Camping areas near Winston, Georgia are nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 750 to 1,100 feet. The region experiences mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures and hot, humid summers that typically reach the upper 80s to low 90s°F. Most camping facilities in the area remain open year-round, though water systems at some parks may be winterized during colder months.
What to do
Hiking the ruins trail: At Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground, trails lead to historical sites with varying difficulty levels. "The hiking is a mixture of trails and old gravel roads. There is a large loop to see everything that is intersected by shorter cross trails. Very busy down near the ruins, but worth the hike to see the area," notes reviewer Shelly S.
Paddling opportunities: Lake Allatoona at Mckinney Campground offers water access for kayaking and fishing. "The sites are nice and paved with full hookups. There was even a dish at are site for satellite. Nice paved trails for hiking. They have equestrian trails," explains a visitor. Most waterfront sites require reservations weeks in advance during summer months.
Mini golf and swimming: John Tanner Park offers family recreation beyond standard camping activities. "They have a playground, a beach for swimming, paved trails along the beach, backcountry trails, snow cones and putt putt," says Dori H. The mini golf course costs $5 per person and the swimming beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What campers like
Lake views: The waterfront camping at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground provides scenic settings. "Every single plot had a beautiful view, plenty of space and power hookup, water etc. I've only camped with a tent, it's hard ground but loved it," shares Dale C. Sites along the water typically cost $5-10 more than standard sites.
Private tent sites: Little Tallapoosa Park offers spacious areas for tent camping separate from RVs. "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," notes Sarah F., who adds that "the tent sites have electricity, too. My kids enjoyed biking around the camping loop."
Hiking variety: The trail system at Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground provides opportunities for different skill levels. "Clean park with plenty of campsites. Clean restrooms with showers. Beautiful hiking trails, very wooded and shaded," reports Dori H. The park maintains 12 miles of trails with minimal elevation change, making them accessible for most ability levels.
What you should know
Limited tent sites: The availability of tent-specific camping areas can be restricted at some parks. "Beautiful campground with great hiking. I wish there were more tent sites. Very friendly staff," states Virginia W. about Sweetwater Creek State Park. Reservations for tent sites should be made 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays during spring and fall.
Varied shower facilities: Bathroom quality differs significantly between parks. At Little Tallapoosa Park, "the bathrooms were pretty clean and there is even a laundry facility," according to Sarah F. Some smaller parks like McIntosh Reserve have more basic facilities that receive less frequent maintenance.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging internal roads. One visitor noted about Red Top Mountain: "Heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained. Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: McIntosh Reserve Park offers water play areas for children. "I've been to sweetwater several times and is a go-to for day trips. Camping here is fun and facilities available," reports Ernest H. The splash pad typically operates from May through September with hours from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Playground amenities: Multiple parks include play structures for children. At John Tanner Park, a visitor notes: "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."
Junior Ranger activities: Some parks maintain educational programs despite pandemic restrictions. At Red Top Mountain, one camper observed: "Friendly staff, with the Jr ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Stone Mountain Park Campground, choosing the right location makes a difference. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it. Our site was on the lake. My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site," explains Susan K. Most campers recommend sites in the O and P sections for the best combination of shade and lake views.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds provide complete utility connections. "We stayed in the equine section. Total of 12 sites. Only 3 of us there. Nice and quiet," notes a camper at Little Tallapoosa Park. Hookup types and availability vary across the parks, with premium sites often charging an additional $5-15 per night.
Terrain challenges: Prepare for leveling needs at many area campgrounds. According to one RVer at McIntosh Reserve: "We were 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."
