Red Top Mountain State Park Campground encompasses several pet-friendly camping options near Lake Allatoona. All camping areas permit dogs with proper leash control, including RV sites with full hookups, tent-only walk-in sites, and rental yurts. The campground features clean facilities with hot showers and good water pressure, particularly beneficial after hiking with pets. Sites range from premium waterfront locations to more wooded inland spots, with prices typically around $35 per night plus a parking fee. McKinney Campground and Victoria Campground also welcome pets, offering boat-in and walk-in access options alongside traditional drive-in camping. The campgrounds are very clean with large, well-spaced sites that provide adequate room for campers traveling with dogs.
Hiking trails throughout the Red Top Mountain area provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with approximately 15 miles of shaded paths suitable for pets. Lake Allatoona offers water access points where dogs can cool off, though owners should be prepared for considerable boat traffic and noise, especially during summer months. Sites 1-12 are particularly spacious for larger RVs and provide ample room for pets to settle in, all with water, electric and sewer hookups. The campground's winding roads and terrain variations require careful navigation with pets in tow, especially after dark. Wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping pets secured is essential. Most sites include picnic tables and fire rings with grill grates, creating comfortable areas for camping with dogs while enjoying lakeside views.
$40 - $275 / night
"Red Top Mountain State Park has it all - Allatoona Lake, a marina, fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, lakeside cottages, yurt, camp store, beach, miniature golf, food vendor, etc. i’ve Done it all now"
"Red Red Top is one of my favorite spots when I need a quick Wilderness cat away from the city."
$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."
"So RecGov will let you reserve a site w/three dogs but then when you drive 4 hrs to get there they tell you two dogs only..... what exactly would you like me to do with the spare one???"
$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."
"We have traveled across the country a few times in the last year and are always looking for a good place to stay near Atlanta. We've found it!"
$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."
"I was in town for a trail run and camped at Victoria Campground. When making reservations if you happen to hit on a weekend you are stuck reserving two nights. Also they have a 2 dog limit."
$34 / night
"Pets are allowed with the common rules. Lots of shade."
"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."
$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."
$24 - $68 / night
"site 2 was nice and shady. our dog loved to swim in the lake,!"
"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."
$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"
$28 / night
"The US Army Corp of Engineers manages McKinney Campground on Lake Allatoona near Acworth. It’s close to home, so it’s a quick trip. There are 150 tent/RV sites. Fees range from $24 - $28 per 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."
$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."
LegendGeorgia 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. Very green in the summer!
ScoutREAD- Some of the reviews of Sweetwater Campground at Allatoona are for Sweetwater Creek State Park. 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. Pay attention to the reviews because if you go to to the Sweetwater Campground looking for the things half of these members posted you will be highly disappointed. Again…Sweetwater Campground at Allatoona and Sweetwater Creek State Park are NOT the same.
GuideWe love camping at Fort Mountain. Its usually a good bit cooler due to the elevation, and the private wooded campsites make tent camping in Georgia’s summer heat much more enjoyable. Good hiking and things to do nearby.
GuideRed Top Mountain State Park has it all - Allatoona Lake, a marina, fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, lakeside cottages, yurt, camp store, beach, miniature golf, food vendor, etc. i’ve Done it all now including a 2-bedroom Cottage for my birthday celebration. Travel 40 minutes north of Atlanta & 10 minutes from historic Cartersville and you’re in another world. I’ve visited at least 5 times and can’t wait for my next visit.
GuideNavy is a small park with rolling hills, wooded sites and lots of shade. We’ve stayed at site 11 and 12, both accommodated our 28 ft camper well. They have a small sandy beach and beautiful Allatoona lake all around. Best feature though is the wonderful staff. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We will be back!
TravelerWe have traveled across the country a few times in the last year and are always looking for a good place to stay near Atlanta. We've found it! We absolutely loved our time at McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake in Acworth, GA. It only took about 40 minutes to drive to the city. The sites are spacious and level. The bathroom near our sites were good with hot water and heat. Our site was water and electric #128.
TravelerMy family and I have stayed at this campground twice over the past few months. The attendants were extremely welcoming and made each of our stays start with a smile. There is a small beach here that has a slow drop off that ends up at about 7 feet deep and it is well kept. The campgrounds are litter free and the restrooms are always very clean. On our 2nd stay we drove over to the Pine Mountain trail head and enjoyed about a 2 /12 mile hike up and down Pine Mountain. There are quite a few other hiking and fishing spots nearby as this campground it right on Allatoona Lake. We wil be comig back next spring for sure.
GuideCampground is next to SR 411. Excellent facilities and staff. We stayed for 3 days and had an enjoyable time. Fished in the pond played corn hole. Ran our dogs every day at the dog park. Will definitely head up there again
ScoutThis Campground is amazing. The woman in the office is so nice and very helpful. They have workers escort you to your site to make sure everything is OK. The man who escorted us was very nice, and made sure we knew where everything was (even after being told at the office). I loved that. The grounds are super clean. There are walking trails, a lake, a beach, and they even have things for dogs! (Dog bath, dog beach, dog park, ect). I'd recommend this place 1,000 times over!!!
Lake Allatoona offers 270 miles of shoreline across 12,000 acres with water temperatures ranging from 55-85°F depending on season. The lake sits at 840 feet above sea level with summer highs typically reaching 90°F. Most campgrounds around Allatoona Lake remain open from March through September, though several operate year-round with reduced services during winter months.
Swimming in designated areas: Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground provides lake access for swimming. "This was my first time camping at this camp site... just beautiful, enough privacy between campers but not so secluded for a solo camper, the employees were nice the bathrooms an showers were clean," notes camper S D.
Fishing throughout the year: Anglers can catch multiple species at Mckinney Campground. "We love to fish and we always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious," shares Robin M. The campground offers many waterfront sites with easy shore fishing access.
Kayaking and non-motorized water sports: The quieter coves offer excellent paddling opportunities. "Great campground right on Lake Allatoona! Many lakefront sites available and all within a no wake zone on the lake. Great for swimming and non motorized water activities," reports Caitlin about Payne Campground.
Playground access for children: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. "This is a very newbie-friendly park on a pretty lake. The attendants were great and responsive. The spaces are well-equipped," shares Jane B. about McKinney Campground.
Large, private sites: Victoria Campground offers well-spaced campsites. "The sites are very large, and everyone I saw had lots of privacy! Restrooms are large and clean!" says Lori H. Many sites include direct lake access with room for boats.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness consistently receives positive reviews. "We had a site near the bathrooms and playground but there were plenty of trees so it felt like we had privacy. The bathrooms and showers dId the job just fIne!" mentions Kaity H. about Mckaskey Creek Campground.
Lakefront camping options: Most Allatoona Lake campgrounds feature sites directly on the water. "We stayed on site 100 it's right on the water. The view of the lake is beautiful," says Mary B. about Sweetwater Campground. These waterfront sites typically cost $4-10 more per night than standard sites.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot deer, waterfowl, and small mammals. "Always see deer and other wild life," notes Susan H. about McKinney Campground. Bird watching is particularly productive along shoreline areas.
Train and highway noise: Several campgrounds sit close to transportation corridors. "It is so close to i75 that the sound of traffic is constant; during the day is manageable but at night it makes it hard to sleep if you are in a tent," warns Adriana C. about Old Highway 41 Campground.
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds have fewer bathhouses than expected for their size. "There is only one small restroom facility (men and women's divided) for 51 sites which is unusual for COE campgrounds," notes Annell N. about Mckaskey Creek.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "The campground is only open May till September," mentions Joel R. regarding Old Highway 41. Call ahead to confirm current operating dates.
Site selection matters: Sweetwater Campground offers varying site quality. "Great place to camp. The entire park was very clean and well kept. A lake-side spot would have been awesome, but overall very happy with our stay. Spots are large and spacious," shares Rivers P. Research specific site numbers before booking.
Book waterfront sites early: Popular lakefront spots fill quickly, especially during summer months. "This is one of our favorite campgrounds. The view of the lake is beautiful. We always stay on site 100 it's right on the water," recommends Mary B. about Victoria Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Allatoona Landing Marina Resort offers additional recreation options. "We had a good time on our weekend trip. Place had a pool and 2 playgrounds. Great for kids," writes Brandi. These extra facilities provide alternatives when weather doesn't cooperate.
Beach access considerations: Some beach areas require maintenance. "There is a swimming beach, no lifeguard," mentions Terri P. about Clark Creek North. Many beaches have gradual entry points suitable for younger children.
Pet limitations: Most campgrounds restrict pets to two per site. "They only allow 2 pets per site," notes Joel R. about Old Highway 41. All pets must remain leashed throughout campgrounds, typically with a maximum 6-foot leash length.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require additional equipment for proper leveling. "However, many of the sites are very steep and slanted and causes difficulty getting your trailer or RV into the site. Makes leveling very difficult," cautions Gary L. about McKinney Campground.
Dump station congestion: Plan dump station usage during off-peak times. "Only downsides for us was the distance to the trash dumpsters, and the dump site gets really busy. They could really use 2 trash/dump sites as this is a large campground and it stays full," advises Joy W.
Site dimensions: Clark Creek North Campground offers sites for various RV sizes. "If you are a big rig, it would be wise to call the office and have them assist you in choosing a site that will accommodate a larger rig," recommends MickandKarla W. Most pull-through sites accommodate up to 40-foot rigs with slides.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. "The gate worker was super intense! 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)," reports Lori H. about Victoria Campground. Gates typically close between 10-10:30pm with no late entry permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Allatoona Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Allatoona Lake is Red Top Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 79 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Allatoona Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 124 dog-friendly camping locations near Allatoona Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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