The camping spots near Winston, Georgia range from basic tent sites to spacious RV pads with full hookups, all within a 20-mile radius. The area sits at elevations between 800-1,200 feet and experiences mild temperatures throughout the year, with summer highs rarely exceeding 90°F. Accessible campsites can be found on riverbanks, lakeshores, and forest clearings that offer different terrain experiences.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: At Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground, trails vary in difficulty with both shaded and riverside options. "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," shares Asia + Jalen B., who found the park ideal for meditation and photography.
Water activities on multiple waterways: The Chattahoochee River provides fishing opportunities at several camping locations. At McIntosh Reserve Park, campers can fish directly from their sites. "I saw signs for paddling the river and various parks to camp along the way," notes Sarah S., who appreciated the sound of small rapids flowing by sites 1-10.
Historical explorations: Several campgrounds feature historic sites worth visiting. "Make sure you go see Manchester Mill Ruins," recommends Mike K. about Sweetwater Creek State Park, highlighting the connection to the area's industrial past when factories used river power.
What campers like
Accessibility to Atlanta: Many campers appreciate how close these camping areas are to the city while still feeling removed from urban life. "We decided to stay close to home to try it out, learn everything on it in a forgiving place. Chattahoochee Bend was perfect," explains James E., who brought his new 22-foot Class C RV for a maiden voyage.
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the quality of bathhouses and shower facilities. "The bathrooms were cleaner than my bathroom at home," reports joey P. about Chattahoochee Bend, adding that "the dogs loved the hiking and the river is beautiful with the fall colors."
Kid-friendly amenities: Little Tallapoosa Park stands out for family options. "Super quiet, lots of trails to follow - including paved ones (bonus for us as we have a baby in a stroller), full hook ups (w,e,s), and has a splash park during the summer time," shares Tiffany D., highlighting features that make camping with young children easier.
What you should know
Site selection impacts privacy: Campground layout varies significantly across the area. "The tent sites are decent size and there is some wooded space between each one so it felt quiet and semi-private," explains Sarah F. about Little Tallapoosa Park's tent section, while noting that "we had to move a lot of golfball-size rocks out of the way to set up our tent."
Highway noise affects some locations: Campgrounds closer to major roads experience traffic sounds. "The campground is close to a highway, so occasionally there will be loud subs or burnouts, but not to the point that I'd remove a star," reports Zachary N. about his otherwise positive experience at Little Tallapoosa.
Seasonal operations and conditions: While most campgrounds operate year-round, facilities and water features change seasonally. John Tanner Park Campground offers summer swimming and paddle boat rentals. "We visited the 'beach' one day and the water was super warm," writes one camper who visited during July, noting that shade coverage impacts comfort during hot months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for interactive animal experiences: Llamas on the Loose Farm offers a unique camping opportunity with animal interactions. "We absolutely loved all the animals on the farm. We camped right next to the lower field with llamas, a pot belly pig and goats. It was so great to be able to look out the windows and see all of them," shares Marina T.
Consider accessibility for strollers: Paved trails make a big difference for families with young children. Tiffany D. specifically mentioned Little Tallapoosa Park having "paved trails" which were a "bonus for us as we have a baby in a stroller," making morning walks more manageable.
Seek out splash pads and playgrounds: Several parks offer water features specifically for children. "Just camped here recently with some friends and our kids. Took the kids to the splash pad and enjoyed cooking out and hanging out over night," Ryan N. says about McIntosh Reserve Park, highlighting its convenience for overnight trips with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements vary: At Red Top Mountain State Park, road quality and site angles can present challenges. "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," cautions Brock D., who found the park better suited for tent camping.
Hookup availability and placement: Pay attention to utility placement when selecting sites. "Forget the fact that water and sewer were on wrong side. Forget that water and sewer were gross and almost touching each other," warns one RVer about Sweetwater Creek RV Reserve, suggesting thorough research before booking.
Consider overflow areas for more space: Some parks offer alternative camping sections when main areas are full. "Great RV park that is owned and ran by the county. 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," shares Hollis K. about Little Tallapoosa Park.
