Red Top Mountain State Park provides camping opportunities on Lake Allatoona, approximately 45 minutes from Lebanon, Georgia, with water activities being the main attraction for visitors. Most campsites feature lake access, though noise from nearby Interstate 75 can impact tent campers at certain locations. Water temperatures remain comfortable enough for swimming from May through early October, with summer highs in the 80s and 90s.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Red Top Mountain State Park features several scenic trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. As one camper notes, "The trail around the lake is good and in the winter it is not too far north has to be too cold to get outside in a tent."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Clark Creek South Campground offers excellent chances to observe local wildlife, particularly deer. "At night you can hear the lake while watching the deer," mentions one reviewer who appreciated the natural setting.
Water recreation access: McKinney Campground provides direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. A camper reports, "We stayed at site 21 and had a great time. Decent bathrooms/bath house. Sites were on the water and great sizes."
Historical exploration: Sweetwater Creek State Park features the Manchester Mill Ruins, a significant historical site. A reviewer comments, "This is a great state park with good fishing on three lakes. Make sure you go see Manchester Mill Ruins."
What campers like
Direct water access: Clark Creek North Campground is appreciated for its universal water views. "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," writes one satisfied visitor.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds near Lebanon offer secluded camping experiences. A Clark Creek South Campground visitor notes, "Perfect views of the lake, some spots lead directly down to the water. Huge spots, well-spaced and friendly hosts!"
Family-friendly amenities: Stone Mountain Park Campground offers activities beyond standard camping. "The campground offers everything you would ever need. There are tons of things to do from Golf, hiking, zoo, laser show, food and you can hike the mountain or take a ride to the top," describes an enthusiastic camper.
Proximity to Atlanta: Many campgrounds serve as convenient weekend escapes. One camper at Red Top Mountain noted, "This is close enough to metro to make for a quick getaway."
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak seasons (May-September), reservations for glamping in Lebanon should be made 3-6 months in advance for weekend stays.
Noise considerations: Old Highway 41 Campground has issues with highway noise at certain sites. A camper warns, "Old Hwy 41 No 3 Campground is a COE campground on Lake Allatoona, about an hour North of Atlanta. It is close to I-75 and US 41, but it is in the woods, so some of the highway noise is muffled, only some!"
Rules enforcement varies: Alcohol policies are strictly enforced at some locations. At Shady Grove Campground, a camper reports, "Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00. No warning."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have challenging sites. A visitor to Red Top Mountain warns, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Red Top Mountain provides clean facilities appropriate for children. A parent reports, "This isn't for backpackers but for camping with your family, it's good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly."
Swimming areas: Most lake campgrounds have designated swimming beaches that are safer for children than open lake areas. At Clark Creek North, a parent shared, "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves."
Security considerations: Bald Ridge Creek Campground provides increased safety with gated access. A camper notes, "Rangers were very nice, beach is cool, nice lake front sites. We had a fun time here, especially the kids. They loved riding their bikes around in this great family friendly campground."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer Junior Ranger programs, with one camper at Red Top Mountain mentioning, "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!!"
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have tight turns or steep roads. At Red Top Mountain, a camper advises, "Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in. Sites were very narrow."
Leveling requirements: Site preparation may be needed at some locations. At Shady Grove Campground, an RVer mentioned, "Only reason for the 4 stars is our site was not level, took some work to level our rig."
Site selection for larger rigs: Advanced planning is recommended for bigger setups. An RVer at Amicalola Falls State Park warns, "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper."
Electrical options: Many campgrounds offer both 30 and 50 amp service, important for planning power needs. At Bald Ridge Creek, campers mention concrete pads with water and electrical hookups for $30 per night.
