Getting out in the great outdoors is a wonderful way to connect with your family and with nature. Whether your family prefers tent camping, RV camping, lodge camping, or anything in between, there’s a campground within two hours from Marietta and East Cobb. That’s why Crème de la Crème of East Cobb has put together this list of our favorite camping destinations near Marietta, Georgia.

Payne Campground at Lake Allatoona

Image via Flickr by vastateparksstaff Licensed CC BY 2.0

Lake Allatoona is a large waterway that spans over 12,000 acres. Many parks and campgrounds, including Payne Campground, call portions of its 270-plus miles of shoreline home. This campground is located near Woodstock, Georgia, and is about 45 minutes northwest of East Cobb. It’s open from late March to early September, and you can enjoy tent camping right long the water or further inland with a short walk to the shore. 

There are a total of 60 campsites, including 49 tent sites with electric and water hookups and two RV sites with sewer hookups. You can reserve a site, or try to get one of the first-come, first served sites this campground has available. Some amenities you’ll find at this campground include a swimming beach, shore fishing, and a boat launch to enjoy time out on the water.

Clark Creek North Campground

Another campground along Lake Allatoona is Clark Creek North Campground in Acworth, which is approximately 30 minutes northwest of East Cobb on a different segment of the lake. There are 24 campsites that allow for campers of different sizes, with some sites accommodating RVs up to 40 feet long. Every campsite has electric and water hookups as well as an awesome view of the waterfront. However, this campground is only open from mid-May to early September, a shorter operating season than Payne Campground. 

Some of the amenities you’ll enjoy at Clark Creek North Campground include hot showers, bathroom facilities, a coin laundry room, and access to the boat launch. You can also fish offshore or off the dock, and can take advantage of the swimming beach nearby, too.

Red Top Mountain State Park

Red Top Mountain State Park is also located along Lake Allatoona, north of Clark Creek North Campground and about 40 minutes northwest of East Cobb. This park offers a wide variety of camping accommodations, including cottages, tent sites, trailer and RV sites, a yurt, and a pioneer campground for more primitive camping. 

Another benefit of camping here is all of the fun outdoorsy activities your family can take part in. Launch a boat or kayak onto Lake Allatoona, go water skiing, splash around at the swimming beach, bike the 4-mile bike trail, explore the 15 miles of hiking trails, or play tennis and pickleball. There are also three playgrounds for the kids, geocaching spots to discover, and lots of fish to catch. Plus, you’ll find plenty of scenic spots to have picnics.

Stone Mountain Park

Head in the opposite direction of Lake Allatoona to visit Stone Mountain Park and its campground. This camping destination is about an hour southeast of East Cobb, and it offers a variety of camping options, too. You can park your RV or pop-up camper, pitch your tent, or rent a yurt, safari tent, or RV. 

Every site comes with fire rings, a grill, and a picnic table so you can cook up fresh food and enjoy al fresco dining under the clouds and stars. Some campsites also have Wi-Fi and cable TV hookups so you can stay connected and entertained. The campground also features bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.

In terms of fun activities, the campground has a brand-new swimming pool, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and horseshoe courts. You’re also close to Stone Mountain Park’s activities, including the Summit Skyride, where you’ll get a 360-degree view of the park as you scale up to the top, the two 18-hole golf courses, seven nature trails for hiking, and shoreline fishing in Stone Mountain Lake. 

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Sweetwater Creek State Park and its camping area is due-west of Atlanta, just under an hour southwest of East Cobb. This state park’s campground offers two camping options: yurts and tent sites. While the campground is on the smaller side with just 15 total overnight camping sites, each site has a wonderful scenic view of the water and the surrounding forest landscape.

Staying at this campground means you get to enjoy fishing in either Sweetwater Creek or the George H. Sparks Reservoir from the docks or the shore. There are 15 miles of hiking trails, and you can go boating in a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat. You can also get close to nature while geocaching in the forest and exploring historical ruins.

Panola Mountain State Park

Less than 50 miles southeast of East Cobb is Panola Mountain State Park, where your family can get back to basics at one of the park’s primitive camping sites. It’s a small camping area, but the park is well worth the visit. 

There’s an amazing nature center where you can learn about the native plants and animals that call this park home, an amphitheater where the park holds events, and a playground for kids of all ages. You’ll also find plenty of spots to fish in the park’s two lakes, an archery range to practice your shot, bouldering opportunities for experienced climbers, and hiking trails for every skill level. 

High Falls State Park

High Falls State Park and its campground is about 1.5 hours south of East Cobb. Here you’ll find yurts, a pioneer campground, a 25-person paddle-in primitive campsite, and multi-use campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs. In addition to the many types of camping accommodations, this park is also home to the tallest waterfall south of Atlanta and features three hiking trails ranging from easy to very challenging that let you explore the natural scenery and historic structures. 

In addition to hiking, your family will also enjoy mini-golf, a swimming pool, boating and fishing on the Towaliga River, and geocaching for hidden treasures.

So there you have it, the seven best places to go camping near Marietta and East Cobb. Did we miss your family’s favorite camping spot? If so, contact us today. We’ll be sure to add it to our growing list!