Red Top Mountain State Park offers tent and RV camping on Lake Allatoona approximately 40 minutes north of Atlanta. The 45-site campground features water and electric hookups with a mix of lakeside and wooded sites. Some tent pads can be challenging for setting up larger tents as one camper noted, "The tent pad was large but extremely hard to drive tent stakes into... smaller stakes worked better." The park provides access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and boat ramps for water recreation on the 12,000-acre lake.
What to do
Hiking at Amicalola Falls: Visitors can access trails connecting to Georgia's tallest waterfall at Amicalola Falls State Park. One camper mentioned, "This 730ft cascading waterfall is accessible by stairs and bridge from top to bottom. Its proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."
Fishing at Lake Allatoona: The multiple lakes and reservoirs near Holly Springs provide excellent fishing opportunities. A visitor to Mckinney Campground reported, "We love to fish and we always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious."
Lakefront recreation: Most campgrounds in the area offer direct lake access. Clark Creek South Campground features "sites on the lake with a ton of space between sites and lake access," according to a recent camper who added that there's a "beach and boat ramp on site."
Photography at Stone Mountain: The unique geology and lake views make for excellent photo opportunities. The campground loop road at Sweetwater Creek State Park gives campers "varying difficulty and length that meander through the woods along the river" with historic mill ruins providing interesting photography subjects.
What campers like
Direct water access: Many campsites in the Holly Springs region feature lakefront positions. At Clark Creek North Campground, "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: Visitors frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. One camper at COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground noted their campsite had "Clean comfortable picnic area with table and fire pit. It's just a beautiful place to camp."
Spacious sites: Campgrounds in the area typically offer generously sized sites. A reviewer at Shady Grove Campground mentioned, "Large clean sites with power and water. No sewer but the park does have a dump station. Many water sites."
Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings support diverse wildlife. At Amicalola Falls, a camper shared, "They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth."
What you should know
Tent vs. RV considerations: Some campgrounds better suit certain camping styles. At Bald Ridge Creek, "Spot 80 had good afternoon shade. Trees block heavy winds from north and west. Fire pit may fill 1/2 way from heavy rain/ground water."
Reservation requirements: Glamping in Holly Springs, Georgia often requires advance planning. The yurts at Stone Mountain Park Campground and premium tent sites at Red Top Mountain fill quickly, especially during summer months.
Noise factors: Many campgrounds sit near highways or waterways with boat traffic. One camper at Red Top Mountain noted, "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."
Alcohol regulations: Policies vary significantly between parks. A visitor to Shady Grove Campground reported strict enforcement: "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here... Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, each ticket is $280.00."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. At Clark Creek North, a camper shared, "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves."
Playground facilities: Stone Mountain Park Campground provides recreational areas specifically for children. Families appreciate that "There are all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area."
Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities exist at several parks. A visitor to Red Top Mountain noted, "Friendly staff, with the Jr ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!"
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds report security concerns. A camper at Clark Creek North warned about theft: "My family of 5 were on the lake-side of our little 22ft TT while someone less fortunate than us decided to steal my 9yr old daughter's new bike... after discussing with campground staff, we were informed that locals often come through the woods."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Sweetwater Creek State Park, an RVer advised, "If you are a big rig, it would be wise to call the office and have them assist you in choosing a site that will accommodate a larger rig."
Leveling challenges: Uneven sites can present difficulties. A camper at Shady Grove noted, "Only reason for the 4 stars is our site was not level, took some work to level our rig."
Dump station access: Timing matters for service areas. An RVer at Bald Ridge Creek mentioned, "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. A visitor to Red Top Mountain cautioned, "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."
