Part of the Army Corps of Engineers' Allatoona Recreation Area, McKinney Campground sits directly on the shores of Allatoona Lake outside Cartersville, Georgia, with hundreds of sites spread across wooded coves and open waterfront positions. The layout is genuinely sprawling. Sites range from quiet cove positions with deep water to open-water spots facing the lake directly, and the difference in character between them is significant enough to matter when booking.
Water access defines the experience here. Many sites sit close enough to the lake that campers can step down to the shoreline from their pad, and waterfront sites on open stretches have clear sightlines across the lake toward two marinas and a railroad bridge. Maggie C. notes that "summer boat traffic would be intense for the waterfront sites," and she adds that "you can also hear traffic from the nearby train tracks and roads." Cove sites tend to buffer both. Deer sightings are common, and birdsong is a consistent presence throughout the wooded areas.
Amenities are solid across the board. All sites include water and electric hookups, with a few offering full hookups. The dump station has two cleanouts. Bathhouses are functional, if dated in places, and reviewers consistently describe them as clean, though they are not always close to every site. A swimming area and fishing access round out the on-water activity. The paved internal road runs close to a mile and is relatively flat, which works well for walking or biking between the bathhouses and beach.
Weekends fill fast, especially in summer. Reservations are strongly recommended, and Paula M. notes that "all were booked" when she tried to extend a six-day stay. Fall visits tend to bring lighter boat traffic and more availability. Site-level specifics matter here: site 26 is fully level and ADA-accessible, site 27 has a short pad on a downhill slope, and site 125 has an open lake view from multiple directions. Campers who want waterfront access with full hookups and room for rigs up to 60 feet will find McKinney a workable base, while those sensitive to daytime noise should prioritize cove sites when booking.
Description
Overview
McKinney Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
Recreation
Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation. Nearly 7 million visitors each year enjoy picnicking, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing, boating and observing wildlife along the 270 miles of shoreline. The lake is annually stocked with bass, crappie, bream, gar and catfish, making it a popular destination for anglers. Fishing jetties are available at numerous shoreline fishing locations, and a dock is provided at the campground.
Natural Features
Located just 30 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, Allatoona Lake is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer visitors respite from the rush of city living.
Contact Info
This location is staffed. Please call (770) 975-7485 to speak with local staff.
Nearby Attractions
The city of Acworth and Woodstock are nearby, offering restaurants, shopping, and historic downtown areas. Historic sites like the Etowah Indian Mounds and Booth Western Art Museum are a close drive to the city of Cartersville. The Visitor Center at Allatoona Lake Project Management Office features video exhibits and displays about the areas history, ranging from the time of early Native Americans, to the Civil War and to present times. The Visitor Center overlooks the dam and offers many hiking trails. Red Top Mountain State Park has more than 15 miles of trails and offers interpretive programs. Eight marinas are located on Allatoona Lake that offer boat rentals and restaurants. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located in Kennesaw and White Water Park is in Marietta. Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium are located in Atlanta.
Charges & Cancellations
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. .
Fee Info
Campsite fees range from $28-$32 per night.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMckinney Campground is located in Georgia near Emerson
Directions
Physical address: 6659 McKinney Campground Road, Acworth, GA 30102 From I-75 take exit 278 and turn north onto Glade Road. Continue for approximately 3 miles, then turn left onto King's Camp Road. After about a mile continue left at the fork and follow signs to the campground.
Address
1138 Georgia Highway Spur 20
Cartersville, GA 30121
Coordinates
34.1069444 N
84.6955556 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/20/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 7/20/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/20/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/20/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 7/20/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 30 min from Atlanta, GA
- 40 min from Rome, GA
- 1 hr 5 min from Gainesville, GA
- 1 hr 39 min from Anniston, AL
