Stone Mountain Park Campground offers both RV hookups and glamping tents within a 30-minute drive of Berkeley Lake, Georgia. The park sits at 1,686 feet elevation with humid subtropical climate conditions that keep the area warm through much of the camping season. Most glamping structures stay open year-round, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below freezing.
What to do
Creek exploration at Sweetwater Creek: Visitors can kayak and swim in the creek or hike to see the historic mill ruins. "Hiking, kayaking, swimming—plenty of things to do. You can spend a whole day out here just walking along the creek and jumping across the rocks," notes one visitor to Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Lake activities at Lake Lanier: Most campgrounds near Berkeley Lake offer access to Lake Lanier for fishing, swimming and boating. "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site," reports a camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Fort Yargo State Park maintains an extensive network of dedicated mountain biking paths. "Great hiking. Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes," according to a camper at Fort Yargo State Park.
Wildlife observation: The wooded camping areas support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "Very close to the lakeshore. Morning and afternoon shade, otherwise pretty direct sun overhead around noon," notes a visitor at Bald Ridge Creek.
What campers like
Lakeside site selection: Many campgrounds offer direct water access. "There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you're deep in nature," reports a visitor to Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Walk-in tent sites: More secluded tent pads provide privacy away from RV sections. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded," notes a camper.
Proximity to Atlanta: Locations offer wilderness settings within short driving distance to urban amenities. "Good for a quick get away while still having access to 'city life'," says a Stone Mountain visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive regular maintenance at most glamping locations near Berkeley Lake. "The restroom and shower facilities were clean. Plenty of hot water," mentions a camper at Shady Grove Campground.
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary: Some campgrounds strictly enforce no-alcohol rules. "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets," warns a Shady Grove visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most lakeside and premium tent sites book quickly during peak seasons. "We were at spot 97 and was supposed to get 44. The host at the front office gave us a different spot that would be easier access to our 40ft 5th wheel," notes a visitor.
Noise factors: Highway and train noise can disrupt peaceful camping experiences. "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," explains a camper at Red Top Mountain.
Terrain challenges: Some tent pads present difficulties with stakes. "The tent pad was large but extremely hard to drive tent stakes into... smaller stakes worked better," reports a Red Top Mountain visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas for younger visitors. "There's all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too," shares a Stone Mountain Park camper.
Swimming beaches: Many lake-adjacent campsites include dedicated swimming areas. "We spent a weekend here in section O. It was a nice, spacious campsite with a nice picnic table and partial view of the lake even though we didn't have 'lake view' site," notes a Stone Mountain visitor.
Bicycle paths: Flat, paved pathways accommodate young cyclists. "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," explains a visitor to Bald Ridge Creek.
Movie nights: Some campgrounds offer communal entertainment. "We were recently there and someone set up a movie night on the lawn which was really nice," shares a Bald Ridge camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV pad slope varies significantly between sites. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it," reports a Stone Mountain camper.
Electric service: Most glamping sites near Berkeley Lake offer 50-amp connections. "Excellent campground with ultra-helpful staff. Per views of the mountain with many lots on the lake," notes a Stone Mountain visitor.
Dump station congestion: Sunday checkout creates lines at single-station facilities. "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal," warns a Bald Ridge Creek camper.
