If you’ve burned through your wallet after holiday shopping, many of these spots offer camping spots. Also, check out the rest of our Atlanta Winter Activities Guide for more fun ideas this season!

Cozy Georgia Winter Trips near Atlanta

1. Blue Ridge

Book a cabin in the North Georgia mountains, complete with a fireplace, or camp next to a fire pit while sipping hot cocoa on cold nights. During the daytime, take the family on a zipline tour or ride the picturesque Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Stock up on warm cider at Mercier Orchards, explore hiking trails, or head into the downtown area with shopping, restaurants, and an escape room.

2. Callaway Gardens – Pine Mountain

Spend the day ziplining, watching the Birds of Prey show, or taking the Discovery Bike trail with stops at the Pioneer Log Cabin, Day Butterfly Center, and Discovery Center. Stay at the Lodge & Spa or book a cottage, equipped with a fireplace. If time allows, drive to nearby Warm Springs to tour Roosevelt’s Little White House, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought polio treatments.

3. Cartersville

When the weather is cold, and you’re looking for indoor activities, head to Cartersville with its collection of top-rated museums. Kids can dig for fossils, watch a planetarium show, and explore exhibits about simple machines, transportation, and gemstones at Tellus Museum of Science. The Savoy Automobile Museum delights car aficionados with a rotating collection of vintage cars. Or expose kids to the American West through paintings, sculptures, and photography at Booth Western Art Museum.

For unique accommodations, book a yurt(!), a climate-controlled circular shelter somewhere between a cabin and a tent, at Red Top Mountain State Park. The park, just 12 miles north of Cartersville, offers a lake, a marina, and mountain bike trails.

4. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Less than 10 miles from the Georgia state line, Chattanooga deserves a mention with family-friendly sites such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum, the carousel at Coolidge Park, and a train ride on the Tennessee Valley Railroad. Head to nearby Lookout Mountain and see Rock City, ride the Incline Train, and visit Ruby Falls. For a unique lodging experience, book a treehouse at Treetop Hideaways.

Cloudland Canyon State Park offers new cottages available for rent. Photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks

5. Cloudland Canyon State Park – Rising Fawn

Reserve one of the cabins, yurts, or campsites at Cloudland Canyon State Park in the northwest corner of the state. Known for its 1,000-foot canyon and stunning waterfalls, Cloudland Canyon offers tons of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding trails, fishing, and disc golf.

6. Dahlonega

Almost two decades before the California Gold Rush, there was the Georgia Gold Rush of 1829. Start with a visit to the Gold Rush Museum in Dahlonega’s town square. Pan for gold at Crisson Gold Mine and journey 200 feet underground on a hard-hat tour of Consolidated Gold Mine. End the evening with a ghost tour of the historic city offered any time of the year.

Rent a tiny house among tons of hiking trails at Postcard Cabins Chattahoochee in nearby Suches -- there’s even an on-site lockbox to hold cellphones and electronics for a truly unplugged getaway!

7. Great Wolf Lodge – LaGrange

When the temps are below freezing, get cozy indoors at Great Wolf Lodge for a warm and balmy winter getaway. Enjoy indoor water slides, tube races, water playground, and a lazy river! Play a round of mini-golf, pan for gems, tackle a ropes course, and play arcade games as well. Family-friendly accommodations include standard suites, themed suites with bunk beds, and premium suites for larger groups. 

Enjoy a treehouse-feel during winter at the Unicoi State Park barrel cabins. Photo by the author

8. Helen

Helen, Georgia's version of a Bavarian village, is known for its long-running Oktoberfest celebration. However, winter is a great time to explore the area with fewer crowds. Get your fill of bratwurst, pretzels, and other German-style food, shop for unique gifts, and ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the only one of its kind in the state.

Reserve a room in the lodge, book a cabin, or go glamping at Unicoi State Park & Lodge. At the state park, sign up for zipline tours, archery and air gun target practice, and axe throwing (ages 12 and up). 

Who says Atlantans can't handle snow?! Enjoy the white stuff at License to Chill at Margaritaville. Photo courtesy of Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

9. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands – Buford

Enjoy the fun of snow when you visit License to Chill at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. Take advantage of winter activities with snow tubing (with an eight-story drop!), snowball fights, snow angels, and ice skating. Check out Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Lake Lanier with campsites, cabins, and glamping options; for upscale accommodations, Lanier Islands offers lodge rooms, villas, and lake houses.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee offers its Winter Forest, complete with a 5,000-square-foot ice rink. Photo courtesy of the resort

10. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee – Greensboro

Known as a golf-lovers paradise, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee caters to families with luxury amenities such as a heated pool, boat rentals, and a playground. Enroll kids ages 5-12 for special programming at the Kids Clubhouse and request the in-room camping setup, complete with tent, sleeping bags, storybook, and stuffed animal! End each day at the lake's roaring campfire for s’mores. Through January 5, 2025, the Winter Forest includes an ice skating rink, hot cocoa and apple cider, and a holiday-themed photo booth.

11. Serenbe – Chattahoochee Hills

Spend time at Serenbe, the planned community with lots of charm. In addition to enjoying hiking trails and lawn games, guests can sign up for a farm tour, guided horseback ride, and seasonal hayrides. Parents may want to hit the spa, go shopping, or sign up for goat yoga. Gather together for s’mores at the evening bonfire.

Become one with nature at the Southern Cross Ranch. Photo by Maggie Fuller

12. Southern Cross Ranch – Madison

Did you know there’s a dude ranch right here in Georgia?! And as long as the ground isn’t icy, bundle up and enjoy horseback riding during the winter months. The all-inclusive package at Southern Cross Ranch includes home-cooked meals, plush accommodations, and daily horseback rides (for ages 8 and up). In your downtime, enjoy the 225-acre working ranch with a fire pit, game room, and mountain bike trails.

Travel north for the ultimate winter trip in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks

13. Vogel State Park - Blairsville

If you’re looking for a winter vacation with a scenic lake, waterfalls, playground, and inviting cabins, look no further than Vogel State Park. Located at the foot of Blood Mountain, this park boasts plenty of hiking trails ranging from the easy one-mile loop around Trahlyta Lake to permit-only backcountry paths. Hike or drive to nearby Reece Farm and Heritage Center to expose the kids to early farm life.