We have reservations for Unicoi State Park late in October. Our campsite will be water and electric only, which puts us either in Laurel Ridge or Little Brook Spur sections. We'll be arriving on a Wednesday. If I factor in stops for the kids and other misc slow-downs, it should take us about 8 hours to get there. As a result, I expect to be there between 2 & 3 PM. If that happens, then we should be able to find a good campsite pretty easily. If we arrive later, then we'll have a bit more trouble.The whole point of this post is to gain advice for the "what if we arrive late" scenario. From those who have been there before, which of the 2 sections should I drive through first? Translated: which of the 2 sections is nicer;)On our recent visit to Skidaway Island, we arrived early enough that this was not a problem. But my eyes were opened to this dilemma as we watched the circus from people who arrived later in the day. I certainly don't want to be in that position :S

Don't know what kind of rig you have. Laurel Ridge sites are on high ground and are a little larger. In your place I would choose Laurel Ridge. Personally we always choose the FHU sites at Unicoi.As you're coming from FL, leave 2 hours earlier than you planned. It should help you miss Atlanta's traffic nightmare at rush hour which now starts to build up at 3:30pm.If you have any Gator insignia, be prepared to get ribbed by UGA fans. Football is HUGE in GA.

We stayed in the Laurel Ridge section 2 years ago and loved it. The Little Brook sites looked a lot tighter when we were driving thru, but to each his own.

Here is a picture of Laurel Ridge sites 35 & 37, the ridge is an actual ridge, with the sites, tiered as you descend down the loop many pretty well tree'ed.Laurel does have some of the bigger sites, more options, and seems a little nicer (although both loops good & nice park). Arriving on Wednesday, should have several options.I grew up in Alachua/High Springs area, now live in Atlanta. Your estimate on time to drive it, with a RV or TT, is about right +/- a little time. Best way through Atlanta is 675, up to 285, to I-85 north, avoid going straight through Atlanta, the above bypass, puts in the direction of Unicoi. Have fun!Markiemark:C

Markiemark32 wrote:Arriving on Wednesday, should have several options.I grew up in Alachua/High Springs area, now live in Atlanta. Your estimate on time to drive it, with a RV or TT, is about right +/- a little time. Best way through Atlanta is 675, up to 285, to I-85 north, avoid going straight through Atlanta, the above bypass, puts in the direction of Unicoi. Good advice. You do NOT want to tow straight through Atlanta during rush hour (6am-9am and 4pm-7pm). If you hit it at mid-day you will probably be okay, but you might need a change of pants, LOL. I drive downtown for work several days a week, so I know the route well. I'm trying to remember how many lanes 75/85 has through downtown--7 each way? 8? It's a lot and invariably somebody has to hit something or someone else somewhere along the way. :S If you do elect to go through Atlanta you need one very important piece of information--when 85 and 75 split, you need to be in the LEFT lanes. When you're driving it, it seems like you should stay to the right. I see drivers ALL THE TIME who realized too late that they needed to be in that left lane and it's scary when they start valiantly trying to cross all those lanes and get into the curve at 65mph!Have fun at Unicoi! It's one of the nicest state parks in Georgia. The leaves should be brilliant at that time. Bring warm clothes for evening/night and layers during the day.

Thanks to all for their comments thus far. That's exactly the information I wanted to get:) Google Maps say the trip should take about 6.5 hours, and I've always been able to beat their estimate when driving at or slightly above the speed limit. Though in this case, I'll be about 7 or 8 MPH below the speed limit for the majority of the trip. That's how I cam up with the 8 hours. If we leave at 6 AM and get there anytime before 3 PM, I'll be satisfied. And yes, we had plan on taking the Macon bypass so as not to drive through Atlanta...regardless of the time of day.Don't know what kind of rig you haveIts a 24' Coachmen Catalina. It used to be shown in my sig line (back when I had a sig line) before the moderators revoked that privilege due to something they thought broke a "rule". Funny how people can be mean-spirited and spew terrible vitriol toward other members on here all day long without consequence, but put a generic statement in your sig line that, if you're really stretching it, could be viewed as non-PC, then you get your privileges revoked without warning. They'll probably also delete this comment as well... If you have any Gator insignia, be prepared to get ribbed by UGA fans. Football is HUGE in GA. NEVER!!! I'm a proud and outspoken Gator Alum, and welcome any GA fans to due all the ribbing they want, even though they haven't been relevant in football since the 1980's (and never in basketball). I've been to MANY football games, and GA fans are absolutely the most obnoxious people I've ever experienced. You'd think that at some point they'd come up with a better cheer/chant than "WOOF WOOF" :RArriving on Wednesday, should have several options.Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. There is still availability for that day, and some on Thursday, which makes me believe that the incoming campers will be minimal.I grew up in Alachua/High Springs area...Yep, born and raised here. Originally from Alachua, now live in High Springs...I've never left. Graduated from Santa Fe HS. All my family is from here too. Sometimes, it makes me want to get up and leave LOL

Unicoi State Park - UPCOMING Late October | Good Sam Community

Markiemark32
Explorer
Sep 18, 2014
majorgator wrote:
Majorgator -I'm a Sant Fe grad class of 88, went to Alachua Elemnetary, Mebane, grew up out by GATORBACK, parents & brother still in the area!

I took the same route, but my class was 2001. In high school, my parents built a new house on NW 62nd Ave off of 235, which is less than a mile from the road that Gatorback is on. Small world...

Small world indeed, were neighbors!

Very familar with that limerock road & area, I grew up, on a connecting dirt road, marked NW 196st now, that connects into NW62.

Take care,
Markiemark:C
majorgator
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Just came off this trip. Got their about 3:30 pm or so on Wednesday. Immediately hit the laurel ridge section and the only spot available for us had the picnic table and "open space" on the side opposite of where the door would be. Kinda strange. Went to the little brook spur and found that place mostly empty. Spot #8 looked good and there we were. Had great weather, good leaf colors, and lots of friendly neighbors. This very quickly became our favorite campground.

As a side note, we did make a visit to Amicolola Falls State Park only to visit the campground and see if its worth adding to the list (we've seen the falls before). After the very steep 25% grade, we came to the small and quite frankly not too attractive campground. It didn't take long to cross this one off the list.
Markiemark32
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Glad your stay was great, thanks for the pics!!!!

Another a great option in North GA, is Vogel State Park.

Markiemark:C
magnusfide
Explorer II
Oct 27, 2014
Markiemark32 wrote:
Glad your stay was great, thanks for the pics!!!!

Another a great option in North GA, is Vogel State Park.

Markiemark:C

Double ditto on Vogel. Also Trackrock Campground.
majorgator
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Markiemark32 wrote:
Glad your stay was great, thanks for the pics!!!!

Another a great option in North GA, is Vogel State Park.

Markiemark:C

We had friends staying at Vogel for the same time period. They visited us and commented that both parks looked very similar as far as the scenery is concerned. I do think Vogel may be a bit more level based upon their pictures.
wbwood
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014
Last time we were at Unicoi (2010 or 2011), we had a FHU site. We had to register at the Lodge (in previous visits years before, we registered at the store). They just told us what site we had. Of course it was packed then, so there may of not been any choices left. About time we make another trip back. My granfather (Abernathy) was from the area there. Helen means a lot to my family.

Forum Discussion

Unicoi State Park - UPCOMING Late October

About Campground 101

Related Content

Hauling generator on upcoming trip

Yellowstone in October

Fuel costs for upcoming trip...

Upcoming Florida Trip

Upcoming season!