Lake Allatoona serves as the centerpiece for pet friendly camping near Emerson, Georgia, with the area sitting at approximately 840 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters with average temperatures around 50°F, making it suitable for year-round camping with pets. Train noise affects multiple campgrounds in the vicinity due to active rail lines crossing through the area.
What to do
Swimming at Victoria Campground: The campground features a sizable beach area perfect for dogs who enjoy water. "Roomy campsites with good access to the lake, both for beach swimming and boating/fishing," notes Marty N., highlighting the swimming options for both pets and owners.
Hiking with dogs: Red Top Mountain State Park Campground offers moderate trails suitable for leashed pets. "There are plenty of opportunities to hike, fish and boat," reports Jeff E., making it a versatile location for active dogs. Trails vary in difficulty, with most being under 3 miles and manageable for most dogs.
Lakefront relaxation: Mckinney Campground provides waterfront sites where pets can enjoy shoreline access. According to Jennifer T., "It's definitely not quiet unless you're in an RV," suggesting morning walks with pets are better for peace. The campground offers one-mile paved walking loops ideal for dog exercise.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Sweetwater Campground receives praise for its generous campsites. "Spots are large and spacious," says Rivers P., adding that the "entire park was very clean and well kept." This gives pets more room to settle in without feeling crowded by neighboring campers.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness standards at campgrounds near Emerson. At Clark Creek North Campground, "Shower house is clean and well maintained also has laundry facilities," notes Terri P., who adds it's "quiet, clean, beautiful and secure," making it ideal for nervous pets.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities for pets and owners to observe local animals. At Payne Campground, Asia + Jalen B. report, "We had a secluded, beautiful primitive site with rocky lake access," perfect for quiet wildlife observation with well-behaved pets.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds. At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, Logan notes, "The campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings," and "trains run pretty close by the campground roughly on the hour." This can disturb sensitive pets.
Limited pet sites: Most campgrounds enforce the standard three-pets-per-site limit, but McKaskey Creek Campground restricts to two pets per site. Some campgrounds have designated pet-friendly areas that fill quickly during peak season (April-September).
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic sound due to proximity to I-75. As Adriana C. mentions about Old Highway 41 Campground, "It is so close to I75 that the sound of traffic is constant," which affects pets sensitive to noise.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground provides play areas for children near pet-friendly sites. Janet N. reports it's "close to town and the lake view is amazing. There's enough space and privacy between camp sites," which helps when managing both kids and pets.
Beach options for kids and dogs: Multiple campgrounds offer beach access where both children and pets can cool off. At Victoria Campground, Lauren W. notes, "This campground has a beautiful big beach! Boat ramps also," providing recreation for the whole family.
Family-friendly trails: Red Top Mountain State Park features trails accessible for various ages. As Cris C. notes, "This isn't for backpackers but for camping with your family, it's good," adding that it's "kid friendly" with clean bathrooms comparable to "cleaner than a Publix bathroom."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Many campsites have limitations for big RVs. As Brock D. notes about Red Top Mountain, it has "narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in," making advance research essential.
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have sloped sites requiring substantial leveling. At McKinney Campground, Gary L. reports "many of the sites are very steep and slanted and causes difficulty getting your trailer or RV into the site. Makes leveling very difficult."
Hookup variations: Hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Joel R. explains that at Old Highway 41, "Basic water/electric sites are $28/night, full hook-ups are $36, Lakefront are $64/night," showing the price range for different RV setups with pets.
