Mount Berry sits in northwest Georgia's Ridge and Valley province, where pine-covered mountains give way to forest valleys. Local campgrounds operate across varied elevations, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and moderate humidity. Winter camping remains viable with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 40-55°F, though nighttime lows can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking Silver Comet Trail: Access this 61.5-mile paved trail from Camp Comet Campground, where primitive sites provide a strategic base for cyclists and hikers. "It is a primitive site with two gravel platforms set up for tents each with its own firepit. The sites are rustic but well cared for and perfect if you are bike packing the trail and need a free place to stay overnight," explains reviewer Asher K.
Kayaking Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center offers direct creek access with kayak rentals and shuttles. "Great little place to camp on the river. Family friendly and awesome river but crowded sites and bath house is poorly located and not big enough to accommodate the campground," notes Nick C. Cedar Creek provides a gentler paddling experience suitable for beginners.
Fishing Lake Allatoona: The lake spans 12,000 acres with multiple access points for bank fishing. "We always stop here on our trips down to florida and we always stay a couple days as we love to get a waterfront site and they are nice, clean sites with lots of shade and pet friendly. We love to fish and we always catch several kinds but the crappie are so delicious," shares Robin M. from Mckinney Campground.
What campers like
Lake views from every site: Clark Creek North Campground features waterfront positioning for all 24 camping spots. "Clark Creek North is a small gem tucked along the shore of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta. It is small with just 24 spots equipped with water and electric and every spot has water access. Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees," reports Kathy B.
Private tent-only areas: Walk-in tent sites offer an experience distinct from the glamping in Mount Berry's more developed campgrounds. "Love the tent-only serenity of the walk-in sites. There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away (easy to haul your gear). The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other," explains Abby M. about Cloudland Canyon.
Trail access from campsites: Several campgrounds feature direct trail connections. "Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths," notes Travyl Couple about Fort Mountain State Park, adding that "most of the trails except the Gahuti are multi use and there is a strong community of mountain biking here."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mount Berry's location near the mountains means temperature fluctuations, particularly in spring and fall. "We went in December and the weather was a little cool and damp but the views were great when the fog lifted. They're great scenic hikes in the park. Bathrooms were clean with very hot water," reports Larry M. about Fort Mountain State Park Campground.
Site selection caution: Many campgrounds have varied terrain requiring careful site selection. "Be sure to check the map carefully for terrain. Many sites are high above the water," warns Connie C. about Red Top Mountain. Similarly, at Fort Mountain: "Remember, there are a lot of hills here so expect this when walking to bathouses from most campsites."
Local security issues: Some campgrounds report theft problems. "After discussing the issue with the campground staff, we were informed that locals often come through the woods and even wade through the edge of the lake to steal from the campground," cautions Chris C. at Clark Creek North, suggesting campers secure valuables.
Tips for camping with families
Look for lake beaches: Several Mount Berry area campgrounds offer beach access. "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves. We went on a weekday so the people at the front actually let us switch sites so we could get the one we wanted," says Sharrah B. about Clark Creek North.
Seek out playgrounds: Family-friendly facilities vary between campgrounds. "This isn't for backpackers but for camping with your family, it's good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly," notes Cris C. about Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.
Check noise levels: Highway proximity affects some campsites more than others. "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... the drone of the highway will remind you," cautions Jeff E. about Red Top Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Watch site dimensions: Many campgrounds have challenging spots for large rigs. "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. Sites were very narrow," warns Brock D. about Red Top Mountain.
Expect slopes at some sites: Leveling equipment is often necessary in Mount Berry area camping. "The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," reports Mike N. about Fort Mountain State Park, adding that tight turns with poles can create exit challenges.
Consider glamping alternatives: Mount Berry glamping options include cabins, yurts and platform sites beyond traditional RV camping. "We camped here just before all of the COVID-19 shutdowns began happening, hoping to get in a family trip that didn't involve a long drive from home/Chattanooga. We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites," explains Stephanie J. about Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground.
