87 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
McDonough, Georgia serves as a convenient base for accessing several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Atlanta South RV Resort offers full hookup sites for RVs and cabins directly in McDonough, while High Falls State Park Campground and Indian Springs State Park provide more nature-oriented camping experiences south of the area. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Most facilities operate year-round, with clean restrooms and shower facilities available at developed campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the region, with spring and fall being the most comfortable periods for tent camping due to Georgia's humid summers. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during weekends and holidays, though some sites may be available for same-day booking during weekdays. Full hookup RV sites typically include water, electric, and sewer connections, with many offering both 30-amp and 50-amp service. Access roads are generally well-maintained and suitable for standard vehicles, including larger RVs at designated big-rig friendly campgrounds. As one visitor noted about Atlanta South RV Resort, "Very clean level site, shaded well, the staff helped me secure a site over the phone. Great rates and discounts."
Campers consistently rate Stone Mountain Park Campground and High Falls State Park among the highest in the region for their amenities and natural settings. Several campgrounds feature swimming areas and hiking trails, making them suitable for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Atlanta South RV Resort provides convenient interstate access for travelers passing through, though some reviewers mention the sites being relatively close together. The campground landscape includes a mix of commercial RV parks geared toward long-term stays and state parks offering more recreational opportunities. Those seeking a quieter experience should consider Panola Mountain State Park Campground, which offers more primitive tent camping and receives positive reviews for its natural setting. A visitor to Panola Mountain noted it was "Spacious, dog friendly" though they "had to make my own trail with my dogs."
"Spent one night on the road here at a RV site on the lakeside camping area (they also offer additional entrance to river side camping.) Busy but courteous neighbors."
"The site has a good distance between the camper and it's "passenger" side so it's like not having a neighbor on that side."
from $36 - $100 / night
Check Availability"A few years ago, I visited this location because I considered living long term in an RV. The location is in a good spot right off the free way. It is clean."
"Fine place for a short term stay, near enough to Atlanta that you can visit. The campground itself is back behind a construction area, and Google has a hard time routing to it properly."
from $93 / night
Check Availability"Lived in Georgia my whole life and yet my first time to Stone Mountain was literally three years ago. Now we have an annual pass and go all the time."
"One of the best camping areas in Georgia."
from $44 - $65 / night
Check Availability"This is a great state park located in Flovilla, Georgia. If about 10 miles off I-75. We arrived after dark so the main entrance was hard to see."
"Another Winner from Georgia.... Great camping and pretty easy to get in and out of you have a medium to large rig.... A little harder if you have 38ft or larger but Overall one to visit..."
from $34 - $190 / night
Check Availability"We did an overnighter to check this out after doing a separate hike on the primary trails from the other side of the park in the morning. "
"Loved it but had to make my own trail wth my dogs ."
from $125 / night
Check Availability"Great location if you're driving through or visiting Atlanta. It's just off the interstate, and there are plenty of restaurants around."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Away and outside of the noise and traffic of Atlanta (thank goodness!). Friendly staff and clean property. Pets are also welcome! Definitely recommend!"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Note to future campers: the campground is NOT located at the address provided. This is the recreational park."
"I met him on the trail to the falls and took the time to explain the factory that used to be there. Very interesting. Most sites are on the water. Has toilets and showers."
from $15 / night
from $50 - $70 / night
"We stayed in March, so when the leaves are off the trees, you can see the lake. Kinda doubtful you would during the summer. Gray water dump is very close."
"They have trails for hiking and biking a beach to swim mini golf museums and a tranquil little creek that flows over rocks that you can go walk on"
GuideSecond location in the Swords area for boondocking. Far enough away from the roads that traffic noise is minimal, but you may get visits from local hunters passing through or looking for a spot to leave their vehicles. Plenty of fallen trees and limbs for fire wood. Mosquitos and flies can be a hassle.
GuideDispersed site in the national Forest with a few spots you can occupy. Drive-in is easily done with a 2wd vehicle just take it slow to avoid big holes. Plenty of fallen trees and branches to use for fires with a few spots clearly used by most people. Minimal road noises but depending on the time of year you'll get visits from hunters passing through or looking for a spot to park before wandering out into the trees. Mosquitos and flies are crazy but what do you expect from a Georgia lake/Forest area?
TravelerWe stopped in to check it out. But there is a burn ban at this time so we didn't want to take any chances. We will be back! I will give a better review then.
GuideEasy to get in as it's marked on the road. Fairly flat ground.
GuideVery crowded campground, tight sites, and dated facilities. Stayed one night on a through trip, so they let me stay with my custom built RV but they have a rule against it if you’re staying more than one night. I am not sure why because this isn’t an RV resort, it reminds me of an over crowded KOA. Good for business stay or a quick overnight but if you have a family and want room for your kids to play, I’d look elsewhere.
GuideWe got a site with full hook ups and it was unusually expensive for a State Park. It was fairly level and gravel. It had a picnic table and small deck area that was in rough shape and needs replacement. It was just OK. At least it was quiet at night and the bathhouse was clean, though our daughter never did get hot water in the shower. There is a train ride that runs in a circle around the stone mountain area. The horn blasts all day long, but luckily not late at night. The biggest disappointment was that they say it's dog friendly on the web site, but dogs aren't allowed on most of the trails we tried to walk on, so we didn't get to see much of the park except by car. There are many activities, but they are not free. It's an expensive park for families. Bring your wallet!
GuideNo services, mostly level, fairly spaced spots.
ScoutUpdate: You need hunting, fishing, or land pass. No smoking or drinking allowed. Clean and cleared paths. All kinds of animals roaming about.
RangerGenerally speaking nice place to spend some time with nature, or good place for a free overnight stay while traveling. Watch carefully for the turn off the main road as it is easy to miss. The road into the camp is a bit bumpy but not too bad. A word of advice watch very carefully for the turn into the campground, it is hard to see and on the left off the dirt road. If you miss it, you have to drive all the way out, it's a long bumpy drive back out to the main road with no place to turn around. The camp itself is heavily wooded with plenty of room to find a secluded spot, so if you rely on solar finding a spot to get sun may be a challenge. On our night there were a small number of others there, but by no means crowded. Overall we liked it and would consider it again without hesitation.
Camping opportunities near McDonough, Georgia extend beyond established campgrounds to several natural areas within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with a humid subtropical climate that creates distinct camping seasons. Most campsites in the area rest amid mixed pine and hardwood forests typical of Georgia's Piedmont region, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.
Waterfall hiking: High Falls State Park features trails alongside impressive falls with a 135-foot cascade. The park offers both challenging and family-friendly paths. "The hiking makes up for it. The lake is like small but the hiking makes up for it," notes Matthew A. in his review of High Falls State Park Campground.
Paddling options: Indian Springs State Park maintains rentals for exploring its small lake. "We rented kayaks and rode bikes all weekend! The cabins were updated and very cute perfect for a weekend away," writes Casey L. about Indian Springs State Park Campground.
Mountain exploration: Stone Mountain Park provides unique geological features to explore. "We loved these grounds. They were clean and there was easy access to bathrooms. The hike to the top was a challenge, but the views were worth it," says Judy B. about her experience at Stone Mountain.
Spacious sites: Newton Factory Shoals offers waterfront camping with room to spread out. "They have many water front campsites with a lot of room. They have a box platform for your tent. It could easily fit my 8 person tent," explains Addison C. about Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area.
Wildlife viewing: Indian Springs provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "We had a happy little bonus of getting to watch the beavers play in the river early in the morning," shares Nicolle about her stay at one of the waterfront sites.
Kid-friendly amenities: High Falls features centrally located playgrounds near campsites. "This campground is great if you have kids. The playground is centrally located. Trails are easy to get to and the falls are a nice sight," reports Bille W. about the campground layout.
Bathroom conditions vary: While most campgrounds maintain their facilities, quality differs. At Factory Shoals, "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," advises Addison C.
Swimming restrictions: Several area lakes have limitations. At High Falls, visitors note "do not swim in falls - dangerous" while Stone Mountain has designated swimming areas only. At Panola Mountain State Park Campground, the primitive camping experience means limited amenities but more natural surroundings.
Reservation requirements: Most of the best places to camp near McDonough require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. Newton Factory Shoals operates differently, as one camper explains: "This campground is first come, first serve. It is $15 dollars a night."
Playground access: High Falls State Park provides centralized play areas. "The playground is centrally located. Trails are easy to get to and the falls are a nice sight," notes Bille W., highlighting the convenience for parents watching children.
Multi-site group camping: Some campgrounds accommodate family gatherings well. "Nice family friendly campground, most roads are paved, bikes ok, smaller sites without many trees/privacy between sites - good for multi-site group's who want to camp together," explains Valerie R. about Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Water activities: Several parks offer paddling options. At Indian Springs, "We enjoyed renting a double kayak from the state park," mentions Elaine H., while adding that "sites on lake are spaced apart a little more than river campground."
Leveling challenges: Prepare equipment for uneven sites. "The site was not level but that wasn't a big deal for us in our rooftop tent. We didn't check out the other sites but an RV would probably have a hard time setting up here," warns Nicolle about Factory Shoals.
Location conveniences: Atlanta South RV Resort provides easy access to urban amenities. "This park is located just south of Atlanta and is a great place to overnight on your way to a destination. Lots of shopping and good restaurants nearby," notes Benita P. about Atlanta South RV Resort.
Site selection for privacy: At Indian Springs, certain areas offer more seclusion. "Site 19 was on a less populated loop and a long stretch of woods on the 'driver' side thus no neighbors. Site was very easy to back into," recommends Robert B., who also mentioned "Gray water dump is very close."
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is McDonough from Stone Mountain for day trips while camping?
McDonough is approximately 35-40 miles from Stone Mountain Park Campground, making it an easy day trip of about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Stone Mountain is worth the journey, offering world-renowned fireworks and laser shows along with numerous outdoor activities. For those wanting to stay closer to Stone Mountain while still being within range of McDonough, Panola Mountain State Park Campground is located in Stockbridge, roughly halfway between the two destinations, providing a strategic base for exploring both areas.
What tent camping options are available in McDonough, GA?
While McDonough itself has limited tent camping, several excellent options exist within a short drive. Fort Yargo State Park Campground near Winder offers well-maintained tent sites with clean facilities, hiking trails, and lake access. It's particularly suitable for tent campers who enjoy water activities. Another good option is Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground, which provides a peaceful retreat with spacious tent sites in a wooded setting. For those willing to drive a bit further, Chattahoochee Bend State Park has primitive tent sites with five miles of river frontage, though there's limited shade at some locations.
Where are the best camping spots in McDonough, GA for families?
For family camping near McDonough, Indian Springs State Park Campground is an excellent choice about 20 minutes away in Flovilla. The park offers family-friendly amenities with helpful hosts and is conveniently located just off I-75. Another great option is High Falls State Park Campground, which features lakeside RV sites, a playground, mini-golf, and hiking trails to beautiful falls. Both parks provide clean facilities and natural attractions that keep children entertained. For families looking for water activities, Claystone Park offers shaded, clean sites with a swimming beach, though it's slightly further from McDonough.
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