Best Campgrounds near Waleska, GA

Waleska, Georgia serves as a gateway to multiple established campgrounds along Lake Allatoona and surrounding areas. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground and McKinney Campground provide diverse accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region feature water and electric hookups, with several offering full sewer connections for RVs. Sweetwater Campground and Victoria Campground provide additional options within 15 miles of Waleska, each maintaining waterfront access and basic amenities for overnight stays.

Seasonal availability varies significantly among these camping areas, with some facilities operating year-round while others close during winter months. Sweetwater Campground typically operates from mid-March through early September, while McKinney Campground remains open throughout the year. Tent campers can find water and electric hookups at most established sites, though primitive camping options are limited in the immediate area. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer when lakefront sites fill quickly. A visitor noted, "The lake is definitely low, we walked across the deep end of the swimming area. Overall the campground is well maintained and staffed by professional retirees."

Lake Allatoona serves as the central feature for camping in this region, with numerous campgrounds offering direct water access. Campers consistently rate waterfront sites highest, particularly those with level parking pads and adequate shade. Several developed campgrounds maintain boat ramps, designated swimming areas, and fishing access points around the lake's perimeter. Privacy between campsites varies considerably, with some locations featuring adequate spacing while others position sites in closer proximity. A recent review noted, "Not a lot of privacy or woods between camp sites but all services available and plenty of spots right on lake line." Most campgrounds provide clean restroom facilities and trash collection, though amenities like showers may be limited at certain locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Waleska, Georgia (361)

    1. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground

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

    $40 - $315 / 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."

    2. Sweetwater Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    9 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."

    3. Victoria Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lebanon, GA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "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"

    4. Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    57 Reviews
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 265-4703

    "It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."

    "If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be."

    5. Mckinney Campground

    24 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    17 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."

    6. Payne Campground

    13 Reviews
    Woodstock, GA
    14 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."

    7. Mckaskey Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (678) 721-6700

    $24 - $34 / night

    "My dad SCUBA dives quite a bit in a quarry nearby, so this is a great site for the family to stay with the camper."

    "It also seems as though most have access to the lake and the bath houses are pretty clean."

    8. Clark Creek North Campground

    12 Reviews
    Acworth, GA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 387-5149

    $34 / night

    "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."

    9. Doll Mountain Campground

    22 Reviews
    Talking Rock, GA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 276-4413

    $26 - $100 / night

    "Doll Mountain Campground near Ellijay, Georgia is located on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake, and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. "

    "The sites are tucked into the trees, lots of great spots for your hammock! We stayed at a walk-in site, but were still close to a pit toilet and our car."

    10. Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing

    11 Reviews
    Emerson, GA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 974-6089

    $42 - $52 / night

    "The lake is beautiful. It’s quiet other than the occasional train whistles. The WiFi is pretty much non existent so don’t plan on that. Even with a booster we couldn’t pick it up."

    "The bathrooms were pretty amazing compared to the last campground we were at which was also on alatoona lake as well. ( McKinney camp ground ) The first night we got here it was packed, like crazy packed"

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Recent Reviews near Waleska, GA

1257 Reviews of 361 Waleska 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
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Calhoun A-OK Campground

    Now called CedarBreak…

    Not KOA anymore - the campground has been renamed CedarBreak. New owners and they are very nice and helpful. Nicely Renovated office and store. Upgraded our site when they knew our plans. Minor sound from adjacent road, other than that very quiet, clean, nice layout with trees, good site spacing, I’ll be back.

  • Suzanne-Will C.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Woodring Branch Primitive Campground — Carters Lake

    Great Tent Camping

    I love that this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road. The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites.

  • 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.

  • J
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA)

    Beautiful and Quiet

    My girls group and I wanted to do a quick weekend glamping trip. One long rocky road and an active bear warning later we were rocking it by the creek. Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There’s a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek. There’s no cell service or security so make sure you’re making safe decisions :)

  • 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

  • Alisha L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Morganton Point Campground

    Great spot!

    We had a great time and loved this campground. Our site had a view of the water with the leaves off the trees and a little trail down to the water. A little close our neighbors but not terrible, for the most part felt private. Would go again!


Guide to Waleska

Camping near Waleska, Georgia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Fort Mountain State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There are a lot of hiking trails as well as the lake where you can rent paddle boats, swim or fish."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Don Carter State Park Campground. A camper shared, "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail!"
  • Swimming: Relax by the water at Sweetwater Campground. One visitor noted, "The campground is gated, and the gates are shut between 10:30pm and 8am, so if you are arriving late, make sure you get in before 10:30!"

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Raven Cliff Falls, have fewer amenities. A camper warned, "The bathrooms in the parking area are filthy."
  • Steep Roads: Be prepared for steep roads when heading to Fort Mountain State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "I gave my transmission a workout climbing up the mountain to get here."
  • Wildlife: Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially bears, at places like Fort Mountain State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Bears were active in the area."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like Stone Mountain Park Campground. One family said, "Tons of things to do train rides, gondola ride to the top, hiking and fireworks."
  • Plan for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during events. A visitor at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "In October there are different activities for the kids."
  • Bring Snacks: Make sure to pack snacks and drinks, especially if you're hiking. A camper at Vogel State Park Campground noted, "The park has a very nice and well-stocked visitor center."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Before booking, check the size of the sites at Unicoi State Park & Lodge. One RVer said, "If you’re around 40’, you’ll fit - but anything over probably would not."
  • Use Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like Don Carter State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "Has grey tank hookup which is nice."
  • Be Mindful of Road Conditions: Some roads can be narrow or steep, especially at Fort Mountain State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "The roads are narrow, but in good repair."

Camping near Waleska, Georgia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Waleska, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Waleska, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 361 campgrounds and RV parks near Waleska, GA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Waleska, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waleska, GA is Red Top Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 78 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Waleska, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Waleska, GA.

What parks are near Waleska, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Waleska, GA that allow camping, notably Allatoona Lake and Carters Lake.