Stone Mountain Park features a unique granite monadnock rising 825 feet above the surrounding terrain, creating a distinctive camping environment in Georgia's Piedmont region. Temperatures typically range from 33°F in winter to 89°F in summer, with humidity levels often reaching 70% during camping season. The surrounding campgrounds offer varied terrain from lakeside settings to forest canopies within a 30-mile radius of the iconic granite dome.
What to do
Hike the mountain trails: At Stone Mountain Park Campground, visitors access numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "We had an amazing visit!! All the staff were extremely helpful and sweet. While hiking we saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!" shared Jennifer T. The trail to the summit provides panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline on clear days.
Paddle on the lakes: Fort Yargo State Park offers excellent water activities on its 260-acre lake. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. The 12 walk-in sites are waterfront to the lake - perfect for kayaking or paddle boarding," notes Amalia K. Most rental equipment costs $15-25 per hour.
Mountain biking options: The trail systems around Stone Mountain provide options for cyclists of all abilities. "The campground offers everything you would ever need. There are tons of things to do from Golf, hiking, zoo, laser show, food and you can hike the mountain or take a ride to the top. There are bike trails and plenty of entertainment for all," reports Holly B. from Stone Mountain Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many glamping accommodations in Stone Mountain provide good separation between campsites. "Good for a quick get away while still having access to 'city life'. There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you're deep in nature," shares Jessica D. about Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Waterfront access: Bald Ridge Creek on Lake Lanier provides excellent shoreline camping. "This is the best campground on Lake Lanier. Nearly every site is on the Lake, with access to the water. The sites are very well maintained," explains pam. Many sites have direct access to the water for swimming or launching small watercraft.
Clean facilities: The glamping options near Stone Mountain maintain high standards for bathhouses and common areas. "We spent a weekend here in section O. It was a nice, spacious campsite with a nice picnic table and partial view of the lake even though we didn't have 'lake view' site. Would absolutely camp here again," notes Tonya B. about her Stone Mountain Park experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "We camped with my parents in the RV section of the campground, it was beautifully wooded and offered plenty of space/privacy from other campsites and was still a short walk from the bathhouse. Also had a little view of a lake down below," shares Dalhya L. about Stone Mountain Park.
Alcohol restrictions: Some parks enforce strict no-alcohol policies. At Shady Grove Campground, "It is owned and run by Forsyth County and is beautifully maintained. There is a strict no alcohol policy in the campground and it is made very clear by signage in the park," explains Chris H.
Noise considerations: The proximity to urban areas means some sites experience traffic noise. "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," advises Jeff E. about Red Top Mountain.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature family-friendly recreation areas. "The playground is centrally located. Trails are easy to get to and the falls are a nice sight," notes Bille W. about High Falls State Park.
Kid-friendly water activities: Lakefront sites provide safe swimming and water play options. "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site. There was a lot to see and do at Stone Mountain," says Susan K. The designated swimming areas have gradual entry points suitable for younger children.
Transportation convenience: Some larger parks offer internal transportation. "There's all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too," shares Harvey B. about Stone Mountain Park. This helps families with young children access attractions without long walks.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: RV campers should prepare for variable terrain. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it. Our site was on the lake," explains Susan K. about Stone Mountain Park. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Access challenges: Some parks have narrow or winding roads. At Hard Labor Creek State Park, "The campground is not cramped at all and most of the sites are spread apart to provide privacy! The campground roads are newly paved and there are a couple of new sites," reports George & Patty C. Most sites accommodate rigs up to 40 feet.
Hookup availability: Full-hookup sites are limited at some parks. "We were able to walk off of the back of our site and onto the trail system, which is perfect because we are avid hikers," states George & Patty C. about Hard Labor Creek State Park, where they stayed in their 26' travel trailer with full hookups.
