It’s college football season, which means the Georgia Bulldogs will be dominating headlines for the next few months. Many predict the reigning National Champions are a contender for the title this year. So if you’re considering visiting Athens, Georgia, for a game or two, let’s look at the best RV parks and activities to make your stay enjoyable.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Athens, Georgia?
If you’re interested in catching a college football game and experiencing the atmosphere of the SEC, you’ll be visiting Athens in the fall. The weather is typically pleasant, although temperatures can still reach the 90s in September.
Winters are mild in Georgia, but if you want the college town feel, you’ll want to avoid December and January since many students return home for the winter break.
Spring is a very relaxing time and the best season to visit Athens if you want to see the botanical gardens. Outdoor recreational activities are also popular during the spring months.
You probably want to avoid visiting Georgia in the summer because temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. The average high in July and August is above 90 degrees.
So unless you plan on spending most of your time in a swimming pool, you may want to plan your trip during another season.
What Is Athens, Georgia, Known for?
People know Athens, Georgia, as the home of the University of Georgia. It’s about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta.
The sixth-largest city in Georgia, Athens is home to approximately 127,000 residents. Many of these residents work for the university. Dating to 1785, the university is one of the oldest in the country.
The University of Georgia is home to one of the top athletics programs in the country. The women’s gymnastics team won five consecutive National Championships from 2005 to 2009. The football team is the reigning 2021 National Champion. The women’s equestrian team has won six National Championships since 2003.
Athens also has a popular music scene and is home to famous groups like Drive-By Truckers, the B-52s, Widespread Panic, and R.E.M. It was a crucial city for developing indie, alternative, and new wave music. In September 2020, Athens launched the Athens Music Walk of Fame with public art and guitar pick plaques honoring famous artists.
HOT TIP
Just 70 miles away is another college football town, Clemson, S.C., with RV parks great for tailgating and more!
5 Best RV Parks Near Athens, Georgia
There are hotels and Airbnbs you can book during your stay in Athens, Georgia, but if you want to bring your RV, here are the five best RV parks in the area. If you wish to consider a long-term site at Bulldog RV Park, enjoy extensive amenities at the KOA, or settle into a more natural space at a state park, you have excellent options to suit your needs.
Bulldog RV Park
Address: 655 Hancock Industrial Way, Athens, GA 30605
Cost: Must call to discuss ownership
About: This high-end private RV park offers RVers a place to call home during the college football season. The full hookup sites are individually-owned and available for use throughout the year.
On Georgia Bulldogs game days, a shuttle service to and from the stadium begins two hours before kickoff. Other amenities at Bulldog RV Park include a playground, restrooms and showers, grills and picnic table areas, and oversized pads that fit an RV and two automobiles. This park operates through an HOA and isn’t available for nightly rentals.
Pine Lake RV Campground
Address: 5540 High Shoals Rd, Bishop, GA 30621
Cost: from $45
About: The closest campground to Athens and the University of Georgia, Pine Lake Campground offers back-in, pull-through, and pull-in sites. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates are available. Guests enjoy full hookups and access to laundry facilities, fishing, nature trails, and a pet area.
Commerce/Athens KOA Journey
Address: 5473 Mount Olive Rd, Commerce, GA 30529
Cost: from $55
About: Commerce/Athens KOA Journey provides upgraded full hookup sites, a dog park, regular sports and activity options, a playground, a swimming pool, a pavilion, new bathhouses, camping cabins, laundry rooms, and more. Sites can accommodate rigs of all sizes. Guests also have access to the camp store.
Fort Yargo State Park
Address: 210 South Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680
Cost: $36
About: If you’re looking for a more natural experience, book a site at the Fort Yargo State Park campground. At the park, guests will see a 1792 log fort built by settlers for protection against the Creek and Cherokee people.
Campers have access to a large swimming beach, fishing, boat ramps, 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a wooded disc golf course. The campsites provide water and electric hookups. A dump station is on the property.
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Address: 5 Hard Labor Creek Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663
Cost: $35
About: Another excellent option for a more rustic camping experience is at Hard Labor Creek State Park. Guests can enjoy a lakeside beach, more than 24 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, and The Creek Golf Course.
Most sites offer water and electric hookups, while 13 of the 51 sites also provide a sewer hookup. A dump station is on the property.
Things to Do in Athens, Georgia
Probably the most popular thing to do in Athens, Georgia, is to attend a Georgia Bulldogs college football game. It seems the entire city stops on game days to cheer on their team.
But even if you’re not a sports fan, there are other activities like enjoying downtown, visiting art galleries, and spending time outdoors.
Cheer on the Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium
The University of Georgia has featured a top-ranked college football team for many years. It seems that Georgia and Alabama are constantly fighting for the SEC championship and a chance to attend the College Football Playoffs.
If you’re a college football fan, you can’t go to Athens without stepping into Sanford Stadium for a game. The stadium is the tenth largest in the country and seats almost 93,000 fans.
Take a Stroll Through Downtown Athens
Athens is a college town, and you’ll find your fair share of stores with Georgia apparel and fan gear. However, the downtown area is also full of quirky shops, rooftop bars, historic architecture, and more.
Music venues frequently hold concerts and events, and during the correct season, you can stroll through the farmers market. Ensure a trip downtown is on your list of things to do when you visit Athens, Georgia.
Get Inspired at Athens Institute for Contemporary Art
The Athens Institute for Contemporary Art is an independent, non-profit gallery. It features rotating exhibits, performances, panel discussions, and more throughout the year.
In 2022, the institute showcased local artists with the series In Bloom. Other exhibits like Material Alchemy: Metal and Color and A Brief History of Happiness were also on display. Please check the hours before visiting as the institute closes between exhibits.
Smell the Aroma and Walk Hiking Trails at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia celebrates southern horticulture and inspires conservation and environmental sustainability. The gardens include a children’s garden, a flower garden, a heritage garden, an international garden, a tropical conservatory, an herb and physic garden, horticulture greenhouses, a hummingbird trail, and other nature trails.
Five miles of trails meander through the gardens and feature native plants and natural features. Take advantage of a program or educational activity during your stay in Athens, Georgia.
Learn About Local Animals at Bear Hollow Zoo
Another family-friendly activity is a visit to Bear Hollow Zoo. These non-releasable animals have encountered physical or behavioral challenges and will live the rest of their lives here.
Visitors can see various animals, like a black bear, a river otter, an American alligator, a bald eagle, and more. Sitting within Memorial Park, Bear Hollow Zoo is open daily and free to visit.
The Classic City Is Full of Fun and Adventures
Athens, Georgia, is a family-friendly city with many activities for everyone to enjoy. Plan a few days here so you and the kids can enjoy visiting Bear Hollow Zoo, savor local cuisine at one of the downtown restaurants, and scream at the top of your lungs on game day in Sanford Stadium. You’ll have a blast in Athens, Georgia.
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