Looking for the best options for tent camping near Atlanta? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Atlanta. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Atlanta, Georgia's most popular destinations.
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.
This recreation area is part of Lake Sidney Lanier
$25 / night
The Hembree Park Campsite offers an area for individuals or groups to gather and enjoy nature within the safe environment of a City Park. The site can be used by individuals, families, civic groups, etc. The grounds include an open grass area, fire ring with log seating, 2 picnic tables, and 11 tent pads.
There are no water/electrical hookups, or firewood on-site.
Buford Dam Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
The lake, named for the poet, Sidney Lanier, is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities. Each year, over 7.5 million people come to visit.
Lake Lanier boasts 38,000 surface acres, 690 miles of shoreline and over 100 small islands. Its location in the forested foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, makes for a beautiful backdrop to any activity.
Visitors can access the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail from multiple locations and parks. The trail is a 3.5 mile loop that offers great views of the lake and Chattahoochee River. Fisherman can expect to catch a variety of species including bass, catfish and panfish. Activities include fishing, swimming, wake boarding, kayaking and hiking.
Bolding Mill Park offers access to a designated swim beach and the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail. The park also offers a basketball court, soccer field, playground, picnic areas and restrooms.
Nearby attractions include boat ramps, other USACE parks, and Lake Lanier Islands.
Have you ever seen a Wild Georgia Turkey strut around?
We have one of the largest wood peckers I have EVER seen!
Not to mention our doe pack will definitely sneak upon you.
And there have even been little Georgia otters spotted!
The property is a beautiful wooded 10 acres on a rainwater creek. There are small babbling brooks and waterfalls, walking trails, lake, and Georgia's best wildlife.
About 500ft down a trail into the beautifully cleared woods is this one room cabin off the grid, disconnected from the “creature comforts” to enjoy the peace and serenity of nature.
Experience the nostalgia of camping but inside a solid building. You get to enjoy the whole cabin, greenhouse spa room and bamboo composting outhouse to yourself.
There is a fire-pit to roast whatever you desire as well as a grill with utensils.
The greenhouse is covered and filled with beautiful flowers in the spring and summer.
Inside you will find a large soaking spa tub with a fully functioning cold water shower head. There are 2 sun heated camp showers in the greenhouse. These stay in the sun and warm through the day.
The super simple compost toilet outhouse gets the job done in the most environmentally friendly way while it is composting. Additionally it does not disturb the natural ecosystem of our local wildlife. Once full, we use it to fill spaces and garden soil on the property.
Parking is complimentary at the main house (where my family and I live full time) It is a short walk down the trail to the cabin. Bring your rain boots if rain is on the forecast. We do have some you can borrow in case of Atlanta's notorious downpours!
There are other guests and other animals on the property.
No electricity or running water but composting toilet outhouse with cold running water sink+ camp shower in the greenhouse spa room. I also bring and/or make available 3 gallons of boiling water in a warming tank per day.
During the winter you receive 2 tanks of propane for the camp heater and 1 long burn fire log per night. There is a Cabana and Fire pit as well as a grill with utensils. 6 charging ports, Wi-Fi and parking available at the main house. Walking trails, lake, and wildlife. You’re welcome to enjoy our 10 acres of trails with creeks and brooks.
This is not just a cheap overnight stay, it’s an experience. In order to keep the cost affordable to those who are truly looking for this type of experience, please be honest with yourself.
We care for each of our guests with everything we have, but this is an independent journey and exploration of nature in a safe space.
God has entrusted the care of this Sacred Space to me. I pour my heart and soul into the cultivation of its natural beauty.
We are a thriving community of nature lovers.
Off-grid means learning how to exist in your most natural state without commonly connected amenities.
Here we disconnect from electricity and hot water.
That means:
No electricity - we have solar or battery powered lights after sundown.
No a/c - we have fans during summer, propane heater and sub zero sleeping bags during winter
No wifi - your brain will thank you.
According to the Cleveland clinic, researchers have found that taking icy showers may heighten your immune system and make you more resistant to illness.
All Amenities Listed Available on Request
The host/owner is a disabled Afghanistan veteran. We believe in and protect the rights of every American citizen. But we also love peace, nature, safety and all our babies - human or furry.
Georgia is a constitutional carry state. All guests who have weapons brought onto the property must notify us prior to arrival. The weapon must stay stored and secured during your stay as we are a family friendly and animal friendly property. We are in the middle of 4 subdivisions. This is not a safe place to shoot your weapon for recreation .
Also, this is Georgia and the cabin is in the woods. There are Georgia wild animals capable of showing up during your stay. Please do not shoot the animals.
Additionally, we have a few non-aggressive companion animals on the property. Please inform us if you are bringing an animals that may or may not be startled or agitated easily. They are still VERY welcome, but we want to take every measure to ensure everyone’s safety
Finally, if you’re coming here for a hotel stay, this is not the place to book. Poor reviews of this experience because of a lack of understanding diminish the purpose of the place we love.
Recommending that we spend more money on your comforts will more than likely price this location out of the budgets for those who choose to be frugal and intentional with it.
Why don't we use or have a/c?
Air Conditioning one of the single greatest contributors to global warming.
Think about it. Cool air in equals warm air out. The heat you “cool” had to go somewhere. That’s why when you stand next to the HVAC outside your house it’s blowing out hot air.
The cooler you make your house, the more heat you are releasing into the atmosphere. The hotter it gets outside, the more you need to cool down your house…ad nauseam.
Almost 90% of American homes use air conditioners, accounting for 6% of all the country's residential energy use. This air conditioning directly translates to a release of about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.
As humans we have gotten accustomed to burning up the planet on both ends for our comfort.
Please, I beg you, do not come here if being hot in the summer and cold in the winter is unreasonable. Dress appropriately so you may enjoy the campsite.
Winter time recommendations: bring/wear a onesie type footed/hooded pajamas.
Summer time: bring loose fitting clothing, hop in the shower upon arrival, grab a cool drink and settle down in one of our hammocks.
If you have read all of this, you want to be adventurous, but are unsure, I participate in Airbnb's flexible cancellation policy. It's worth it.
$30 - $75 / night
Guide
Red Top Mountain State Park is beautiful and Lake Allatoona is large. Campsite 50 is a premium tent only walk-in site (a few dollars more). It sits on a point that sticks out in the lake. There is no shade or tree cover, so it's not "private". There are 3 other sites near by on the walk-in area and there are no boundaries or barriers between so your neighbors are in full view. There is no electric near the tent pad, the electric pole is 150+ feet away near the parking area. You probably could run 175 feet of electric extension cord... but it would have to run past the three other sites... so don't plan for electric. There is water right by the pad with a ton of pressure. The tent pad was large but extremely hard to drive tent stakes into... smaller stakes worked better. The bathhouse was an uphill hike probably 300 ft away but was modern and clean with hot showers and good water pressure. The park is clean and scenic. The staff is very courteous, friendly and helpful. There are plenty of opportunities to hike, fish and boat.
This park is about 30-40 minutes outside of Atlanta right off of I-75. If you are in a tent... you will hear I-75 traffic all night so keep in mind, that while it looks like country, you are not deep in nature... the drone of the highway will remind you. There is a train that blows its whistle that will wake you up 3 times each night and also remind you that you are not deep in the woods. The winding roads through the park outside the campground also seemed to be very popular with motorcyclists who like loud pipes.
The name Red Top Mountain is derived from the red soil in the area that was popular for the mining of abundant iron ore. But don't look for "mountains" here... you have to travel further north for more dramatic elevation.
Overall, a nice park, pretty scenery but not as secluded, quiet and relaxing as expected for tent camping.
Guide
We did an overnighter to check this out after doing a separate hike on the primary trails from the other side of the park in the morning.
Getting to the campsite was simple enough and it is the quoted 3/4 mile walk in. It was great to see some families utilizing the space. There is good cell reception (T-Mobile)
Very peaceful and even had the sounds of a vibrant coyote pack.
Guide
Easy access to the lake for paddleboarding; lot was close enough to paddle 1/2 mile to day use area/marina restaurant. Nicely shaded and good proximity to restrooms.
Guide
Easy access to Lake Alatoona with good views, minimal shade and access area was swampy on my lot but manageable. Water surprisingly chilly in summer from the Etowah River.
Guide
There's only limited camping here. There's several yurts and 5 walk-in tent sites. Yes, some of the reviews here are confusing this park with another. There's NO RV or TRAILER camping here.
The Yurts look awesome but do attract gaggles of families so be warned that if you're looking for a quiet get away then you may find yourself in the middle of a large family reunion that has no care for other campers.
The camping is isolated from the bustling 'core' of the park too. That's a nice change from other parks in the area. But you will also need to drive to the trailheads more than likely so take that into consideration when packing etc.
The tent sites run a little parallel to each other. I didn't go any look at the lake views from 5 at the back but expected it to be partial if that. Site 1 and 2 would be my first choice when I go back.
There is also full cell reception given its proximity to Atlanta.
Update: - Something else to know is that the visitor center called for 'check in' before we arrived and organized a wood drop off service.
GuideRecently stayed a couple of nights and was mostly impressed with the state park. I’m a tent camper but if I had an RV or trailer, I would definitely have trouble getting into my site (78). Many of the other sites I saw would have similar problems for trailer campers, as well. The park is in close proximity to I-75, so I could hear the distant sound of big rigs and the occasional police sirens. There is also railroad tracks somewhere that are close enough to hear train whistles in the wee hours of the morning. But the scenery of Lake Alatoona was beautiful and the staff I dealt with were all friendly and helpful. The bathroom facilities I used were very clean.
Scout
The campsite's proximity to I-20 makes it super convenient to get to. It's a great spot for a quick trip or a longer stay, and the friendly seasonal campers really add to the community vibe. By the way, I just bought a camper with the help of radiant credit union customer service. Their customer service was so helpful in sorting out the financial side of things, which means I can now enjoy camping trips to places like Atlanta West Campground hassle-free!
Ranger
This place was great. We arrived after hours and spoke with the camp host he told us we can pay online or in the morning. We drove all day in the sun and due to hurricane Helene aftermath we were limited on where to stay. It was nice to pull in and it be nice and cool with the trees. The stars popped out at night and could be seen through the tree tops. Showers were hot.
Guide
This is a little gem of a state park. Indian Springs State park has a lot to offer. The camp sites are the other side of the lake from the group and public shelters/picnic areas etc so you feel away from everything. The park offers a museum, trails, kayak rentals and more.
The multi-purpose hike connects to the Dauset Nature Center trails and is worth taking the extra mile or so, at least, to go visit the nature center. The hike is rated as quite hard on All Trails and similar apps but, in reality, is fine for most levels. I am recovering from a back injury and this was my first 5+ mile hike in years. It was more than manageable.
One downside of the parks location is that you are close to Jackson and neighboring towns. There were some noises (e.g. loud cars) that could be heard from our site at night. It wasn't constant or overly intrusive. The main complaint was that other humans in the park seemed to not have consideration for their camping neighbors and enjoyed driving golf carts around while playing music at full volume. That can happen anywhere though and maybe shouldn't be a 'negative' for the park.
The park is well kept, comfort stations are fine and staff very friendly and helpful.
Legend
We stayed at site 125 with a full view of the lake. We could watch the sunset & the sunrise each day and it was incredible. There is plenty of tree cover & wilderness surrounding you. Bath houses were decent (albeit a little outdated). Our spot had a pretty bad ant infestation & they ended up getting into our trailer, which I had to scour with spray, etc. But what can you do? Just bring some supplies in case. What we really liked about this campground is how natural the surroundings are. You're really immersed in the wooded area with a view of the beautiful lake & the sounds of birdsong, etc. Good campground for bikes as things are spread out (swimming beach, bathhouses). We would certainly come back!
Traveler
Nice campsites with water and electricity. Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times.
Traveler
We stayed in site 7 and we really enjoyed it. The site was clean and the pad was very level.
We had a minor issue popping the 30amp breaker but switched over to the 50 amp adapter and all worked fine.
Didn’t use the bath house but I did go check them out and they looked clean.
I would caution big rigs on the first loop (sites 2 - 9) the loop at the back is pretty tight. We did fine with our 28’ TT but anyone over 30’ might want to consider the other loops.
Driving through and looking at the other sites some of the picnic areas need to be reworked or at the very least mowed and weeded. If it wasn’t for that sort of stuff I would give it 5 stars.
Traveler
We really enjoyed staying at High Falls. Most of the RV sites were spaced well apart and the amenities were clean.
Guide
We just bought our first RV and it was a 22 foot Class C. We decided to stay close to home to try it out, learn everything on it in a forgiving place. Chattahoochee Bend was perfect. Drive through spot for our RV with 50AMP, 30AMP, water and dump service. The place is clean, quiet and in great shape! Electric bikes made it all the more fun, since the single road in, out and all about is quite hilly. Plenty of hiking trails!
Traveler
Tons of things to do train rides, gondola ride to the top, hiking and fireworks. Stayed in a safari tent a little worn down with duck tape on the screen. However, clean bathroom/showers and fun pool. A couple of crazy squirrels visit us every morning.
ScoutGreat place to camp and just relax and watch all children play and laugh.
Scout
This place was a nightmare. I booked primitive site #4, that whole site is on a hill, the only flat place is where you park, and that's not really flat either. Needless to say it was difficult to set anything up; tents, food, games, etc... The campsites at this campground are very close together, and unfortunately our neighbors were very inconsiderate blasting country music all night long, they literally pulled an all-nighter, no joke, even after my wife and I asked them to turn the concert down at 3:30am, they got silent for about 1 to 2 minutes, and then started it right back up. The lake area where you swim is pretty gross, there are tons of people in a relatively small area, and pontoon boats pull right up to where the rope is that contains the swim area and cook out on their grills smoking out the swim area while idling petrol fumes and exhaust in to the water. We did manage to have some fun with making a fire, and although the lake was disgusting, it did feel good because it was 100 degrees outside. We decided to pack up and leave a day early, it was that bad. Find another campground to go to, or change your dates of your trip to avoid this place, do whatever you need to do to not end up here.
RangerThis is a smaller COE campground than most we have stayed at, which is nice in a way. The playground and beach were never crowded, and it was pretty quiet with the exception of the boat traffic. The campground is right next to a public boat ramp, beach, marina, and restaurant. It's super convenient but not as quiet as some other COE places. We loved it because we brought our boat and tied it up by our site. The sites are not huge but plenty big, and there are many great waterfront spots. Ours was nice for swimming with clean water and a nice drop-off. It is a mixed bag in terms of privacy. While there was plenty of space between us and our neighbors, the sites were laid out so that even with our campers hooked up, we could always see each other. Took away slightly from the experience, but it was still a very fun place. We will go back next summer. I think that 22 is the best spot, followed by the waterfront pull-through spots on the cove.
Guide
Great little place to camp. Beautiful lake. Bathrooms and showers are on site.
ScoutLoud music loud voices bright lights generators used on tent site. Party to 2 am. No rules enforced even when you complain to the host. Then this is the place for you. You can get away with whatever you want. Expect No sleep!!
TravelerMy family and I camped here for the weekend. Our campsite was beautiful and level. We could easily accommodate our pop-up camper and a 4-person tent with room to spare! My son was able to play and explore. My only critic would be that we were a little let down at the condition of the beach and that there was no playground when there was one listed on the grounds map. We will definitely be returning nonetheless.
Guide
We found this campsite while looking for an overnighter while traveling. We are on a motorcycle so we checked with Raven to make sure we would be good. The roads are gravel but well maintained. We had no problems getting in. The spots are well maintained, no power or water, so be prepared. For the price, you won't find a better campground.
ScoutGreat camp ground. Very clean and well maintained.
Traveler
The best place to camp Fish Enjoy the Chattahoochee
Traveler
Been going here since I was a kid and now I take my kids every year. It’s quiet but it could use more campsites with a beach area and maybe updated bathrooms. Still love it though
Guide
This is a very well maintained and popular campground on Lanier. I’ve come here since I was a kid. Tent sites are down some stairs, keep that in mind.
Ranger
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.
The drawbacks are that the bathhouse is pretty old and FAR from most of the sites and there aren’t any hiking trails. But this place is great if you love boating or don’t need a bathhouse.
Tent camping near Atlanta, Georgia offers a refreshing escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Atlanta, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Atlanta, GA is Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Atlanta, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Atlanta, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
