Camping options near Dallas, Georgia span the shores of Lake Allatoona and nearby waterways. Most campsites sit at elevations between 840-950 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The region experiences mild winters with occasional freezes, while summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity from June through September.
What to do
Waterfront recreation: McKinney Campground provides direct lake access where campers can fish for multiple species. "We always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious," notes Robin M., who visits regularly on trips to Florida.
Historical exploration: Sweetwater Creek State Park features remnants of industrial history amid natural settings. "The park is set up on the land of an old factory that used the river to power a water wheel. There are a whole bunch of trails of varying difficulty and length that meander through the woods along the river," explains Asher K.
Swimming opportunities: Victoria Campground offers a dedicated swimming area with beach access. "This campground has a beautiful big beach! Boat ramps also," writes Lauren W., though she notes some sites have "a drop off" requiring careful selection for larger RVs.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Clark Creek North offers secluded camping spots amid trees. "Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees. It is comfortable to both RV and tent campers," shares Kathy B., who appreciates the small 24-site layout.
Clean facilities: Victoria Campground maintains well-kept restroom facilities despite its size. "Restrooms are large and clean!" reports Lori H., who found the campground's lake access a major highlight, adding that "you have access to the lake everywhere!"
Year-round accessibility: The region offers camping options throughout all seasons. "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," notes Anna R. about camping near metropolitan Atlanta during cooler months.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience regular train noise that can disrupt sleep. At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, Logan notes, "the campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings and each have low ground clearance and located in turns... also the trains run pretty close by the campground roughly on the hour."
Site variations: Campground topography varies significantly even within the same property. "Many sites are very steep and slanted and causes difficulty getting your trailer or RV into the site. Makes leveling very difficult," warns Gary L. about certain areas of McKinney Campground.
Seasonal operations: While some campgrounds operate year-round, others follow limited schedules. Victoria Campground runs from "March 28 to October 6," while Clark Creek North operates from "April 1 to September 4," making advance planning essential during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Sweetwater Campground offers amenities designed for children. "Sweetwater is a nice park with a Beach. We camped right next to the beach and the kids loved it," shares Rodney G., highlighting the accessibility of water activities for young campers.
Security considerations: Gated campgrounds provide added safety but may restrict late arrivals. Nate H. notes about Victoria Campground: "I arrived late after coaching a game so had to park and walk into our pop up camper which was pretty annoying. I would love to see them add a gate with a code for late entry/arrival."
Swimming spots: For families focused on water activities, site selection matters. "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves," reports Sharrah B. about Victoria Campground, recommending weekday visits for the best experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground, location within the campground significantly impacts noise levels. "One section of the campground was too close to the highway, which made you hear cars passing all night, but sites 32 and up were very peaceful and quiet," advises Diana H.
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer full connections. MickandKarla W. at Clark Creek North found: "We pulled into the gate area and were checked in by the attendant on duty. During the process, she wanted to be sure how to navigate the CG to pull through site 16 with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP) due to the size of our rig."
Dump station access: Consider timing for waste disposal at busy campgrounds. "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 Joy W. about McKinney Campground's limited facilities despite its size.
