Best Tent Camping near Emerson, GA
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Best Tent Sites Near Emerson, GA (26)
1. Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground
Lithia Springs, Georgia28 Reviews•121 Photos•265 SavesSweetwater 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. Shady Grove Campground
Cumming, Georgia22 Reviews•54 Photos•144 SavesThis recreation area is part of Lake Sidney Lanier
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
3. Naval Recreation Site
Emerson, Georgia2 Reviews•4 Saves- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Cabins
4. Serenity Ridge
Rydal, Georgia2 Reviews•9 Photos•5 SavesTotally Off-grid, Offline, Private, Natural retreat weekend
Enjoy your completely private, secluded camping experience on over 20 forested acres in the foothills of Blueridge Mountains. We are in Northern Georgia near the tiny town of Fairmount, between Jasper, Cartersville, and Calhoun, GA. You will be our ONLY GUESTS for the entire weekend!
When you arrive, your tent will already be set up, and your air mattress bed turned down, welcoming you to enjoy your first night under the stars. That evening, we suggest winding down by maybe reading a book, or curling up by the fire to be mesmerized by its flames. With no traffic or light pollution, you may find some of the best star gazing ever. Then the night sounds of the forest will soothe you into a night of restful sleep.
We love kids, but this is a retreat designed for ADULTS. There are cliffs and drop-offs near the campsite that are not safe for children. Adults with disabilities should contact us in advance of booking to make sure you are comfortable with the physical demands of spending the weekend camping on this raw, wild property. Pathways and trails are uneven and rocky in spots, and some trails are steep.
MUST LOVE DOGS! Our property is owned by four dogs, two goats, and a cat who let us live with them! Our dogs and cat roam freely on the property and the goats may be offended if you don’t at least say hello.
Off-grid and Offline means: NO electricity, NO indoor plumbing, NO Wi-Fi
(This kind of weekend is not for everyone, and that’s OK!)
Off-grid and Offline also means: You will be staying on a ridge with a panoramic view of the forest and mountains like none other. You will experience no traffic, no city noise. Just quiet, peace, and wild nature.
We live in our tiny, off-grid house on the first ridge. You will be able to see it from your campsite on the second ridge. Please do let us know before you stop by though, because we shower outside! We will provide a walkie-talkie should you need to contact us, and otherwise, we will respect your privacy and the entire second ridge will be yours! If you would like to hike to the creek or explore the rest of the 20 acres, just let us know and we will direct you to the trailhead.
Going without your phone is encouraged, but optional, of course, though you may not have a signal either way. We provide walkie-talkies for safety, and we personally have phone service in case of emergencies.
You may bring your own alcohol and we are 420 friendly. Please just keep it at your campsite, consume responsibly and in moderation to preserve your nature experience. There are steep inclines, rocks and stumps that may cause injury to an inebriated camper! Also, clean up cans/bottles and any other waste every day and night.
On this lovely weekend, you may want to hike, bird watch, meditate, sketch, read or just relax on the ridge with the scenic overlook that is all yours.
Please call us to book your weekend! We can’t wait to hear from you and help you plan the most relaxing, natural, off-grid weekend you can have!
What is included:
o One or two four person tents.
o A large canopy shelter with table and two chairs to keep you out of the weather. (Bring your own camping chairs.)
o 5 gallons of water
o 1 bundle of firewood each night (No firewood may be brought in. We don’t want to introduce new bugs to our natural environment)
o A fire pit
o A bucket toilet with toilet seat. (Remember, this is off-grid!)
o Cooler with ice
Some items to remember to bring:
o All food for the weekend. We are a remote location, so you won’t be able to just run into town for supplies.
o Sleeping bags or sheets, blankets, pillows. It sometimes gets cold on the mountain at night, so prepare to bundle up.
o Dishwashing supplies. Dawn soap is the only soap allowed for dish washing, as it is safe for the environment.
Add on’s (please try to request in advance):
$10 - Coffee bundle: Camp style coffee percolator, Coffee mugs, coffee grounds, sugar, sweetener, powdered creamer
$5 – Extra firewood – per bundle
$15 – Smore’s package
$15 – Guided tour to creek, and other sites (note: The creek is usually dry from October until February, which provides the opportunity to search for artifacts. From March until September, the creek is usually flowing, which provides the opportunity to play in the creek, or sit by the water and listen to the sounds.)
$20 - for a trip into town to pick up forgotten supplies
Penalty Fees: Please avoid these at all costs. We are assuming the kind of people who want to camp off-grid and offline are also the kind of people who will respect nature and others.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$80 - $100 / night
6. Hideaway Park
Winston, Georgia2 Reviews•20 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
$25 / night
7. Hembree Park Campground
Roswell, Georgia2 Reviews•9 SavesThe Hembree Park Campsite offers an area for individuals or groups to gather and enjoy nature within the safe environment of a City Park. The site can be used by individuals, families, civic groups, etc. The grounds include an open grass area, fire ring with log seating, 2 picnic tables, and 11 tent pads.
There are no water/electrical hookups, or firewood on-site.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
8. Camp Comet Campground - Silver Comet Trail
Cedartown, Georgia1 Review•13 Photos•15 SavesPrimitive camping right off the trail.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
9. Hidden Creek Campground
Calhoun, Georgia2 Reviews•16 Photos•45 Saves- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
10. Ridgeway
Carters Lake, Georgia2 Reviews•2 Photos•9 SavesThis recreation area is part of Carters Lake
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
Recent Tent Reviews in Emerson
851 Reviews of 26 Emerson Campgrounds
- MMike N.
Guide
Fort Mountain State Park Campground
The park is fairly nice, I'd avoid site 24
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.
Jeff E.Guide
Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful Lake Views - Near Atlanta and I-75
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.
Michael T.Guide
Panola Mountain State Park Campground
Everything as promised
We did an overnighter to check this out after doing a separate hike on the primary trails from the other side of the park in the morning.
Getting to the campsite was simple enough and it is the quoted 3/4 mile walk in. It was great to see some families utilizing the space. There is good cell reception (T-Mobile)
Very peaceful and even had the sounds of a vibrant coyote pack.
- SScott S.
TravelerFort Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful Fall destination
We 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.
Tia K.Guide
Victoria Campground
Peaceful spot
Easy access to the lake for paddleboarding; lot was close enough to paddle 1/2 mile to day use area/marina restaurant. Nicely shaded and good proximity to restrooms.
- Tia K.Guide
Sweetwater Campground
Shaded and spacious
Easy access to Lake Alatoona with good views, minimal shade and access area was swampy on my lot but manageable. Water surprisingly chilly in summer from the Etowah River.
- Tia K.Guide
Doll Mountain Campground
Phenomenal View
Beautiful mountain landscape over a calm lake, very quiet and little to no light pollution at night. Lots of trees for shade in the lots and easy access to the lake.
- TTravis W.Traveler
Salacoa Creek Park
Nice little campground, tent spots could be better
I slept really well last night here, and the camp host and guests were just great. Heated bathhouse with warm shower was definitely a highlight on a chilly morning!
Only downside in my mind was that I booked a tent site, only to find that the tent sites are down the hill from all the other sites, so if you book them you will have to haul your stuff down to the lake. It did sound like the night-time fishing would be awesome though!
- Michael T.Guide
Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground
A quiet oasis away from RVs
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.
Meaghan G.GuideFort Mountain State Park Campground
Backcountry site #4
I 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 .- Allen S.Guide
Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful campground with a couple of issues
Recently 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.
Kris
Scout
Atlanta West Campground
Great place
The campsite's proximity to I-20 makes it super convenient to get to. It's a great spot for a quick trip or a longer stay, and the friendly seasonal campers really add to the community vibe. By the way, I just bought a camper with the help of radiant credit union customer service. Their customer service was so helpful in sorting out the financial side of things, which means I can now enjoy camping trips to places like Atlanta West Campground hassle-free!
samsak S.Scout
Chief Ladiga Trail Campground
Chief Ladiga Trail mountains
Chief Ladiga Trail mountains
- Michael T.Guide
Fort Mountain State Park Campground
A lot offered in a well kept site
This 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.
TIMOTHY O.Guide
Amicalola Falls State Park Camping
Fall trip
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.
Sarah H.Guide
Pocket Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Our favorite local campground
The Pocket is our favorite place to camp. You're under a good canopy, so lots of shade. The creek is great for kids to play in. There's no need to bring water, just a container. There's a natural spring that flows out of the ground in the day area. We drink this water every day. We are local to The Pocket, so we fill jugs for home here as well. It is very cold water. No matter the temperature, you'll cool off in the spring. No showers but they do have a bathroom house. No water or power hookups. Site 10 is right next to the creek and gets the most sun. Site 7 is close to the day area, and people tend to intrude on your privacy in this site. Other than that, the campground is awesome! Our favorite sites are 6 and 23.
Jessica D.
Legend
Mckinney Campground
Quiet, scenic, serene
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!
- RRichard F.Traveler
Duckett Mill
Nice and Quiet
Nice campsites with water and electricity. Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times.
- JJenTraveler
Coosawattee River Resort
Not open to public
I called and was told this is a membership ONLY campground resort! Please delete this resort
Nik J.Traveler
Bolding Mill
Nice place to stay
We stayed in site 7 and we really enjoyed it. The site was clean and the pad was very level.
We had a minor issue popping the 30amp breaker but switched over to the 50 amp adapter and all worked fine.
Didn’t use the bath house but I did go check them out and they looked clean.
I would caution big rigs on the first loop (sites 2 - 9) the loop at the back is pretty tight. We did fine with our 28’ TT but anyone over 30’ might want to consider the other loops.
Driving through and looking at the other sites some of the picnic areas need to be reworked or at the very least mowed and weeded. If it wasn’t for that sort of stuff I would give it 5 stars.
- DDavid S.Scout
411 River Rest Campground
Beautiful and peaceful
We just finished our third RV trip at 411 River Rest CG—which was our seventh trip there over the past few years. The campground is pretty and extremely well maintained. The Coosawattee River is beautiful, as are the big trees that are a part of the facility. The exceptionally large and tall sycamores are particularly nice! The owners are friendly and they’re involved on a daily basis with the operations. We already have two trips scheduled for 411 RR CG for next year!
American E.Scout
Ridgeway
Campground Closed
The campground road access continues to be closed as of July 10, 2024.
- Angela B.Traveler
Stone Mountain Park Campground
Safari tent
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.
- CChris C.Scout
Sweetwater Campground
Camping weekends
Great place to camp and just relax and watch all children play and laugh.
- jjulie A.Scout
Calhoun A-OK Campground
Terrible breed restrictions
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.
- DDanny F.Scout
Calhoun A-OK Campground
Easy in and out
Great location near I-75. Just stayed for a quick overnight.
- AAndrew B.Scout
Gatewood Park Campground
Don't
This place was a nightmare. I booked primitive site #4, that whole site is on a hill, the only flat place is where you park, and that's not really flat either. Needless to say it was difficult to set anything up; tents, food, games, etc... The campsites at this campground are very close together, and unfortunately our neighbors were very inconsiderate blasting country music all night long, they literally pulled an all-nighter, no joke, even after my wife and I asked them to turn the concert down at 3:30am, they got silent for about 1 to 2 minutes, and then started it right back up. The lake area where you swim is pretty gross, there are tons of people in a relatively small area, and pontoon boats pull right up to where the rope is that contains the swim area and cook out on their grills smoking out the swim area while idling petrol fumes and exhaust in to the water. We did manage to have some fun with making a fire, and although the lake was disgusting, it did feel good because it was 100 degrees outside. We decided to pack up and leave a day early, it was that bad. Find another campground to go to, or change your dates of your trip to avoid this place, do whatever you need to do to not end up here.
Guide to Emerson
Tent camping near Emerson, Georgia offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature while having access to essential amenities. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat or a more social atmosphere, there are several campgrounds to consider.
Tent campers should check out Atlanta West Campground
- Located conveniently near I-20, Atlanta West Campground is ideal for quick getaways, featuring a friendly community of seasonal campers.
- This campground provides electric hookups, making it easier for tent campers to charge devices or power small appliances.
- While amenities are limited, the proximity to downtown Atlanta offers plenty of nearby attractions to explore.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground
- Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground features yurts and walk-in tent sites, providing a unique camping experience away from RVs.
- The campground allows campfires and has drinking water available, making it a comfortable spot for families and friends to gather.
- With hiking trails nearby, campers can easily access beautiful scenery and outdoor activities right from their campsite.
Tips for tent camping near Emerson at Serenity Ridge
- For a secluded experience, consider Serenity Ridge, which offers an off-grid camping experience with tents already set up for your convenience.
- Campers can enjoy a stocked cooler and firewood ready for use, making it easy to settle in and enjoy a cozy evening.
- This private site allows for a true escape from the hustle and bustle, perfect for those looking to disconnect and recharge in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Emerson, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Emerson, GA is Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Emerson, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Emerson, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.