Lake Allatoona creates the backdrop for pet friendly camping near Holly Springs, Georgia, with many campgrounds situated on its 12,000-acre shoreline. The lake's water level fluctuates seasonally, with higher levels in spring and early summer, gradually dropping through late summer and fall. Tent and RV campers often contend with red clay soil that becomes slippery when wet but firms up quickly in the Georgia heat.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Victoria Campground offers a spacious beach area for water recreation during warm months. "Beautiful beach and forest view. Table, grill and fire ring at every site. Tent sites right on the water. Plenty of shade," notes Stephanie J.
Hiking nearby trails: At Stone Mountain Park Campground, visitors can explore hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. "We had an amazing visit!! All the staff were extremely helpful and sweet. Shower house was clean, laser show fabulous and while hiking we saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!" shares Jennifer T.
Fishing from camp: McKinney Campground offers excellent fishing access directly from waterfront sites. "We love to fish and we always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious," says Robin M., who regularly stops at this campground during trips to Florida.
Recreational boating: Payne Campground provides good boat launch facilities adjacent to the camping area. "Just got back from camping at Payne Campground for the weekend. It is in a quite cove on Lake Allatoona. My buddy brought his camper and we were in a tent. It was near the water, and we were able to beach his boat there," explains Grant B.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Clark Creek North Campground receives praise for its secluded spots. "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. Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees," writes Kathy B.
Clean facilities: Marina Resort at Allatoona Landing maintains well-kept restrooms that impress visitors. "The bathrooms were pretty amazing compared to the last campground we were at which was also on alatoona lake as well," notes Ginger V., appreciating the superior cleanliness.
Convenience to Atlanta: Located approximately 30-40 minutes from Atlanta, these campgrounds offer quick escapes from the city. "This campground is an excellent place to stay not far outside of the bustling metropolis of Atlanta. If you want to camp instead of a hotel, believe me, you need to stop here instead of trying to find something safe and camp-worthy closer to the city," explains DrDavid P.
Level camping pads: Many campers mention the quality of the sites, with Payne Campground providing well-designed spaces. "Clean and friendly. The site was clean but it had a very thick layer on P gravel and made it difficult to walk around," says Diana H., noting both positives and challenges.
What you should know
Train noise affects some areas: Mckaskey Creek Campground and other nearby camps experience railroad sounds. "You can hear the train during the day, and a touch of the interstate at night, but the serenity is absolutely impeccable," shares one camper at McKinney, highlighting how the positives outweigh this minor disruption.
Beach water levels vary: Water levels at Lake Allatoona fluctuate throughout the camping season. "The only downfall is the beach area- it is in a cove and the water level is often down," explains Scarlett W. about Victoria Campground.
Sloped sites present challenges: Some camping spots require effort for setup. "Many of the sites are very steep and slanted and causes difficulty getting your trailer or RV into the site. Makes leveling very difficult," notes Gary L. about McKinney Campground.
Seasonal operation: Most Lake Allatoona campgrounds operate on a limited schedule. McKaskey Creek Campground runs from March 28 to September 2, while Victoria Campground operates from March 28 to October 6.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing offers multiple play areas. "Place had a pool and 2 playgrounds. Great for kids," mentions Brandi, highlighting facilities specifically designed for younger campers.
Beach swimming options: McKaskey Creek Campground provides safe swimming areas for children. "I love Mcaskey creek campground, it has a nice beach area at the lake. There is a playground for children. The sights are spread far enough apart that you aren't on top of your neighbor," says Sara M.
Junior Ranger programs: Stone Mountain Park offers educational activities for children. "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!!" shares Cheryl C.
Easy access camping: For families new to camping, Sweetwater Campground proves accessible. "Sweetwater welcomed us to camping and made us campers for life!" exclaims Linda S., indicating its suitability for first-time campers with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: For RVs, carefully review site maps and descriptions before booking. "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," advises MickandKarla W. from Clark Creek North.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits during busy periods. "Only downsides for us was the distance to the trash dumpsters, and the dump site gets really busy. They could really use 2 trash/dump sites as this is a large campground and it stays full," notes Joy W. from McKinney Campground.
Leveling challenges: Bring extra leveling blocks for certain sites. "Site 21 which we stayed in fits an average size for a small camper, fire pit was in an inconvenient spot for putting chairs around it," cautions Diana H. about site placement at Payne Campground.
Clearance concerns: RV drivers should be aware of railroad crossing clearance issues. "The campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings and each have low ground clearance and located in turns," warns Logan from Allatoona Landing.