Best Campgrounds near Emerson, GA

Campgrounds near Emerson, Georgia cluster around Lake Allatoona, with options ranging from developed state park facilities to marina-based camping areas. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts on the shores of Lake Allatoona, while Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing provides boat-accessible camping with cabin rentals. Several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, including McKinney Campground and Victoria Campground, provide additional options within a short drive. The campground landscape includes both heavily wooded areas and lakefront sites, with varying levels of amenities from basic to resort-style facilities.

Roads within the campground areas can present challenges for larger rigs and trailers. According to one visitor at Red Top Mountain, there are "heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained" and "very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes." Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, though some Corps of Engineers sites have seasonal availability from March through September. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Several campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while others provide more primitive experiences. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping.

Lakefront sites consistently receive positive feedback from campers. Red Top Mountain State Park features sites with premium lake views, clean facilities, and good hiking opportunities. As one camper noted, "This is a wonderful, scenic campground on beautiful Lake Allatoona. The sites are color coded depending on size and there is even a yurt to rent." Proximity to I-75 makes these campgrounds easily accessible for weekend getaways from Atlanta, though highway noise can be noticeable at some sites. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing receives praise for its spacious lots, though campers mention the nearby train can be loud. The campgrounds balance natural settings with amenities like showers, playgrounds, and beach access, creating a family-friendly environment that still provides opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Best Camping Sites Near Emerson, Georgia (161)

    1. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    78 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 975-0055

    $40 - $275 / night

    "Many were positioned right on the lake. The trails in the park were great for hiking and running. We enjoyed visiting the Qualusi Winery that was nearby."

    "Our site I believe was 51 and steps away from The water. Easy check in and friendly staff."

    2. Mckinney Campground

    24 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Georgia Veteran’s Memorial State Park, McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake (north of Atlanta; a Corp of Engineer park) - very woodsy and a nice lake. Hiking, rafting/etc, and walking all around."

    "Campground Review: This campground is an excellent place to stay not far outside of the bustling metropolis of Atlanta."

    3. Sweetwater Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $290 / night

    "These are two completely different parks in two completely different parts of Georgia. SCofA does not have a mill, ruins, river or mountain trails. It does have a lake. Allatoona Lake."

    "Beautiful area of camping spots around the lake. Very good infrastructure, showers, bathrooms, etc."

    4. Victoria Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Lots of sites are waterfront or has access to the lake, that is a plus. The lake area is tranquil and quiet."

    "Wanted to know every detail of everyone in our party, and my husband came late and I have to give notice for him to join us ( the campground is gated) Now the positives- It’s right on beautiful lake Allatoona"

    5. Clark Creek North Campground

    12 Reviews
    Acworth, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 387-5149

    $34 / night

    "There is also signage to verify that you are going the right way until you see the CG entrance. We pulled into the gate area and were checked in by the attendant on duty."

    "Clark Creek North is a small gem tucked along the shore of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta. It is small with just 24 spots equipped with water and electric and every spot has water access."

    6. Mckaskey Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "My dad SCUBA dives quite a bit in a quarry nearby, so this is a great site for the family to stay with the camper."

    "It also seems as though most have access to the lake and the bath houses are pretty clean."

    7. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing

    11 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 974-6089

    $42 - $52 / night

    "The lake is beautiful. It’s quiet other than the occasional train whistles. The WiFi is pretty much non existent so don’t plan on that. Even with a booster we couldn’t pick it up."

    "The bathrooms were pretty amazing compared to the last campground we were at which was also on alatoona lake as well. ( McKinney camp ground ) The first night we got here it was packed, like crazy packed"

    8. McKinney Campground

    10 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $28 / night

    "If you want lake front, they got it! Almost all sites either have a view of the lake or are right on lake Allatoona! We tent camped here on site 45 in October 2017."

    "Great water views and easy step down to the waters edge for fishing.

    In our area, the bathroom/shower combo is adequate but needs an update."

    9. Payne Campground

    13 Reviews
    Woodstock, GA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $68 / night

    "This campground is full of beautiful lakeside sites! Many are well-spaced, but some are close together. We camped with our van in one of the tent sites because the rv sites were full."

    "I didn't get a chance to snap pictures or videos but it is nestled along the shore of Lake Allatoona."

    10. COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground

    9 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $30 - $68 / night

    "One section of the campground was too close to the highway, which made you hear cars passing all night, but sites 32 and up were very peaceful and quiet."

    "This is a great campground, close to town and the lake view is amazing. There’s enough space and privacy between camp sites. Clean comfortable picnic area with table and fire pit."

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Recent Reviews near Emerson, GA

980 Reviews of 161 Emerson Campgrounds


  • Brittany B.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Clark Creek South Campground

    Great view of the Lake

    The campsite was right next to the swimming beach so little to no privacy and very loud. Although I slept very well in my tent because Quiet hours were observed. It was nice waking up to view of Lake Allatoona. Lady at the gate was rude when checking in so make sure to “READ the sign!” Other than that bathrooms were clean and they have laundry and hot water showers. Will most likely be back!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Calhoun A-OK Campground

    Now called CedarBreak…

    Not KOA anymore - the campground has been renamed CedarBreak. New owners and they are very nice and helpful. Nicely Renovated office and store. Upgraded our site when they knew our plans. Minor sound from adjacent road, other than that very quiet, clean, nice layout with trees, good site spacing, I’ll be back.

  • Suzanne-Will C.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Woodring Branch Primitive Campground — Carters Lake

    Great Tent Camping

    I love that this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road. The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Winding Waters RV Resort

    Labor Day Weekend Glamping

    We booked Friday through Sunday of Labor Day weekend. We arrived after hours on Friday, and our check-in packet was prepared and ready for us when we arrived. No problems checking in and getting hooked up.

    The RV park is enormous, new and extremely well-kept. Our spot was next to the Etowah River and was one of the few that is on gravel and not concrete. The few gravel lots are among the quietest of this very busy place.

    There are plenty of things to do for a family...lazy river pool, pickle ball, etc. There are kids, electric scooters, electric everything flying around the park morning to evening. It's not necessarily a problem so long as you know what to expect. This is a less quiet place than many others that we have stayed at.

    Lots of investment in 5G WiFi towers, but WiFi is not terribly good. I opted to pull out my StarLink for a better, high bandwidth connection.

    My wife and I travel with e-bikes, so we were glad that it was easy to get to southern Cartersville in about 3 miles and to the Cooper's Furnace Day Area also in about 3 miles.

    Overall, and great place as long as you know you're signing up for a pretty active RV resort geared toward lots of family activity. Not particularly quiet. I'll come back... really enjoyed the cleanliness, order and adherence to strict rules.

  • SnakeEyes C.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Under The Hemlock Campground and Cabins

    Not what you think

    Great place for a one night visit DONT stay any longer than that! Your pets will go missing, the showers don’t work and are nasty! The owner Mike is only nice if you are there for one night. He has multiple people living there. There is a bear family that will destroy all of your belongings. There is NOTHING to do there no pools, no hiking, no visitors are allowed, nowhere to fish, LOUD chickens and a very LOUD annoying barking dog that is never on a leash, if you rent a cabin there is NO RUNNING WATER, it’s overpriced, there is ONLY a microwave. Your best bet is to go to Amicalola State Park

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    Lake Lanier

    Want a beautiful place to camp for cheap? Try Lake Lanier! Gorgeous campground, concrete pads, water and electric at site. We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too.

  • Patrick R.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very cool camping place

    We went out and found this place and setup our campsite very nice secluded and away from people very few people out here and there are a few big potholes in the road to watch out for but there is also another spot down the mountain down the other trail that’s not as bad and easier to get to

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground

    Lovely little COE campground

    Loved this little campground. Roads are narrow and asphalt sites are narrow. But beautiful views of the lake. Could hear a train but no highway/interstate noise at our waterfront site #47. I thought #48 was a great site as well. We were the only ones back there on that loop (which is at the back of the campground. Was fun watching the boaters and skiers. Biting Bugs were minimal which surprised me. Cicadas and katydids were in full chorus!


Guide to Emerson

Camping near Emerson, Georgia, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly campground or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Fort Mountain State Park Campground, have great hiking trails. One camper mentioned, "There are a lot of hiking trails as well as the lake where you can rent paddle boats, swim or fish."
  • Water Activities: At Don Carter State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy canoeing and fishing. A review noted, "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail!"
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Cherokee Rock Village enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife. One reviewer said, "The views are awesome, climbing is awesome & camping is awesome."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at DeSoto State Park Campground remarked, "Clean place with very friendly staff."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. A camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground shared, "Sites are usually clean and staff are friendly."
  • Activities for Kids: Families enjoy the various activities available. One review for Red Top Mountain State Park Campground highlighted, "In October there are different activities for the kids. Fall fest and Halloween parade."

What you should know

  • Fees: Some campgrounds have additional fees. For instance, at Fort Mountain State Park Campground, a camper noted, "On top of the $70 a night you must pay a $20 parking fee."
  • Site Conditions: Be aware that some sites may not be level. A visitor at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "The only con is the roads are a little confusing and tight and the sights are pretty unlevel."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Sweetwater Campground pointed out, "The bathrooms were really disgusting, they look like they hadn’t been cleaned in a very long time."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly activities. A camper at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping said, "Plenty of hiking and 4 mins from the lodge. Zip line, archery and plenty other activities."
  • Check for Kid-Friendly Events: Look for seasonal events. A review for Stone Mountain Park Campground mentioned, "In October there are different activities for the kids."
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Make sure to pack games for downtime. A visitor at Cherokee Rock Village suggested, "Charcoal grills at most sites, fire rings, firewood available at the front gate."

Tips from RVers

Camping near Emerson, Georgia, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it's a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Emerson, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Emerson, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 161 campgrounds and RV parks near Emerson, GA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Emerson, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Emerson, GA is Red Top Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 78 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Emerson, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Emerson, GA.

What parks are near Emerson, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Emerson, GA that allow camping, notably Allatoona Lake and Carters Lake.