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Best Tent Camping near Atlanta, GA

810 Reviews

Tent campsites near Atlanta provide both established and primitive options within a short drive of the metro area. Panola Mountain State Park Campground offers tent camping with picnic tables, toilets, and fire rings in a conservation-focused setting. Other options include Buford Dam Park Shelters with water access and Bush Head Shoals Park, which provides clean tent pads and riverside locations approximately 45 miles from downtown Atlanta.

Access to tent sites varies significantly across the region. Most established tent campgrounds like Hembree Park require reservations and have basic amenities including picnic tables and toilet facilities, though shower access is limited. Many tent-specific areas around Atlanta lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Fires are permitted at most locations including Hideaway Park and Sacred Space Urban Retreat, but firewood availability varies by site. Several campgrounds permit pets on leashes, though restrictions apply during hunting seasons at wildlife management areas.

The tent camping experience around Atlanta offers varying levels of seclusion and natural surroundings. Sites at Bush Head Shoals Park provide quick river access with well-maintained camping pads away from major roads, creating a quieter atmosphere for tent campers. Several locations feature wooded settings that provide shade during Georgia's hot summer months. A visitor commented that Bush Head Shoals Park has "plenty of room for all my fishing tackle, coolers, and chairs in each spot. The area is very well kept and far out from large roads so it is always quiet enough to hear the birds." Backcountry tent camping options exist at select locations, though primitive sites typically lack amenities and may require advanced preparation.

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Best Tent Sites Near Atlanta, Georgia (15)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Atlanta, GA

15 Photos of 15 Atlanta Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Atlanta, GA

810 Reviews of 15 Atlanta Campgrounds

  • Jeff E.
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Beautiful Lake Views - Near Atlanta and I-75

    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.

  • Amar P.
    Aug. 13, 2017

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Tensile Flite + at Red Top Mountain, GA

    Campground Review:

    Red Top Mountain State Park is located in Acworth, GA. The park is located around 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, which made it perfect for summer camping. The park has about 15 miles worth of shaded trails for hiking and mountain biking. The park also has RV, yurt, and cottage options for camping. We rented a first come first serve RV/Tent campsite during our visit, and the price was $35 for one night. The campsite was gate access and had electric/water hookups with 2 car spaces, a BBQ grill, picnic table, and a lot of trees. We had access to a public restroom, showers, and laundry. There were also primitive campsites available to rent, which were closer to the lake. Our group decided to stay at this park because we wanted to utilize the lake. The lake is beautiful; however, it was very crowded the weekend we went. The park overall has a lot of “things to do” and is family friendly, but it was given 4 stars because of how busy and crowded it was during our visit.

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I had the opportunity to test the Tentsile Flite +, which is a tent and hammock fusion. I was super excited to use this product because I am a hammock camper and there are times I wish I had the option of tent camping. The design and uniqueness of Tentsile Flite + is amazing, and I would consider it more of a tent instead of a hammock, because of how flat it lays when suspended in the air.

    Pros:

    • Comfortable to lay in and no need for sleeping pads or cushions.
    • If you are a hammock camper, you can share this tent with another person comfortably.
    • The rainfly is clutch and depending on preference it can be attached to the tent, staked to the ground, or tied to the trees.
    • The Tensile Flite + is light and can be ideal for backpacking.
    • The tent roof is all netting which is great for having ventilation during the summer, keeping bugs out, and also good for sky gazing.

    Cons:

    • Setup time and the difficulty of getting the right angle and tension.
    • It was difficult finding the right trees suspend to.

    Overall the Tentsile Flite + is perfect for someone who loves hammock camping, but want to enjoy some of the features tents have. I love the design and the wow factor it has on people. Also the company’s mission is very noble and how they help people in need and the environment.

    Here is a video of setting up the Tensile Flite +

  • Michael C.
    Apr. 12, 2025

    River Forks Park & Campground

    Great views but...

    "SITE# 47, Pull-Thru, Not FHU, 50A, Water, Dump LENGTH OF STAY: Stayed 9 Nights, RATE:$30.56/ Night with No Discount/ 0% Discount BATH HOUSE: Clean but Outdated LAUNDRY: Not Recorded STAFF: Friendly PARK IMPRESSIONS: Nice, We would stay here again RV PAD: Concrete, ESTIMATED RV PAD LENGTH: 40 Feet, Tow Vehicle Could NOT Stay Connected and Parking was away from site SITE SLOPE: Door side Tire Blocks needed ROADS: Adequate, MANEUVERABILITY: Narrow PEDESTAL PLACEMENT: Center of site length, SHADE: 30% GRASS AREA: At-Site, DESIGNATED PET AREA: Not Recorded PICNIC TABLE: Yes, FIRE RING: Yes, VERIZON Signal(bars): 5G-3, SPEED: 394 Mbs Download, 47 Mbs Upload T-MOBILE Signal(bars): 5G-5, SPEED: 714 Mbs Download, 124 Mbs Upload No WiFi, OTA TV CHANNELS: 75, CABLE TV: No, PLAYGROUND: Yes POOL: No, WATER FEATURE: Lake, FIREWOOD: Yes, STORE: No CLUBHOUSE: No, PROPANE AVAILABILITY: No Original site was# 46(back-in) but was VERY small. Moved to site 47(Pull-Thru) but due to road slope pull-thru is un-usable. Lower numbered sites(less than 30) appear somewhat better. Empty camp ground host side byhind 47 cannot be used unless site 47 is emprty due to sloping road. One single use dump station. One campground host presently in the park- their site was not marked. Appears that most sites are back-in and set sideways to a hillside and lakefront leaving very little level space for chairs. Fire rings are frequently located 12-20 feet away from picnic table and 3 to 9 feet below site level on a slope. Reservation Software used by office was down upon Saturday arrival with no IT help until Monday- two days away leaving office staff frustrated and using their own phone to access the reservation system customers use instead of management side of software. Staff stated it goes down frequently with no IT support on weekends. Six bathhouses in park. Bathhouse nearest beach closed awaiting replacement of fixtures after renovation. Shower has outdated fixtures- several shower heads had significant mineral deposits restricting flow. Men's side closed at another bathhouse. Many shower stalls had no hook or fixture to hang a towel or clothing. Several showers had broken shower valves making them unusable. Stayed 9 nights and did not see anyone working on bathhouses. Beach area parking is limited to 6 or 7 spaces and one handicap space however, there is a larger parking lot a little further away. Bathhouse showers have a pull string valve next to the shower head that had to be held down to get water with many strings broken, missing and too short to allow shorter people, children, or handicaped wheel-chair use. Some sites have precarious/dangerous sloping driveways for RVs to get into. Newly installed sites are near completion but they make sites very close together. Many sites do not have a fire pit and many do not have a grill. Many sites arer too small to park a second vhicle even if the camper is small. Parking on dirt or grass is prohibited by rules but appears to be selectively enforced. The campground has a boat ramp and reasonably large parking area. Extra careful site selection is warranted. Four docks in River Forks Park. Firewood is available at the office. CHECK-IN: 01:00 PM CHECK-OUT: 12:00 PM RIG: 42ft- 17,000 lb 5th Wheel"

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2021

    Bolding Mill

    Gorgeous view of Lake Lanier

    Our site had a beautiful view of the water and awoke to sun on the water. Very few mosquitos and lovely weather. Long parking pad for RVs, tho' ours is a 17' travel trailer. Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no electrical outlet for my hair dryer (but hey, we were camping). Gate is locked at 10:30 PM; after that you have to park outside the entrance and walk to your site. Even with park full for weekend, it didn't feel crowded. Folks were friendly; almost everyone we passed said hi.

  • Connor L.
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Bald Ridge Creek

    Good lakeside camping for RVs and cars

    Camped right on the lake in my hammock. I reccomend hammock or RV. You're not allowed to set up tents off of the concrete pad so it would be a bit uncomfortable. Super easy to swim, kayak, waterski in the lake. No alcohol allowed but no one came by my campsite all evening.

    Plenty of firewood at the site and at nearby gas stations. You can also burn deadwood and I found plenty of that as well.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2020

    Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground

    Not much but the River

    Chattahoochee Bend State Park is located on bend of the Chattahoochee River southeast of Atlanta, near Columbus GA. This is one of Georgia’s largest and newest state parks, with five miles of river frontage on the Chattahoochee. The campground has about 40 sites, some pull-they, but little shade. There are also some walk-in tent sites, and platform sites. The standard sites are water & electric, there is a bathroom/shower, and a dump station. There are cabins if you are not a camper. This is mostly a fishing/hiking park. A boat ramp provides access to the river for boaters and canoeing and there are six miles of wooded trails are open for hiking. There is an observation platform with views of the river and forest, but visibility was limited because of the trees. There isn’t much here but the river trail. But it is close to Columbus, GA, there are some zip-line places near by, and Roosevelt’s Little White House are close.

  • Rachel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2020

    High Falls State Park Campground

    Falls

    Went to High Falls State Park in January. site number 27. We stayed 8 nights There are two campgrounds- lakeside and River camping area. Lakeside is by High falls Lake and is closest to the falls. River camping is across the street we stayed in River camping area. Nice sites but open to neighbors. Sites included table, fire ring, lantern hook. Some sites are 30 amp some 50 amp and had some pull through sites. After the weekend we were one of only a few in the campground in January. Weather may change this time of year we had a lot of rain one day and freezing temperatures overnight but mostly it was good camping weather. Camp hosts were awesome!!! This park is not far off i-75. Dollar general was a few miles other than that not much around. Very easy hiking trail to waterfalls and several trails along Towaliga River, ruins of an old Mill. There is no swimming in falls or river. Afterr rain falls were flowing very fast. This park also has a swimming pool, mini golf, yurts, boat rentals all were closed in January. Bathhouses were well maintained and had laundry facilities. Phone and TV reception we're good at this park. 8 days was too much here I would recommend 4 to 5 days or as a stopover point but would definitely return here.

  • E
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Stone Mountain Park Campground

    Terrible for tent campers

    I was actually shocked at how terrible our actual campsite was; we stayed at site 29, which was supposedly intended for tent camping.

    Pros

    • The front gate staff was very nice; check in and general store staff were average
    • The general store was very convenient and decently stocked
    • The bathrooms and showers were pretty nice
    • Beautiful lake view. It was nice to watch kayakers and rowing teams go by
    • Nice tree placement for hammock
    • Close to all Stone Mountain activities
    • Garbage pickup each morning (but no metal trash can to store it in??)

    Cons

    • The site is on a freaking hill; there is no flat surface at all and no clearing, so you have no choice but to sleep on sticks/rocks. Thank God to REI for footprints and decent sleeping pads
    • Site was dirty when I arrived
    • No tent pad
    • Parking area is crap; it's somewhere between gravel and nothing
    • $20 parking fee

    There is no way I would stay at this campground again; it was definitely made for RVs.

  • Nate H.
    Jun. 30, 2019

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Plenty of Waterfront View Options

    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Red Top Mountain State Park. The campground itself is spread out with large sites. There are plenty of options for waterfront sites and most all sites are shaded with canopy cover. Our site specifically that we chose 56, was perfect for our roof top tent. We parked on a flat pad below a small staircase up to a tent pad surrounded by large boulders and equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood laying around was abundant. My only complaint about this campground were the comfort station showers. If you don’t need or desire to shower I would have zero hesitation sending anyone to this campground. However if you desire or need to shower as my wife and I do, be warned they are disgusting. They are probably the worst I have experienced anywhere as far as cleanliness. They serve their purpose as far as sufficient water pressure and hot water but outside of that, they are far from pleasant.

Guide to Atlanta

Tent camping near Atlanta offers both primitive and developed sites for outdoor enthusiasts seeking respite from the city. Located in the Piedmont region where the southern Appalachian foothills transition to coastal plains, campsites provide varying terrain from riverside locations to wooded settings. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.

What to do

Kayaking access points: Bush Head Shoals Park provides direct access to the Chattahoochee River with six well-maintained camping sites. As one camper noted, "We camped 3 nights and also rented a Kayak. The Chattahoochee Outdoors family are awesome. We floated and hiked and had an amazing time."

Bird watching opportunities: Tent sites at Bush Head Shoals Park offer excellent wildlife viewing. According to a reviewer, "The area is very well kept and far out from large roads so it is always quiet enough to hear the birds. Almost every time I camp here I see a bald eagle flying over the river."

Guided nature tours: Panola Mountain State Park Campground offers educational programs about local ecology. One visitor shared, "We took the guided tour of the Mountain and it was awesome. We ate Pine Trees and they explained about liken and the red fungus. Highly recommended."

Hiking trails: Multiple paths exist near primitive campsites. A camper at Panola Mountain reported, "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."

What campers like

Spacious camping pads: James Shackleford Memorial Park provides adequate space for equipment. One reviewer mentioned, "Not much to say about it pretty much all the sites around the lake area the same in Hall county Gwinnett it was very peaceful nice people was able to find plenty of outdoor stuff to do."

Clean facilities: Sites are generally well-maintained despite limited amenities. According to a Bush Head Shoals visitor, "The spots are well maintained, no power or water, so be prepared. For the price, you won't find a better campground."

Quiet atmosphere: Hideaway Park offers a peaceful environment. A camper shared, "Brand new place that is definitely worth a visit if you like freedom. You can tell that the property has been empty for quite some time, but I saw a pretty good bit of progress during the time I spent there."

Wildlife viewing: Several tent sites provide opportunities to observe native species. A camper at Bush Head Shoals Park explained, "Almost every time I camp here I see a bald eagle flying over the river."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most established tent camping sites require advance booking. At Buford Dam Park Shelters, facilities can fill quickly. A visitor noted, "This is a nice place to just come and stroll around for a bit. Parking is close to the street and paths go down to the lakeside. It is usually busy by people just driving thru."

Water availability: Many primitive camping locations near Atlanta lack potable water. A camper at Bush Head Shoals Park advised, "They currently do not have running water or a shower house but they indicated they are trying to construct one soon."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities can I expect at Atlanta area tent campsites?

At Serenity Ridge, amenities are plentiful with ready-to-use tent setups, stocked coolers with ice, and firewood already stacked by the fire pit for convenient cooking and s'mores. Buford Dam Park Shelters offers lakeside access with convenient parking and walking paths. Most Atlanta area campsites typically include fire rings or pits, picnic tables, and designated tent pads. More developed campgrounds may offer restroom facilities, while primitive sites usually require campers to pack in and pack out all supplies.

Where are the best tent camping sites near Atlanta GA?

Panola Mountain State Park Campground offers scenic tent camping with primitive sites about a 3/4 mile walk-in, making it perfect for those seeking a natural experience while remaining close to Atlanta. For water enthusiasts, Bush Head Shoals Park provides well-maintained tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits near the Chattahoochee River, plus convenient boat launch access. Both locations offer peaceful settings while being accessible from the Atlanta metro area.

What are the most affordable tent camping options around Atlanta?

Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area offers economical dispersed camping options, requiring only a valid Georgia hunting or fishing license to camp, making it one of the most budget-friendly options in the region. Hembree Park Campground also provides affordable camping with a friendly community atmosphere. For those seeking free or low-cost camping, public lands around Atlanta typically have modest fees compared to private campgrounds, which may charge $20-40 per night for basic tent sites.

What's the best time of year for tent camping in the Atlanta region?

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal for tent camping around Atlanta, offering comfortable temperatures and lower humidity. Atlanta West Campground is conveniently accessible year-round via I-20, perfect for quick trips in favorable weather. Hideaway Park is noted as being particularly enjoyable when temperatures warm up. Summer camping (June-August) can be challenging due to Georgia's heat and humidity, while winter camping (December-February) requires proper cold-weather gear as overnight temperatures can drop near freezing.

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