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Best Campgrounds near Cartersville, GA

977 Reviews

Camping near Cartersville, Georgia centers around Lake Allatoona, with numerous established campgrounds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia State Parks. Red Top Mountain State Park offers a variety of accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts, while McKinney Campground provides lakefront sites with boat access. Both are located approximately 40 minutes north of Atlanta, making them accessible weekend destinations. Other options include McKaskey Creek, Victoria, and Sweetwater campgrounds, all situated along the shores of Lake Allatoona. As one camper noted, "The Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Allatoona near Cartersville are very woodsy with nice lake access, perfect for hiking and water activities."

Most campgrounds in the Cartersville area are open seasonally, with peak operation from March through September or October. McKinney and Red Top Mountain State Park remain open year-round. Summer temperatures can be hot and humid, though lakeside sites offer some relief. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during peak season. Many campgrounds have electric and water hookups, with some offering full sewer connections for RVs. Facilities typically include restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings. Bear activity has been reported in the area, so proper food storage is advised.

The campgrounds vary in amenities and setting. Lakefront sites at McKinney and Red Top Mountain provide direct water access for swimming and fishing, with some campers reporting swimming is possible well into October due to Georgia's warm climate. RV campers will find big-rig friendly sites at most locations, with 30 and 50-amp service available. For those seeking more amenities, Marina Resort at Allatoona Landing offers cabin rentals in addition to traditional camping. The proximity to Cartersville provides convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions like the Booth Western Art Museum, making these campgrounds suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays.

Map showing campgrounds near Cartersville, GeorgiaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Cartersville, Georgia (187)

    1. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    78 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 975-0055

    $40 - $275 / night

    "Red Top Mountain State Park has it all - Allatoona Lake, a marina, fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, lakeside cottages, yurt, camp store, beach, miniature golf, food vendor, etc. i’ve Done it all now"

    "This is a wonderful, scenic campground on beautiful Lake Allatoona. The sites are color coded depending on size and there is even a yurt to rent.  We went swimming and hiking. "

    2. Mckinney Campground

    24 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Georgia Veteran’s Memorial State Park, McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake (north of Atlanta; a Corp of Engineer park) - very woodsy and a nice lake. Hiking, rafting/etc, and walking all around."

    "Campground Review: This campground is an excellent place to stay not far outside of the bustling metropolis of Atlanta."

    3. Sweetwater Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $290 / night

    "These are two completely different parks in two completely different parts of Georgia. SCofA does not have a mill, ruins, river or mountain trails. It does have a lake. Allatoona Lake."

    "Beautiful area of camping spots around the lake. Very good infrastructure, showers, bathrooms, etc."

    4. Mckaskey Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Very private yet close to 75. Right on Lake Alatoona. Lots to do in Cartersville and Acworth. Recommend. Enjoy!!"

    "We love the Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Allatoona near Cartersville, GA. We didn't have reservations but it was just an overnight stay so we didn't care."

    5. Victoria Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Lots of sites are waterfront or has access to the lake, that is a plus. The lake area is tranquil and quiet."

    "Wanted to know every detail of everyone in our party, and my husband came late and I have to give notice for him to join us ( the campground is gated) Now the positives- It’s right on beautiful lake Allatoona"

    6. Clark Creek North Campground

    12 Reviews
    Acworth, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 387-5149

    $34 / night

    "There is also signage to verify that you are going the right way until you see the CG entrance. We pulled into the gate area and were checked in by the attendant on duty."

    "Clark Creek North is a small gem tucked along the shore of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta. It is small with just 24 spots equipped with water and electric and every spot has water access."

    7. McKinney Campground

    10 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $28 / night

    "If you want lake front, they got it! Almost all sites either have a view of the lake or are right on lake Allatoona! We tent camped here on site 45 in October 2017."

    "Great water views and easy step down to the waters edge for fishing.

    In our area, the bathroom/shower combo is adequate but needs an update."

    8. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing

    10 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 974-6089

    $42 - $52 / night

    "The lake is beautiful. It’s quiet other than the occasional train whistles. The WiFi is pretty much non existent so don’t plan on that. Even with a booster we couldn’t pick it up."

    "The bathrooms were pretty amazing compared to the last campground we were at which was also on alatoona lake as well. ( McKinney camp ground ) The first night we got here it was packed, like crazy packed"

    9. COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground

    9 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $30 - $68 / night

    "One section of the campground was too close to the highway, which made you hear cars passing all night, but sites 32 and up were very peaceful and quiet."

    "This is a great campground, close to town and the lake view is amazing. There’s enough space and privacy between camp sites. Clean comfortable picnic area with table and fire pit."

    10. Payne Campground

    13 Reviews
    Woodstock, GA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $68 / night

    "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."

    "I didn't get a chance to snap pictures or videos but it is nestled along the shore of Lake Allatoona."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cartersville, GA

375 Photos of 187 Cartersville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cartersville, GA

977 Reviews of 187 Cartersville Campgrounds

  • Brittany B.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Clark Creek South Campground

    Great view of the Lake

    The campsite was right next to the swimming beach so little to no privacy and very loud. Although I slept very well in my tent because Quiet hours were observed. It was nice waking up to view of Lake Allatoona. Lady at the gate was rude when checking in so make sure to “READ the sign!” Other than that bathrooms were clean and they have laundry and hot water showers. Will most likely be back!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Calhoun A-OK Campground

    Now called CedarBreak…

    Not KOA anymore - the campground has been renamed CedarBreak. New owners and they are very nice and helpful. Nicely Renovated office and store. Upgraded our site when they knew our plans. Minor sound from adjacent road, other than that very quiet, clean, nice layout with trees, good site spacing, I’ll be back.

  • Suzanne-Will C.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Woodring Branch Primitive Campground — Carters Lake

    Great Tent Camping

    I love that this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road. The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Winding Waters RV Resort

    Labor Day Weekend Glamping

    We booked Friday through Sunday of Labor Day weekend. We arrived after hours on Friday, and our check-in packet was prepared and ready for us when we arrived. No problems checking in and getting hooked up.

    The RV park is enormous, new and extremely well-kept. Our spot was next to the Etowah River and was one of the few that is on gravel and not concrete. The few gravel lots are among the quietest of this very busy place.

    There are plenty of things to do for a family...lazy river pool, pickle ball, etc. There are kids, electric scooters, electric everything flying around the park morning to evening. It's not necessarily a problem so long as you know what to expect. This is a less quiet place than many others that we have stayed at.

    Lots of investment in 5G WiFi towers, but WiFi is not terribly good. I opted to pull out my StarLink for a better, high bandwidth connection.

    My wife and I travel with e-bikes, so we were glad that it was easy to get to southern Cartersville in about 3 miles and to the Cooper's Furnace Day Area also in about 3 miles.

    Overall, and great place as long as you know you're signing up for a pretty active RV resort geared toward lots of family activity. Not particularly quiet. I'll come back... really enjoyed the cleanliness, order and adherence to strict rules.

  • J
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA)

    Beautiful and Quiet

    My girls group and I wanted to do a quick weekend glamping trip. One long rocky road and an active bear warning later we were rocking it by the creek. Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There’s a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek. There’s no cell service or security so make sure you’re making safe decisions :)

  • SnakeEyes C.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Under The Hemlock Campground and Cabins

    Not what you think

    Great place for a one night visit DONT stay any longer than that! Your pets will go missing, the showers don’t work and are nasty! The owner Mike is only nice if you are there for one night. He has multiple people living there. There is a bear family that will destroy all of your belongings. There is NOTHING to do there no pools, no hiking, no visitors are allowed, nowhere to fish, LOUD chickens and a very LOUD annoying barking dog that is never on a leash, if you rent a cabin there is NO RUNNING WATER, it’s overpriced, there is ONLY a microwave. Your best bet is to go to Amicalola State Park

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    Lake Lanier

    Want a beautiful place to camp for cheap? Try Lake Lanier! Gorgeous campground, concrete pads, water and electric at site. We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too.

  • Patrick R.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very cool camping place

    We went out and found this place and setup our campsite very nice secluded and away from people very few people out here and there are a few big potholes in the road to watch out for but there is also another spot down the mountain down the other trail that’s not as bad and easier to get to

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground

    Lovely little COE campground

    Loved this little campground. Roads are narrow and asphalt sites are narrow. But beautiful views of the lake. Could hear a train but no highway/interstate noise at our waterfront site #47. I thought #48 was a great site as well. We were the only ones back there on that loop (which is at the back of the campground. Was fun watching the boaters and skiers. Biting Bugs were minimal which surprised me. Cicadas and katydids were in full chorus!

Guide to Cartersville

Camping near Cartersville, Georgia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are great options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails around the area. At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, one visitor said, "The park is beautiful with a nice modern campground. The sites are very nice. The bathroom and showers are very new and well-maintained."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming and fishing at Don Carter State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail!"
  • Sightseeing: Visit the stunning waterfalls and vistas at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping. A reviewer noted, "Beautiful area with hiking trails and plenty to do in general."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at DeSoto State Park Campground said, "The bath house was clean unsure about water quality."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground shared, "The campground is quiet with well laid out sites."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Stone Mountain Park Campground said, "Sites are usually clean and staff are friendly."

What you should know

  • Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground noted, "The sites are very close together here and you can expect it to usually be booked up."
  • Check-in Confusion: Be prepared for check-in procedures. One camper mentioned, "Checking in is confusing because they don’t send you any info on what to do or how to get to your site."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Sweetwater Campground pointed out, "The bathrooms were really disgusting, they look like they hadn’t been cleaned in a very long time."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. At Stone Mountain Park Campground, one family said, "Beautiful park with lots of activities available for the whole family."
  • Plan for Noise: Be ready for some noise, especially on weekends. A camper at Sweetwater Campground mentioned, "Expect No sleep!!"
  • Pack Games: Bring outdoor games for family fun. A visitor at DeSoto State Park Campground suggested, "There are also so many great places to swim when it gets hot including DeSoto Falls."

Tips from RVers

Camping around Cartersville, Georgia, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to enjoy the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV parks are available in Cartersville, Georgia?

RV enthusiasts visiting Cartersville have several excellent options. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing offers big-rig-friendly sites with full hookups and convenient boat-in access to Lake Allatoona. Payne Campground is another excellent choice for RVs, featuring big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. The Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Allatoona are particularly popular with RV campers, though it's worth noting they're staffed by volunteers, so registration might take extra time. Most campgrounds in the area are well-maintained and offer the essential amenities RV campers need while providing easy access to Cartersville's attractions and services.

Where can I find tent camping near Cartersville with water access?

For excellent tent camping with water access near Cartersville, check out Mckaskey Creek Campground which sits right on Lake Allatoona. This pretty campground offers private sites while remaining conveniently close to I-75. Another great option is Victoria Campground, which provides multiple access options including boat-in sites and features water and toilet facilities. Both locations offer a perfect balance of natural beauty and water recreation opportunities while keeping you close to Cartersville's amenities. For tent campers specifically, these sites provide the water access you're looking for with the necessary facilities to make your camping experience comfortable.

What hiking trails are available near Cartersville camping areas?

The Cartersville area offers diverse hiking experiences for all skill levels. Fort Mountain State Park features excellent hiking trails with scenic mountain views. The elevation provides cooler temperatures in summer, making it ideal for day hikes from nearby campgrounds. The Pocket Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest area in northwest Georgia offers vibrant trails surrounded by mountain laurel in spring, set in a unique pocket formation between Horn and Mill Mountains. Most camping areas around Cartersville provide access to lakeside trails along Lake Allatoona, perfect for family-friendly walks with water views. Trails vary from easy shoreline paths to more challenging terrain through the rolling Georgia countryside.

What are the best campgrounds in Cartersville, GA?

The Cartersville area boasts several outstanding campgrounds, with Red Top Mountain State Park Campground consistently ranking among the best. This five-star campground offers a complete outdoor experience on beautiful Lake Allatoona with color-coded sites based on size, plus amenities including a marina, fishing, boating, kayaking, a beach, and miniature golf. Another excellent option is Sweetwater Campground, which provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities in a convenient location. Both campgrounds are close enough to Cartersville for easy access to restaurants and shopping while providing the natural setting and recreational opportunities that make for a memorable camping experience.

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