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This popular park on Lake Allatoona is ideal for swimming, water skiing and fishing. Visitors can bring their own boats or rent from nearby marinas. A sand swimming beach is nestled in a cove and surrounded by trees, providing a great place to cool off during summer. Picnic shelters and group shelters may be rented for meetings, parties, reunions and other celebrations. Guests often stay overnight in rental cottages, a spacious campground, or the park’s lakeside yurt. While best known for the 12,000 acre lake, Red Top Mountain is also a hiker’s haven. More than 15 miles of trails wind through the forested park, providing opportunities for exercise and nature photography. A short, paved trail behind the park office is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, welcoming guests to explore a reconstructed 1860s homestead. The gravel-topped 4 mile Iron Hill Trail is open to both hikers and bikers, offering pretty views of the lake’s shoreline. Named for the soil’s rich red color caused by high iron-ore content, Red Top Mountain was once an important mining area. Iron pour programs are occasionally held near the Vaughn Cabin behind the park office. The park also maintains Allatoona Pass Battlefield, a historically significant battlefield due to the well-preserved trenches and earthworks.
McKinney Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation. Nearly 7 million visitors each year enjoy picnicking, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing, boating and observing wildlife along the 270 miles of shoreline. The lake is annually stocked with bass, crappie, bream, gar and catfish, making it a popular destination for anglers. Fishing jetties are available at numerous shoreline fishing locations, and a dock is provided at the campground.
Located just 30 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, Allatoona Lake is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer visitors respite from the rush of city living.
This location is staffed. Please call (770) 975-7485 to speak with local staff.
The city of Acworth and Woodstock are nearby, offering restaurants, shopping, and historic downtown areas. Historic sites like the Etowah Indian Mounds and Booth Western Art Museum are a close drive to the city of Cartersville. The Visitor Center at Allatoona Lake Project Management Office features video exhibits and displays about the areas history, ranging from the time of early Native Americans, to the Civil War and to present times. The Visitor Center overlooks the dam and offers many hiking trails. Red Top Mountain State Park has more than 15 miles of trails and offers interpretive programs. Eight marinas are located on Allatoona Lake that offer boat rentals and restaurants. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located in Kennesaw and White Water Park is in Marietta. Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium are located in Atlanta.
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. .
$34 / night
Nestled among 3200 acres of natural beauty just outside of Atlanta, the Stone Mountain Park Campground features over 400 RV, Pop-up, and Tent sites as well as Yurt, Safari Tent, and RV Rentals. While Stone Mountain GA camping you'll also find a variety of recreational activities and family-friendly attractions and events available seasonally.
$44 - $65 / night
Fort Mountain State Park is a place of legends. Literally! Home to an mysterious, ancient, rock wall at the peak of a mountain, Fort Mountain’s associated legends include the construction of a Welsh military fort, a honeymoon destination for native newlyweds, and a relation to “moon-eyed people” of Cherokee folklore. Whatever the truth may be, there is no denying that this park’s unique features have made it one of the major draws within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Located just a short scenic drive off of Highway 52 near the Cohuatta Wilderness, the campground at Fort Mountain State Park hosts 70 campsites for tents and RVs. Campers can bring their paddles to take advantage of all 17 acres of Fort Mountain Lake, or take part in the local rental program for easier travels.
While there is no need to leave the park to find adventure, many campers take a short drive east to a historic site featuring the Chief Vann House. This well-preserved structure was the first Cherokee brick residence and is often referred to as the “showplace” of the Cherokee Nation. Continue your travels to the peak of Fort Mountain where you can take a tour of a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Enjoy panoramic views and marvel at the legendary beauty of Fort Mountain State Park.
Clark Creek North Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia. Natural Features: Located only 35 miles from Atlanta, Allatoona Lake is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer visitors respite from the rush of city living. Recreation: Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation. Nearly 7 million visitors each year enjoy picnicking, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing, boating and observing wildlife along the 270 miles of shoreline. The lake is annually stocked with bass, crappie, bream, gar and catfish, making it a popular destination for anglers. Fishing jetties are available at numerous shoreline fishing locations, and a dock is provided at the campground. Facilities: Clark Creek North Campground provides 24 spacious reservable campsites, conveniently located near the dock and swimming beach. Lake front sites are also available, giving visitors sweeping views of the vast lake. Fire rings, picnic areas, drinking water, flush toilets and showers are all provided, creating a comfortable camping experience for visitors. Nearby Attractions: The Visitor Center features video exhibits and displays about the areas history, ranging from the time of early Native Americans, to the Civil War and up to the present. The nearby town of Cartersville also offers several attractions, including science and art museums.
$34 / night
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.
Check out the NEW A-OK You’ve loved the A-OK Campground for 15 years—but as new owners, we have big plans! So check us out … then check in and hang out. Because once you come see us, we think you’ll want to stay. And please keep coming back, because we’ll be making wonderful changes and updates so you’ll always want to come our way … straight to the A-OK. A great new day at the A-OK The A-OK has NEW OWNERS! We’re thrilled to be here to show you our heartfelt southern hospitality … while we make exciting changes so your visits will be even more pleasurable. Meanwhile, we have lots to offer right now.
$45 - $55 / night
Clark Creek South is a 40 site campground on the south side of the county with a boat ramp facility where you will find a 2 lane boat launch, a parking lot, and a boat loading dock. Standard Electric Sites are $34 per night The sites with no power are $22 per night 2 Parking passes per site Season runs from March 1st through October 31st
$22 - $34 / night
Bald Ridge Creek Campground is on Lake Sidney Lanier, popular for its aqua-blue waters and spectacular scenery. Each year, over 11 million visitors travel to Lake Sidney Lanier for fantastic fishing and boating on the beautiful reservoir in northern Georgia.
Bald Ridge Creek Campground offers many outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, swimming, and bike riding. On the lake there are opportunities for wake boarding, kayaking, boating and much more. There's also a swimming beach and boat ramp available for campers.
Lake Sidney Lanier is nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. The lake features 692 miles of shoreline and spans 38,000 surface water acres and 17,000 acres of lush terrain. The reservoir was created in 1956 with the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River.
By boat, there's plenty of coves and islands to explore on the lake. For land activities, head to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve for hiking, rock climbing and an interactive visitors center for kids. The city of Cumming is nearby and has shopping, restuarants, a fairground and much more.
This location is staffed. Please call (470) 774-7873 to speak with local staff.
Cancellations must be made via the online/phone reservation system or in person at the gatehouse. Cancellation calls to the gatehouse will not be honored.
$26 - $36 / night
Guide
The park is nice with plenty of amenities. I had two complaints. We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level. Secondly with the site, there is a telephone pole that is a bit too close on the exit side. Singing out as far as I could, i barely missed sideswiping my camper when pulling out. The online pictures looked like it was a fairly private spot, but no. Just out of frame was the campground host site who happened to be flying a very offensive flag. I decided to avoid her. Lastly, gravel from most of the sites was washed out into the road. That could, and should have been cleaned up.
Traveler
Stayed at an RV/tent site (they’re one in the same and all have plug ins and water). Nice bathhouse with full private bathrooms that include a toilet, sink, and shower. There are about 6 I think. Walkable to a lot of hiking.
Guide
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.
TravelerWe tent camped on Spot 27. Nice back in RV spot with water and electric. Bathhouse is close by. Gray water dump is across the road. Originally we booked Spot 60. That’s a pull through with little room for a tent. No cell service but that’s okay as we disconnected for a while. You can get service at the top of the park. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Trails are nicely blazed with colors that match trail map. Georgia apple farms are a short, 20-30 minutes away.
Guide
There's only limited camping here. There's several yurts and 5 walk-in tent sites. Yes, some of the reviews here are confusing this park with another. There's NO RV or TRAILER camping here.
The Yurts look awesome but do attract gaggles of families so be warned that if you're looking for a quiet get away then you may find yourself in the middle of a large family reunion that has no care for other campers.
The camping is isolated from the bustling 'core' of the park too. That's a nice change from other parks in the area. But you will also need to drive to the trailheads more than likely so take that into consideration when packing etc.
The tent sites run a little parallel to each other. I didn't go any look at the lake views from 5 at the back but expected it to be partial if that. Site 1 and 2 would be my first choice when I go back.
There is also full cell reception given its proximity to Atlanta.
Update: - Something else to know is that the visitor center called for 'check in' before we arrived and organized a wood drop off service.
GuideI had a wonderful time at backcountry site #4 this past Sunday - Monday. The hike to the site is downhill from the stone wall parking lot, so it was pretty easy to get to at only 1 mile.
The site is private and pretty large. There were plenty of trees for hammocks and a few flat spots for small tents.
A small creek flows through the site for easy water access (but I was told that it doesn’t flow all year).
The best part of site #4 is that it’s about 0.2 miles from a beautiful west facing overlook where I enjoyed the sunset.
I can’t recommend this site every .
GuideRecently stayed a couple of nights and was mostly impressed with the state park. I’m a tent camper but if I had an RV or trailer, I would definitely have trouble getting into my site (78). Many of the other sites I saw would have similar problems for trailer campers, as well. The park is in close proximity to I-75, so I could hear the distant sound of big rigs and the occasional police sirens. There is also railroad tracks somewhere that are close enough to hear train whistles in the wee hours of the morning. But the scenery of Lake Alatoona was beautiful and the staff I dealt with were all friendly and helpful. The bathroom facilities I used were very clean.
Scout
Chief Ladiga Trail mountains
GuideThis is a great park with a lot to offer and more in the near vicinity.
Cell reception (T-Mobile) was non-existent in the site. However, there was reception at the trading post and possibly elsewhere.
They're installing Bear Boxes in tent sites back and front country (as I understood it) and are clearly paying attention to what people want and how to improve visitors experiences.
A lot of the sites are RV orientated. But the walk in tent sites are really close to the parking area. Also, nearby backcountry platforms and sites can be easily accessed.
If you want walking access to the trails, it's probably best to choose a site near the lake as that's where most trails are accessed from.
Guide
Outstanding park! Camp sites are spaced decently apart and well kept. Restrooms / showers are very clean. Welcome center has plenty of backpacking supplies as well.
Legend
We stayed at site 125 with a full view of the lake. We could watch the sunset & the sunrise each day and it was incredible. There is plenty of tree cover & wilderness surrounding you. Bath houses were decent (albeit a little outdated). Our spot had a pretty bad ant infestation & they ended up getting into our trailer, which I had to scour with spray, etc. But what can you do? Just bring some supplies in case. What we really liked about this campground is how natural the surroundings are. You're really immersed in the wooded area with a view of the beautiful lake & the sounds of birdsong, etc. Good campground for bikes as things are spread out (swimming beach, bathhouses). We would certainly come back!
Traveler
Tons of things to do train rides, gondola ride to the top, hiking and fireworks. Stayed in a safari tent a little worn down with duck tape on the screen. However, clean bathroom/showers and fun pool. A couple of crazy squirrels visit us every morning.
Scout
I didn’t get the chance to have an experience because they would not even rent to me because I have mixed breed rescue dogs.
ScoutGreat location near I-75. Just stayed for a quick overnight.
Legend
This county campground takes the America the Beautiful Pass or an ADA Accessibility Pass, but you will need to call the office at 770-607-6245 to add the pass to your account for the discount before making reservations. 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. Our RV GPS and Waze brought us right to the campground (CG). 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. During the process, she wanted to be sure how to navigate the CG to pull through site 16 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) due to the size of our rig. After confirming with her husband the best route, we drove to the site going through a small one-way road, which was no issue. As our rig is 40', we needed to watch the trees on a couple of corner turns and then pull down into our site. 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. Other than that, it’s a great site with a deck, patio, stand-up BBQ, picnic table, and fire pit overlooking the lake. We were told, and noticed, that all the sites in this quaint little county park have a water view. The water pressure was good at around 55 psi and we got 1 bar on Verizon. There are a lot of mature trees here, but we were able to get a clear north sky shot for Starlink. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the restroom/shower house had a fairly new washer($3) and dryer($2) that only took credit cards. They have an interesting dump station set up where you climb a fairly steep hill. 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. We had to stay a couple of extra days to get our truck fixed and the attendants were more than accommodating. This is a nice park, especially for fishermen and we enjoyed our time here.
TravelerThere are about 20 slots. The spaces are well-spaced and feel secluded despite mostly open air. A quick drive to the falls or the lodge for dining with a view.
Guide
This is a very well maintained and popular campground on Lanier. I’ve come here since I was a kid. Tent sites are down some stairs, keep that in mind.
Scout
Being our first stop ever we were happy to have the friendly helpful staff. The lots are spaced out a bit so even if you have to unload dogs or children, you won’t be on top of the next slot. Large bathroom/showers though they are not exactly constant. At night you can hear the lake while watching the deer
RangerBeautiful park with lots of activities available for the whole family. The park is well maintained and clean!
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RangerI gave my transmission a work out climbing up the mountain to get here. Site 49 was a beautiful lakefront site with the lake trail conveniently next to my site. W/E only, dumpsite outside the campground. Hiking trails accessible from the campground. Bears were active in the area. Lots to do nearby, but the surroundings were so beautiful, we really enjoyed just being in the campground.
GuideI love this campground. Sites are usually clean and staff are friendly. This is my second time camping here. I come for the Highland Games here. Sites are close so it would not benefit you if you want seclusion. Bathrooms are clean. And in October there are different activities for the kids. Fall fest and Halloween parade.
Traveler
The last time I camped at Pocket Rec Area was a few years ago. Since then, they've added picnic tables, metal fire rings with grill grates, and lantern poles at the campsites, as well as bear-proof trash bins and water spigots scattered throughout the campground. There's a centrally-located bathroom, no showers. The driveways are asphalt now, used to just be dirt. A ranger came by and told us they plan to add electric hookups in 2025. In 2024, reservations will be made online through Recreation.gov, but the ranger told us they would still allow same-day reservations.
We stayed for two nights in October and felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. There were only a few other campers, none near us. With ATB senior pass, we paid $7.50/night.
All the sites are heavily wooded and most have trees or large rocks very close on both sides of the driveway. The driveways 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. We weren't able to extend our awning all the way because of the trees. If you have slides, you may not be able to put them out.
There is an easy trail inside the campground and several more not far from the entrance.
ScoutOur site was excellent. Weather was perfect. We camped 6 days. Only negative is you can't get weekends at this campground. We wanted to stay longer but the COE website says all were booked. We will stay again
TravelerWe camped over the Labor Day weekend. The park was a little pricey but the lake is nice. There is a pool, a playground & a gathering area. There are a lot of sites as well as Yurts. On top of the $70 a night you must pay a $20 parking fee. The full use of the state park is $39.95 a day.
ScoutIt was well kept, very quiet, perfect place to camp. My family and I will be going back to camp for sure!
ScoutLots of shade. Park is open year around now. Cam book on reserve America a year out.
Tent loop has no power or electric. You can put a tent on any site. RV sites all have 20, 30 and 50 amp service. Also all have water. No sewer in the sites. Bathrooms are all well kept and clean. RV dump station available. Lots of Deer!!
TravelerOne of my favorite! Only 40 sites. $22 night primitive $34 full hook-up. Most sites on the lake with a ton of space between sites and lake access. Super friendly hosts. Beach and boat ramp on site. Clean bathhouse. Quiet, peaceful and picturesque. Highly recommend. I've primitive tent camped several times here. #2 best primitive. #10 best hookup for lake views and access. 10 you need extra cords to reach electric box as it's at front of site. Bartow County campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cartersville, GA is Red Top Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 74 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 30 glamping camping locations near Cartersville, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
