Diamond Lure Campground
A hidden gem nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains – your perfect North Georgia retreat
Location
514 Diamond Lure Road, Ellijay, GA 30536
Pricing
Full Hook-Up Sites – $40/night
Overall Rating
⛺️⛺️⛺️.8/5
This park is located about 1 hour north of Atlanta, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. If you are looking for a quiet wooded campground with a 15-acre lake as the focal point, this park is for you. As they say on their site, this might be the best-kept secret in North GA. You might have to wait to get a site that will accommodate a 35′ rig, but it’s worth the wait.
⚠️ Big Rigs Be Aware
This park has very few sites that will accommodate large rigs. I would say the bulk of the RV sites are well-suited for a 25 – 30′ RV. Some sites will satisfy that big rig; you will need to work that out with the front desk when you reserve. I will identify them shortly below.
Traveling in our 35′ Grand Design Solitude 310GK, we had in our minds one of the best spots in the park. Treed, quiet, large, and level. I based my evaluation on the fact that this park has very few large rig sites. However, we would stay here again if we could have our preferred site.
Our Detailed Ratings
Site Quality
⛺️⛺️⛺️.5 / 5
As I mentioned above, the larger rig sites are sparse. But if you can manage to grab on,e you will be pleasantly surprised at how nice this park can be. The sites I will point out below are gravel, level, power pedestals located mid-ship, sewer, and water. Don’t expect to use your satellite at the bulk of the sites. Most are well-treed, blocking any type of reception.
Honestly, you are not here to watch TV. This place is about getting out into the great outdoors at your doorstep. In the summer months, if you tire of swimming in the lake, the fun can be had for all ages, tubing and/or kayaking on one of the nearby streams.
Facilities
⛺️⛺️⛺️.5 / 5
This is an older park that I would compare to a state park in many ways. The sites, for the most part, are back-in and for smaller rigs. Many of the larger sites are occupied by what I will call seasonal renters. The sites I have pointed out above are gravel, level with pedestals located midship. The sewer and water were convenient in all of the locations.
Each of these sites had small picnic tables and fire rings. Site 65 had a concrete porch pad. The roads were in very good shape, gravel and well-maintained.
Amenities
⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ / 5
You are not going to find a well-stocked store, but that’s just a short trip away to Ellijay. You will find a great playground, dog park, sandy beach, fishing dock, dog beach (yes, dog beach!), clean laundry room, and bathhouses. I particularly enjoyed walking in the park with the dog through the wooded lanes. The dog run was large and a great place to exercise Zoey. They had a nice dog bath set up next to the main bathhouse as well.
The lake is certainly the focal point of this location. I can see early morning kayaking or canoeing being very enjoyable. They stock this lake with bass, channel cats, and grass carp, so bring your fishing gear.
Location
⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ / 5
We love a good hike in the woods, and this location could not have been better. As mentioned, you are at the southern base of the Smoky Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is but a short 45 min. ride away. We found several waterfalls to explore. Ellijay is a quiet little town full of antique shops and such. It explodes during the last week of September and early October with the Apple Festival.
There is a large art community in the area, so you will encounter several artisans hard at work at craft throughout the area. You are not far from Carter’s Lake, where you can enjoy all types of boating activities.
Paw-Friendliness
🐾🐾🐾🐾 / 5
Zoey recommended this park. She enjoyed the large run and Stick Library that was located in the run. There was plenty of green space to enjoy, and we had some very nice morning walks through the wooded lanes.
💡 Insider Insights
- Family-Run Park: This is a family-run park, and they are very accommodating. The check-in process is very easy.
- Best RV Sites: The sites in my mind you want to shoot for in the RV Site category are sites 65, 64, and 63. Site 14 is a rather large pull-through,h but in a well-trafficked area near the bathhouse and laundry. We were on site 65 and had a great view of the lake, shade, and plenty of room.
- Premier Sites: The Premier Sites are located very close to the lake. I would recommend sites 38 and 39. Sites 40 and 41 are a bit odd, sitting up on a hillside with a great view of the lake. However, it seems you would need to back in to get to them and be butt to butt with your neighbor. Sites 1-4 are a bit smaller and might not accommodate a larger rig.
- Seasonal Campers: There are plenty of seasonal campers in this park. Sites 43 – 57 seemed to be occupied by them. You will also find them on Outback Lane.
- Water Quality Note: I would recommend you come with your water tanks full. The water pressure at the sites is very good, but the water does have a spring-fed smell to it and may be heavily chlorinated. This will give your hot water tank fits (smell) if you are using magnesium anode rods.
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
For those interested in hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and otherwise enjoying the wildlife and scenery of North Georgia, I would suggest visiting these nearby state parks:
Amicalola Falls State Park
Short drive away, offering breathtaking scenery, hiking opportunities for all ages, swimming, and fishing.
Fort Mountain State Park
Nearby park with scenic trails, historical sites, beautiful views, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
📸 Photo Gallery
Site 65 Pull Through
Dog Park
Stick Library Dog Walk
Dog Wash Station
Premium Sites 38 & 39
Premium Sites 40 & 41
Playground
Nearby Waterfalls
Downtown Ellijay
Local Artist At Work
Area Waterfalls
Ready to Visit Diamond Lure?
This hidden gem in the North Georgia mountains offers a peaceful retreat with a beautiful lake, family-friendly amenities, and access to incredible hiking and outdoor activities.
