LBL National Recreation Area/Energy Lake

casey allen

Stayed in a cabin. Cabin was clean and comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful. Energy lake campground is convenient because it's centrally located. It's not a fancy glamping campground, so don't expect it to be.

Elizabeth Leib

The forest where Energy Lake campground is located is beautiful. The campground I found to be poorly maintained. For those with a completely self contained camper, it might be fine. Although many of the sites are tricky to park and potable water stations are few. I have a small pop up and rely on park facilities when I travel. I don’t mind bugs in a shower, but these showers had peeling paint, dirty stains and were just gross. The run down camper we passed in our walk to the lake is surrounded with junk. It is a prime lakeside campsite. There were other campers that sat empty during the theee weekdays I was at the camp, presumably locals using them as a weekend getaway. I was told the owner of the junky camper is a staff member at Energy Lake. I spoke to a ranger at the visitor center who explained that yes, locals are allowed to leave their campers at the campground by paying a monthly fee. He also explained the campground it privately managed by a company the park contracts with. The staffer that checked me out didn’t bother to ask why i was leaving two days early. She was more interested in her breakfast. I get finding creative ways to bonus employees, but maybe not in a prime campsite. I’m exploring the area for the first time and heard great things about other, better run campgrounds in LBL.

Thomas H

My rating of 3 is for campsites and bathrooms only. Many of the campsites borders are in disrepair. Railroad ties border many campsites and they're actually falling away. Bathrooms are old with rusty beans exposed. No hot water in one bathroom. Others are needing upgrades. This is a great camp ground that has problems.

Deanna Scott

Went at the beginning of this year and had a storm come we went two days without power or water and they would not refund any money whatsoever. Come again three months later and got charged $50 for a cleaning fee after we cleaned our lot. Also find $130 for having pets. My family has been going here for the last 40 years the last two times showed us to NEVER come back again!!!!

Nathaniel Koch (Nate)

It is.. a camp site... Slightly lower on the camping totem pole than a K.O.A. It's clean, you're outdoors, there is fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. But that's about it. The camp sites are like 15-20 feet apart. The lots that they expect you to set up your tent on are laughably small. There isn't much in the way of a general store that most camp sites have. The rec area is like a small cafeteria for gatherings. In general it has the basic amenities necessary just no frills to make it a fun family experience.

DS Messenger

This review is a bit delayed, but regardless I wanted to take time to tell others about our experience at LBL Energy Lake Campground. In October 2024 we reserved and stayed 5 nights in Cabin B5 which was the perfect location for my husband and I. Although the cabin sleeps 6, there were only two of us, which allowed us plenty of room to store our gear and to utilize the heated inside space for preparing our evening meals on two nights when the temperatures dropped below freezing. The cabin and exterior site was clean and tidy upon arrival, and the mattresses were encased in bug-proof protectors. To ensure our sleeping comfort we did bring along a memory foam mattress topper in addition to our bed linens. And the proximity of the cabin directly across from the bath house was perfect for early morning and late night trips. This trip was our second visit/vacation to LBL, but our first stay at Energy Lake and will be our camping designation location for all future trips. Yes, the stay was that good! The only caution I would have to those unfamiliar with the wilds of nature, is to be diligent in your observation of the sounds around you in the evenings when sitting by the campfire. If not for our attention to the rustling of leaves, our vacation outcome might have been completely different. Three out of our five nights we had the opportunity to observe within a distance of less than 10 feet, the nightly foraging of not one but two "resident" skunks. These critters had absolutely no fear of our campfire nor of our presence, as we remained absolutely still and allowed them to go along their evening stroll to the next occupied campsite beyond our firelight. If asked, would I recommend LBL's Energy Lake Campground Rustic Cabins, my answer would be YES.

Brandon Hammer

They don't run the air between campers in the cabins, could at-least turn the fan on to remove moisture. Our rooms were so damp, hot and musty that i was worried about mold for my young kids. No fresh air in the bathrooms or showers. It was worse than a sauna at the local gym. You cant keep the door locked from within from wandering out. Needs a deadbolt or latch up high. The amenities in the campground are not kept up, everything was run down. Only thing that was kept up, was the old store that the officers now use for a office. Alot of money spent on a camper cabin to be dissatisfied. We drove from Atlanta, so we were not in a position to find something else during labor-day, or I would have.

Logan Lyndsea

For a second time, we stayed in the primitive cabins here. The campground attendants, both couples, were so nice! Many probably arent aware of this, but those positions are volunteer positions, not their job, so their age has to do with the fact that they are spending their retirement years serving others which I find admirable. The cabin was perfect. We enjoyed nightly visits from the local "Campground Mafia" as they are known, a family of raccoons and skunks. We didn't spook them, they didn't harm us. They just enjoyed cleaning up scraps from the day's eating. The only reason I do not give a total 5 stars is because the playground and swimming area is in need of some upgrade and repair. And was when we were here 2 years ago. The state should really allow some funding for that. Other than that, we have no complaints!

Gillian Hayden

The campground is way off the beaten path. I loved it! Quit peaceful, the campground personally were helpful and very knowledgeable of the surrounding areas. The bathrooms were a whole other story they definitely need some upgrading. There was peeling paint ,chipped paint, mold, we even had a frog in one shower with us. The exhaust fan was not working and the shower room was so humid that I was unable to dry off. I had to block the door open so it would cool off in the shower room. Check in was a breeze, lots of families there with children. So nice and quiet no cars or golf carts driving around all night. I would 100% recommend it. Definitely bring everything you will be needing, it's a long drive back to town.

Rachael Balocco

I went for a weekend camping trip here with my brother and a friend and it could not have been a better trip! Dan and Ineda were absolutely amazing site hosts. They went above and beyond to make the experience as memorable as possible and gave us all the best locations and must-sees while we were there. I would have missed out on a lot of great opportunities without them. Clean campsites, pretty location, and bathrooms were included!