Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

Star4.43
438 reviews
6749 Gaines Ferry Road
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,165 ft

Price

$28 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

37 campsites

Season

Campground is open s...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens US Army Corps of Engineers site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Van Pugh South Day Use Facility
$28.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping fees range from $28 to $30 per night, depending on site type.
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

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Provider
770-967-6315Andrea.R.Wagner@usace.army.mil
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What Campers Say

4.43

Recommended

Based on 438 reviews

195 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanwaterlake

"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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

6749 Gaines Ferry Road

Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

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).

Best Time to Camp at Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

Experience 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.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
5.0 / 5
Top 2% in GA

Summer is most popular: warm water, prime swimming and many reviews praising summer visits.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Foothills setting and forest canopy make fall attractive though fewer explicit reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Milder weather, good for boating/fishing; spring reviews positive but less numerous than summer.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Winter camping details are sparse; facility is described as primarily a summer campground.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Campground is open seasonally; specific dates are not provided.

About Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

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.
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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

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

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.
HikingHiking 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.
FishingFishing 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.
SwimmingMany 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).
BoatingThe 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 viewingWildlife sightings include deer, fawns, ducks, and fish ('Saw deer several times, even a fawn, and ducks visited the cove' - User Review).
Beach activitiesBeach 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).
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPoison ivy is prevalent near wooded areas. Wildlife such as deer and ducks frequent the campground.

Weather at Van Pugh South Day Use Facility

Reviews

4.4
438 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Van Pugh South Day Use Facility 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 438 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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Based on 438 reviews

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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Based on 438 reviews

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 438 reviews

Seasonal 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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Based on 438 reviews

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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Based on 438 reviews

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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Based on 438 reviews

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 438 reviews

Pet-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 438 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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