Best Campgrounds near Smyrna, GA

Smyrna, Georgia provides access to a variety of campground options within easy driving distance of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Stone Mountain Park Campground, located about 20 miles east of Smyrna, offers a full range of accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, yurts, and glamping opportunities. Closer to Smyrna, Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground features tent camping, yurts, and limited electric hookups in a more natural setting. Red Top Mountain State Park, situated on Lake Allatoona approximately 25 miles northwest of Smyrna, provides lakeside camping with options for both tent and RV campers, plus cabin rentals.

Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though summer and fall weekends typically see the highest visitation rates. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites which tend to book months in advance. "If you want lake front, they got it! Almost all sites either have a view of the lake or are right on lake Allatoona," noted one camper about McKinney Campground. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winters are generally mild with occasional freezing temperatures. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions. Several campgrounds lock their gates in the evening, requiring late arrivals to park outside and walk to their sites, so checking specific entry policies is advisable.

Waterfront campsites represent the most sought-after locations throughout the area, particularly at Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier. A visitor to Bolding Mill described waking up to "a beautiful view of the water and sun on the water. Very few mosquitos and lovely weather." Campgrounds near Smyrna vary considerably in amenities, with more developed sites offering full hookups, shower facilities, and camp stores, while others provide a more rustic experience. Many campers appreciate the balance of natural surroundings while remaining close to urban conveniences. The proximity to Atlanta means most campgrounds offer reasonable cell service coverage, making them suitable for those needing to stay connected while enjoying outdoor recreation.

Best Camping Sites Near Smyrna, Georgia (114)

    1. Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Lithia Springs, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 732-5871

    $28 - $100 / night

    "There's several yurts and 5 walk-in tent sites. Yes, some of the reviews here are confusing this park with another. There's NO RV or TRAILER camping here. "

    "15 miles West of Atlanta, Ga off I20 Sweetwater Creek State Park offers history, trails, water activities and peace and quiet."

    2. Stone Mountain Park Campground

    91 Reviews
    Stone Mountain, GA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 498-5710

    $44 - $65 / night

    "Lived in Georgia my whole life and yet my first time to Stone Mountain was literally three years ago. Now we have an annual pass and go all the time."

    "One of the best camping areas in Georgia."

    3. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

    78 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 975-0055

    $40 - $275 / night

    "Many were positioned right on the lake. The trails in the park were great for hiking and running. We enjoyed visiting the Qualusi Winery that was nearby."

    "Our site I believe was 51 and steps away from The water. Easy check in and friendly staff."

    4. Atlanta-Marietta RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Marietta, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 427-6853

    $64 / night

    "I use this park strictly for sporting events as it’s close by and is relatively quiet considering how close it is to the highway. I have no complaints."

    "Nice resort and it’s close to the battery where the braves play baseball. The pizza place is soooo yummy, make sure you check it out. There are so many little ponds nearby and such cute little homes."

    5. Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve

    9 Reviews
    Austell, GA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 743-4378

    $60 - $650 / night

    "All around peacefull place! Laundry room on site as well as showers and wi fi for guest access. Manager is a sweetheart! Located very close to convenience stores and grocery stores as well."

    "Wasn’t what we expected as there is not really a view of Sweetwater Creek- but it is about a 5 minute drive."

    6. Mckinney Campground

    24 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Georgia Veteran’s Memorial State Park, McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake (north of Atlanta; a Corp of Engineer park) - very woodsy and a nice lake. Hiking, rafting/etc, and walking all around."

    "Campground Review: This campground is an excellent place to stay not far outside of the bustling metropolis of Atlanta."

    7. Sweetwater Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $290 / night

    "These are two completely different parks in two completely different parts of Georgia. SCofA does not have a mill, ruins, river or mountain trails. It does have a lake. Allatoona Lake."

    "Beautiful area of camping spots around the lake. Very good infrastructure, showers, bathrooms, etc."

    8. Atlanta West Campground

    4 Reviews
    Austell, GA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 948-7302

    "The campsite's proximity to I-20 makes it super convenient to get to. It's a great spot for a quick trip or a longer stay, and the friendly seasonal campers really add to the community vibe."

    9. Payne Campground

    13 Reviews
    Woodstock, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $68 / night

    "This campground is full of beautiful lakeside sites! Many are well-spaced, but some are close together. We camped with our van in one of the tent sites because the rv sites were full."

    "I didn't get a chance to snap pictures or videos but it is nestled along the shore of Lake Allatoona."

    10. Dobbins Lakeside Campground

    2 Reviews
    Marietta, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 655-4870

    "Well kept camp site close to baseball stadium north o Atlanta. Easy access to highways Nestled in the trees but not much scenic views but close to base exchange"

    "Sewage and grey water you must use the transfer station located near site #4. There is an Exchange with a Subway close by. No commissary or gas station on Dobbins ARB."

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Recent Reviews near Smyrna, GA

787 Reviews of 114 Smyrna Campgrounds


  • Brittany B.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Clark Creek South Campground

    Great view of the Lake

    The campsite was right next to the swimming beach so little to no privacy and very loud. Although I slept very well in my tent because Quiet hours were observed. It was nice waking up to view of Lake Allatoona. Lady at the gate was rude when checking in so make sure to “READ the sign!” Other than that bathrooms were clean and they have laundry and hot water showers. Will most likely be back!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Winding Waters RV Resort

    Labor Day Weekend Glamping

    We booked Friday through Sunday of Labor Day weekend. We arrived after hours on Friday, and our check-in packet was prepared and ready for us when we arrived. No problems checking in and getting hooked up.

    The RV park is enormous, new and extremely well-kept. Our spot was next to the Etowah River and was one of the few that is on gravel and not concrete. The few gravel lots are among the quietest of this very busy place.

    There are plenty of things to do for a family...lazy river pool, pickle ball, etc. There are kids, electric scooters, electric everything flying around the park morning to evening. It's not necessarily a problem so long as you know what to expect. This is a less quiet place than many others that we have stayed at.

    Lots of investment in 5G WiFi towers, but WiFi is not terribly good. I opted to pull out my StarLink for a better, high bandwidth connection.

    My wife and I travel with e-bikes, so we were glad that it was easy to get to southern Cartersville in about 3 miles and to the Cooper's Furnace Day Area also in about 3 miles.

    Overall, and great place as long as you know you're signing up for a pretty active RV resort geared toward lots of family activity. Not particularly quiet. I'll come back... really enjoyed the cleanliness, order and adherence to strict rules.

  • SnakeEyes C.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Under The Hemlock Campground and Cabins

    Not what you think

    Great place for a one night visit DONT stay any longer than that! Your pets will go missing, the showers don’t work and are nasty! The owner Mike is only nice if you are there for one night. He has multiple people living there. There is a bear family that will destroy all of your belongings. There is NOTHING to do there no pools, no hiking, no visitors are allowed, nowhere to fish, LOUD chickens and a very LOUD annoying barking dog that is never on a leash, if you rent a cabin there is NO RUNNING WATER, it’s overpriced, there is ONLY a microwave. Your best bet is to go to Amicalola State Park

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    Lake Lanier

    Want a beautiful place to camp for cheap? Try Lake Lanier! Gorgeous campground, concrete pads, water and electric at site. We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    COE Allatoona Lake Old Highway 41 No 3 Campground

    Lovely little COE campground

    Loved this little campground. Roads are narrow and asphalt sites are narrow. But beautiful views of the lake. Could hear a train but no highway/interstate noise at our waterfront site #47. I thought #48 was a great site as well. We were the only ones back there on that loop (which is at the back of the campground. Was fun watching the boaters and skiers. Biting Bugs were minimal which surprised me. Cicadas and katydids were in full chorus!

  • Carey H.
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Shady Grove Campground

    Water Front Views

    Great state / county campground. Majority of the sites offer direct water access with many sites offering water front views and beach areas.

  • Kevin Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    First trip for the summer

    Check in staff very friendly Site 32 - Nice level site. Plenty of room for us. Back in is not straight so it takes alittle bit of maneuvering(that maybe why it was one of the last few sites available a week out). Very close to the lakeshore. Morning and afternoon shade, otherwise pretty direct sun overhead around noon.

    The restroom and shower facilities were clean. Plenty of hot water. Gave it 4 stars only because I thought the swim beach could have been more clear of stuff that washed up. Otherwise a great campground. Would definitely stay here again!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center

    Great family resort

    80 spaces for large RVs at $46 a night. Kayaking is one of the main activities. Kayak rentals and sales. Friendly staff. Bath house, nice and clean and adequate but definitely needs and upgrade.


Guide to Smyrna

Camping near Smyrna, Georgia offers convenient access to outdoor recreation within 15-45 minutes of this Atlanta suburb. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation and features rolling Piedmont terrain transitioning between the coastal plain and Appalachian foothills. Most campgrounds in the region maintain moderate temperatures into October, with nighttime lows rarely dropping below 40°F until late November.

What to do

Hiking at ruins: Explore the Manchester Mill ruins at Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground. The historic Civil War-era textile mill ruins create a unique backdrop for trail adventures. "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 visitor Asia.

Paddle on multiple lakes: Rent kayaks or paddleboards at several area lakes. Payne Campground sits in a protected cove on Lake Allatoona with calm waters. "Great for swimming and non motorized water activities. Also good places to keep your boat if you're bringing one! Connected to an easy boat launch," reports camper Caitlin.

Camp with mountain views: Climb Stone Mountain for panoramic vistas. The mountain summit sits 825 feet above the surrounding landscape and provides views extending up to 45 miles on clear days. "The hike to the top was a challenge, but the views were worth it," shares Judy B. about her stay at Stone Mountain Park.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront sites: Find private spots right at the water's edge. Lake Allatoona offers numerous campgrounds with direct water access. "Our site was on the lake. My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site," explains Susan K. about her experience at Stone Mountain Park Campground.

Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. Many visitors note the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight. "The bathhouse was an uphill hike probably 300 ft away but was modern and clean with hot showers and good water pressure," reports Jeff about his stay at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.

Proximity to Atlanta: Camp without driving far from the city. Most sites are within a 30-45 minute drive from Atlanta's perimeter. "This is close enough to metro to make for a quick getaway. The trail around the lake is good and in the winter it is not too far north has to be too cold to get outside in a tent," explains Anna R. about Red Top Mountain State Park.

What you should know

Tent pad surfaces: Some sites have hard-packed tent pads. Be prepared with appropriate tent stakes for challenging surfaces. "The tent pad was large but extremely hard to drive tent stakes into... smaller stakes worked better," advises a camper at Red Top Mountain about site 50.

Highway noise: Proximity to interstates affects some campsites. Several campgrounds near Smyrna have ambient traffic noise due to their convenient location. "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," notes one Red Top Mountain visitor.

Reservation requirements: Book lakefront sites well ahead, especially for summer weekends. The most popular waterfront spots at McKinney Campground fill up to 6 months in advance for summer dates. "We always stop here on our trips down to florida and we always stay a couple days as we love to get a waterfront site," says Robin M.

Tips for camping with families

Easy access sites: Choose campgrounds with minimal walking distance. Most sites in the area are drive-up with parking directly at campsites. "Every single plot had a beautiful view, plenty of space and power hookup, water etc. I've only camped with a tent, it's hard ground but loved it," explains Dale C. about McKinney Campground.

Kid-friendly hiking: Select trails rated as moderate or easy. Most state parks have trail maps with difficulty ratings posted at trailheads. "This park has some great hiking solo or in groups. Beautiful area and you can capture some great photos!" shares Jeane R. about Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Winter camping opportunities: Camp year-round without extreme cold. The mild Georgia climate allows for comfortable camping even in winter months. "This isnt for backpackers but for camping with your family, its good. They have water and outlets and very very clean bathrooms. Like cleaner than a Publix bathroom. Kid friendly," says Cris C. about Sweetwater Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. Many campsites in the area require adjustment. "My buddy said the asphalt was not level and he had a hard time leveling his rig," notes Grant B. about Payne Campground.

Limited sewer hookups: Plan for dump station use at most parks. Full hookups are less common than water/electric sites. "There is 30 amp electric and water. Sewage and grey water you must use the transfer station located near site #4," explains Sherita B. about Dobbins Lakeside Campground.

Narrow access roads: Consider campground road conditions when selecting sites. Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. "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," warns Brock D. about Red Top Mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Smyrna, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Smyrna, GA is Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 27 reviews.

What parks are near Smyrna, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Smyrna, GA that allow camping, notably Allatoona Lake and Lake Sidney Lanier.