Red Top Mountain State Park and Stone Mountain Park provide traditional camping options near Milton, Georgia that complement the glamping accommodations in the area. These established campgrounds feature tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities. Campsites at these parks typically range from $25-40 per night depending on hookups and season, while cabins start around $85 per night. Many sites include water and electric access, fire rings, and picnic tables, with most campgrounds offering clean restroom facilities within walking distance of campsites.
What to do
Hiking the summit trails: Stone Mountain Park offers accessible hiking with impressive views. One camper noted, "The hike to the top was a challenge, but the views were worth it." The mountain trail is about a mile long with a significant elevation gain.
Junior Ranger activities: Red Top Mountain State Park continues its educational programs even during challenging times. "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!!" This program is free with park admission and provides structured activities for children.
Kayaking and paddle boarding: Clark Creek North Campground offers direct lake access for water sports. According to a visitor, "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site." Rentals are available seasonally at several locations around Lake Allatoona.
Beach swimming: Multiple campgrounds feature designated swimming areas. One camper at Clark Creek North mentioned, "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves." Most beaches are open from May through September.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Sawnee Campground receives praise for its water access. "On a peninsula this little gem on Lake Lanier, with wooded lots, is the perfect relaxation spot for RV & Tent campers. With a lake view at almost every turn, the campsites are roomy and comfortable," reports one visitor.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. A camper at Sawnee noted, "Restroom was clean and good size showers. Had laundry. Had a great time!" Some campgrounds charge small fees for laundry facilities ($2-3 per load).
Privacy between sites: Stone Mountain Park Campground offers well-spaced sites. "We camped with my parents in the RV section of the campground, it was beautifully wooded and offered plenty of space/privacy from other campsites and was still a short walk from the bathhouse," reports one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see native species. A camper mentioned, "Always see deer and other wild life" at McKinney Campground, which is common throughout the region, especially at dawn and dusk.
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary significantly: Some parks strictly enforce no-alcohol rules. A camper at Shady Grove warns: "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."
Highway noise affects some sites: Red Top Mountain State Park Campground is conveniently located but has some noise issues. A camper points out: "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 so keep in mind, that while it looks like country, you are not deep in nature."
Security concerns exist at some locations: While generally safe, some campgrounds have reported theft issues. A visitor to Clark Creek North shared: "We were informed that locals often come through the woods and even wade through the edge of the lake to steal from the campground." Keep valuables secured and bikes locked.
RV site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require work to level larger rigs. One camper noted about Stone Mountain: "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it." Bring leveling blocks if traveling in an RV.
Tips for camping with families
Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Red Top Mountain State Park offers amenities specifically for families. A camper shared: "This isnt for backpackers but for camping with your family, its good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly."
Consider beach proximity: Many families value direct water access. A visitor to McKinney Campground shared: "Small campground with water access from every spot!" This eliminates transportation needs for water activities.
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. One camper at Shady Grove mentioned: "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love."
Bike-friendly locations: Some campgrounds are well-suited for children cycling. A visitor noted: "They loved riding their bikes around in this great family friendly campground." Bring bikes with lights if planning evening rides.
Tips from RVers
Check site access before booking: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Red Top Mountain noted: "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."
Research site dimensions: Amicalola Falls State Park Camping presents challenges for larger rigs. A camper warned: "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. Number 18 does not look hard, but the layout is very difficult to get into. The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper."
Consider premium sites for large rigs: Some campgrounds offer designated areas for bigger RVs. Red Top Mountain has color-coded sites based on size, making selection easier for RV campers with larger rigs.
