I need to start off telling you about this campsite with a warning! Dockery Lake is an extremely enjoyable quiet little spot but if you plan to go you need to plan to be there before dark and be all set up. Furthermore, try to use as little synthetic lights such as bright flashlights and especially car lights. Do not, under any circumstances, arrive late at night and use your car lights to set up with! The reason, well as you would probably guess I am going to tell you.

We returned from an awesome camping trip to Dockery and a few days later were dying to go back so at the last minute, we packed up and headed up much later than we should have. We arrived before the 10 o’clock cut-off and even scored the site we were hoping for, but it was dark so we stupidly used our headlights to set up. We pulled our gear out of the car and started to lay out our footprint when we heard this incredibly loud buzzing sound. We ignored it for a minute until we found ourselves in the middle of a colony of the biggest, scariest looking bees we’d ever seen. Apparently they thought it was daytime due to our bright lights so they were all attracted to our site. When you can’t see through all the bees and are constantly being hit by them, it’s impossible to set up.

We later learned that these bees are not aggressive, but any artificial light is enough to make them stir. Stick to fire and you’ll be OK.

Campsite Information:

Location: Chattahoochee National Forest

Address: 400 Walmart Way, Suite c

Dahlonega, Ga 30533

Fee: $8

Sites: 11

Available Activities:

• Appalachian Trail
• Fishing
• Kayaking

Directions to Dockery Lake

• From Dahlonega take Ga 60 north for 12 Miles.
• Turn right at the sign for Dockery Lake on FS 654 and go 1 mile

Tags: Bees