North Georgia's mountainous landscape around Calhoun includes elevations that range from 700 to 1,800 feet, creating varied camping environments from lakeside settings to mountain ridges. The region experiences four distinct seasons with fall temperatures averaging 50-70°F and summer highs reaching 85-95°F. Most campgrounds in the Calhoun area remain open year-round with some waterfront facilities closing from October through March.
What to do
Hiking trails with waterfall views: At Fort Mountain State Park Campground, trails range from easy lake loops to challenging mountain climbs. One visitor noted, "The trails are great, and everything feels spread out. I loved it, as did the rest of the group." The park features a historic stone tower and multiple overlooks.
Lake swimming and fishing: McKinney Campground provides direct water access from nearly every campsite. "Every single plot had a beautiful view, plenty of space and power hookup, water etc," reports one camper. The facility includes designated swimming areas with sandy beaches and boat launching facilities.
Mountain biking on technical trails: Fort Mountain offers dedicated mountain bike routes with significant elevation changes. According to reviews, "There is a strong community of mountain biking here. We didn't bike the trails here with our hybrid specialized bikes because we felt the trails to be too technical for us due to the major elevation changes, loose gravel and rocks."
Wildlife observation: Many campgrounds report regular bear sightings and diverse bird species. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," mentions one Fort Mountain camper.
What campers like
Private lakefront sites: Clark Creek North Campground provides secluded waterfront access. "It was like having the beach all to ourselves," says one camper. "Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees."
Platform camping options: Cloudland Canyon State Park offers unique elevated tent platforms. One camper explains: "The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box. There is definitely active wildlife here!"
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathhouses at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground. "They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly," writes one reviewer.
Freshly baked treats: At Calhoun A-OK Campground, the owners provide personal touches: "The couple running the CG are first class and very nice, plus they delivered fresh baked chocolate chip cookies that evening."
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Reservation requirements vary by season, with fall being the busiest period requiring bookings 2-3 months in advance.
Limited level sites: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain. A Red Top Mountain camper advises: "We got the rig into the levelist position possible to get our rig's steps down to an assessable position and fairly level, but we did need to add levelers to our steps and the passenger-side tires."
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in several parks. One Cloudland Canyon visitor reported, "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here."
Tree cover challenges: While providing shade, dense forest can impact site access. "Heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained. Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes," notes one Red Top Mountain camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly yurt camping: Red Top Mountain State Park offers yurt camping near Calhoun, Georgia with family-friendly amenities. "This isn't for backpackers but for camping with your family, it's good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms."
Protected swimming areas: Lake Allatoona at Clark Creek North provides designated swimming beaches. "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves," one camper shares.
Junior ranger programs: Some parks offer educational activities. "Friendly staff, with the Jr ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!" reports a Red Top Mountain visitor.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Woodring Campground offers "a range of camping options. They are either right on the water or about a 100yd walk away."
Tips from RVers
Road accessibility challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads. "If you are a big rig, it would be wise to call the office and have them assist you in choosing a site that will accommodate a larger rig," advises a Clark Creek North camper.
Site selection guidance: When booking yurt camping in Calhoun, Georgia area, check site dimensions carefully. "The sites are color coded depending on size," notes a Red Top Mountain visitor, helping RVers identify appropriate spots.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds have specific dump station considerations. As one RVer notes at Clark Creek North: "They have an interesting dump station set up where you climb a fairly steep hill. This station would be good for shorter rigs."
Tree clearance: Overhanging branches can be problematic at some sites. "The sites are not straight, so you have to jog to one side halfway through backing in. It's tricky to make that slight turn while avoiding the trees and rocks," warns a visitor.
