Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
Heavenly! Red Top Mountain State Park
Spot #50 is perfection! Feels like you live alone on a tiny peninsula. Perfect place to explore trails, go fishing, enjoy sunset, and just be.
143 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northern suburbs of Marietta, Georgia provide access to multiple camping environments within a 30-minute drive, primarily centered around Lake Allatoona and its surrounding recreation areas. Red Top Mountain State Park offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals in a wooded setting. Several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds including McKinney, Victoria, and Sweetwater provide lakefront options with varying levels of amenities. Stone Mountain Park, located east of Atlanta, features a comprehensive campground with tent sites, RV facilities, and yurts. For those seeking accommodations directly in Marietta, Atlanta-Marietta RV Park provides dedicated RV spaces with full hookups.
Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during the peak season from April through October. Many Corps of Engineers sites operate seasonally, typically closing from late fall through early spring. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. As one camper noted, "McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake is very woodsy with a nice lake. Hiking, rafting, and walking all around. Very green in the summer!" Terrain varies from relatively flat developed areas to more challenging sites with steep access to water. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some coverage gaps exist in more remote areas.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, with many campers highlighting sunset and sunrise views over Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier. According to one reviewer, "If you want lake front, they got it! Almost all sites either have a view of the lake or are right on Lake Allatoona." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common at many campgrounds. Families appreciate the swimming areas and boat rentals available at several parks. Noise levels vary significantly, with some campgrounds enforcing strict quiet hours while others experience moderate boat traffic during summer months. Campers report that most facilities maintain clean bathhouses and well-maintained sites, though some note that waterfront sites require early booking, sometimes months in advance during peak season.
"I stayed at the walk- in campsites with waterfront view and access to walk down to the water. There is no electric at site and water didn’t work."
"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."
from $40 - $315 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $44 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $34 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $28 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $290 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $64 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $68 / night
Check Availability"Lots of sites are waterfront or has access to the lake, that is a plus. The lake area is tranquil and quiet."
"Wanted to know every detail of everyone in our party, and my husband came late and I have to give notice for him to join us ( the campground is gated) Now the positives- It’s right on beautiful lake Allatoona"
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"There is also signage to verify that you are going the right way until you see the CG entrance. We pulled into the gate area and were checked in by the attendant on duty."
"Clark Creek North is a small gem tucked along the shore of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta. It is small with just 24 spots equipped with water and electric and every spot has water access."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $60 - $650 / night
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Spot #50 is perfection! Feels like you live alone on a tiny peninsula. Perfect place to explore trails, go fishing, enjoy sunset, and just be.
We stayed at Winding Waters Riverfront RV Resort for four nights after picking up our new 5th wheel toy hauler from Three Way Campers in Marietta to thoroughly test all of the RV's systems while remaining close to the dealership if any issues arose. We followed the emailed arrival instructions, checked in quickly, and were escorted to pull-through Site 89 with full hookups. The staff was friendly, service-oriented, and very accommodating throughout our stay. We spent our first night in the pull-through before moving to a river-view back-in site. The staff initially suggested Site 190, but after we noticed it had very little yard space, they happily moved us to Site 193, which better suited our needs. The resort offers several unsecured Wi-Fi networks; we selected the strongest signal and averaged 82 Mbps download and 9 Mbps upload. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked well. We didn't bring Starlink on this trip, but with very few trees throughout the main campground, it should perform well in most sites. The pull-through sites are better spaced than many campgrounds of this type, although we still wouldn't describe them as spacious. We appreciated the PVC chairs and round tables found at many sites instead of the typical picnic table, and there are five"Paw Pen" pull-through sites with private fenced pet areas. The nearby dog park consists of two small fenced runs that are adequate for potty breaks but not really large enough to throw a ball. Although the water park and numerous family-oriented amenities are not typically what we look for in a campground, Winding Waters was an excellent place to shake down our new rig.
Really nice newer RV park located in the mountains. They originally were a motorhome only resort, but since opened it up to towable units (still no tents). Many sites have great mountain views and the website has pictures of each site so you can decide what you want and how much you want to pay. They accept Passport America and give a 50% discount for up to a two-week stay which is why we stayed for two weeks. That discount made it a great place for a full hook-up RV resort with nice amenities. We loved the campground and the owners are super nice and helpful. Upon check-in, you get a nice welcome packet full of information about the local area and a loaf of homemade sourdough bread (which was delicious!!!!). Sites are basically a double site so where you park your camper and patio are both paved. They have “Solo” type firepits so you can move them wherever you want and not destroy the grass or pavement. Our site had two comfortable patio chairs and a picnic table. Everything is paved so no dusty roads or dirty sites. They allow you to wash your RV and car which was a big plus for us since they both needed it. The utilities worked well. There is a really nice swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables. The clubhouse is large and a great gathering place that offers free Nespresso coffee, snacks, and information. There are a couple of hiking trails on the property and they offer guided walks with staff. The nearby town of Talking Rock is really cute with restaurants, a brewery, shops, and a general store that sells a variety of items including firewood and pantry staples. We would definitely stay here again.
Red Top Mountain State Park is surrounded by Altoona Lake with boat docks & marina for water sports.
I had one of tha best times at McKinney campground.. tha water is perfect and its so pretty .. the people that runs it also was very polite and very kind.. I highly recommend this locations
They have plenty of pads for pull behinds or the fancy RV. Plenty of hookups for all your needs. 2 pools, weight room, live music, restaurant, bar, dog park, dog bath, and close to all local stores.
We had a wonderful 2-night stay at Timberline Glamping River Forks! The tent was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully set up with everything we needed. Being right on Lake Lanier made the experience even more special, with easy lake access for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying the beautiful views. The peaceful atmosphere was perfect for relaxing and unwinding while still enjoying outdoor adventures. The hosts were friendly, responsive, and made everything easy from start to finish. If you’re looking for a unique glamping experience with comfort, nature, and lake activities all in one place, Timberline Glamping River Forks is a great choice. We can’t wait to visit again!
We have been here twice. Site 10 (on water) and 38 (next to playground. The sites are huge, everything is clean, hot steady flow water can be tricky but as a mom of 7, I love that it feels secluded but is close to target and Publix! Love this place and it is our go to when we visit the North Georgia Revival. Highly recommend!
We have now been to this campground three times - twice in the fall and now this last time in the spring. The fall foliage is beautiful and it's fun to get apples and such in Ellijay.
This time, there was definitely more boat and Jet Ski traffic, but did not take away from the beauty of the campground. The bathroom is older, but clean, and a bit of a hike down a hill and then back up the hill from the loop we were in, but not bad. We were glad to have a clean place to shower, nevertheless. There are lots of trees and the sites are rather spacious and nice, having water and electric hookups. Our site was lovely with a concrete pad and nice deck.
We have Verizon and had service at the site. We enjoyed our little mountain getaway very much!
Campgrounds near Marietta, Georgia range from state parks to urban RV sites, offering varied experiences for tent and RV campers. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground provides accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options, while Atlanta-Marietta RV Park offers convenient access to city attractions. These mixed-use campgrounds typically feature standard amenities such as picnic tables, restrooms, and shower facilities, with many providing full hookup options for RVs.
Seasonal conditions affect camping availability throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Sweetwater Campground operating only from March through early September. "We've used this campground few times passing through. It's a great midway point for us," noted one visitor about the Atlanta-Marietta RV Park, highlighting its convenient location. Most developed sites require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when occupancy rates are highest. While some campgrounds operate year-round, including Stone Mountain Park and Red Top Mountain, others follow seasonal schedules that reflect weather patterns and visitor demand in the region.
Campers report varied experiences with amenities and site quality across the Marietta area. Several visitors mentioned road noise as a factor at Atlanta-Marietta RV Park, though its proximity to Atlanta attractions makes it a practical base for city exploration. More natural settings can be found at locations like Red Top Mountain State Park, offering greater privacy and outdoor recreation opportunities. Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds, with some reviewers noting the close proximity of sites at urban RV parks. Water access represents a highlight at several campgrounds, particularly those situated on Allatoona Lake like McKinney Campground and Payne Campground, where boating access complements the camping experience. Reservation lead times tend to be longer for waterfront sites and during baseball season for campgrounds near the stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free camping options available near Marietta?
While true free camping is limited around Marietta, nearby Corps of Engineers areas sometimes offer dispersed camping options. Buford Dam Park Shelters (GA) provides affordable access to Lake Lanier with parking close to the street and paths leading to the lakeside. For more dedicated free camping options, you'll need to venture about 1-2 hours north into national forest land. Always check with land management agencies before setting up camp, as regulations change and permits may be required even for free sites.
Where are the best campgrounds near Marietta, GA?
Stone Mountain Park Campground consistently ranks among the best camping options near Marietta, offering a world-renowned setting with impressive fireworks and laser shows plus extensive trails for outdoor exploration. Amicalola Falls State Park Camping is another excellent option featuring a stunning 730-foot cascading waterfall accessible by stairs and bridge. This park serves as an access point to the Appalachian Trail and the backcountry Len Foote Hike Inn. Both campgrounds provide a perfect mix of natural beauty and amenities within reasonable driving distance from Marietta.
What types of camping facilities are available in Marietta for RV travelers?
Atlanta West Campground caters primarily to RVs and is set up for longer-term stays with full hookups. It's conveniently located near downtown, making it ideal for RV travelers wanting to explore the Marietta area. Atlanta-Marietta RV Park offers drive-in access with reservable sites that are big-rig friendly and include essential amenities like water and toilet facilities. Most RV parks in the area provide electric hookups, water connections, and dump stations, with many featuring additional amenities like WiFi, laundry facilities, and communal gathering spaces.
Are there tent camping sites with water access near Marietta?
Doll Mountain Campground offers excellent tent camping with water access on Carter's Lake. The sites are nestled among trees with plenty of hammock spots, and a short walk takes you to the water. Note that most sites don't offer beach-style walk-in access. Bolding Mill provides lakeside camping with sites close to the water, though you'll want to reserve early for prime waterfront locations. McKinney Campground on Allatoona Lake north of Atlanta offers a woodsy setting with lake access perfect for hiking, walking, and water activities.
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