Macon’s Lake Tobesofkee Claystone Campground Delivers An Unexpected Surprise

Claystone Campground Overview

Just a few weeks ago, while planning a recent trip between Florida and Tennessee, I booked my 45′ Prevost for an overnight stay at Claystone Campground at Lake Tobesofkee in Macon, Georgia. I’ll cut to the chase and state I was pleasantly surprised at what I found and went so far as to rearranged my route for a second visit during my my return trip to Florida.

With that said, I’m a bit hesitant to post my impressions of this Macon-Bibb County-owned facility.

That’s because if too many people find out about this hidden gem, it may be difficult to obtain a future reservation! Yes, I enjoyed my stays so much that I have no hesitancy in recommending it to others and hope to book future reservations for myself as well. Based on my experience, instead of utilizing this campground as an overnight stopover in the future, I’ll consider Claystone as a destination that’s worthy of a multi-night stay.

Allow me to set the scene and tell you what Claystone is not:

It’s not a luxurious, high end motor coach resort that includes tiki huts, tennis, golf or pickle ball.
It’s not a campground where the RV’s are packed like sardines.
It’s not a campground where the utilities are ill thought out and look like a science project gone awry.
It’s not a campground where you’ll see full timers with setups designed for year ’round living.
It’s not a place where the guests are nickel-and-dimed for each and every amenity or service.
It’s not a resort that offers happy hours or people partying in the streets.

Claystone is simply a well planned, beautiful campground that features the best of what nature has to offer. It’s located behind a gate that’s manned with friendly people (thanks Theresa and David!) and the entrance is conveniently located just a few miles off of I-475. This campground offers full hookups (water, electricity and sewer connections) that accomodate smaller RVs as well as the biggest of consumer rigs. And, each site provides a picnic table and BBQ grill or pit. It main attraction is Lake Tobesofkee where boating, fishing or relaxing on the beach are the desired activities.

Photo Credit: Macon-Bibb County Website

With that said, if you’re looking for a campground that’s bargain-priced and places your rig in a beautiful surrounding, I’ll let this picture tell a thousand words and let you decide if you want to keep reading:

Peaceful, calm, serene and nature at its best is the best description I can provide.

I’ll admit that I booked my first stay somewhat blind and without reading a single user review. I made the decision based solely on its accessibility to my route on I-75 when I was planning a trip from Marathon Coach’s Spring Fling event in San Antonio, FL to my hometown of Nashville, TN.

Being new to the world of traveling in a motor coach, I’m learning as I go along. It’s quickly becoming my standard operating procedure that when planning overnight stays to consult the 492 page Big Rig Best Bets (BRBB) guide book or website to find campgrounds along the route that are capable of accepting a large motorhome and tow vehicle. While BRBB is an excellent resource for overnight stays, it’s more of a reference guide than it is a descriptive review source. Here’s what Big Rigs Best Bets had to say about Lake Tobesofkee Claystone Campground:

“You will have a space with a 40 foot paved slab (the balance is gravel) overlooking the lake. Sites #40 and 45 are 70 feet, #41 & 42 are at 80 feet while #43 is a 100 footer. For a paved semi-circle pull-thru with only 30 amp and no water or sewer try #25 at 60 feet and then some upward slope in front. FF: #42, 42 & 43…you may want to unhook at the check in area. Mostly paved streets.”

The way I interpreted this information is there six sites that would accommodate my coach and tow car and the “unhook” statement meant that there are some tight turns in the park. The book was accurate in that description as well as the part about the mostly paved streets. By the way, “FF” is an abbreviation for “forty-five footer,” which is the length of my coach. Here’s a video of the path from the front gate to my pull-through campsite:

Combine the scenic view with full hookups and a price of $25 per night and you’ll see why I consider this campground an excellent value and a must visit venue, whether it’s for an overnight or an extended stay.

Based on two separate overnight stays, my opinion of this campground can be summed up by saying the words picturesque, serene and relaxing are appropriate and the Macon-Bibb, Georgia County’s Park and Recreation Department deserves high marks for preserving this area and keeping this park clean and pristine. While I didn’t have the opportunity to utilize all the facilities during my brief stays, I found Claystone to be the most charming campground I’ve visited to date. Combine the scenic view with full hookups and a price of $25 per night and you’ll see why I consider this campground an excellent value and a must visit venue, whether it’s for an overnight or an extended stay.

Getting There

Located just three miles off Exit #5 on I-475 in Macon, GA, it’s a short detour when driving North or South on I-75. While the county roads may be a bit narrow, they presented no problems for the big rig I was piloting.

More Details

When entering the security gate you’re greeted by a friendly staffer who’s more than willing to answer questions about the area and provide information about the various features within the park. My reservation was made via phone and was answered promptly and courteously. The check-in process with a reservation was quick and painless and while guidance to the site was not offered during my stays, a highlighted map was provided and the sites are clearly marked. Ingress/egress to the campground, while a bit narrow for a full-sized Prevost, presented no obstacles that couldn’t be overcome or ones that caused costly damage to the rig. The abundance of trees, while potentially challenging, presented no problems.

Located in Macon, GA (the home of the Allman Brothers Band), The Lake Tobesofkee Recreational Area centers around a man-made recreational lake with a 35 mile shoreline that covers nearly 1,800 acres. Within the park are three public parks: Claystone and Arrowhead campgrounds and the Sandy Beach recreational area.

Even if you don’t have a RV or motorhome this park offers pavilions and outdoor shelters for rental for birthday parties, family reunions or a variety of special events. Comfort stations are located at both parks that include restroom, showers and laundry facilities.

Pricing

Camping:

Waterfront Sites: $25 per night.
Full Hookup Sites: $25 per night.
Electric/Water: $22 per night.
Tent Sites: $18 per night.
Primitive Camping: $15 per night.

Claystone Park

Features 45 full hookup concrete or gravel sites that deliver a beautiful view of Lake Tobesofkee.
Enclosed Pavillion: $200 plus $3 per person admission fee.
Outdoor Shelters: $50 plus $3 per person admission fee.

Arrowhead Park

Features 45 sites, some of which include full hook-ups and waterfront views.
Outdoor Pavillion: $100 plus $3 per person admission fee.

Sandy Beach

Upper Shelter: $125 plus $3 per person admission fee.
Lower Shelter: $100 plus $3 per person admission fee.

All prices are as of May 2017 and of course, are subject to change.

NOTE: When using a Garmin RV GPS, I was guided directly to the entrance. However, when my co-pilot used Google Maps, it sent us to a non-existant entrance approximately one mile short of the manned gate. If your mapping program guides you incorrectly, keep driving until you see the sign!

Even when relaxing in the coach, and getting some work done (as I was doing), the scene through a motorhome’s large windows are nothing short of breathtaking.