Van Pugh South Campground
4.44249 reviews6749 Gaines Ferry Road
Van Pugh South Campground
$28.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$28.00
Hookup Site Fee$30.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Camping fees range from $28 to $30 per night, depending on site type.
About this campground
Nestled along the pristine shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, Van Pugh South Campground offers an enchanting escape into the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, dense forests of towering hardwoods create a natural sanctuary where campers can choose between secluded tent-only sites for a more rustic experience or convenient sites equipped with water and electric hookups. Modern comforts blend seamlessly with nature's tranquility, featuring clean flush toilets, hot showers, laundry facilities, and a convenient dump station, ensuring your outdoor adventure doesn't mean sacrificing essential amenities.
Van Pugh South offers diverse camping options with 37 sites for RVs featuring water and electricity hookups, and 18 primitive tent-only sites. Group camping sites and cabins are not available.
Historical SignificanceVan Pugh South sits on the shores of a remarkable engineering feat that transformed North Georgia forever. When Buford Dam was completed in 1956, it gave birth to Lake Sidney Lanier, a magnificent 38,000-acre aquatic playground that has since become the heartbeat of the region. This campground serves as your gateway to exploring a landscape steeped in Georgia's rich heritage, where Cherokee trails once wound through these very hills and early settlers carved out homesteads among the ridges and valleys.
Weather and SeasonsExperience the magic of changing seasons at Van Pugh South, where each time of year paints the landscape with its own unique palette. Summer arrives with warm, balmy days perfect for diving into Lake Lanier's refreshing waters, while gentle humidity creates those quintessential Southern evenings ideal for campfire stories. As autumn approaches, the campground transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors, with crisp air and spectacular foliage creating the perfect backdrop for hiking and photography enthusiasts.
Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a living cathedral of oak, hickory, and pine trees that form a verdant canopy overhead, filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. This lush ecosystem provides more than just shade on hot summer days—it's a thriving habitat where deer quietly browse at dawn, squirrels chatter in the branches, and countless bird species fill the air with their melodic calls. The interplay of forest and lake creates stunning vistas at every turn, from misty morning views across the water to golden sunset reflections through the trees.
Geological RegionPerched in the rolling foothills where the Blue Ridge Mountains begin their majestic rise from the Georgia Piedmont, Van Pugh South offers campers a front-row seat to one of the Southeast's most beautiful geological transitions. The ancient hills surrounding the campground tell a story millions of years in the making, where weathered granite peaks give way to gentle slopes clothed in dense forests of oak, hickory, and pine. This unique positioning creates a diverse landscape of ridges, valleys, and lake coves that beckons exploration and rewards visitors with breathtaking views and hidden natural treasures.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible flush toilets and showers, along with an accessible boat ramp. Sites are generally accessible, but steep inclines at certain locations may pose challenges ('Site #16 is much steeper than was described').
Sites SizeSites are varied in size; some are large enough for a 26ft camper ('Site #16') or family tents, while others are described as narrow ('Sites are tiny' - User Review).
Sites PrivacyPrivacy is mixed; some tent-only campsites are far apart, offering solitude ('The tent-only campsites are far from each other so it gave us plenty of privacy'), while others lack seclusion and experience traffic from neighboring visitors ('Literally no privacy from the neighboring sites').
Total Campsites37 campsites
Recommended CampsitesOpt for waterfront sites for better access to water activities and scenic views. Tent-only sites offer more privacy.
Best CampsitesSites 31, 32, and 33 are highly recommended for their views and proximity to the lake.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in starts at 8:00 AM
Check-out
Check-out is by 8:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit: 14 consecutive days
Guests Allowed Per Site
Maximum number of guests per site: 8
Groups
No designated group camping sites are available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutThe campground is laid out along the lake with individual loops and tent pads. Some sites are back-in only.
Open and Closed SeasonCampground is open seasonally; specific dates are not provided.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Walk-in AvailabilitySites are available by reservation only; walk-up availability is not mentioned.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations must be made via the online/phone reservation system or in person at the gatehouse. A $10 cancellation fee applies, and late cancellations may incur other charges.
Amenities available
Showers
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Dump station
Firewood available
Flush toilets
Electricity hookups
Water hookups
Laundry Facilities
Activities you can enjoy
Van Pugh South Campground provides a range of recreational activities centered around Lake Sidney Lanier. Popular activities include boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Additional opportunities for kayaking, wakeboarding, and wildlife viewing enhance the experience.
Hiking
Hiking trails are available within a 20-mile radius of the campground ('There are many hiking trails within 20-mile radius' - User Review). No specific trail details or difficulty levels provided.Fishing
Fishing is a key activity at the campground, with lakefront sites often providing direct access to Lake Lanier. However, RV sites may require hiking down to the water for fishing.Swimming
Many campsites offer access to sandy beaches or private swimming spots ('There is a roped sandy beach and shallow swim area for children with a level sandy bottom' - User Review).Boating
The accessible boat ramp supports boating activities, and the campground is situated on Lake Sidney Lanier, with opportunities for kayaking, wakeboarding, and more. Boating noise can be loud near certain sites ('Boats on the lake were extremely noisy' - User Review).Wildlife viewing
Wildlife sightings include deer, fawns, ducks, and fish ('Saw deer several times, even a fawn, and ducks visited the cove' - User Review).Beach activities
Beach areas are integrated into the campground, with sandy tent pads and private beach access for some sites ('Felt like private beaches throughout all the sites' - User Review).Winter Activities
No specific winter activities mentioned; the campground’s proximity to Lake Lanier makes it primarily a summer destination.Water Sports
Opportunities for non-motorized water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding are available ('Great for paddle boarding/kayaking' - User Review).Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Only designated fire rings may be used for campfires.
- Quiet hours are enforced between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Hazards
General hazardsPoison ivy is prevalent near wooded areas. Wildlife such as deer and ducks frequent the campground.
Weather forecast
77
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 41%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 11.1 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
The nearest emergency services include Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville (~12 miles away), Flowery Branch Police Department (~5 miles away), and the Lanier Project Management Office (~approximately 10 miles away).
Good to know
Trash and recyclingNo detailed information is provided regarding trash and recycling facilities, though cleanliness is generally praised ('The staff is amazing!!! They are so friendly and helpful! The park is very nice and it is clean and well kept').
Proximity to water featuresClose to Lake Sidney Lanier with direct access to beaches and small coves.
Common complaintsSome guests complained about rude staff and strict enforcement of rules. Bathrooms reportedly need better maintenance.
HostHosts provide assistance with check-ins and navigating campground rules. Mixed reviews indicate some hosts are helpful while others are strict.
Campground Map
6749 Gaines Ferry Road
Driving directionsTake I-85 north to I-985, take Exit 8, turn left on Highway 347/Friendship Road. Turn right on McEver Road, then left on Gaines Ferry Road and follow signs to the campground.
Road access is direct from major highways (I-85 and I-985). The roads are paved and accessible year-round, with clear signage directing visitors to the campground.Nearby places
Flowery Branch (approximately 5 miles, ~10-minute drive)
Gainesville (approximately 12 miles, ~20-minute drive)
Buford (approximately 10 miles, ~15-minute drive).
Nearby supplies
Convenience stores and grocery stores are available in Flowery Branch (~5 miles away). Larger supermarkets and more extensive shopping options are available in Gainesville (~12 miles away).
Camper Reviews
4.4
249 reviews
Van Pugh South Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews are highly polarized, with many praising the beautiful lakefront camping, helpful staff, and clean facilities, while others criticize campsite host behavior, strict rules, and inconsistent maintenance of bathrooms. Popular sentiment averages 4.3 stars for campground-specific feedback.
Review Summaries
Based on 249 reviews
What Campers Love
Beautiful lake views, clean bathrooms, friendly campsite hosts ('Hosts were FANTASTIC and so Friendly' - User Review). Easy access to water ('Most of the camp sites are right on the water with easy...
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Common Concerns
Negative experiences with some hosts ('The park attendant duo are evil!' - User Review). Dirty bathrooms ('Poorly maintained bathrooms with black fungi' - User Review) and privacy issues ('Literally...
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Pro Tips & Recommendations
Book early for lakeside sites; bring insect repellent for ants and mosquitoes. Avoid holidays if seeking peace and quiet ('Weekdays are great during the day for tanning and swimming' - User Review).
Based on 249 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Summer is the most popular season, with warm waters and prime swimming opportunities ('Clean water and warm too' - User Review). Winter camping details are sparse, as the campground is primarily a...
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Camper Quotes
1. 'This is our all-time favorite place to camp and we camp a lot! Staff is friendly, sites are large, views are beautiful.' - User Review
2. 'We stayed at site 031 for 2 nights. The campground was...
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Site-Specific Reviews
Site 31: Amazing big site with best sunset view ('Site 31, Amazing big site, Best sunset view!' - User Review). Site 33: Wonderful campsite ('Site 33 is a wonderful campsite' - User Review). Site 32:...
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Accessibility Features
Accessibility features include well-maintained paths and accessible bathrooms. However, steep inclines may challenge mobility at certain sites ('Site #16 is much steeper than was described').
Based on 249 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are allowed, and the campground is dog-friendly ('Dog-friendly place, big dogs allowed, keep dogs on leash' - User Review).
Based on 249 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025