campground.
We star glazed at night by the lake and the sky was full of stars since we were away from the city. It was truly beautiful.
Suches GA is a pretty valley. There is a diner just 0.5 mile from the park but it was not opened on the day we visited. There is a gas station on the corner of 180 and 60 where we got a bag of ice and other supplies.
Overall, I recommend Lake Winfield Scott but do avoid site #12.

Loved this campground! Took our daughter camping here for the first time. To start off an amazing trip, on the highway coming up here from Dahlonega we saw a black bear!!! First time seeing one in Georgia, so super exciting. Also exciting that we got to see him safe and sound from the inside of our vehicle since we had a 1 year old with us :) Lots of deer around too.
The campground itself is pretty basic — older bathrooms, one shower stall, hot water, and not much else in the way of amenities. Nice ranger selling firewood and checking in from time to time. Each site is drive-​up and has a small tent pad, really only big enough for one tent, plus firepit and grill in one, picnic table, and lantern hook. Road is paved, no need for 4×4. The campsites are set back away from the lake itself, so you have to walk a few minutes to get to the water.
GREAT fishing here — husband already planning to come back alone to hit up the trout and bass. Super clear water, you could see some 12“ers swimming around in the cover around the shore edge. Nice easy .5 mile trail around the edge of the lake, comfortable enough to do with a child. If you are into hiking, this is a great place to camp — right behind the campsites is a connection to the Jarrard Gap Trail and Slaughter Creek Trail, which will connect you to the main Appalachian Trail. Looking forward to coming back in the spring and giving those trails a shot when it is just the adults.