Photo: Thomson200, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Allatoona is an 11,860-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake on the Etowah River, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta between Acworth and Cartersville. It is one of the most visited Corps lakes in the country, and it pairs beaches, campgrounds and a popular state park with a Civil War battlefield and two of Georgia’s best museums close by. Here are the best things to do at Lake Allatoona.
- From AtlantaAbout 40 miles to Red Top Mountain State Park, 55 minutes without traffic
- SizeAbout 11,860 acres
- Managed byU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- CountiesBartow, Cherokee and Cobb
Top Things to Do at Lake Allatoona
1. Red Top Mountain State Park
A 1,776-acre peninsula park with a swim beach, campground, cottages, trails and an 1860s log cabin. $10 ParkPass.
2. Allatoona Pass battlefield
A walking trail through the deep railroad cut where Union troops held off a Confederate attack on October 5, 1864, with earthen forts on the hills above. See our Atlanta Campaign sites guide.
3. Lake Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
A sand beach on 90-acre Lake Acworth, which drains into Allatoona, run by the City of Acworth, with playgrounds and sports fields next door.
4. Corps parks and campgrounds
Beaches, boat ramps and campgrounds around the shore, run by the Corps of Engineers. Campsites book through Recreation.gov.
5. Fishing for spots and hybrids
Spotted bass, hybrid and striped bass and crappie make Allatoona a busy fishing lake year-round. See our Lake Allatoona fishing outlook.
6. Etowah Indian Mounds
Near Cartersville, the most intact Mississippian culture site in the Southeast, with a tall earthen mound you can climb and a museum.
7. Tellus Science Museum
In Cartersville, a big science museum with dinosaur fossils, minerals, a planetarium and an observatory.
8. Allatoona WMA
A 6,818-acre wildlife management area on Corps land around the lake, open for hunting in season and for hiking and wildlife watching.
Advertise on Lake Allatoona
Own a marina, rental, campground, restaurant or guide service on Lake Allatoona? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
Beach season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and summer weekends fill the parks early. Fall and spring are best for hiking Red Top Mountain and Allatoona Pass. Fishing is good year-round, with spotted bass especially active in cooler months.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Allatoona is also close to Ellijay and the North Georgia mountain towns. For fishing seasons and hot spots, see our fishing outlook. Compare this lake with Lake Lanier, Lake Hartwell or Clarks Hill Lake, or see them all in the best lakes in Georgia. Before you swim, read our outdoor safety tips, and for overnight stays see best Georgia state parks for camping and our lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
How far is Lake Allatoona from Atlanta?
Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona is about 40 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 55 minutes by car without traffic.
Does Lake Allatoona have beaches?
Yes. Red Top Mountain State Park and several Corps of Engineers parks have swim beaches, and Acworth Beach is on Lake Acworth next door.
Is Lake Allatoona or Lake Lanier better?
Allatoona is smaller and closer to the northwest suburbs and Cartersville, with Red Top Mountain and Civil War sites nearby. Lanier is much larger, with more marinas, Lake Lanier Islands and Don Carter State Park.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Allatoona Lake parks, campgrounds and lake facts
- Georgia State Parks: Red Top Mountain and Etowah Indian Mounds; 2026 ParkPass rate
- Tellus Science Museum: museum information
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.