Camping areas near Powder Springs, Georgia benefit from the region's mild climate, with average summer highs around 88°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 32°F. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 860 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the area sit near Lake Allatoona, a 12,000-acre reservoir with 270 miles of shoreline, providing waterfront camping opportunities within 20-30 minutes of Powder Springs.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Allatoona: Access the water directly from Mckinney Campground where many sites offer lakefront access. A camper noted, "We LOVE McKinney Campground. Stayed multiple times. Check out pictures and a longer review of multiple sites on the link."
Visit historic mill ruins: Take the hiking trail at Sweetwater Creek State Park to see the Manchester Mill ruins. According to a visitor, "Make sure you go see Manchester Mill Ruins. This is a great state park with good fishing on three lakes."
Hike the Riverside trail: At Chattahoochee Bend State Park, the trail takes you through lush forest to an observation tower. A camper described it as "a great hike for families. The forest was so lush and beautiful that it made for a nice hike. We hiked the Riverside trail from the riverfront platforms through a parking lot, where there was also a nice playground for kids, then back into the woods to an observation tower."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: The elevated camping platforms at Chattahoochee Bend State Park offer a unique experience. A reviewer mentioned, "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."
Waterfront campsites: Many sites at Clark Creek North Campground provide direct water access. According to a camper, "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."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained amenities at local campgrounds. One visitor to Chattahoochee Bend noted, "The bathrooms were cleaner than my bathroom at home. The dogs loved the hiking and the river is beautiful with the fall colors."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds operate on limited schedules. The COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 campground is only open from May 16 to September 2, making it unavailable during spring and fall camping seasons.
Traffic noise at some locations: Proximity to highways affects some camping experiences. A camper at COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground reported, "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 and are a silent sleeper."
Limited availability: Some popular parks have restricted camping options. At Sweetwater Creek State Park, a visitor noted, "Realize there are limited sites. 10 Yurts for glampers and 5 walkin sites for tent campers. The walkin sites are in the woods but not too far a walk to the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly playgrounds: Several parks feature recently updated play areas. A visitor to Red Top Mountain State Park shared, "This isnt for backpackers but for camping with your family, its good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly."
Consider privacy needs: Campsite layout varies significantly between parks. At Clark Creek North, one camper observed, "Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees. It is comfortable to both RV and tent campers."
Swimming access: Beach areas provide safe water play for children. A camper at Clark Creek South Campground mentioned, "The campsite was right next to the swimming beach so little to no privacy and very loud. Although I slept very well in my tent because Quiet hours were observed. It was nice waking up to view of Lake Allatoona."
RV tips
Site size and access: Many area campgrounds have challenging layouts for larger RVs. At Red Top Mountain State Park, a camper warned, "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. Sites were very narrow."
Hook-up options: Available services vary widely among local campgrounds. For those seeking luxury options, Winding Waters RV Resort provides full amenities. A recent visitor described it as "a new, huge, and beautiful RV resort. This is not a campground, but a resort-style RV park with no shortage of amenities and activities. Nightly rate is very reasonable for all the bells and whistles you get."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some parks. A reviewer at Chattahoochee Bend mentioned, "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."