Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
Campground · Georgia · 34 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Chattahoochee National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 34
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 100
- People per site
- 2
- Accessible sites
- 2,836 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area offers visitors year-round recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and hiking, all centered around beautiful Lake Winfield Scott.The area is situated high in a mountain valley within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, approximately 80 miles from Atlanta, Georgia. The facility offers a rental cabin with electricity and water, as well as sites for tent and RV camping.
Recreation
The Lake Winfield Scott Beach includes a designated swimming area, picnic tables, a bathhouse, pavilions (by reservation only), a playground and trash bins.Day-use hiking trails are found within the recreation area, ideal for a short stroll. A 0.4-mile trail parallels the lakeshore. In addition, the 1-mile Jarrard Gap Trail and 2.7-mile Slaughter Creek Trail both begin within the recreation area and connect to the Appalachian Trail.
Lake Winfield Scott is open to hand-powered and electric motor boats only. Fishing for catfish, trout, perch, brim and bass is a popular activity. See the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for a complete listing of freshwater fishing regulations for the lake. A boat ramp and accessible fishing dock provide year-round lake access.
Facilities
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area's cabin is a short walk to the lake, and can accommodate up to 12 people. A sleeping area upstairs is furnished with six twin beds and three double beds, all with mattresses. Visitors must provide their own bed and bath linens.
The main floor houses a living room with wood stove (no wood provided), dining room and kitchen, which is equipped with a refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, assorted pots and pans, utensils, plates, glasses, cups and flatware. The bathroom has a flush toilet, shower and an electric heater.
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area's campground consists of 31 campsites configured in two loops for tent or RV camping. Showers, flush and vault toilets, grills, picnic tables and lantern posts are provided. The campground has no dump station. Nearby Vogel State Park has a dump station with a nominal fee.
There are water and electric hookups on Site #12, 13, 14 and 15.
Natural Features
The recreation area includes 18-acre Lake Winfield Scott, which forms the headwaters of Cooper Creek. The lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.A variety of wildlife makes its home in the surrounding forest, including deer, bear, wild turkey, grouse and songbirds.
Nearby Attractions
Suches, Georgia is five miles southwest of the recreation area and offers a general store and fuel station.Blairsville, Georgia is 16 miles north on U.S. Highway 19/129 and offers the nearest full-service grocery stores and shopping villages.
The facts
- 34 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- 2 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 100 people per site
- Loops: CABIN, Day Use Shelter - Large, Day Use Shelter - Small, GROUP SITES, NORTH LOOP, North, SOUTH LOOP
Site types
- 19 Standard Nonelectric
- 6 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 5 Standard Electric
- 1 Cabin Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, fire pits.
34 campsites at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | CABIN | Cabin Electric | — | Gravel | Severe | — | — | 10 | |
| P02 | Day Use Shelter - Large | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | — | — | — | 100 | ♿ |
| P01 | Day Use Shelter - Small | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | — | — | 30 | ♿ |
| G01 | GROUP SITES | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 25 | |
| 021 | NORTH LOOP | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 022 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 023 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 024 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 025 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 026 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 027 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 028 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 029 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 031 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 032 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 033 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 034 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 035 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 036 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 037 | North | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 001 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 20 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 002 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 003 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | Hike In | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 004 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 005 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | — | 20 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 006 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 007 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | Hike In | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 008 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 25 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 010 | SOUTH LOOP | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 011 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 20 ft | 10 | 🐾 |
| 012 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Paved | — | — | 40 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 013 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 014 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Paved | — | — | 40 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 015 | SOUTH LOOP | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 15 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Blainsville, take U.S. 19/129 south for 10 miles. Turn right (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.
From Dahlonega, take U.S. 19 north for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.
From Dahlonega, take U.S. 19 north for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.
34.74033, -83.89200 · 34°44'25.2"N 83°53'31.2"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area?
- Yes, Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area have?
- 34 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area.
- Does Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area have hookups?
- Electric, Water.
- Are campfires allowed at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
- Desoto Falls Recreation Area 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Upper Chattahoochee River Campground 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Andrew's Cove Campground 9.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cooper Creek Campground (GA) 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boggs Creek Recreation Area 3.6 mi · Campground
- Lake Winfield Scott Campground 4.7 mi · Campground
- Raven Cliffs Trailhead 6.2 mi · Facility
- Low Gap Campground 6.2 mi · Campground
- Dockery Lake Recreation Area 7.3 mi · Campground
- Woody Gap Trailhead 7.5 mi · Facility
- Blue Ridge Ranger District 10.3 mi · Facility
- Mulky Campground 10.4 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 706-747-3816
- Email LakeWinfieldScott@cfaia.org
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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