Best Campgrounds near McDonough, GA

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."

Best Camping Sites Near McDonough, Georgia (80)

    1. High Falls State Park Campground

    74 Reviews
    Jackson, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (478) 993-3053

    $36 - $100 / night

    "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."

    2. Atlanta South RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Stockbridge, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 957-2610

    $93 / night

    "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."

    3. Stone Mountain Park Campground

    91 Reviews
    Stone Mountain, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 498-5710

    $44 - $65 / night

    "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."

    4. Indian Springs State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Flovilla, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 504-2277

    $34 - $190 / night

    "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..."

    5. Panola Mountain State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Pine Mountain, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 389-7801

    $125 / night

    "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 ."

    6. Quail Run at Pate's Creek

    1 Review
    Stockbridge, GA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 986-9980

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Great location if you're driving through or visiting Atlanta. It's just off the interstate, and there are plenty of restaurants around."

    7. Atlanta Motor Speedway

    3 Reviews
    Hampton, GA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 926-7849

    $35 / night

    "Away and outside of the noise and traffic of Atlanta (thank goodness!). Friendly staff and clean property. Pets are also welcome! Definitely recommend!"

    8. Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area

    7 Reviews
    Mansfield, GA
    19 miles
    +1 (770) 787-6309

    $15 / night

    "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."

    9. Indian Springs

    4 Reviews
    Flovilla, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 504-2277

    "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"

    10. Forest Glen Mobile Home and RV Park

    1 Review
    Jackson, GA
    13 miles
    +1 (770) 228-3399

    $50 - $70 / night

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Recent Reviews near McDonough, GA

554 Reviews of 80 McDonough Campgrounds


  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Claystone Park Campground

    Very nice campground

    The campground is very nice. The sites are shaded and very clean. It is easily accessible and easy to get around in. The swimming beach is okay. It is a sand beach which is clean and easy to access the water, but I would not necessarily say the water is very clean. It is definitely better than many of the other lakes we have seen in Georgia, though! I would recommend staying here if you need a spot in central Georgia

  • judy M.
    Jun. 12, 2025

    RAMSEY RV PARK

    Quiet and peaceful

    MIKE RAMSEY IS THE OWNER. OFFICE IS RHONDA. THIS PLACE IS SO SEREN.  EXCEPT FOR THE TRAINS IN THE DISTANCE, IT IS SOO QUIET AND PEACEFUL. THE SALT H2O POOL IS PRISTINE.  THEY HAVE A GATHERING AREA . OUTDOOR FIREPLACE, TV, SEATING, OCCASIONAL BANDS. FIREPIT, BAR B QUE GRILLS, FLAT TOP GRIDDLE  AND MORE. WE HAVE A FIRE RING, PICNIC TABLE AT OUR SITE. WE FEED THE WILDLIFE AND HAVE ALOT OF  BIRDS. SOMETIMES DEER. WE FACE THE WOODS WHICH WE LOVE. WE HAVE BEEN HERE 8 MO. SO FAR.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve

    Safe, Quiet, and Efficient

    I stayed almost a week in space 81. When I made my reservation, I could not get a 50A site so reserved a 30A site. I called Sweetwater Creek and with no fuss, they rearranged things so that I could have a site with 50A. Wonderful service! 

    Everything was handled via text and email messages before I arrived. Once on-site, I never saw an employee or an office. Had I needed anything, I had been instructed to call/text Jonathan. He was sure prompt in replying before I arrived so I am sure it would all have been fine had I needed him during my stay. It was kind of weird not checking in at an office but, honestly, I can't complain. The site was clean and the utilities worked. 

    Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve is definitely urban. The sites aren't much wider than the trailers. You definitely won't sit outside for the scenery. Maybe 2/3 to 3/4 of the sites looked to be occupied by long-term residents but all of the units looked to be in good repair. My wife and I definitely felt safe. There are not many choices for RVs in the Atlanta metro area. When we come back to Atlanta, we will stay here again. 

    I gave this four stars instead of five because a) the pavement is so deteriorated that it is almost moon craters, and b) the"scenery" just plain sucks. But for a safe place to hook up and stay, Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve gets five stars.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve

    Quiet, Safe, and Efficient

    I stayed almost a week in space 81. When I made my reservation, I could not get a 50A site so reserved a 30A site. I called Sweetwater Creek and with no fuss, they rearranged things so that I could have a site with 50A. Wonderful service!

    Everything was handled via text and email messages before I arrived. Once on-site, I never saw an employee or an office. Had I needed anything, I had been instructed to call/text Jonathan. He was sure prompt in replying before I arrived so I am sure it would all have been fine had I needed him during my stay. It was kind of weird not checking in at an office but, honestly, I can't complain. The site was clean and the utilities worked.

    Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve is definitely urban. The sites aren't much wider than the trailers. You definitely won't sit outside for the scenery. Maybe 2/3 to 3/4 of the sites looked to be occupied by long-term residents but all of the units looked to be in good repair. My wife and I definitely felt safe.

    There are not many choices for RVs in the Atlanta metro area. When we come back to Atlanta, we will stay here again. 

    I gave this four stars instead of five because a) the pavement is so deteriorated that it is almost moon craters, and b) the "scenery" just plain sucks. But for a safe place to hook up and stay, Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve gets five stars.

  • Sarah S.
    May. 25, 2025

    McIntosh Reserve Park

    New bathhouse with shower, water spigot

    Camping is first come first served basis, no reservations. $20 per night, parking for one vehicle included. Extra vehicles require $5 parking pass per day. They take credit card. Pull up to the booth at the entrance before 5pm or see the camp host 5-8pm. After 8pm, the park gate closes. I was given a gate code in case I needed to leave and return during the closed hours.

    The camping layout falls somewhere between dispersed camping and a traditional campground. When I checked in, I was told I could pull up to any site with a fire pit. There were picnic tables and trash cans at most sites. There are no hook ups at the sites, but there is a good amount of space on flat ground in the trees. Several cars, tents, or small campers would fit on each site. Bigger campers could opt for sites 8 or 9 which don’t have trees. I cleaned up a bit of trash around my site when I arrived. The camp host drove around selling firewood.

    Many of these reviews seem older, so I wanted to add that there is a newer block bathroom with flush toilets, electricity and a shower stall, and outdoor water spigot near the stretch of campsites marked 1-20 along the river. It was clean. Driving in, you’ll see a sign that points you to “Main Camping.” The sites stretch down a lane that follows the river to a dead end, the river and sites are on the left and there is a large grassy airfield on the right. There was no airplane traffic while I was there and no signage to stay off of it, so perhaps it is no longer in use.

    There is a boat ramp past site 20. I saw a sign at the bathhouse for paddling the river and various parks to camp along the way. There are signs for horse camping only at sites 18-20. One of the trails runs between the river bank and the campsites, with red blazes - “River Trail” - so don’t set up equipment there in case hikers or horses come through. I saw people fishing in the Chattahoochee River right off of their campsite. 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!

    There are also sites in other areas of the park, if you turn left instead of following the “Main Camping” sign. I’m not sure if they are numbered, and they seem more scattered. There is another bathhouse with running water and a shower that is older next to the cabin called “Old Ranger’s Station.”

    The park has wide trails for horseback riding. I hiked the 2 mile Eagle Loop Trail and saw a mountain biker as well. I saw signs for an Orienteering Course. There is a splash pad and a new looking playground that from a glance, might be ADA accessible. There are many signs prohibiting swimming in the river due to the strong current. There is no beach and in most places, the river bank is steep. John Tanner Park has a swimming beach.

    The park map is not great and the information available online is insufficient, but I do recommend coming to explore the area and camp! I’ll be back now that I have an understanding of the layout.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    Really nice

    Nice huge state park with a lake and activities. There are two separate campground loops. We stayed in loop one, site #22. There are premium lake side sites, but we stayed in a normal site for $38/night, plus the $5 GA state parks entry fee, so $43 for a night- much too expensive but we needed to be near Atlanta for an early morning oil change the next day. Sites are nice and large, flat (we didn’t even need to get out our levels). They are arranged in a way that you don’t feel close to your neighbor. Free hot showers, firewood for $5/bundle, soda machines, dump station (sites have power and water). We stayed in early November and there were other campers here, but still plenty of availability. The campground was nice and quiet.


Guide to McDonough

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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."

Tips from RVers

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.