Lake Allatoona defines the camping landscape near Kennesaw, Georgia with over 12,000 acres of water and 270 miles of shoreline. Many campgrounds in this area sit at around 840 feet elevation, offering water-based recreation opportunities from April through October when temperatures range from 65-85°F. Campgrounds near Kennesaw have various accommodations for tent and RV campers, with many sites requiring reservations months in advance during peak summer season.
What to do
Hiking trails at multiple difficulty levels: Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground offers history along with hiking on varied terrain. "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 reviewer Asia + Jalen B. The park features the ruins of an old factory that used the river for power.
Lake activities beyond swimming: Fishing opportunities abound at Victoria Campground, which provides direct lake access. "This campground has a beautiful big beach! Boat ramps also," mentions Lauren W. The campground gives access to Lake Allatoona's abundant crappie fishing, particularly in spring months.
Camping near historic sites: Military history buffs can explore Civil War sites near several campgrounds. "We also love the historical trails that lead to the old civil war mill. It's a great hike," shares Elaine G. about Sweetwater Campground. Many trails connect camping areas to historic points of interest.
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: Campers consistently praise the generous spacing between sites at many lakefront locations. "Every single plot had a beautiful view, plenty of space and power hookup, water etc. I've only camped with a tent, it's hard ground but loved it," reports Dale C. about Mckinney Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campers note well-maintained bathhouses as a standout feature. "The bathrooms were pretty amazing compared to the last campground we were at which was also on alatoona lake as well... Super nice showers," reports Ginger V. about Marina Resort.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: "We always see deer and other wild life," notes Susan H. about camping at McKinney. Several campgrounds feature walking trails where wildlife sightings are common during early morning and evening hours, particularly in the less crowded spring and fall seasons.
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Multiple campgrounds in the area have railroad tracks nearby. "The trains run pretty close by the campground roughly on the hour," notes Logan about Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing. Consider bringing earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Reservation timing matters: Peak season books up quickly at popular campgrounds. "Site selection matters significantly," especially for waterfront spots which often book 6+ months in advance for summer weekends.
Some sites have challenging terrain: "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," warns Brock D. about Red Top Mountain. Check site specifications carefully before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Beach areas for children: Select campgrounds with designated swimming beaches for safer water play. "We stayed at this campground on the lake while coaching a tournament in Atlanta. The spaces were spread out with plenty of shade and canopy cover," shares Nate H. about Victoria Campground.
Playground amenities: Clark Creek North Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "Peaceful setting, very clean. Shower house is clean and well maintained also has laundry facilities," reports Terri P. The campground includes a swimming beach without lifeguards.
Security considerations: Some campers report concerns about unauthorized access. "After discussing the issue with the campground staff, we were informed that locals often come through the woods and even wade through the edge of the lake to steal from the campground," warns Chris C. about Clark Creek North. Keep valuables secured when away from your site.
Tips from RVers
Dump station accessibility: "This station would be good for shorter rigs. On our 40' Brinkley with two black tanks, getting the back tank would be at a downhill angle and we believe we would scraped going up the slope," advises MickandKarla W. about Clark Creek North. Many campgrounds have single dump stations that become congested during peak checkout times.
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads. "The campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings and each have low ground clearance and located in turns," warns Logan about Marina Resort. Check clearance requirements before arrival.
Site leveling requirements: Payne Campground offers waterfront sites but may require leveling equipment. "My buddy said the asphalt was not level and he had a hard time leveling his rig," notes Grant B. Bring adequate leveling blocks, especially for lakefront sites which often have slopes toward the water.
