Camping options near Palmetto, Georgia span the Piedmont region of the state, situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Atlanta at an elevation around 1,050 feet. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing nights. Most campgrounds in this region feature mixed hardwood forests with oak, hickory and pine trees providing natural shade during the warmer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground offers 15+ miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. "The hiking is a mixture of trails and old gravel roads. There is a large loop to see everything that is intersected by shorter cross trails. Very busy down near the ruins, but worth the hike to see the area," notes one visitor to Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground.
Water activities: Lake Allatoona at Mckinney Campground provides opportunities for fishing, boating and lakeside relaxation. "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 a regular visitor to Mckinney Campground.
Historic sites: The Manchester Mill Ruins at Red Top Mountain State Park offer a glimpse into the area's industrial past. "This is a great state park with good fishing on three lakes. Make sure you go see Manchester Mill Ruins," recommends a camper at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.
What campers like
Secure, private camping: Many glamping sites near Palmetto feature controlled access systems. At Banning Mills Treehouses, "Banning Mills has 2 parks. 1 that central based are ziplines..90 of them. Great place for the kids or adults who are still kids... Then there's the camp grounds that's about a mile down the road. Very impressive. 1st thing you'll notice is the key card you get at the main office. It opens up these huge Gothic iron gates. If you don't have a key your not driving in."
Comfortable glamping amenities: Several locations offer upscale outdoor accommodations. One visitor to One with Nature Glamp Camp describes their experience: "This is a cute eclectic glamping ground that has a lot of character. There are 2 bell tents in the area. One setup with a king bed and the other a twin bed. The amenities are mind blowing…top tier linens, mobile power units, lighting, movie projector, movie speaker and yes a wood burning stove in your tent."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "The bathrooms were cleaner than my bathroom at home. The dogs loved the hiking and the river is beautiful with the fall colors," reports a visitor to Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many glamping options near Palmetto require advance booking due to limited availability. "It took us about 6 months to get in here. Long waiting list," notes a visitor about Banning Mills.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September. "We camped on the platforms by the river. The other campgrounds are away from the river back in the woods. The tent sites are a bit too close together for my liking," reports a camper at Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground.
Noise factors: Proximity to roads can affect the camping experience at some locations. "Not quiet unless you're in an RV. And I guess we camped on the wrong morning too because they started mowing the lawn at around 8:30-9 am after listening the highway all night," cautions a tent camper at McKinney Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: High Falls State Park offers centrally-located play areas. "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," notes a visitor to High Falls State Park Campground.
Water safety awareness: Lakes in the area may have restrictions. "There is a pool, it cost $5 person. Our campsite was very private and spacious. Lots of ticks though," advises a family who visited High Falls State Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer special programs for younger visitors. "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!!" shares an enthusiastic visitor to Red Top Mountain State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling. "We loved our spot especially #103 in Campground 1, lots of privacy for our 21ft Lance TT. Backing in was not difficult even though we had to raise the right tire 3" to be level," advises an RVer at Chattahoochee Bend.
Road conditions: Access roads at some campgrounds can be challenging. "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," cautions an RV camper at Red Top Mountain State Park.
Power reliability: Check electrical service before booking. "The RV spots aren't that great, they have power fluctuations a lot," warns a camper at Indian Springs State Park.
