Lake Allatoona serves as the primary water feature for camping near Kingston, Georgia, with most campgrounds situated along its 270 miles of shoreline. The lake sits at approximately 840 feet above sea level, with seasonal water level fluctuations that can impact beach access at certain campgrounds. Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s, making the lake's swimming areas particularly valuable during peak camping season.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: McKinney Campground offers two sand beach swimming areas that remain active throughout the camping season. "We enjoyed the BBQ grill and the fire pit and the view of the water. The girls swum in the lake," notes a visitor at McKinney.
Hiking historical trails: Several campgrounds connect to local historical sites. "We love the water. We also love the historical trails that lead to the old civil war mill. It's a great hike," mentions a camper at Sweetwater Campground.
Kayaking and boating: Most campgrounds provide boat ramps or direct water access. "We rented kayaks from a local company, Murphy's, and enjoyed time out on the lake every day! Our grandsons had a great time swimming at the beach area...yes, in Georgia you can swim in October!" reports a visitor to McKinney Campground.
Fishing for multiple species: Lake Allatoona supports diverse fishing opportunities. "We love to fish and we always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious," shares a camper at Mckinney Campground.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Clark Creek North Campground receives consistent praise for its layout. "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," explains one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance stands out at several locations. "Bathrooms are large and clean with hot showers and good water pressure. The park is clean and scenic," mentions a camper at Red Top Mountain State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. "Always see deer and other wild life. Sites are large and well placed. Many sites with lakeview to choose from," notes a visitor to Mckinney Campground.
Well-maintained campsites: Victoria Campground receives praise for its spacious sites. "The sites are very large, and everyone I saw had lots of privacy! Restrooms are large and clean!"
What you should know
Terrain challenges: The hilly landscape can create leveling difficulties. At Gatewood Park Campground, "It's a hilly place, take lots of leveling blocks but we made the best of it," explains one camper who adds, "Oh bring a long water hose for some reason the people that placed the water hook up have never owned a camper."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. "We booked the campground at the last minute but they were still able to get us in. We met a few of the attendants during our stay and they were all so very kind," shares a visitor to Gatewood Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. "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," reports a camper at Red Top Mountain State Park.
Limited hookup options: Not all sites offer full amenities. "Most sites don't have sewer hookup but there is a dump station and randomly placed gray water dumps which aren't really accessible while parked unless you have a 50'+ hose," notes a visitor to Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas. "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves. We went on a weekday so the people at the front actually let us switch sites," explains a family at Clark Creek North.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds maintain playground facilities. "Very quiet and kid-friendly with a nice playground, kept very clean," notes a camper at McKaskey Creek Campground.
Weekday visits for quieter experience: Less crowded conditions occur mid-week. "The first night we got here it was packed, like crazy packed with tent campers... the next day the tent campers left and I got to see how nice it actually is here! Plenty of space for the kids to play and just walk right into the water," shares a family at Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing.
Wildlife encounters: "There's tons of duck and geese that just walk right into your site, which is really entertaining for children," mentions a visitor to Marina Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Due to the hilly terrain, carefully research specific sites. "Driving a 30+ ft camper/RV through the park is a little sketchy in some areas. Many trees so spots are shaded," warns a visitor to Gatewood Park Campground.
Low clearance warnings: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. "Notice - the campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings and each have low ground clearance and located in turns," cautions an RVer at Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing.
Limited availability for larger rigs: Site dimensions can be deceiving. "We stayed at site #9 said it was a 40' site our 37 took every inch of it," notes an RVer at Gatewood Park Campground.
Dump station congestion: "The dump site gets really busy. They could really use 2 trash/dump sites as this is a large campground and it stays full," advises a camper at McKinney Campground.
