Best Campgrounds near Kennesaw, GA
Kennesaw, Georgia provides access to several mixed-use campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options along the shores of Lake Allatoona. McKinney Campground, located approximately 15 miles northwest of Kennesaw, features waterfront camping with boat-in access and developed sites for both tent and RV campers. The region includes both Army Corps of Engineers facilities and Georgia state parks, with most campgrounds providing electric hookups, water access, and established camping areas with fire rings and picnic tables.
Reservations are strongly recommended at most developed campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though some facilities like Sweetwater Campground operate seasonally from March through September. The terrain around Lake Allatoona features moderate hills with some campgrounds requiring navigation of steep roads. Most sites offer good shade coverage from the abundant hardwood forests typical of northern Georgia. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote camping areas. A visitor noted, "If you want lake front, they got it! Almost all sites either have a view of the lake or are right on lake Allatoona!"
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, which tend to be the most sought-after locations in the area. Lake Allatoona serves as the centerpiece for outdoor recreation, with multiple campgrounds offering direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly nature of these campgrounds, with amenities like playgrounds, beaches, and hiking trails. The proximity to Atlanta makes these camping areas popular weekend destinations, with many campers appreciating the wooded settings despite being relatively close to urban areas. While some campgrounds feature more RV-oriented facilities, tent campers can find suitable sites throughout the region. One camper shared that "Georgia Veteran's Memorial State Park, McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake is very woodsy and a nice lake. Hiking, rafting/etc, and walking all around."
