Macon is located in the heart of Georgia and is the fourth most populous city in the state. Located about an hour's drive southeast of Atlanta, Macon was built on the banks of the Ocmulgee River, which enabled it to ship goods to other markets and helped make Macon one of Georgia's most important cities early on. Macon was named after a statesman from North Carolina, Nathaniel Macon, because so many of Georgia's early settlers came from North Carolina.
Macon has a rich and diverse history that some date back 17,000 years to different Native American tribes who called the area, now known as the Ocmulgee Mounds, home. Macon also played a large role in the Civil War as the home of the South's major arsenal. The Ocmulgee Mounds have been preserved as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park, and many of the buildings from the Civil War era remain architecturally intact. For history buffs, there is more than enough in Macon, Georgia to keep you busy for days.
Today, Macon is known for its Southern cuisine, civil rights history, and outdoor education. The Tubman Museum, named after Harriet Tubman, is the Southeast's largest museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of African Americans. The wide array of parks, hiking trails, and river scenery make it a great place for lovers of the outdoors.
Campgrounds Near Macon, Georgia
Fair Harbor RV Park is located just outside of Macon in nearby Perry, Georgia. Fair Harbor has more than 200 RV spots and feels more like a state park than an RV park because of the seclusion and untouched nature you can experience there. Some of the amenities include an on-site fishing pond, propane, restrooms/showers, a 24-hour laundry facility, and a free pancake breakfast on Saturdays.
In nearby Fort Valley, Georgia, you will find Ponderosa Campgrounds. Ponderosa is on the smaller side with 60 RV spaces, but there is a lot to do both on-site and in nearby locations. Fishing, boating, kayaking, playgrounds, parks, a splash pad, and more can be found close to Ponderosa. This campsite is quiet, simple, and a great place to stop for a night or to stay for a while. Some of the amenities include nearby attractions, restrooms/showers, an excellent laundry facility, and more.
Crossroads Travel Park is another campground in nearby Perry, Georgia. With 75 spaces available, Crossroads is a larger RV Park, but it is spread out over a lot of land so it does not seem big when you are there. The spots are pull-thru, large, and flat so that they are easy to get to. Some of the amenities include a puppy park, swimming pool, on-site laundry, a lot of peace and quiet, and picnics throughout the park.
State Parks Near Macon, Georgia
High Falls State Park is located about 30 miles northwest of Macon and features the largest waterfall in Middle Georgia. There are multiple RV sites and campgrounds in High Falls, as well as a 650-acre lake, making it the perfect place to camp and fish while taking in the natural scenery. Many people go to High Falls for the wildlife, including woodpeckers, raccoons, deer, beaver, armadillos, and foxes.
Indian Springs State Park is about 40 miles north of Macon near Flotilla and Jackson. Indian Springs is one of the oldest state parks in America and is known for its mineral-rich healing waters and the tranquil seclusion that the park offers. Indian Springs has an RV Park with 62 spaces close to Chief McIntosh Lake, allowing campers to fish, boat, kayak, and more. There is a museum on-site where you can learn about the history of the area.
About 50 miles northeast of Macon you will find Hamburg State Park. Hamburg encompasses 742 acres of land near the Georgia-South Carolina border and has 32 RV, tent, and trailer sites within its borders. There is also a 225-acre lake perfect for boating, canoeing, and fishing while you camp. Hamburg State Park is best known for its 1921 water-powered grist mill, which is still operational and used to grind corn during certain events throughout the year. There is a museum there as well that displays old agricultural tools used in rural Georgia.
National Sites Near Macon, Georgia
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is a prehistoric Native American site that is said to have recovered more than 12,000 years of human habitation in the area. There is evidence of Ice Age mammals and numerous Native American tribes and cultures that occupied the area for many years. You can see the 20-foot-high mounds used by Native Americans from 1350 to the late 1500s that have been largely preserved. When walking through the historic site, you will see some rare and endangered plant life and animals, as well as preserved artifacts that will help you understand the area more.
About 60 miles north of Macon, you will find the Andersonville National Historic Site, which contains the remains of more than 13,000 Union soldiers. These soldiers were being held as prisoners of war in Camp Sumter during the Civil War and faced horrible conditions that caused many deaths while the soldiers were imprisoned. You can still tour the remnants of the camp and learn about the conditions that the prisoners faced when living in Andersonville, Georgia.
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site gives you a glimpse of the 39th President of the United States in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Located about 85 miles southwest of Macon, the site features the birthplace of the only president to be born in the state of Georgia. There are also historic documents, artifacts of Carter's life, and historic exhibits showing Carter's humble beginnings.
National Forests Near Macon, Georgia
Sumter National Forest is made up of three different and non-contiguous ranger stations: Long Cane, Entree, and Andre Pickens. You can find wildlife, lakes, the Chattooga River, and more in Sumter National Forest. A nationally recognized mountain biking trail is in the Long Cane Ranger District, and it brings many mountain bikers into the area yearly. There are numerous hiking trails with beautiful scenery and a lot of sights to see.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest features rivers, hiking trails, water sports, fishing, and numerous campgrounds and RV parks. White-water rafting is a favorite for many tourists as you can go down the same river and the same run that was used in the 1996 Olympics. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is also a hunting destination, but to hunt or fish, you need a license.
Tuskegee National Forest is located about 150 miles west of Macon and is the smallest national forest in America. The best way to see as much of the 11,000 acres is to hike some of the well-known trails in the forest, but you can also mountain bike and ride on horseback. There are campgrounds and RV sites throughout Tuskegee National Forest, and while you are camping, you can visit one of the hiking trails to explore the beautiful landscape.
