KOA Campgrounds Near Atlanta, GA: Best Options, Driving Times, and What to Expect

If you’re searching for KOA campgrounds near Atlanta, GA, you’re really asking two things:

1. How close can I camp at a KOA and still pop back into the city easily?
2. Which KOAs around Atlanta are best for my style of trip (family weekend, long RV stay, quick overnight, or road trip base)?

Atlanta doesn’t have a KOA inside the city limits, but there are several KOA locations within a 1–3 hour drive that work well for metro Atlanta residents and visitors. Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to each of the closest KOAs, how far they are, what they’re like, and how to choose the right one for your trip.

Quick Comparison: KOA Campgrounds Within a Few Hours of Atlanta

Use this table to compare driving distance from downtown Atlanta, general direction, and typical vibe.

Note: Exact drive time depends on Atlanta traffic and your starting neighborhood (Midtown vs. Gwinnett vs. Southside, etc.). Always check current conditions on I‑75, I‑285, and I‑20 before you go.

Closest KOA to Atlanta: Cartersville KOA Journey

For most people who live inside the Perimeter or on the north side, the Cartersville KOA Journey is the closest KOA option.

Where it is relative to Atlanta

• Direction: Northwest of Atlanta
• Main route: Usually via I‑75 North
• Typical drive: Around 45–60 minutes from Downtown/ Midtown Atlanta in normal traffic

If you’re in Kennesaw, Marietta, or Smyrna, this can feel especially close—sometimes under 40 minutes in lighter traffic.

What this KOA is like

Cartersville KOA is often used by:

• Atlanta families looking for a short weekend camping trip
• RV travelers moving north/south on I‑75
• People wanting something quieter than a state park but still with full hookups and amenities

You can usually expect:

• RV sites: Pull-thru and back-in sites with water and electric; many have sewer hookups
• Tent sites: Basic sites for car campers and tent campers
• Cabins: Simple camping cabins for people who want a bed but not a hotel

Common amenities at KOA Journey locations (patterns to expect):

• Bathhouses with hot showers
• Laundry facilities
• A small camp store with basic supplies
• Playground or recreation area for kids
• Propane fill station at many locations
• Pet‑friendly areas

This campground works well if you:

• Want to leave Friday after work from Atlanta and get your tent set up before dark
• Need a comfortable base while exploring northwest Georgia (Etowah Indian Mounds, Red Top Mountain State Park, Lake Allatoona area)

KOA South of Atlanta: Forsyth KOA Journey

If you live on the southside (College Park, East Point, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, McDonough) or you’re heading toward Florida or the Georgia coast, the Forsyth KOA Journey is a key stop.

Distance from Atlanta

• Direction: South of Atlanta, along I‑75
• Typical drive: Around 1–1.5 hours from Downtown, depending on I‑75 traffic

From the Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport area, it can be closer to an hour in good conditions.

Who this KOA is best for

Forsyth KOA is often used as:

• An overnight stop on long drives between Atlanta and Florida
• A halfway point for metro Atlanta residents headed to south Georgia or the Gulf Coast
• A comfortable campground for RVers who want easy access right off an interstate

You’ll typically find:

• Full‑hookup RV sites designed for easy in/out
• Tent sites and sometimes cabins
• A focus on convenience, especially for road-trippers

If you:

• Don’t want to drive all the way to Florida in one day
• Need a KOA with reliable amenities on a long I‑75 trip
• Live near Stockbridge, Locust Grove, or Henry County and want a manageable weekend outing

…this is often the more convenient KOA than heading north.

KOA in the Columbus Area: Columbus South / Fort Moore KOA

If you or family members are connected with Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) or you’re visiting the Columbus area from Atlanta, Columbus South / Fort Moore KOA can be a strategic choice.

Getting there from Atlanta

• Direction: Southwest
• Typical route:I‑85 South, then I‑185 toward Columbus
• Drive time: Around 1.5–2 hours from Downtown Atlanta, varying with traffic

For those in Newnan, Peachtree City, or Fairburn, the drive can be shorter than for someone starting in Midtown.

Why Atlanta residents choose this KOA

This KOA often serves:

• Military families and visitors going to Fort Moore
• People doing a Columbus riverfront or Chattahoochee River trip
• RV travelers passing through west Georgia and east Alabama

You’ll usually see:

• RV sites designed for longer stays
• A mix of short-term vacationers and longer-term guests
• Standard KOA amenities with an emphasis on convenience and accessibility

It works well if your plans include:

• Combining Atlanta sightseeing with a few days near Fort Moore
• Traveling between Atlanta, Montgomery, and the Gulf Coast, breaking up the drive with a KOA stay

Mountain KOA Options North of Atlanta: Chattanooga & Lookout Mountain

If you’re craving mountain views, cooler air, and more dramatic scenery than what’s directly around Atlanta, heading toward Chattanooga can make a lot of sense. Two common KOA choices for Atlantans:

1. Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA
2. Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA

Driving time and direction

From central Atlanta:

• Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA

  • Via I‑75 North, then toward the Lookout Mountain area
  • Often about 1.5–2 hours in decent traffic

• Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA

  • Via I‑75 North through Chattanooga
  • Often close to 2 hours, plus or minus

These distances work well for a Friday evening departure, especially for folks in Woodstock, Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, or Cumming, where access to I‑575/I‑75 is straightforward.

What to expect at these north-of-Atlanta KOAs

These KOAs are popular for:

• Weekend getaways from metro Atlanta
• Road trips along I‑75 toward Kentucky/Ohio
• Outdoor adventures around Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and Chickamauga Battlefield

Typical features you might find:

• Variety of RV sites (pull‑thru, back‑in, full hookups)
• Tent sites with shade and picnic areas
• Cabins or deluxe cabins for a glamping-style stay
• Family-friendly amenities such as:
  • Pools (seasonal)
  • Playground areas
  • Small camp store or snack bar

If you want more of a mountain experience than you’d get at a KOA closer to Atlanta’s suburbs, these are strong candidates.

Reaching the Smokies from Atlanta: Townsend / Great Smokies KOA

For metro Atlanta residents willing to drive a bit farther, the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA area is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Distance from Atlanta

• Direction: Northeast, into Tennessee
• Typical route: I‑85 North to US‑441 or via I‑75 then across to the Smokies region
• Drive time: Usually around 3–3.5 hours from Atlanta in normal traffic

This is more of a long weekend or multiday trip than an after-work camping run.

Why Atlantans head here

This type of KOA is often chosen for:

• Access to Smoky Mountain hiking, rivers, and scenic drives
• A “vacation basecamp” with KOA comforts plus outdoor adventure
• Family trips that combine a KOA stay with visits to nearby towns and parks

You can typically expect:

• A mix of RV, tent, and cabin accommodations
• Strong focus on outdoor recreation (river access, nearby trails)
• Heavier seasonal crowds, especially in fall (leaf-peeping season) and summer

How to Choose the Right KOA Near Atlanta for Your Trip

Several KOAs are within a half‑day’s drive of Atlanta, so it helps to narrow your choice with a few practical questions.

1. How much time do you want to spend driving?

• Under 1 hour from much of Atlanta:
  • Cartersville KOA Journey is often the closest overall
• About 1–1.5 hours:
  • Forsyth KOA Journey (especially convenient from the south side)
• Around 1.5–2 hours:
  • Columbus South / Fort Moore KOA
  • Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA
  • Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA
• 3+ hours:
  • Smokies-area KOAs, better for longer trips

If you’re leaving after office hours on a Friday from Midtown or Buckhead, staying under a 2‑hour drive can make a big difference in how relaxing the trip feels.

2. Are you in an RV, tent, or looking for a cabin?

Most KOAs around Atlanta offer all three, but their strengths can vary:

• RVers
  • Look for KOAs describing pull‑thru, full‑hookup sites
  • Consider how close you are to interstates like I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 for easy arrival/departure
• Tent campers
  • Check for shaded sites, distance to bathrooms, and quiet hours
  • Closer KOAs like Cartersville may feel more convenient for simple weekend tent trips
• Cabin campers
  • If you don’t want to deal with full gear, cabins can be a good middle ground
  • Longer-drive KOAs in the mountains or Smokies often have more cabin options

3. Do you want a base for Atlanta, or a base to escape Atlanta?

If you:

• Live in Atlanta and want to escape the city:
  • KOAs in Cartersville, Chattanooga area, and Columbus can give you a more “away-from-it-all” vibe.
• Are visiting Atlanta and want to camp but still access city attractions:
  • Cartersville KOA and Forsyth KOA are close enough for a day trip into Atlanta (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium) if you don’t mind some driving.
  • Just plan around rush hour on I‑75 and the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).

Planning Your KOA Trip from Atlanta: Practical Tips

Here are focused, Atlanta-specific planning points to make your KOA stay smoother.

1. Plan around Atlanta traffic

Expect congestion:

• Weekday mornings: I‑75/I‑85 into Downtown, GA‑400, and the northern I‑285 perimeter
• Weekday evenings: Outbound traffic toward Cobb, Gwinnett, and South Fulton/Clayton

If possible:

• Leave before 3 p.m. on Fridays for northbound trips (Cartersville/Chattanooga)
• For southbound trips (Forsyth), aim to be past McDonough before the heavier rush if you can

2. Factor in your starting point in the metro area

Atlantans often underestimate how different travel times are by neighborhood:

• From Sandy Springs, Roswell, or Alpharetta:
  • Northern KOAs (Cartersville, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga area) are usually most convenient.
• From Decatur, Stone Mountain, or Tucker:
  • You may find it roughly similar time-wise to head northwest (Cartersville) or southeast (Forsyth) depending on traffic.
• From College Park, Union City, or Fayetteville:
  • Southern KOAs such as Forsyth or southwestern KOAs near Columbus may be faster and easier.

3. Reserve ahead, especially for weekends and holidays

Around Atlanta, it’s common to see weekend traffic and campground demand spike:

• Spring and fall are extremely popular camping seasons in Georgia and Tennessee.
• Major holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, fall breaks) often book out early.

Reserving ahead is especially important if you:

• Need adjacent sites for multiple families
• Have a larger RV
• Want a specific site type (like a patio site or certain cabin type)

4. Check what’s near your KOA

When leaving from Atlanta, think about what you’ll do once you arrive at the KOA:

• Cartersville/Allatoona area
  • Lakes, hiking, small-town downtowns, local museums
• Forsyth area
  • A quieter experience, smaller towns, good overnight for long highway trips
• Columbus/Fort Moore area
  • Riverwalk, historic district, military-related visits
• Chattanooga/Lookout Mountain
  • Mountain views, caves, riverfront, family attractions
• Smokies area
  • National park access, hiking, scenic byways

That helps you decide whether your KOA is just a rest stop, or a destination.

Alternatives Near Atlanta if You Don’t Need a KOA Specifically

If you prefer the KOA “feel” but can be flexible if a KOA is a bit far, consider these nearby alternatives around Atlanta:

• Georgia State Parks (managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

  • Examples within about 1–1.5 hours of Atlanta:
    • Red Top Mountain State Park (near Cartersville)
    • High Falls State Park (south of Atlanta off I‑75)
    • Fort Yargo State Park (near Winder, east/northeast of Atlanta)
  • Many offer:
    • RV and tent camping
    • Cabins or yurts in some locations
    • Lake access, hiking, and ranger-led activities

• Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier

  • Often more rustic than a KOA but closer to nature and water
  • Good option if you’re fine without the KOA-branded amenities

These options don’t replace KOA for everyone, but for many Atlanta residents they can be closer and sometimes more scenic while still providing showers, electricity, and reservable sites.

Key Takeaways for KOA Camping Near Atlanta, GA

• There is no KOA inside the Atlanta city limits, but several are within a 1–3 hour drive.
• Closest options:
  • Cartersville KOA Journey (northwest, often under an hour from many intown and northside neighborhoods)
  • Forsyth KOA Journey (south, convenient for Florida-bound trips and southside residents)
• Within 2 hours:
  • Columbus South / Fort Moore KOA (southwest)
  • Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA and Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA (north, scenic mountain access)
• For a Smoky Mountains–style trip, expect about 3–3.5 hours to KOAs near the Great Smokies.
• Your starting point in the Atlanta metro, traffic patterns on I‑75/I‑85/I‑285, and your camping style (RV, tent, cabin) should guide which KOA you choose.

With a bit of planning around Atlanta’s traffic and your route, KOA campgrounds near Atlanta can give you a reliable, comfortable base for everything from quick weekend escapes to big road trips out of Georgia.