Andi M.
Scout
ScoutVictoria Campground
1st visit
We were welcomed with the friendliest host. This campground is clean, quiet, and family friendly. Mr. Robert checked us in and helped us with extending our stay.
Camping near Emerson, GA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Emerson, Georgia cluster around Lake Allatoona, with options ranging from developed state park facilities to marina-based camping areas. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts on the shores of Lake Allatoona, while Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing provides boat-accessible camping with cabin rentals. Several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, including McKinney Campground and Victoria Campground, provide additional options within a short drive. The campground landscape includes both heavily wooded areas and lakefront sites, with varying levels of amenities from basic to resort-style facilities.
Roads within the campground areas can present challenges for larger rigs and trailers. According to one visitor at Red Top Mountain, there are "heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained" and "very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes." Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, though some Corps of Engineers sites have seasonal availability from March through September. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Several campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while others provide more primitive experiences. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping.
Lakefront sites consistently receive positive feedback from campers. Red Top Mountain State Park features sites with premium lake views, clean facilities, and good hiking opportunities. As one camper noted, "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." Proximity to I-75 makes these campgrounds easily accessible for weekend getaways from Atlanta, though highway noise can be noticeable at some sites. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing receives praise for its spacious lots, though campers mention the nearby train can be loud. The campgrounds balance natural settings with amenities like showers, playgrounds, and beach access, creating a family-friendly environment that still provides opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Best Campgrounds near Emerson (172)
1. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
"I stayed at the walk- in campsites with waterfront view and access to walk down to the water. There is no electric at site and water didn’t work."
"Many were positioned right on the lake. The trails in the park were great for hiking and running. We enjoyed visiting the Qualusi Winery that was nearby."
from $40 - $315 / night
Check Availability2. Mckinney Campground
"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."
from $30 - $34 / night
Check Availability3. Sweetwater Campground
"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."
from $24 - $290 / night
Check Availability4. Victoria Campground
"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"
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability5. Clark Creek North Campground
"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."
from $34 / night
Check Availability6. Mckaskey Creek Campground
"My dad SCUBA dives quite a bit in a quarry nearby, so this is a great site for the family to stay with the camper."
"It also seems as though most have access to the lake and the bath houses are pretty clean."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability7. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing
"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"
from $42 - $52 / night
Check Availability8. McKinney Campground
"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."
from $28 / night
Check Availability9. Payne Campground
"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."
from $24 - $68 / night
Check Availability10. COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground
"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."
from $30 - $68 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 33 min from Atlanta, GA
- 37 min from Rome, GA
- 1 hr 8 min from Gainesville, GA
- 1 hr 37 min from Anniston, AL
Recent Camping Photos near Emerson, GA
367 Photos of 172 Emerson Campgrounds
Janice M.
Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing
The Dyrt
Mckinney Campground
Shanna S.
McKinney Campground
Adriana C.
COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground
Gretchen
Gatewood Park Campground
Terri P.
Clark Creek North Campground
Brittany B.
Clark Creek South Campground
Kent
Mckaskey Creek Campground
Elizabeth W.
Upper Stamp Creek Campground
Lori H.
Victoria Campground
Grant B.
Payne Campground
Recent Reviews near Emerson, GA
1021 Reviews of 172 Emerson Campgrounds
- MMegan S.Scout
411 River Rest Campground
A Summer Go-To for Young Families!
This is an annual MUST for us. So many amenities — playground, gaga ball, ping pong, splash pad & pool, fishing pond, cornhole, basketball, mining, ice cream at the camp office. Agree with others that their golf cart delivery of firewood & pizza is the the cherry on top!
We love getting site 43. Our kids are 4 & 5 but we can comfortably see them across the way at the playground while we rest at our site or prep for the next meal. So much love for this place and the memories we have made here!!
bridget I.ScoutBolding Mill
Site 27
This is our favorite lake Lanier campground. Our family loves to visit here a few times a year. I wish they would build the pier back and put some tlc into the bathrooms. Advice, don’t plan to arrive at closing. You’ll be greeted rudely by the gate house workers. I missed their call due to it being “potential spam” and well trying to get on the road. If you’re going to arrive after 6:30 call ahead bc I guess there’s not an after hours come through the gate and finish checking in the next day option. It’s 2026. Do you really need me to show ID and harass me for my tag number? This can all be uploaded online, right? Text? The check in for the army corp of engineer sites could use improvement. Then perhaps you wouldn’t have to employee as many people who are obviously unhappy with their job.
- V
Veronica G.
TravelerRed Top Mountain State Park Campground
Heavenly! Red Top Mountain State Park
Spot #50 is perfection! Feels like you live alone on a tiny peninsula. Perfect place to explore trails, go fishing, enjoy sunset, and just be.
- BBob B.
GuideFort Mountain State Park Backcountry Campsites
Spacious, Shaded Campsites
The campsites are great - most appear to be very level and in good shape. Our site is noisy at times, as it backs up to a primary road in the park and there is a good bit of vehicle and foot traffic. There is zero reception for T-Mobile users at this campsite.
MickandKarla W.
LegendWinding Waters RV Resort
A Good Choice for Big Rigs Near Marietta
We stayed at Winding Waters Riverfront RV Resort for four nights after picking up our new 5th wheel toy hauler from Three Way Campers in Marietta to thoroughly test all of the RV's systems while remaining close to the dealership if any issues arose. We followed the emailed arrival instructions, checked in quickly, and were escorted to pull-through Site 89 with full hookups. The staff was friendly, service-oriented, and very accommodating throughout our stay. We spent our first night in the pull-through before moving to a river-view back-in site. The staff initially suggested Site 190, but after we noticed it had very little yard space, they happily moved us to Site 193, which better suited our needs. The resort offers several unsecured Wi-Fi networks; we selected the strongest signal and averaged 82 Mbps download and 9 Mbps upload. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked well. We didn't bring Starlink on this trip, but with very few trees throughout the main campground, it should perform well in most sites. The pull-through sites are better spaced than many campgrounds of this type, although we still wouldn't describe them as spacious. We appreciated the PVC chairs and round tables found at many sites instead of the typical picnic table, and there are five"Paw Pen" pull-through sites with private fenced pet areas. The nearby dog park consists of two small fenced runs that are adequate for potty breaks but not really large enough to throw a ball. Although the water park and numerous family-oriented amenities are not typically what we look for in a campground, Winding Waters was an excellent place to shake down our new rig.
Nancy W.LegendTalking Rock Motorcoach Resort
Definitely 5 Stars!
Really nice newer RV park located in the mountains. They originally were a motorhome only resort, but since opened it up to towable units (still no tents). Many sites have great mountain views and the website has pictures of each site so you can decide what you want and how much you want to pay. They accept Passport America and give a 50% discount for up to a two-week stay which is why we stayed for two weeks. That discount made it a great place for a full hook-up RV resort with nice amenities. We loved the campground and the owners are super nice and helpful. Upon check-in, you get a nice welcome packet full of information about the local area and a loaf of homemade sourdough bread (which was delicious!!!!). Sites are basically a double site so where you park your camper and patio are both paved. They have “Solo” type firepits so you can move them wherever you want and not destroy the grass or pavement. Our site had two comfortable patio chairs and a picnic table. Everything is paved so no dusty roads or dirty sites. They allow you to wash your RV and car which was a big plus for us since they both needed it. The utilities worked well. There is a really nice swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables. The clubhouse is large and a great gathering place that offers free Nespresso coffee, snacks, and information. There are a couple of hiking trails on the property and they offer guided walks with staff. The nearby town of Talking Rock is really cute with restaurants, a brewery, shops, and a general store that sells a variety of items including firewood and pantry staples. We would definitely stay here again.
- SSherri B.Guide
Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
Surrounded by water
Red Top Mountain State Park is surrounded by Altoona Lake with boat docks & marina for water sports.
amanda D.ScoutMckinney Campground
Best time of ma life
I had one of tha best times at McKinney campground.. tha water is perfect and its so pretty .. the people that runs it also was very polite and very kind.. I highly recommend this locations
Guide to Emerson
Lake Allatoona serves as the primary camping destination near Emerson, Georgia, with water levels that can fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach and boat ramp access. The region experiences warm temperatures from May through September, with highs averaging 85-95°F during peak summer months. Many campgrounds offer boat access options with varying proximity to Interstate 75.
What to do
Swimming and beaches: Victoria Campground features a "beautiful big beach" for swimming. According to Lauren W., "This campground has a beautiful big beach! Boat ramps also." While McKaskey Creek Campground provides a designated swimming area near its playground.
Paddling opportunities: The coves at Payne Campground offer quiet areas for non-motorized water sports. Robert T. mentions, "If you have a kayak SUP or canoe paddle back deep into the cove for some pristine and quiet areas." Asia B. notes, "We had a secluded, beautiful primitive site with rocky lake access that we managed to get our kayak onto the water on."
Hiking and historical trails: Several campgrounds connect to hiking paths. At Sweetwater Campground, Elaine G. recommends exploring beyond the campsites: "We also love the historical trails that lead to the old civil war mill. It's a great hike."
What campers like
Spacious sites: McKinney Campground receives praise for its well-designed layout. Howard L. notes, "Nice camp sites, lots of room between sites, most road are one way so maneuvering the campers around are easier." Susan H. adds that "Sites are large and well placed. Many sites with lakeview to choose from."
Lake proximity: Clark Creek North Campground offers rare universal water access. Kathy B. describes it as "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."
Wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate the natural setting. Susan H. mentions "Always see deer and other wildlife" at McKinney Campground. At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, Ginger V. notes, "There's tons of duck and geese that just walk right into your site.. which is really entertaining for children."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway and train noise affect some campgrounds. Adriana C. points out that Old Highway 41 Campground "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." At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, Joseph C. warns "the train is LOUD."
Terrain challenges: Many sites feature uneven ground. Gary L. notes at McKinney Campground, "many of the sites are very steep and slanted and causes difficulty getting your trailer or RV into the site. Makes leveling very difficult." At Victoria Campground, Lauren W. had to "change our site" because their pull-through was "way too narrow with a turn."
Security concerns: A few campgrounds have reported thefts. Chris C. shares a cautionary tale about Clark Creek North: "locals often come through the woods and even wade through the edge of the lake to steal from the campground." Most campgrounds have gated access with limited entry hours.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Sweetwater Campground provides multiple recreation options. Maethea R. notes, "You can also rent kayaks and go out on the lake. There's a large camp store and the staff is very helpful and friendly." Rodney G. adds, "Sweetwater is a nice park with a Beach. We camped right next to the beach and the kids loved it."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas. At McKaskey Creek Campground, Diana H. mentions it's "kid friendly with a nice playground, kept very clean." Kaity H. adds that sites have "plenty of trees to put up a hammock!"
Family-specific sites: Look for double sites when camping with extended family. Mike P. shares about Old Highway 41 Campground: "We stayed in the double site with 2 campers and a couple tents. Plenty of room for everyone."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Red Top Mountain State Park Campground presents navigation difficulties for larger rigs. Brock D. observes, "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."
RV site selection: Consider site placement carefully. At Victoria Campground, Lauren W. notes, "Sites are very narrow, with a drop off. We had to change our site. We had pull thru, but way too narrow with a turn. We have a 36 LA Tiffin Open Road. Changed our site, and it was great!"
Hookup availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Matt H. points out at Payne Campground: "Keep in mind there is no septic hookup at these campgrounds. They do have 15/30/50A power and water hookups." At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, Logan notes "Most sites don't have sewer hookup but there is a dump station and randomly placed gray water dumps which aren't really accessible while parked unless you have a 50'+ hose."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Emerson, GA?
What camping is available near Emerson, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Emerson, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Emerson, GA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Emerson, GA?
Which is the most popular campground near Emerson, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Emerson, GA is Red Top Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 83 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Emerson, GA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Emerson, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Emerson, GA.
What parks are near Emerson, GA?
What parks are near Emerson, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Emerson, GA that allow camping, notably Allatoona Lake and Carters Lake.
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