## Overview

 Payne Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
## Recreation

 Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation. Nearly 7 million visitors each year enjoy picnicking, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing, boating and observing wildlife along the 270 miles of shoreline. The lake is annually stocked with bass, crappie, bream, gar and catfish, making it a popular destination for anglers. Fishing jetties are available at numerous shoreline fishing locations, and a dock is provided at the campground.
## Facilities

 Payne Campground provides 57 spacious reservable campsites, conveniently located near the dock and swimming beach. Fire rings, picnic areas, drinking water, flush toilets and showers are all provided, creating a comfortable camping experience for visitors.
## Natural Features

 Located only 35 miles from Atlanta, Allatoona Lake is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer visitors respite from the rush of city living. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The city of Acworth and Woodstock are nearby, offering restaurants, shopping, and historic downtown areas. Historic sites like the Etowah Indian Mounds and Booth Western Art Museum are a close drive to the city of Cartersville. The Visitor Center at Allatoona Lake Project Management Office features video exhibits and displays about the area\_\_\_s history, ranging from the time of early Native Americans, to the Civil War and to present times. The Visitor Center overlooks the dam and offers many hiking trails. Red Top Mountain State Park has more than 15 miles of trails and offers interpretive programs. Eight marinas are located on Allatoona Lake that offer boat rentals and restaurants. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located in Kennesaw and White Water Park is in Marietta. Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium are located in Atlanta. 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (678) 721-6700.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night\'s use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night\'s reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cancellations for a single night\'s use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night\'s use fee. Cancellations for a single night\'s use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under \"Late Cancellations\" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. \_\_\_ Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. \_\_\_ Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. \_\_\_ Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Payne Campground

This was such a lovely campground on the lake! Very quiet and peaceful. We have four kids and a large tent (10x20) so we paid for a "premium" site - not only to get a site big enough to fit our crew, but as an added bonus it was on the gorgeous lake (see photos)! While our site was fairly secluded, large, and shaded, we checked out the other sites and there were plenty that were packed in tightly or wouldn't have fit our tent, so definitely check the sites out online before booking. The staff at check-in were so sweet and helpful and we found the facilities clean and adequate.

Lovely Campground on the Lake 

site 2 was nice and shady. our dog loved to swim in the lake,!  it had a single bathhouse that was nice. it is close to Woodstock ga. which is a nice little town. other spots are right on the water if you like that.

on the lake

Wow what a view and location.  Too bad it is only open for the summer.  If you have a kayak SUP or canoe paddle back deep into the cove for some pristine and quiet areas.    Some of the sites are close together but it is worth it for the location.  If you like to camp with a neighbor there are a few double sites too. 

Too bad it is seasonal

We stopped here for the night on our way to Dahlonega and were so happy we did! We had a secluded, beautiful primitive site with rocky lake access that we managed to get our kayak onto the water on. Clean spots, friendly staff at the front, and we met some fun people! We definitely plan on returning for a weekend trip.

Glad we stopped!

The camp host was very nice and friendly. The site was clean but it had a very thick layer on P gravel and made it difficult to walk around. Camp sites was very close together with very little privacy (winter time, no leaves). Site 21 which we stayed in fits an average size for a small camper, fire pit was in an inconvenient spot for putting chairs around it. 

Clean and friendly 

Just got back from camping at Payne Campground for the weekend. It is in a quite cove on Lake Allatoona. Second time camping here. Camped on 03/04 double campsite. My buddy brought his camper and we were in a tent. We did use the shower facility, and it was in pretty good condition. My buddy said the asphalt was not level and he had a hard time leveling his rig. It was near the water, and we were able to beach his boat there. The fire ring was nice and had a flip top grill. Overall fun spot, just watch out for all the poison ivy surrounding the site if you camp in this spot...

Great Lake Camping, but watch out for poison ivy. 

If you are into boating and have a 30’ or less camper or like to tent camp this is the place for you. There are several lake front sites, both with power/water hookups and primitive tent sites. If you have a larger RV (35’ or bigger) your choice of sites is limited. There are only 2 sites (59 &amp; 60) with full hookups (which are not near the water) but are very spacious. Many of the sites that are advertised as fitting larger rigs would be very challenging to get into and some would be impossible. The bathhouse was in good shape but dated as would be expected for an older COE. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful. We probably won’t be back as we are not lake type folks but will leave space open for other to enjoy. 