We camped at St. Mary's SP last year and, while it is set up really nicely for a rally -- a big circle with a clear raised field in the middle and peripheral campsites off the circle, there is not much to do except fish. Swimming is impossible, and when we were there, the swimming pool was being torn out. I don't know if it was to be replaced. There is sightseeing in St. Mary's, about 12 miles south of the CG, with a little town trolley to take folks around (when it's running; wasn't when we were there) and a little museum at the Chamber of Commerce as well as an inexpensive entry fee at the submarine museum. You can take the daily ferry to the National Seashore island and spend the day or even tent camp.

Another place to consider that is more south central Georgia (near Albany) is Georgia Veterans SP  <http://gastateparks.org/Georgi.....&nbsp; The park borders along Lake Blackshear and has 76 campsites in long rows and a 25+/- site loop. Swimming, fishing, boating, and an aircraft museum are featured. The museum contains weapons, uniforms, etc., from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War. It is also conveniently accessed from I-75.

Spring break time would be good if only all the kids had spring break at the same time. 🙂 The Georgia Veterans SP is accessible to a lot of AL, SC, and FL folks as well as the GA group if you plan your vacations early. 

Not only should we decide soon on a location (and book sites), but state what dates in April (for example) would suit the majority.  JMHO.  😉

Jason, from what Joe Camper is asking, this is not in lieu but a selection process to help us determine where - and when - our Southeastern (Spring) Rally 2014 shapes up. As you know, we need a large area since we have expanded (and hope to do so still) with some amenities for camper families. We also need to book our reservations soon, especially since state parks, unlike federal properties, will not allow us to reserve specific sites. The possibility of reserving as a group is there, but it would depend on the CG.

Any ideas or input as to where your family might like to have the rally? That's what Joe is getting at here.

Oh, I guess we have been calling them "Southeast" rallies instead of "Georgia" rallies, haven't we.  Guess I got confused on the names.

I don't have much input on locations.  Anything within a 2 hour drive from Atlanta would be very do-able for us.

We've only been to 3 Corps of Engineer's campgrounds,  1 GA state park (Vogel), and 1 private campground.

Vogel was very nice; lot's of activities when we were there this summer: hiking trails, lake, boats (pedal and kayak), swimming beach, waterfalls, mini-golf, ranger programs, evening concerts, playgrounds, ballfields, cabins (for those so-inclined).  There are a lot of neat things to do in nearby Blairsville. We definitely intend to return.  But it's off the beaten path as far as accessibility from interstates (an hour and 20 minutes from the I-85 corridor and an hour and 45 minutes from the I-75 corridor).  I'm not sure this would be "centrally located" for our target group.  But maybe it doesn't need to be?  It's a large campground and has some areas that might be nice for our group.  But we need to see if they would reserve specific sites for us.  One caution, they have a loop for tents and pop-ups that would not be good for any of our large TT friends.  But they don't seen to have any issues allowing pop-ups to reserve into the loops with larger sites.

We really like McKinney Campground and the Party loop where we've been the last 3 rallies.  It's hard to beat that loop as a gathering place and safe place for the kids to run/ride around.  But I understand that we might be outgrowing it.

We'd be game for traveling to FDR or other state parks that might be more centrally located.

What about the state parks in Alabama?  There are two that are just across the GA border: Cheaha and De Soto. We did a day trip to Cheaha years ago and would love to go back.

Cheaha State Park - 73 campsites, 1.7 hours from Atlanta - Mountain Bike and hiking trails, lake

De Soto State Park - 94 campsites, 2.2 hours from Atlanta - Mountain Bike and hiking trails, kayak/canoe rentals (flatwater river), river swimming, pool (only open during the summer), public golf

Hmm... "Campsites assigned at time of check-in."  But I also see reference to group rates.  I wonder how that works in Alabama?

We've been to only a handful of Alabama campgrounds. There are a few state parks I'm familiar with Wind Creek, Cheaha (near Anniston), Chewakla, Oak Mountain (near Birmingham), Monte Sano (near Huntsville) and Desoto (never camped here) and Gulf Shores. With all state parks here, you can not reserve a campsite, only reservations for a spot. And honestly, the only one I would go back to is Chewakla near Auburn, but it is a very small park, I think only 30 sites. No wait.... there is Gulf Shores state park, great CG, and we do plan to go back there. But Alabama State Parks can't hold a candle to the Corp of Engineer parks (except Gulf Shores SP).

There are a couple of COE CGs on West Point Lake in Georgia.  Another COE CG in Georgia is Cotton Hill Campground on Walter F. George Lake, it is south of West point Lake.  (I've got a handy COE campground guidebook).

Can't wait to hear Darrel's review of FDR state park.

[quote author=JoeCamper link=topic=2737.msg26213#msg26213 date=1380485308]
Here is a map of those that have posted for the last two southeast rallies.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zCnwHkhjZgm8.kTVuZb0hbBV8

That's right, bring it south.  ;D
I was the only one from Florida to go to any of the rallies that I am aware of.
The center point of the people that [s]posted[/s] attended would be up near Atlanta.

According to the facilities map, there is a loop with about 27 sites with water and electric hook ups and a bathhouse. a lot of the sites are on the water. Looks interesting.

When we lived in Dothan, White Oak and Hardridge Creek on Lake Eufaula were our favorites. But, to paraphrase Miles, you guys set the date and place and we will plan to be there

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It's been 10+ years since we camped at White Oak in Al. It was wonderful. We went almost every weekend. 1st loop is the best for lake access.  But maybe a little far for our working Ga folk?

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