Top Family-Friendly Fishing Campgrounds in the Southeast

The southeastern United States offers some of the country’s most diverse fishing opportunities, from peaceful mountain streams to expansive coastal waters. For families looking to combine camping adventures with quality fishing experiences, this region provides an abundance of options where memories are made and fishing stories are born.

These family-friendly destinations offer not just excellent angling opportunities but also comfortable accommodations, child-friendly amenities, and activities for when the fish aren’t biting. Whether you’re teaching your little ones to cast their first line or continuing a generations-old family tradition, these southeastern fishing campgrounds provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor family bonding.

Gulf State Park – Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf State Park combines the best of freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities in one expansive 6,500-acre paradise. Families can choose between fishing in the park’s 900-acre Lake Shelby or heading to the Gulf of Mexico via the park’s pier, which extends 1,540 feet into the water and is one of the longest on the Gulf.

The campground features 496 improved campsites with full hookups, modern bathhouses, and laundry facilities that make extended stays comfortable for families. Beyond fishing, children will enjoy the splash pad, swimming pool, tennis courts, and miles of paved trails for biking. The park also offers regular ranger-led programs specifically designed for young visitors, making it an educational experience as well as a recreational one.

Fall Creek Falls State Park – Spencer, Tennessee

Nestled in the Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is home to one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States and offers exceptional fishing in its 345-acre lake. The lake is regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie, making it ideal for families looking for consistent catches.

The campground features 222 sites with electrical and water hookups, and each site includes a grill and picnic table for preparing your day’s catch. Families particularly appreciate the park’s dedicated children’s fishing pond where youngsters under 12 can fish in a controlled environment designed for success.

When not fishing, families can explore the park’s 56 miles of hiking trails, natural swimming holes, and nature center with interactive exhibits for children.

Lake Wateree State Park – Winnsboro, South Carolina

Lake Wateree State Park provides access to one of South Carolina’s best fishing lakes, spanning 13,710 acres with numerous coves and inlets that create perfect fishing spots for families. The lake is renowned for its striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish populations, while crappie fishing is particularly productive in the spring.

The campground offers 72 standard sites with water and electrical hookups, many of which are situated directly on the shoreline for easy fishing access. Families appreciate the park’s clean, modern facilities including hot showers and a convenient fish cleaning station. The park also features a designated swimming area with a gentle slope, perfect for younger children, and a playground where kids can burn off energy between fishing sessions.

Fort Mountain State Park – Chatsworth, Georgia

Fort Mountain State Park offers a serene mountain lake fishing experience that’s perfect for families seeking a quieter alternative to larger fishing destinations. Trout, bream, and catfish regularly stocke, the 17-acre lake, providing excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. The campground features 70 sites for tents, trailers and RVs, plus 15 walk-in tent sites for those seeking a more rustic experience.

Families particularly enjoy the pedal boat rentals available on the lake, offering a fun way to reach different fishing spots while entertaining younger children. The park’s rich history includes an ancient stone wall believed to have been built by early Native Americans. This adds an educational element to your family camping trip, with interpretive programs regularly offered during summer months.

Hunting Island State Park – Beaufort, South Carolina

For families seeking coastal fishing adventures, Hunting Island State Park offers an unparalleled experience on South Carolina’s most popular state park beach. The park features excellent surf fishing opportunities along its 5 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, as well as fishing in its saltwater lagoon that’s accessible via a fishing pier.

The campground includes 100 sites with water and electrical hookups, situated just a short walk from the beach. Children are fascinated by the park’s maritime forest and the historic lighthouse that they can climb for panoramic views of the coastline. The nature center offers hands-on exhibits focusing on local marine life, and park naturalists frequently conduct beach programs where children can learn about the creatures they might catch while fishing.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond, Kentucky

Spanning 170,000 acres between Kentucky and Tennessee, Land Between the Lakes offers families access to 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, two of the largest human-made lakes in the country. These waters are renowned for their populations of crappie, bass, catfish, and bluegill, providing year-round fishing opportunities.

The recreation area features multiple family-friendly campgrounds, with Hillman Ferry and Energy Lake being particularly popular with families due to their designated swimming areas and playgrounds. The Woodlands Nature Station within the recreation area offers fishing programs specifically designed for children, where they can learn about fish species and fishing techniques. Families also appreciate the Elk & Bison Prairie, Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, and Golden Pond Planetarium as alternative activities when taking breaks from fishing.

Myrtle Beach State Park – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach State Park offers families a unique opportunity to enjoy excellent fishing while still being close to the amenities and attractions of a popular beach destination. The park features a 720-foot fishing pier extending into the Atlantic Ocean where families can catch flounder, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and various other saltwater species without needing a boat.

The campground includes 302 sites, many with full hookups, situated in a maritime forest just a short walk from the beach. Children enjoy the park’s nature center with touch tanks and engaging exhibits about marine life, plus educational programs specifically designed for young visitors. The proximity to Myrtle Beach attractions provides families with rainy day alternatives while still having a natural oceanfront campground as their home base.

Santee State Park – Santee, South Carolina

Santee State Park sits on the shores of Lake Marion, South Carolina’s largest lake and a nationally recognized destination for catfish and landlocked striped bass fishing. The park offers two campgrounds with a total of 158 sites featuring water and electrical hookups, with many sites offering direct lake views. Families appreciate the park’s boat rentals, including fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks, making it easy to access prime fishing spots even without bringing your own watercraft.

The park’s unique rondette cabins built over the water are a special treat for families looking for an alternative to traditional camping while still maintaining easy fishing access. When not fishing, families can explore the flooded cypress forest via the park’s extensive boardwalk system or visit the nearby Santee National Wildlife Refuge to observe alligators and diverse bird species.

Fontainebleau State Park – Mandeville, Louisiana

Located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans, Fontainebleau State Park offers families a diverse fishing experience in both freshwater and brackish environments. Anglers can target speckled trout, redfish, and flounder from the park’s fishing pier or explore the small streams and bayous that feed into the lake for freshwater species.

The campground features 157 improved campsites with water and electrical hookups, plus premium sites with sewer connections. Families particularly enjoy the park’s water playground with splash pads designed for different age groups, offering a perfect cool-down after a morning of fishing. The park’s rich history as a former sugar plantation provides educational opportunities, with ruins of the sugar mill still visible and interpretive displays throughout the grounds explaining the area’s cultural significance.

Edisto Beach State Park – Edisto Island, South Carolina

Edisto Beach State Park provides families with a more secluded coastal camping and fishing experience compared to busier beach destinations. The park offers excellent surf fishing opportunities along its 1.5 miles of beaches, as well as fishing in Scott Creek, which winds through the maritime forest and salt marsh.

The campground features two distinct camping areas: 112 sites near the beach with water and electrical hookups, and 33 sites nestled in the maritime forest that offer more shade and privacy. Families love exploring the park’s Environmental Learning Center with its interactive displays focusing on the ACE Basin ecosystem and participating in the cast netting programs where children can learn this traditional Lowcountry fishing technique. The park’s location on a sea turtle nesting beach also provides unique educational opportunities during summer months when park rangers conduct turtle talks and walks.

Paynes Creek Historic State Park – Bowling Green, Florida

Paynes Creek Historic State Park offers families a more intimate fishing experience along the banks of Paynes Creek and the Peace River in central Florida. Though smaller than some other parks on this list, it provides excellent freshwater fishing opportunities for bass, bream, and catfish in waters that are less pressured than more popular fishing destinations.

The campground is primitive but family-friendly, with 30 sites that accommodate tents and small trailers, offering an authentic outdoor experience. Children are fascinated by the park’s history as the site of a 19th-century trading post and fort, with a museum and interpretive displays bringing this history to life. The park’s relative seclusion means families often spot river otters, alligators, and numerous bird species while fishing along the creek and river banks.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park – Pine Mountain, Georgia

As Georgia’s largest state park, F.D. Roosevelt State Park offers families 9,049 acres of forests, streams, and lakes to explore, including multiple fishing opportunities. The park features two small lakes stocked with bass, bream, and catfish, with Lake Delanor being particularly popular for families due to its accessible fishing dock and rental boats.

The campground includes 140 campsites with water and electrical hookups, plus 22 fully equipped cabins, some dating back to the 1930s when they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Children are enchanted by the park’s connections to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who frequented the area seeking relief from polio in the warm springs. The park’s 40 miles of trails, including the scenic Pine Mountain Trail, provide excellent hiking opportunities, while the Liberty Bell Swimming Pool offers a unique spring-fed swimming experience during summer months.

Planning Your Family Fishing Adventure

When planning your family fishing campground vacation in the Southeast, consider making reservations well in advance, especially for summer months and holiday weekends when these popular destinations fill quickly. Many of these parks offer online reservation systems that allow you to select specific campsites based on proximity to fishing spots or other amenities important to your family.

Check fishing regulations before your trip, as most states require fishing licenses for anglers 16 and older, though many offer free fishing days throughout the year specifically designed to encourage family participation. Pack versatile fishing equipment suitable for children, including lightweight rods and simple tackle setups that minimize frustration and maximize success for younger anglers.

Finally, remember that the most memorable family fishing trips focus on the experience rather than the catch, so plan plenty of alternative activities and embrace the opportunity to connect with nature and each other, regardless of how many fish make it to your dinner plate.

Conclusion

The southeastern United States truly offers some of the most diverse and family-friendly fishing campgrounds in the country. From mountain lakes to coastal waters, these destinations provide the perfect backdrop for creating lasting family memories while teaching younger generations the joys of fishing and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking for modern amenities or a more rustic experience, there’s a perfect fishing campground waiting for your family to discover in this beautiful region.