- Attraction: Moccasin Creek State Park
- Location: 3655 GA Highway 197, Clarkesville, GA 30523
- Industry: State Park
- Website: https://gastateparks.org/MoccasinCreek
Moccasin Creek State Park sits on the shores of lovely Lake Burton.
This 32-acre park was established in 1963 as a simple campground but quickly became so popular that it became an official Georgia State Park just three years later.
Despite its mountain location, the park is relatively flat, offering easy navigation for large RVs, children’s bicycles and wheelchairs.
What makes this destination truly special is its perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty, creating an oasis where families can reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. The park’s compact size means everything you need is just a short walk away, from your campsite to the lake’s edge.
Outdoor Activities & Lake Burton Adventures
Fishing Paradise: The park features a heavily stocked section on Moccasin Creek that’s open only to seniors 65 and older, children 11 and younger, and those with disabilities. Personnel from the adjacent Burton Trout Hatchery regularly release catchable-sized trout into the creek from spring through fall.
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Keep Exploring →Lake Burton is beloved by anglers for its exceptional fishing opportunities, with popular catches including largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, white catfish, walleye, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch. The state record for spotted bass was actually set right here with an impressive 8-pound, 2-ounce catch.
Water Sports Galore: At 2,800 acres, Lake Burton is a prime spot for skiing, boating and fishing. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes can be rented during warmer months. The crystal-clear waters provide perfect conditions for all skill levels, whether you’re a first-time paddler or an experienced water sports enthusiast.
The lake is stocked with 20,000 brown trout every year as fall colors begin to peak, and by the next year they’ll measure 20 inches long and weigh up to 4 pounds.
Burton Trout Hatchery Tours: Burton Trout Hatchery is located right next to the park and offers tours during its hours of operation from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday and 10 am–3 pm on weekends and holidays. After a two-year renovation completed in 2021, the hatchery features a new trout production building with eight 16-foot circular holding tanks and numerous rebuilt linear raceways. You can watch rainbow and brown trout being raised for stocking into North Georgia’s mountain streams.
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Discover MoreHemlock Falls Trail: The adventure follows Moccasin Creek upstream from Lake Burton for one mile, ending at Hemlock Falls which cascades over a sheer cliff, tumbling in tendrils of whitewater into a clear, cool pool below.
The 1.9-mile, dog-friendly, in-and-out trail is one of the easiest, most well-maintained, and most beautiful North Georgia waterfall hiking trails. The sandy beach below the waterfall is a great spot to take a water break, grab a snack or relax in the dappled sunshine streaming through the forest.
Camping & Atmosphere
Lakefront Camping Experience: The campground has 53 single-family campsites located on the western shore of Lake Burton, with 48 sites offering electric hookups.
The creekside sites rank as the most desirable Tier 1 spots, while the outside loop sites offer Tier 2 quality with occasional road noise. You’ll find your campsite comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors.
Peaceful Natural Setting: A small stream flows down one side of the park and there are swings and benches scattered around where you can sit and commune with nature. The park is quiet and sites are always clean, providing lots of trout fishing opportunities on nearby Wildcat creek.
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Keep Exploring →The constant gentle sound of flowing water from the adjacent hatchery creates a soothing natural soundtrack throughout your stay.
Clean Facilities: Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, laundry, hot showers and a dump station. There’s also picnic areas, a boat dock & ramp, wildlife observation tower and playground.
Campers consistently praise the extremely clean and well-maintained bathrooms and facilities. The park also features a visitor center with a gift shop and snacks, including ice cream for those hot summer days.
Other Considerations
Accessible & Family-Friendly: A fully accessible fishing pier sits above a trout-filled creek, designed for seniors 65 and older, children 11 and younger, as well as all ages with a Georgia disability fishing license. The flat terrain throughout the park makes it exceptionally wheelchair accessible compared to other mountain locations.
Pricing & Practical Details: Daily ParkPass costs $5.00 per vehicle, with annual passes available. Daily camping rates for RVs are $34. Since there isn’t a city close by, you’ll want to bring your groceries and gas up your vehicles before you arrive. The park serves as an excellent base camp for exploring other nearby attractions like Black Rock Mountain State Park and Tallulah Gorge State Park.
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Discover MoreTechnology & Connectivity: Cell coverage is spotty, but the Internet has been upgraded and is excellent for streaming or using WhatsApp for calls. WiFi is available in the park office and campground area. This makes it perfect for those looking to disconnect from the digital world while still maintaining essential connectivity when needed.
Best Times to Visit: Park hours are 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, with the office open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather and spectacular scenery, while summer provides perfect conditions for water activities. The park can pack out during the summer, so reservations are recommended.
Moccasin Creek State Park
📍 3655 GA Highway 197, Clarkesville, GA 30523
