Campgrounds near Norcross, Georgia range in elevation from around 900 to 1,100 feet above sea level, positioned within the Piedmont region characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Water features heavily in the camping experience with multiple reservoirs including Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and smaller lakes offering fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. Winter camping temperatures typically range from 30-55°F while summer nights rarely drop below 65°F.
What to do
Hiking near stone ruins: Fort Yargo State Park offers trails alongside historic structures. "We loved the hiking. Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views," notes Nancy W. at Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
Paddleboarding on calm waters: Lake Lanier provides excellent conditions for water sports from shoreline campsites. At Stone Mountain Park, one visitor mentioned, "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site. There was a lot to see and do at Stone Mountain," according to Susan K. at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several parks in the area maintain professional-quality disc golf facilities for all skill levels. "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," shares Holly B. about recreational options.
Wildlife viewing: Forested camping areas support abundant deer populations visible throughout the day. "This park is nice and beautiful place... a lot of deer just walking around," mentions darrel W. from Shady Grove Campground, highlighting the easy wildlife spotting opportunities.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Sites directly on lakes rank as most popular among reviewers. At Bald Ridge Creek, Christy C. shares, "We have stayed here several times now and love it. Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)."
Evening entertainment: Some parks feature organized activities after dark. "We were recently there and someone set up a movie night on the lawn which was really nice. At 4th of July weekend there were lots of fireworks to see," adds Christy C.
Walk-in tent sites: More secluded options exist for tent campers seeking privacy. Amalia K. from Fort Yargo State Park recommends, "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground."
Large wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature spacious sites with shade. Rivers P. from Sweetwater Campground notes, "Spots are large and spacious," while Jennifer T. reports, "While hiking we saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!"
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary: Some county parks strictly prohibit alcohol consumption with hefty fines. Rick B. from Shady Grove County cautions, "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00."
Train noise disruptions: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. Jeff E. from Red Top Mountain warns, "There is a train that blows its whistle that will wake you up 3 times each night and also remind you that you are not deep in the woods."
Highway sounds: Interstate proximity affects some otherwise natural settings. Jeff E. also notes, "This park is about 30-40 minutes outside of Atlanta right off of I-75. If you are in a tent... you will hear I-75 traffic all night."
Seasonal water levels: Lake-based campgrounds experience fluctuating shorelines throughout the year. Tiffany B. observed at Shoal Creek Campground, "The campground is on a peninsula on lake lanier and offers nice views from some spots and access from other spots."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose campgrounds with recreational facilities within walking distance of campsites. Chris H. from Sweetwater Campground notes, "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love."
Swimming beaches: Several parks maintain designated swimming areas with sandy shorelines. Erika R. from Shoal Creek comments, "The beach area was lovely though and great fishing spots!"
Transportation options: Some larger parks offer internal shuttle services. Harvey B. from Stone Mountain Park Campground points out, "They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too."
Kid-friendly shower facilities: Bathhouses receive regular cleaning at most parks. Jennifer T. describes, "Shower house was clean, laser show fabulous and while hiking we saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some older campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. At Shoal Creek Campground, Tiffany B. cautions, "Our campsite specifically had a crumbling pad to park on, which caused us to barely fit. There was trash both in the woods and on the beaches."
Dump station congestion: Weekend checkout times create lines at single-point facilities. AR M. from Bald Ridge Creek shares practical advice: "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal."
Urban proximity options: Several RV parks serve primarily as bases for Atlanta activities. Jenifer K. explains Jones RV Park's appeal: "My husband and I stayed here for 2 nights due to work in ATL. Mostly long term tenants, but a handful of short term sites. We stayed due to the proximity to the city. It's cheap and safe, but not somewhere you want to hang out all day."
Road narrowness: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Brock D. warns about Red Top Mountain, "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."
