Best Tent Camping near Rydal, GA

Tent campers visiting Rydal, Georgia can find several primitive and established camping options within the surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest and nearby wildlife management areas. Serenity Ridge offers a secluded tent-only experience with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, while Hidden Creek Campground provides dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more primitive experience in the Johns Mountain area.

Forest service roads throughout the region provide access to numerous walk-in tent sites, though road conditions vary significantly. Many backcountry tent locations require high-clearance vehicles to navigate unpaved, sometimes steep and washed-out roads. A camper noted that "the road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out" when describing access to primitive sites in the area. Most tent camping areas provide basic fire rings but limited other amenities, with few offering potable water. Campers should plan to pack in their own supplies, including water, and be prepared for primitive toilet facilities or their complete absence at dispersed sites.

The tent camping experience near Rydal offers opportunities for solitude and nature immersion not available at developed campgrounds. Walk-in tent sites at locations like Hickey Gap in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area provide peaceful creekside camping with minimal facilities. "This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all," reported one visitor to Hickey Gap. Backcountry tent camping areas throughout the region typically feature natural surroundings with ample tree cover for hammocks and proximity to water sources. Many tent-only areas serve as excellent basecamps for hiking, with several sites positioned near trailheads for the Appalachian Trail and other regional hiking paths. Wildlife sightings are common, with proper food storage essential as bears are active throughout the area.

Best Tent Sites Near Rydal, Georgia (36)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Rydal, GA

995 Reviews of 36 Rydal Campgrounds


  • Jeff E.
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Beautiful Lake Views - Near Atlanta and I-75

    Red Top Mountain State Park is beautiful and Lake Allatoona is large.  Campsite 50 is a premium tent only walk-in site (a few dollars more).  It sits on a point that sticks out in the lake.  There is no shade or tree cover, so it's not "private".  There are 3 other sites near by on the walk-in area and there are no boundaries or barriers between so your neighbors are in full view.  There is no electric near the tent pad, the electric pole is 150+ feet away near the parking area.  You probably could run 175 feet of electric extension cord... but it would have to run past the three other sites... so don't plan for electric.  There is water right by the pad with a ton of pressure.  The tent pad was large but extremely hard to drive tent stakes into... smaller stakes worked better.  The bathhouse was an uphill hike probably 300 ft away but was modern and clean with hot showers and good water pressure.  The park is clean and scenic.  The staff is very courteous, friendly and helpful.  There are plenty of opportunities to hike, fish and boat.

    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.  There is a train that blows its whistle that will wake you up 3 times each night and also remind you that you are not deep in the woods.  The winding roads through the park outside the campground also seemed to be very popular with motorcyclists who like loud pipes.

    The name Red Top Mountain is derived from the red soil in the area that was popular for the mining of abundant iron ore.  But don't look for "mountains" here... you have to travel further north for more dramatic elevation.  

    Overall, a nice park, pretty scenery but not as secluded, quiet and relaxing as expected for tent camping.

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Your Toccoa River Cove

    Beauty and Seclusion at Toccoa River Cove

    "Is there water to play in?" 

    This is a question my kids ask about almost every campground we go to. Before this trip I told them, "yes!" But once we got to the Toccoa River Cove, all of us realized that "yes" really meant, "this is a phenomenal wonderland we will never want to leave." 

    I want to say this is a "goldilocks" campground, but only because it has something for everyone, not because it falls into an average category. With 12 acres of woodland and the freedom to pitch a tent anywhere (provided you honor LNT principals about where to set up camp!), you can camp right next to the car, set up a camping hammock, or explore the forest and find a secluded area in the trees for a backpacking tent. There is a spring you can drink straight out of, and streams criss-crossing the entire area if you want the rugged feeling of purifying your own water. There's a large shelter stocked with a table, chairs, lanterns, and a two-burner camp stove for the glamping crowd, with plenty of floor space to throw down a sleeping bag for thru-hikers nostalgic for AT shelters. The campsite also has a huge fire ring (and a shelter with lots of cut wood), a picnic table, a bench, lots of bridges over the water, a few established trails, a privy that is obviously cleaned regularly, and most importantly, a total immersion in nature as only one group can book this site at a time. 

    Things to note for planning:

    -The driveway down to the shelter is very steep, and does not allow much space to turn around. RVs or larger trucks will not fit, and per the owner only one vehicle may park at the base of the driveway at a time--all others should park just past the gate once you first turn onto the driveway 

    -Water is available from two natural springs, but there is no filtered or piped water

    -There is no electricity at all at this site

    -The closest town is Copperhill/McCaysville on the TN/GA border. You can get provisions here, or use the campsite as a basecamp to explore the breweries and restaurants the town has to offer.

    -There is a community area a short drive from the campsite that offers swimming and fishing; access is included in your reservation

    I cannot see any tent campers this site would not be perfect for. While there are neighboring houses so loud parties are not permitted, this site allows up to 10 guests, with plenty of room to spare if you are looking to get out with friends. Single campers or couples will appreciate the privacy, and families will find the amenities that make camping with kids easier, accompanied with the space to allow kids freedom to explore.

    I feel like I am always on a quest to find a campsite that blends the ability to carry gear for every possible contingency, with the beauty and privacy of the backcountry. After staying here, I can say that quest is over. This is it.

  • Amar P.
    Aug. 13, 2017

    Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Tensile Flite + at Red Top Mountain, GA

    Campground Review:

    Red Top Mountain State Park is located in Acworth, GA. The park is located around 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, which made it perfect for summer camping. The park has about 15 miles worth of shaded trails for hiking and mountain biking. The park also has RV, yurt, and cottage options for camping. We rented a first come first serve RV/Tent campsite during our visit, and the price was $35 for one night. The campsite was gate access and had electric/water hookups with 2 car spaces, a BBQ grill, picnic table, and a lot of trees. We had access to a public restroom, showers, and laundry. There were also primitive campsites available to rent, which were closer to the lake. Our group decided to stay at this park because we wanted to utilize the lake. The lake is beautiful; however, it was very crowded the weekend we went. The park overall has a lot of “things to do” and is family friendly, but it was given 4 stars because of how busy and crowded it was during our visit.

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I had the opportunity to test the Tentsile Flite +, which is a tent and hammock fusion. I was super excited to use this product because I am a hammock camper and there are times I wish I had the option of tent camping. The design and uniqueness of Tentsile Flite + is amazing, and I would consider it more of a tent instead of a hammock, because of how flat it lays when suspended in the air.

    Pros:

    • Comfortable to lay in and no need for sleeping pads or cushions.
    • If you are a hammock camper, you can share this tent with another person comfortably.
    • The rainfly is clutch and depending on preference it can be attached to the tent, staked to the ground, or tied to the trees.
    • The Tensile Flite + is light and can be ideal for backpacking.
    • The tent roof is all netting which is great for having ventilation during the summer, keeping bugs out, and also good for sky gazing.

    Cons:

    • Setup time and the difficulty of getting the right angle and tension.
    • It was difficult finding the right trees suspend to.

    Overall the Tentsile Flite + is perfect for someone who loves hammock camping, but want to enjoy some of the features tents have. I love the design and the wow factor it has on people. Also the company’s mission is very noble and how they help people in need and the environment.

    Here is a video of setting up the Tensile Flite +

  • M
    Sep. 10, 2016

    Fort Mountain State Park Campground

    Memorial Day Weekend was Awesome..

    We spent Memorial Day weekend at Fort Mountain and it was awesome. We camped in a Pioneer campsite #2 which is a 3 sided pavilion that would easily sleep 8-10 people if you were only using bed rolls and sleeping bags. Pioneer camping has its challenges, but each site has an outhouse and a picnic table and prebuilt fire ring. There is an original fire tower on top of the mountain at the end of the trail. A Great Lake for kayaks and fishing with Jon boats, paddle boats, and canoes avaialble for rentals. Lots of cool lake side tent sites and trailer sites are also avaialble. We have camped several times with our scout troop. Lots of cool trails surround the park. There were fireworks in neighboring towns a short,15 min drive both nights. The towns near by have stores and food if your not I the mood to cook. The history is well documented on displays all around the park. And the there is a station that broadcasts at the end of one of the public service roads.

  • Michael H.
    Oct. 15, 2020

    Fort Mountain State Park Campground

    Great Campground

    We love camping at Fort Mountain. Its usually a good bit cooler due to the elevation, and the private wooded campsites make tent camping in Georgia’s summer heat much more enjoyable. Good hiking and things to do nearby.

  • Michael C.
    Apr. 12, 2025

    River Forks Park & Campground

    Great views but...

    "SITE# 47, Pull-Thru, Not FHU, 50A, Water, Dump LENGTH OF STAY: Stayed 9 Nights, RATE:$30.56/ Night with No Discount/ 0% Discount BATH HOUSE: Clean but Outdated LAUNDRY: Not Recorded STAFF: Friendly PARK IMPRESSIONS: Nice, We would stay here again RV PAD: Concrete, ESTIMATED RV PAD LENGTH: 40 Feet, Tow Vehicle Could NOT Stay Connected and Parking was away from site SITE SLOPE: Door side Tire Blocks needed ROADS: Adequate, MANEUVERABILITY: Narrow PEDESTAL PLACEMENT: Center of site length, SHADE: 30% GRASS AREA: At-Site, DESIGNATED PET AREA: Not Recorded PICNIC TABLE: Yes, FIRE RING: Yes, VERIZON Signal(bars): 5G-3, SPEED: 394 Mbs Download, 47 Mbs Upload T-MOBILE Signal(bars): 5G-5, SPEED: 714 Mbs Download, 124 Mbs Upload No WiFi, OTA TV CHANNELS: 75, CABLE TV: No, PLAYGROUND: Yes POOL: No, WATER FEATURE: Lake, FIREWOOD: Yes, STORE: No CLUBHOUSE: No, PROPANE AVAILABILITY: No Original site was# 46(back-in) but was VERY small. Moved to site 47(Pull-Thru) but due to road slope pull-thru is un-usable. Lower numbered sites(less than 30) appear somewhat better. Empty camp ground host side byhind 47 cannot be used unless site 47 is emprty due to sloping road. One single use dump station. One campground host presently in the park- their site was not marked. Appears that most sites are back-in and set sideways to a hillside and lakefront leaving very little level space for chairs. Fire rings are frequently located 12-20 feet away from picnic table and 3 to 9 feet below site level on a slope. Reservation Software used by office was down upon Saturday arrival with no IT help until Monday- two days away leaving office staff frustrated and using their own phone to access the reservation system customers use instead of management side of software. Staff stated it goes down frequently with no IT support on weekends. Six bathhouses in park. Bathhouse nearest beach closed awaiting replacement of fixtures after renovation. Shower has outdated fixtures- several shower heads had significant mineral deposits restricting flow. Men's side closed at another bathhouse. Many shower stalls had no hook or fixture to hang a towel or clothing. Several showers had broken shower valves making them unusable. Stayed 9 nights and did not see anyone working on bathhouses. Beach area parking is limited to 6 or 7 spaces and one handicap space however, there is a larger parking lot a little further away. Bathhouse showers have a pull string valve next to the shower head that had to be held down to get water with many strings broken, missing and too short to allow shorter people, children, or handicaped wheel-chair use. Some sites have precarious/dangerous sloping driveways for RVs to get into. Newly installed sites are near completion but they make sites very close together. Many sites do not have a fire pit and many do not have a grill. Many sites arer too small to park a second vhicle even if the camper is small. Parking on dirt or grass is prohibited by rules but appears to be selectively enforced. The campground has a boat ramp and reasonably large parking area. Extra careful site selection is warranted. Four docks in River Forks Park. Firewood is available at the office. CHECK-IN: 01:00 PM CHECK-OUT: 12:00 PM RIG: 42ft- 17,000 lb 5th Wheel"

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2020

    Pocket Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

    Nice overnight

    The Pocket in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Another beautiful place we've never been before! Nice tent camp spot, not sure I would stay several days but we really enjoyed the weekend. This was our last chance since the camp closes on Nov. 9 this year. The sites along the creek are nice but the rest is well laid out with fire rings, lantern poles and tables. No showers but the restrooms were clean and in good order. Cell service is totally nonexistent in the whole area.

  • G F.
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Pocket Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

    Great boondocking area

    Fantastic, recently renovated area for camping. Right next to a spring-fed creek, with a camp host and ranger keeping people in check and safe. Toilets only and no hookups. No generators at night (yeay!) Great to test dry camping for newbies.

  • Michael T.
    Oct. 4, 2024

    Fort Mountain State Park Campground

    A lot offered in a well kept site

    This is a great park with a lot to offer and more in the near vicinity. 

    Cell reception (T-Mobile) was non-existent in the site. However, there was reception at the trading post and possibly elsewhere. 

    They're installing Bear Boxes in tent sites back and front country (as I understood it) and are clearly paying attention to what people want and how to improve visitors experiences. 

    A lot of the sites are RV orientated. But the walk in tent sites are really close to the parking area. Also, nearby backcountry platforms and sites can be easily accessed. 

    If you want walking access to the trails, it's probably best to choose a site near the lake as that's where most trails are accessed from.


Guide to Rydal

Rydal, Georgia, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility in nature.

Tips for tent camping near Rydal

  • Hidden Creek Campground provides a primitive experience with ample privacy, making it ideal for those seeking solitude in nature.
  • Serenity Ridge offers a unique off-grid camping experience, complete with pre-set tents and stocked coolers, perfect for a hassle-free getaway.
  • The Naval Recreation Site is well-maintained and features clean facilities, making it a comfortable choice for families and military personnel.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Ridgeway, you can enjoy paddling and exploring the nearby waterfall, making it a great spot for water enthusiasts.
  • Picketts Mill Battlefield State Historic Site offers hiking trails and a glimpse into Civil War history, perfect for those who appreciate both nature and history.
  • The Harris Branch area provides access to drinking water and is a good base for exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

Local attractions for outdoor lovers

  • Lake Allatoona Military - Fort McPherson is a reservable site that allows for easy access to the lake, ideal for fishing and boating.
  • Traina Enterprises - Wilderness Camp Marina offers a scenic spot for tent camping while being close to various water activities on Allatoona Lake.
  • Macedonia provides a peaceful setting for tent camping, surrounded by nature, perfect for those looking to unwind and disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rydal, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rydal, GA is Serenity Ridge with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rydal, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Rydal, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.