Best Places to Camp Near Atlanta This Fall

The Dyrt

It’s called Hotlanta for a reason: Six months out of the year, Georgia’s sweltering capital city more than lives up to its moniker. But come fall and early winter, temperatures drop into the 50s and 60s, mosquitos vanish, and fresh, crisp air flows into the campsites and forests hidden throughout the metro area. While the rest of the country buckles down for bad weather—or needs specialized gear to keep camping—Atlanta remains an outdoor-lovers’ paradise all winter long. Here are five of the best places to snag a weekend camping trip within an hour’s drive or less.

Lake Allatoona

Located 45 minutes northwest of Downtown Atlanta, Lake Allatoona is a wild maze of forested peninsulas, quiet coves, and sandy beaches, making it one of North Georgia’s favorite spots for a spontaneous weekend camping trip. You’ll find a handful of wooded campsites along the lake’s east side. The McKinney Campground is the closest of the bunch to Atlanta and one of the few that’s open year-round. It’s also among the best for waterfront camping: Many of MicKinney’s 150 sites offer tent-door views of the lake. Got a mountain bike? Check out nearby Allatoona Creek Park for some of the area’s best riding.

Chattahoochee Bend State Park

This tranquil riverside park occupies more than five miles of quiet waterfront along the Chattahoochee River, just an hour southwest of Atlanta’s city center. It’s just far away from the metro bustle to feel like a true escape—but not so far that you feel like you’ve got to take off work to make a weekend worth it. Grab one of the campsites at the park’s western edge for the best shoreline views. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, rent a canoe from a local outfitter.

Stone Mountain State Park

In the summer, Stone Mountain is usually overrun with tourists. But come fall and winter, the crowds empty out, leaving the sprawling Stone Mountain Park Campground blessedly calm. Reserve a yurt along the campground’s northern edge for five-star glamping and lakeside views, or go the adventurous route with a primitive tent site in the same zone. On-site boat rentals are unavailable through winter, but fishing is permitted year-round; pack a rod and reel and cast for crappie, catfish, carp, and bass.

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Sweetwater Creek is the most visited state park in Georgia—and for good reason. This small-but-mighty recreation area contains serene hardwood forest, miles of singletrack trail, top-notch bass fishing, and even the ruins of a Civil War-era mill. Best of all: You’ll only need to drive a half-hour west of Downtown Atlanta to get there. Fortunately, the crowds thin as the leaves drop, making it easy to find solitude on winter weekends. Choose from a variety of yurt, RV, and tent sites along the shore of the George Sparks Reservoir, and bring your hiking shoes: This park boasts more than 15 miles of quiet, wooded trails.

High Falls State Park

Named for its iconic tiered cascade, High Falls State Park encompasses one of theTowaliga River’s most scenic miles. It’s also located just an hour southeast of Atlanta, making it well within striking distance for a weekend getaway. Visit the falls on a short, 1.5-mile loop hike, then snag a tent or RV site along the park’s southern border. Own a rod and reel? Be sure to tack on a side trip to Towaliga Lake—just north of the park—for some of the best white- and hybrid-bass fishing in the state.