Camping areas near Jonesboro, Georgia occupy the rolling Piedmont region with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet and average summer temperatures of 85-90°F. The region features a mix of hardwood forests and riverside terrain, with most campgrounds offering shaded sites. Winter camping remains viable with typical lows rarely dropping below 30°F, making this a good year-round destination.
What to do
Trail exploration: 5-7 miles of options at Newton Factory Shoals Recreation Area. The park provides hiking trails alongside the river with varying difficulty levels. "Beautiful backdrop for photos and a great place to just play in the river," notes Joshua B.
Kayaking: River access points available at Hard Labor Creek State Park. The park offers rental equipment and guided experiences. "You can rent kayaks and kayak in the lake. They offered a kayak by moonlight group tour that was fun," shares Maethea R., highlighting the special night paddling programs.
Fishing: Chattahoochee River access at McIntosh Reserve Park. Multiple campsites provide direct riverbank access for anglers. "I saw people fishing in the Chattahoochee River right off of their campsite," according to Sarah S., who appreciated the convenience of fishing from camp.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Room for equipment at Newton Factory Shoals Recreation Area. "They have fire pits and a main bath house with a shower. I will say that you should probably bring flipflops for the shower because it doesn't look like it's been cleaned in a year but it's nice having an option for one," notes Addison C.
Water features: Rapids near campsites at McIntosh Reserve Park. "There is a small rapid that stretches across the river near sites 1-10, so you get that nice water flowing sound to fall asleep to," says Sarah S., describing the natural white noise benefit.
Historical elements: Learning opportunities around the park facilities. "CG Manager drove through periodically and was very friendly. I met him on the trail to the falls and took the time to explain the factory that used to be there. Very interesting," shares Bob P. from Newton Factory Shoals.
What you should know
Payment logistics: $15-20 nightly fees for most camping areas. "It's $15 dollars a night. Some of the sites are waterfront. There is a bathroom with a shower that was kept up with and stocked with toilet paper and paper towels," explains Nicolle from Newton Factory Shoals.
Equestrian camping near Jonesboro, Georgia: Designated areas at Little Tallapoosa Park. The park maintains separate camping areas for horse owners. "They have 3 camping areas. Section 1 is for tents and pop ups. Section 2 is full hookups for campers, 5th wheels and motor homes. Site 3 is for equine camping," notes Shirley D.
Hunting activities: Seasonal considerations at Ocmulgee River Camp. Campers should be aware of nearby hunting. "There are hunters around and we heard a good deal of shots. Saw some deer on a walk," reports Julie H., highlighting why off-season visitors might hear gunfire.
Gate access: Schedule limitations at some parks. "After 8pm, the park gate closes. I was given a gate code in case I needed to leave and return during the closed hours," explains Sarah S. about McIntosh Reserve's access system.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Summer cooling option for children at Little Tallapoosa Park. "Splash park was fun and clean for the kids as well as really nice walking trails we enjoyed," shares Andy M.
Animal interactions: Farm experiences available at Liberty Stables. "Beautiful property with farm animals to look at," says Rachel, describing the kid-friendly setting with horses, ponies, goats, sheep, and chickens.
Playground facilities: Modern equipment at McIntosh Reserve Park. "There is a splash pad and a new looking playground that from a glance, might be ADA accessible," notes Sarah S., pointing out the family-friendly amenities beyond camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Terrain considerations for larger units. "The sites are pretty big, shaded, no level but not too bad I'm always prepared, and well mainteined," Winston M. advises about Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Full-service options at Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground. "On this particular visit, we stayed on site #2 (full hook up) and there was plenty of room to stretch out! We stayed in our 26' travel trailer," explains George & Patty C.
Overflow camping: Alternative areas for busy periods. "We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water," suggests Hollis K. from Little Tallapoosa Park, providing a backup plan for horse-camping enthusiasts when the main RV area fills up.
