Morganton Point Recreation Area Review

Bottom Line: Morganton Point Recreation Area is hands-down the best value lakefront camping in North Georgia. At $39/night for a lakefront site with electric and water hookups, you simply can't beat it anywhere else on Lake Blue Ridge. Yes, you trade resort amenities (pool, WiFi, camp store) for that incredible price and location, but if your priority is waking up to sunrise over a pristine mountain lake with your boat 50 feet from your RV door, this is your spot. I've camped here three times over five years, and it gets better every visit.

The Lakefront Sites - Pure Magic: We scored site #9 on our most recent trip (booked exactly 6 months out at 10 AM ET - set three alarms!). This site is absolutely perfect - level pull-through that accommodated our 38-foot Class A with room to spare, 30-amp electric and water hookup, and unobstructed views of Lake Blue Ridge with mountains in the background. The sunrise views alone are worth twice the camping fee. We watched the fog lift off the lake each morning with coffee, saw a family of deer come down to drink at dawn, and spotted a bald eagle fishing 100 yards from our site. The lakefront sites (1-16) are slightly closer together than the interior sites, but mature trees provide decent privacy and everyone is respectful of quiet hours.

Boat Ramp and Lake Access: The boat ramp is excellent - single lane, concrete, well-maintained with a courtesy dock. We launched our 19-foot pontoon boat in under 5 minutes. The ramp never felt crowded even on busy summer weekends (there's a larger public ramp a few miles away that absorbs most traffic). Lake Blue Ridge is stunning - 3,290 acres of clear water surrounded by mountains. We spent three full days exploring coves, fishing for bass (caught 8 keeper-size in two mornings), and just cruising. The lake allows all watercraft including jet skis, but it's so big that you rarely feel crowded. Pro tip: Head north toward the dam for quieter water and better fishing - most boat traffic stays near the ramps.

Swimming Beach and Day-Use Area: The designated swimming beach is beautiful - sandy/rocky bottom with roped-off area for safe swimming. Water is cold even in July (mountain lake fed by springs) but refreshing after hot days. Beach has picnic tables, outdoor showers to rinse off, and shade trees. "The Point" day-use building offers kayak and SUP rentals during summer ($25-30 for half-day), plus snacks, ice, drinks, and lake toys. The staff running it was friendly and knowledgeable - they gave us great fishing tips and marked a map with best coves to explore. Beach gets busy on weekends with day-use visitors but clears out by 6 PM when day-use fee ends.

Campground Condition and Amenities: For a USFS campground, Morganton Point is exceptionally well-maintained. Each site has a sturdy picnic table (not wobbly/broken like some national forest campgrounds), fire ring with adjustable grill grate, lantern pole, and designated tent pad. Sites are level and spacious - even the interior sites (#17-40) are larger than many private campgrounds. The bathhouses are basic but clean, with hot showers (no tokens required, unlimited hot water). Camp host keeps bathrooms stocked and tidy. Drinking water spigots located throughout campground. Only real amenity missing is a dump station - nearest one is 8 miles away in Blue Ridge at a gas station ($10 for non-customers).

The Trade-Offs - Know Before You Go: This is a USFS campground, not a KOA resort. There's no WiFi (none at all), cell service is spotty (I have Verizon and got 1-2 bars near entrance, zero at most campsites), no camp store, no pool, no organized activities. You're here to unplug and enjoy nature. If you need connectivity for work or emergencies, this isn't it. Also no sewer hookups at any site - only electric/water on select sites. Sites are fairly close together (15-20 feet between RVs on lakefront sites), so you'll hear your neighbors. But honestly, the natural beauty and lake access more than compensate for these trade-offs.

Camp Host and Management: The camp host was fantastic - friendly, helpful, and visible daily doing rounds to check on campers. When we arrived, he walked us to our site and helped guide us into position (site #9 has trees on both sides requiring careful maneuvering). He gave us a campground orientation pointing out bathhouses, boat ramp, beach, and quiet hours. Later in the week, he warned us about an approaching storm and helped us secure our awning before it hit. The Recreation.gov reservation system can be frustrating (crashes on high-traffic days when lakefront sites open), but once you're checked in, everything runs smoothly.

Who We Met and Campground Vibe: Campers here are serious about the lake - almost everyone had boats, kayaks, or fishing gear. We met a retired couple from Atlanta who've been coming every June for 12 years (same site every time - #7). A young family from Chattanooga was teaching their kids to fish off the dock. A group of bass fishermen in sites 11-14 were competing in a friendly tournament all week (they were up before sunrise every morning launching boats). One evening there was an impromptu fish fry at the beach pavilion where campers shared catches and stories. The vibe is relaxed, outdoorsy, and community-oriented - people came to enjoy the lake, not party or be loud.

Pro Tips From Three Visits: Book EXACTLY 6 months in advance at 10 AM ET when reservations open - lakefront sites disappear in minutes. Sites 7, 9, 11, 13 are the best (level, spacious, best views). If lakefront is full, try sites 17-21 for partial lake views at lower cost. Walk-in tent sites (W1-W5) are gems if you don't have an RV - private, lakeside, quiet. Bring all firewood from outside (no sales on-site). Stock up on groceries in Blue Ridge before arriving - nearest store is 8 miles. Download offline maps and entertainment (no cell service or WiFi). Bring binoculars for eagle watching and your best fishing gear. Check out Saturday mornings to snag sites from people leaving - sometimes score lakefront without 6-month advance planning.

Who It's Perfect For: Boaters who want to camp right at the launch. Anglers fishing for bass, walleye, trout. Families wanting swimming and lake activities at budget prices. Kayakers and paddlers exploring 60 miles of shoreline. Budget-conscious RVers willing to trade resort amenities for natural beauty. Anyone who wants to truly unplug (no WiFi/cell service is a feature, not a bug). NOT ideal for: People needing connectivity for work, those wanting resort amenities (pool, hot tub, WiFi), RVs needing sewer hookups (only electric/water available), anyone uncomfortable with rustic/basic facilities.