Best Tent Camping Georgia by Johnny Molloy Book Review
Best Tent Camping Georgia is a straightforward, excellent reference book by Johnny Molloy. Even if you just flip through the list in the table of contents, it’s worth reading for the descriptions of each campground and quick-reference when also balancing distance & weather.
I’ve only ever camped at a designated campground once, and that was at Panola Mountain State Park. Ever since I started backpacking & camping, it’s always been in the backcountry.
However, with young children, hiking distances with weight & backpacks is not as fun as setting up an accessible camp and day hiking. But even my oldest son has a negative association with RV-choked bustling car campgrounds.
This book solves the research problem. I got mine from the library, but it’s cheap and worth having for quick reference.
What I Liked
Ok, the quick reference table of contents is amazing. Here they are –
But the book is way more than a list. Each campground has a solid description of both the setting and layout in addition to other essential information.
Even within “best” and “worst” campgrounds, there are individual campsites that are better or worse on their own than other better or worse campgrounds.
Also, Johnny Molloy has an unmatched wealth of knowledge about hiking / camping in the southeast that really no one else has. He’s made a life’s work of documenting all things outdoors in the Southeast and Appalachians. So unlike anecdotal individual online reviews, he can actually cross-compare against every other campsite in the Southeast.
What I Did Not Like
There’s not a whole lot to dislike. Color photos would have been nice – maybe they’ll come out in later editions. Same with climate data and average seasonal attendance numbers.
Some of these campgrounds have changed in just the past year, so the book will always need an online supplement. But that’s not really anything against the book…other than being a book, which is also it’s strength.
Takeaways
Car / walk-in camping does not have to associated with big RVs, satellite dishes, pavement, and noise. While I may always prefer backcountry camping, it’s good to never rule out or stereotype all the amazing campgrounds in Georgia, the Southeast, and the US.
I’m glad I picked this book up, and will likely be referencing it frequently.
In Best Tent Camping Georgia, Johnny Molloy offers a practical guide to Georgia's campgrounds, making it easy for families like mine to find suitable spots. I appreciated the thorough descriptions of each campground, which help balance distance and weather considerations. Molloy’s extensive knowledge of the Southeast shines through, giving readers reliable insights beyond random online reviews. While I would have liked to see color photos and some updated data, the book is still a fantastic resource. Overall, I’m glad I picked it up and will definitely keep referring to it for future camping trips.
- Excellent reference book with detailed campground descriptions
- Quick reference table of contents is very helpful
- Author has extensive knowledge of hiking and camping in the Southeast
- Color photos would have enhanced the book
- Missing climate data and average seasonal attendance numbers
- Some campgrounds have changed recently, requiring online updates
