Camping spots near Waleska, Georgia center around Lake Allatoona, which covers 12,010 acres with 270 miles of shoreline. The area maintains a moderate climate with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular when humidity decreases and water temperatures remain comfortable for swimming through September.
What to do
Hiking at Amicalola Falls: The tallest waterfall in Georgia (729 feet) is accessible within a 45-minute drive from Waleska. "Amazing views, good walking/hiking. A bit strenuous climbing the 400+ steps from the base of the waterfall to the top, but well worth it!" notes a visitor to Amicalola Falls State Park Camping.
Boating opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer direct boat access to Lake Allatoona. At McKinney Campground, you'll find "a very newbie-friendly park on a pretty lake. The attendants were great and responsive. The spaces are well-equipped." Many campers recommend bringing kayaks or canoes for exploring quiet coves.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with sand beaches. A camper at Sweetwater Campground mentions, "We camped right next to the beach and the kids loved it. Beautiful place." The swimming areas are typically open from late May through early September, though most lack lifeguards.
What campers like
Waterfront accessibility: Most sites offer paths to the water, but elevation varies significantly. At Doll Mountain Campground, "Located on a peninsula, you have access to the lake from almost all campsites. Some sites are on a hill so the walk to the water can be challenging." This terrain creates more privacy between sites.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent praise across campgrounds. A visitor to Clark Creek North Campground noted, "Shower house is clean and well maintained also has laundry facilities." The campground offers washer ($3) and dryer ($2) facilities that take credit cards.
Proximity to Atlanta: Many campers value the short distance from urban areas. "This is close enough to metro to make for a quick getaway," says one camper about Red Top Mountain State Park. Most campgrounds are within 30-60 minutes of Atlanta, making them ideal for weekend trips without extensive travel time.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake Allatoona experiences significant water level fluctuations. At Victoria Campground, a visitor cautions "the beach area is in a cove and the water level is often down." Water levels typically drop during late summer and fall.
Railroad noise: Several campgrounds near the lake experience train noise. At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, "the campground entrance is located between 2 railroad crossings... the trains run pretty close by the campground roughly on the hour." Light sleepers may want earplugs at certain locations.
Varying site accessibility: Many campsites present challenges for larger RVs. A visitor to Payne Campground observed, "Site 2 was nice and shady. Our dog loved to swim in the lake! It had a single bathhouse that was nice." However, others note tight turns and steep inclines at several campgrounds that can be difficult to navigate.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. At Mckaskey Creek Campground, a visitor appreciated that it was "very quiet and kid friendly with a nice playground, kept very clean." The playground areas provide entertainment when taking breaks from water activities.
Beach selection: For families with young children, seek out campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas. A visitor to Sweetwater Campground noted, "Great place to camp. The entire park was very clean and well kept. A lake-side spot would have been awesome, but overall very happy with our stay. Spots are large and spacious."
Wildlife viewing: The lake attracts diverse bird species including herons, osprey and waterfowl. One camper at Allatoona Falls mentioned, "My teens loved it. They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife observation opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection cautions: RVers should carefully review site descriptions and maps. At Red Top Mountain State Park, a visitor warned, "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. Sites were very narrow."
Hookup variations: Water and electric hookups are standard, but sewer connections vary by campground. At McKinney Campground, "Most sites don't have sewer hookup but there is a dump station and randomly placed gray water dumps which aren't really accessible while parked unless you have a 50'+ hose."
Off-season advantages: Many experienced RVers recommend visiting between October and April. "It was January and basically had the place to ourselves," noted a camper at Amicalola Falls State Park. Lower visitation during cooler months provides more privacy and easier site selection, though some facilities operate with reduced services.
