Camping in Bartow County near Andersonville, Georgia offers access to both Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, with elevations ranging from 840 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region's humid subtropical climate delivers hot summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round but experience peak visitation between April and October when water activities are most accessible.
What to do
Hiking diverse trail systems: Red Top Mountain State Park offers multiple hiking options through wooded terrain. "This is close enough to metro to make for a quick getaway. The trail around the lake is good and in the winter it is not too far north has to be too cold to get outside in a tent," notes Anna R.
Water recreation beyond swimming: Clark Creek North Campground provides boating and fishing access directly from most campsites. "We met some friends here in the late afternoon Sunday of July 4th weekend. They already had a site (#51) which was nice with a beautiful view over the lake," reports one visitor who appreciated the water access despite noting "the water is rocky so be careful."
Historical exploration: Sweetwater Creek State Park features ruins of the Manchester Mill. "The park is set up on the land of an old factory that used the river to power a water wheel. There are a whole bunch of trails of varying difficulty and length that meander through the woods along the river," explains Asher K., who found the hike "beautiful but definitely challenging since there are a lot of rocks you have to climb over."
What campers like
Private lake access spots: Clark Creek South Campground arranges sites to maximize both privacy and water views. "Only 40 sites. $22 night primitive $34 full hook-up. Most sites on the lake with a ton of space between sites and lake access," says Jen, who recommends specific sites: "#2 best primitive. #10 best hookup for lake views and access."
Expansive campsites: Campers at McKinney Campground appreciate the generous space allocation. "We stayed at site 21 and had a great time. Decent bathrooms/bath house. Sites were on the water and great sizes," reports Maddie K. Another camper confirms, "Sites are large and well placed. Many sites with lake view to choose from. Always see deer and other wildlife."
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness stands out at several campgrounds. At Red Top Mountain State Park, one camper noted, "They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly." Similar experiences were reported at Clark Creek South, where visitors praised "clean bathhouse" facilities alongside "quiet, peaceful and picturesque" surroundings.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds have significant elevation changes or tight spaces. "Heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained. Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in. Sites were very narrow," warns Brock D. about certain areas of Red Top Mountain State Park.
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways affects some campsites. "It's definitely not quiet unless you're in an RV. And I guess we camped on the wrong morning too because they started mowing the lawn at around 8:30-9 am after listening the highway all night," reports Jennifer T. about McKinney Campground.
Limited availability: Sweetwater Creek State Park offers glamping options but has restricted camping capacity. "Realize there are limited sites. 10 Yurts for glampers and 5 walkin sites for tent campers. The walkin sites are in the woods but not too far a walk to the lake," explains Shelly S., adding that the facilities have "keyed limited access for glampers and campers only. No day use which is nice."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Bald Ridge Creek offers excellent facilities for first-time campers. "Rangers were very nice, beach is cool, nice lake front sites. We had a fun time here, especially the kids. They loved riding their bikes around in this great family friendly campground," shares Rick B.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families can expect regular animal sightings across several campgrounds. "Lots of deer just walking around," reports a visitor to Shady Grove County Campground, while McKinney Campground consistently delivers wildlife encounters with one reviewer noting, "Always see deer and other wildlife."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love," writes Chris H. about Shady Grove County, while others note that Red Top Mountain and Bald Ridge Creek also maintain child-friendly recreational facilities with short walking distances from most campsites.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven surfaces at many campgrounds. "The TV pads are all paved and mostly level," notes Terri P. about Shady Grove County Campground, while at Red Top Mountain, campers recommend "check the map carefully for terrain" as "many sites are high above the water."
Access considerations: Several campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper," warns Soren B. about Amicalola Falls State Park, adding that "we have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into."
Hook-up variations: Services differ widely between sites even within the same campground. At Clark Creek North, "sites are equipped with water and electric" but require using the central dump station. Similarly, McKinney Campground offers "all sites have water and electric. A few have full hook ups," so RVers should verify specific site amenities when booking.
