Camping in the Chattahoochee Hills area offers access to over 4,600 acres of protected green space with elevation changes between 780-950 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 86-90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop to the upper 30s. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though water activities are typically limited from November through March due to cooler lake temperatures.
What to do
Hiking at Sweetwater Creek: The park features over 15 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to moderate elevation climbs. "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 visitor Asia + Jalen B. at Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Allatoona provides excellent fishing with multiple access points. "This is a great state park with good fishing on three lakes. Make sure you go see Manchester Mill Ruins," suggests Mike K. in his review of Sweetwater Creek.
Wildlife observation: Early morning is best for spotting local wildlife. "We always see deer and other wildlife" at Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground, according to Susan H. The park's multiple short trails provide excellent vantage points for bird watching.
Boat rentals: Multiple lakes offer water recreation options with rental facilities. "There is a boat ramp on site and another one across the lake, this makes the lake area around quite busy," writes Adriana C. about COE Allatoona Lake campground.
What campers like
Tent pad quality: Many campsites feature raised platforms or well-maintained tent pads. "Platform sites are super nice. Short walk into the sites, right beside a river. Not much privacy between platforms but every time we have been it hasn't been full or crowded," writes Jessica D. about Chattahoochee Bend.
Clean facilities: The region's campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were cleaner than my bathroom at home. The dogs loved the hiking and the river is beautiful with the fall colors," reports Joey P. from his stay at Chattahoochee Bend.
Easy access: Many campgrounds provide convenient locations for overnight stays. "We stopped over for the night on our way to Colorado. Shirley and Bud who checked us in and out were very friendly and found a spot right on the lake for us at 10 pm at night. Gate closes at 10:30 so it is a nice option if you are driving late," writes Carleen S. about Clark Creek North Campground.
Yurt accommodations: For those seeking yurt camping near Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, several parks offer this glamping option. "Beautiful campground with great hiking. I wish there were more tent sites. Very friendly staff," notes Virginia W. about Sweetwater Creek's limited but desirable camping options.
What you should know
Limited tent sites: Many parks have fewer tent-only sites than RV sites. "Not many camping spots for tents more for rv's. Had nice trails but can't go fishing without a boat," warns Devin S. about certain areas of the Chattahoochee region.
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Clark Creek North Campground runs from "April 1 to September 4," while COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground operates from "May 16 to September 2."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some sites. "This place is nice overall. Lots of sites are water front, that's a plus. But it is so close to i75 that the sound of traffic is constant; during the day is manageable but at night it makes it hard to sleep if you are in a tent," explains Adriana C. about COE Allatoona Lake campground.
Security issues: Some areas require extra vigilance. "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," reports Chris C. after an incident at Clark Creek North.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature newly updated play equipment. "2 playgrounds were open. Playgrounds are brand new or at least they look brand new. I am 225 lbs and I played on all the equipment with my daughter," shares Joey P. from Chattahoochee Bend.
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bears Jellystone Park specializes in family entertainment. "If you have little ones this is for them. A little bit of everything from pools to zip lines. Very detailed itinerary list of times for activities for the kiddos," writes Joseph C.
Water safety: Most waterfront sites lack protective barriers. "We were under the impression that we would be waterfront, but couldn't really see the water from the riverfront platforms because of the trees and topography. The forest is very lush and quiet though," explains Keller H. about Chattahoochee Bend platforms.
Insect preparation: Bugs are typically manageable but vary by location. "Biting Bugs were minimal which surprised me. Cicadas and katydids were in full chorus!" reports Maggie C. about her summer stay at COE Allatoona Lake campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campsites require adjustment. "We loved our spot especially #103 in Campground 1, lots of privacy for our 21ft Lance TT. Backing in was not difficult even though we had to raise the right tire 3" to be level," advises Erin C. from her stay at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging entry points. "Roads are narrow and asphalt sites are narrow. But beautiful views of the lake," notes Maggie C. about COE Allatoona Lake campground.
Dump station considerations: Some facilities have unusual configurations. "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," warns MickandKarla W. about Clark Creek North.
Late arrival logistics: Gate closures affect evening arrivals. "The gate is open from 7 AM until 10:30 PM. NO ONE gets in after hours!" emphasizes Joel R. regarding COE Allatoona Lake campground policies.
