Payne Campground-Allatoona Lake

Payne Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia. Located only 35 miles from Atlanta, the lake is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River, and its serene water and peaceful surroundings offer respite from the rush of city living. 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. 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. The cities of Acworth and Woodstock are nearby, offering restaurants, shopping and historic downtown areas, and historic sites like the Etowah Indian Mounds and the Booth Western Art Museum are a close drive toward Cartersville. The Visitor Center at the Allatoona Lake Project Management Office overlooks the dam, offers many hiking trails, and features video exhibits and displays about the area's history, from the time of early Native Americans through the Civil War to the present. Red Top Mountain State Park has more than 15 miles of trails and interpretive programs, eight marinas on the lake offer boat rentals and restaurants, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield, White Water Park in Marietta, Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium are all within reach.