Camping near Austell, Georgia combines suburban accessibility with natural recreation options in the northwest Atlanta metro area. The region sits at approximately 900 feet elevation where red clay soils support mixed pine and hardwood forests. The area camping options span from state parks to private RV facilities, with many campsites situated on or near Lake Allatoona, a 12,000-acre reservoir that serves as a recreational hub for the region.
What to do
Hiking at historic ruins: Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground offers trails ranging from easy to moderate that lead to the Manchester Mill ruins. "Hiking, kayaking, swimming- plenty of things to do. You can spend a whole day out here just walking along the creek and jumping across the rocks," notes one camper. Another camper adds that "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."
Fishing opportunities: Clark Creek North Campground provides water access from every campsite, making it ideal for anglers. "This is a nice park, especially for fishermen," reports one visitor. Another camper mentions, "Allatoona is our go to Lake and this is a small, quiet, clean campground." The campground includes both boat-in and drive-in access options.
Water recreation: Red Top Mountain State Park Campground features multiple water-based activities. A visitor states, "Lake Allatoona is large" and good for "opportunities to hike, fish and boat." Another camper notes that "The water is nice and cool" for swimming, and "most of the sites are right on the lake."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good site separation despite proximity to Atlanta. At Clark Creek North Campground, "Most spots provide complete privacy from your neighbors because of all the trees. It is comfortable to both RV and tent campers." The campground features only 24 spots with water and electric hookups.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Clark Creek North, "Shower house is clean and well maintained also has laundry facilities." Another visitor notes the facilities are "modern and clean with hot showers and good water pressure" at Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Proximity to Atlanta: Stone Mountain Park Campground offers an escape close to the city. "Good for a quick get away while still having access to 'city life'. There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you're deep in nature." The campground is about 25 miles east of downtown Atlanta, providing an accessible weekend option.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground, visitors should "Realize there are limited sites. 10 Yurts for glampers and 5 walkin sites for tent campers." The walk-in sites are not far from the lake but availability is restricted.
Noise considerations: Despite natural settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. At Red Top Mountain, "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 awareness: Take precautions with valuables at some locations. At Clark Creek North, campers were informed that "locals often come through the woods and even wade through the edge of the lake to steal from the campground," with one family reporting a stolen bicycle despite the campground being gated.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. At McKinney Campground, sites are positioned near the water with "a swimming beach, no lifeguard." Another camper at Sweetwater Campground notes they "camped right next to the beach and the kids loved it."
Kid-friendly activities: Stone Mountain Park provides numerous family attractions beyond camping. "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. There are bike trails and plenty of entertainment for all."
Site selection for families: Look for level, spacious sites when camping with children. At Stone Mountain, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site challenges: Several campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. At Atlanta-Marietta RV Park, "No pull through sites, bumpy roads and not much dog walking space." Red Top Mountain has "Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in."
Hookup variations: Hookup availability differs significantly between campgrounds. Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve offers "Full hook ups and some partial. Propane available." Meanwhile, at Clark Creek North, visitors note it has "a lot of power and water sites" but no full hookups, and "an interesting dump station set up where you climb a fairly steep hill" that may be challenging for larger rigs.
Urban RV considerations: For those seeking convenience to Atlanta attractions, Atlanta-Marietta RV Park is positioned strategically. "We've used this campground few times passing through. It's a great midway point for us." Another RVer notes it's "close to the battery where the braves play baseball," though "There's not much to say about this campground. It was loud because of the road noise."
