Little Tallapoosa Park in Carrollton, about 49 miles west of Smyrna, offers equestrian camping with specialized facilities for horse owners. The park maintains a separate equestrian camping section with direct access to trail systems throughout the 300-acre property. Newton Factory Shoals Recreation Area, approximately 35 miles east of Smyrna, provides waterfront campsites with raised gravel tent platforms.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Little Tallapoosa Park features extensive horse trails through its 300-acre property. One camper notes, "Tons of walking/horse trails to go along with a creek and a couple of lakes." The trails accommodate both equestrians and hikers, with direct access from camping areas.
Water activities: McIntosh Reserve Park on the Chattahoochee River offers fishing and paddling options. A visitor mentions, "There is a boat ramp past site 20. I saw a sign at the bathhouse for paddling the river and various parks to camp along the way." The park also has a splash pad for cooling off during summer months.
Historical exploration: Newton Factory Shoals Recreation Area contains remnants of old manufacturing facilities. A camper explains, "CG Manager drove through periodically and was very friendly. I met him on the trail to the falls and took the time to explain the factory that used to be there."
What campers like
Family-friendly atmosphere: Little Tallapoosa Park receives positive feedback for its amenities designed for families. One reviewer states, "Just got home from a great weekend at LTP. Sites are nice we were at site 11 pull thru with full hook up. Splash park was fun and clean for the kids as well as really nice walking trails we enjoyed."
Waterfront camping: Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area provides sites along the water. A camper reports, "We lucked out and got a waterfront site (site 4) due to the fact somebody checked out early. We had a happy little bonus of getting to watch the beavers play in the river early in the morning."
Well-maintained facilities: The campgrounds maintain clean, functional facilities. A reviewer at McIntosh Reserve Park notes, "10/10 for cleanliness" while another at Newton Factory mentions, "They have a box platform for your tent. It could easily fit my 8 person tent. They have fire pits and a main bath house with a shower."
What you should know
Navigational challenges: Some parks have confusing layouts or incorrect address information. At Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area, one camper advises, "Note to future campers: the campground is NOT located at the address provided. This is the recreational park. The campground is actually up the road, on the opposite side of the park, at the entrance of the graveyard."
Reservation systems vary: Each park has different booking requirements. McIntosh Reserve operates on a first-come, first-served basis with one camper noting, "Camping is first come first served basis, no reservations. $20 per night, parking for one vehicle included."
Facility limitations: Bathroom facilities vary significantly between parks. A camper at Newton Factory Shoals comments, "I will say that you should probably bring flipflops for the shower because it doesn't look like it's been cleaned in a year but it's nice having a option for one."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible recreation options: Parks near Smyrna offer various child-friendly activities. A visitor to McIntosh Reserve Park shares, "This place has some nice trails and plenty of pavilions for large groups. They have access to the Chattahoochie River for kayaking and fishing as well."
Tent camping section: Little Tallapoosa Park separates tent and RV camping areas. A camper explains, "I love the separate tent & RV campsites. The tent sites are decent size and there is some wooded space between each one so it felt quiet and semi-private."
Playground access: Several parks feature playground equipment for children. A Little Tallapoosa visitor mentions, "Friendly neighbors, nice comfort station with bathrooms, showers, laundry and a little free library. Lots of level tent sites next to pavilions with playground equipment."
Tips from RVers
Equestrian camping for overflow: Quail Run at Pate's Creek provides basic sites for RVs near Interstate 20. A camper notes, "Great location if you're driving through or visiting Atlanta. It's just off the interstate, and there are plenty of restaurants around. Also there's a Dollar General at the end of the road if you need anything."
Water and electric options: Little Tallapoosa Park offers hookup options in different camping sections. One RVer explains, "We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water. Sewer hookup is only available in the RV section."
Site selection considerations: When choosing a site, consider specific needs. At McIntosh Reserve, a camper advises, "No power, and only saw one tap for running water, but is a good spot if you are self sufficient. No designated camp sites means you can pick anywhere."
