Stone Mountain Park offers glamping experiences with safari tent accommodations that provide comfortable furnishings near clean facilities. The park sits at an elevation of 1,686 feet, offering a natural forest setting within just 30 minutes of Atlanta. Dispersed camping options surround the Stone Mountain area, with sites available year-round despite Georgia's hot, humid summers and mild winters.
What to do
Hiking trails at multiple difficulty levels: Fort Yargo State Park features extensive trail systems with both hiking and mountain biking routes. According to Amalia K., "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."
Lake activities with rentals: Stone Mountain Park Campground provides access to fishing, boating, and paddleboarding on the lake. Susan K. notes, "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site. There was a lot to see and do at Stone Mountain."
Golf and adventure sports: Recreational options extend beyond the typical camping activities. Holly B. explains, "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. There are bike trails and plenty of entertainment for all."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. One visitor, George & Patty C., commented, "The campground is not cramped at all and most of the sites are spread apart to provide privacy!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many glamping sites near Snellville allow for nature observation. Todd L. from Shady Grove Campground noted, "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere."
Clean, modern facilities: Bald Ridge Creek maintains high standards for bathrooms and shower areas. According to Christy C., "There is a playground and bathroom facilities with laundry. Sites have water and electric hookups. There is a dump station near entrance."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Harvey B. notes, "We were there last month and they were renovating and updating areas but this did not impede any traffic or fun. Highly recommend especially for families."
Alcohol policies vary by park: Each campground has specific rules about alcohol consumption that are strictly enforced. Rick B. at Shady Grove Campground warns, "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."
Weekend vs. weekday experience: Many campgrounds have dramatically different atmospheres depending on timing. Christina from Hard Labor Creek observed, "The weekend nights were so crowded with cars spilling into the camp roads, loads of large groups at each site. Felt very claustrophobic. On weekdays the park became a lovely ghost town."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Margaritaville offers extensive family programming. Fanny D. reports, "We had a paved site full hookup pull thru with lake view. Very easy to get in and out, private and quiet, we had a picnic table, fire ring and bbq grill. I was most excited about drink cart every evening!"
Transportation options: Many larger parks provide alternatives to walking. George & Patty C. note, "They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too. The sites are close but they are not difficult to enter."
Junior Ranger programs: Several parks maintain educational activities for children. Cheryl C. at Red Top Mountain State Park commented, "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!!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain. Susan K. advises, "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it. Our site was on the lake."
Campground navigation: Some parks have challenging roads for larger rigs. Brock D. warns about Red Top Mountain State Park, "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."
Water and electric access: Most glamping sites in the Snellville area provide partial hookups. Judi P. from Fort Yargo explains, "No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through."
