Rome, Georgia sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where three rivers—the Etowah, Oostanaula, and Coosa—converge. This unique location at around 600 feet elevation creates varied terrain for camping, from riverside flatlands to wooded hills. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer months can reach 90°F with high humidity, influencing when certain camping activities are most comfortable.
What to do
Fish at Lake Allatoona: Red Top Mountain State Park offers excellent fishing opportunities. According to one camper, "Lake Allatoona is large. There are plenty of opportunities to hike, fish and boat." The lake is known for crappie, bass, and catfish, with fishing best in early mornings and evenings.
Kayak Big Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center provides kayaking adventures on Big Cedar Creek. A visitor notes, "Great little place to camp on the river... If you love kayaking this could be a potential spot for you." The center offers kayak rentals and a shuttle service, with 2-4 hour float trips available.
Hike at Fort Mountain: Fort Mountain State Park Campground features multiple trail options. "The 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," shares one reviewer. The park offers over 14 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels and scenic mountain views.
Cave exploration: Near Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, cave tours provide a unique underground adventure. "The Cave tour is a must, but prepare to get dirty," advises one visitor. Tours typically last 2-3 hours and require advance reservations during peak seasons.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Clark Creek North Campground offers premium lakeside spots. "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," shares one camper. Sites along the shore allow for immediate water access and fishing from camp.
Platform camping: For a unique glamping in Rome, Georgia experience, consider the raised platforms at Fort Mountain. "The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box," explains a camper who tried the platforms for the first time. These elevated sites provide a tent-free camping option with greater connection to the surroundings.
Private, wooded settings: Campsites at McKinney Campground offer natural seclusion. "Every single plot had a beautiful view, plenty of space and power hookup, water etc," reports one visitor. The campground features sites spaced well apart with mature trees providing shade and privacy.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in this region maintain high cleanliness standards. At Clark Creek North, one camper noted, "Shower house is clean and well maintained also has laundry facilities. Hosts are friendly." Most parks in the area provide regularly serviced bathrooms, showers, and common areas.
What you should know
Bear activity: Be prepared for wildlife encounters, particularly at Fort Mountain. "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here," reports one platform camper. Proper food storage in bear-proof containers is required at several parks in the region.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds have ambient traffic sounds. At Red Top Mountain, a tent camper warns, "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." Sites farther from main roads provide more natural quiet.
Campsite theft concerns: Take security precautions at certain locations. At Clark Creek North, a visitor reported, "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." Secure valuables and keep bikes locked when not in use.
Reservation systems vary: Each park has different booking policies. For Lock and Dam / Coosa River County Park, one camper notes, "All reservations are done online they don't book reservations over the phone." Check each park's specific reservation requirements several weeks in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. One camper describes Red Top Mountain as "very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly." The park also offers educational programs and junior ranger activities.
Beach access for swimming: Clark Creek North provides safe swimming areas. "My daughter and I went camping here for 2 nights right on the beach it was like having the beach all to ourselves," shares a visitor. The designated swimming areas have gradual entry points ideal for children.
Playground options: Multiple parks feature play equipment for children. At Calhoun A-OK Campground, a visitor noted, "Playground had some 'old school' equipment great for older kids." Check playground age-appropriateness before booking, as equipment varies by park.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer learning activities. At Red Top Mountain, one camper mentioned the "Jr ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!" These programs typically run on weekends and teach children about local ecology and conservation.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Fort Mountain State Park, a visitor cautions, "The site had about a 5 inch difference sloping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level." Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs.
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have tight turns and limited clearance. One RVer at Red Top Mountain reports, "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." Check campground maps and call ahead about access for larger vehicles.
Hookup variations: Water and electric connections differ between parks and sites. At McKinney Campground, "all sites have water and electric. A few have full hook ups." Call ahead to confirm the specific hookups available at your reserved site, as online information may not be current.
Tree interference: Overhanging branches can limit RV slide-outs and awnings. At John's Mountain WMA, a camper noted, "All the sites are heavily wooded and most have trees or large rocks very close on both sides of the driveway... We weren't able to extend our awning all the way because of the trees." Request sites with adequate clearance when making reservations.
