Red Top Mountain State Park is a 1,776-acre state park on Lake Allatoona, near Acworth, Georgia, about 45 minutes north of downtown Atlanta. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026. At the time of writing, the park had an active blue-green algae advisory posted for Lake Allatoona, so check current water conditions on the official site before swimming.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Park: 7 a.m.–dark, daily. Office: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Ticket prices | Free entry. Parking: $10 per vehicle per day, or $70 for an annual pass |
| Address | 50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth, GA 30102 |
| Nearest transport/parking | No public transport serves the park; on-site paid parking is available off I-75 |
| Typical time needed | 3–5 hours, or a full day for swimming and boating |
Red Top Mountain State Park opening hours
Red Top Mountain State Park opens at 7 a.m. and closes at dark, every day of the year. Because closing time follows sunset, it varies from around 6 p.m. in winter to around 9 p.m. in summer.
The park office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beach, marina, and cottage check-in times can vary by season, so call ahead to confirm before an overnight stay.
5 great Atlanta experiences to book
- ✊ Take a black history and civil rights tour – the unquestioned number one option.
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- 👻 Explore Atlanta’s spookiest spots on an after-dark ghost tour.
Red Top Mountain State Park ticket prices
There is no admission fee for Red Top Mountain State Park. Visitors instead pay a parking fee, known as a ParkPass, on arrival.
A daily ParkPass costs $10 per vehicle and can be bought at entrance kiosks, by QR code, or at the park office. An annual ParkPass costs $70, with 50% discounts for seniors aged 62 and over and 25% discounts for military and veterans (discounted passes must be bought in person). Overnight guests pay the daily fee only once, regardless of stay length.
Red Top Mountain State Park is not included in Atlanta city pass schemes such as Go City or CityPass Atlanta. Those passes typically bundle indoor attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Red Top Mountain State Park page and last updated in July 2026.
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- 📱 Instant Mobile Tickets: Skip the hassle of paper vouchers; receive your pass via email and simply scan your smartphone for quick, contactless entry at each site.
How to get to Red Top Mountain State Park
Most visitors reach Red Top Mountain State Park by car via Interstate 75. From Atlanta, take I-75 North to exit 285 at Red Top Mountain Road.
Head east on Red Top Mountain Road for about two miles; the park entrance is just after the bridge over Lake Allatoona. No public bus or rail service reaches the park directly.
Parking at Red Top Mountain State Park
Parking requires a ParkPass, priced at $10 per vehicle per day or $70 for an annual pass. Passes can be bought at the entrance kiosk, online in advance, or at the park office.
Overnight guests in cottages, campsites, or yurts pay the daily fee only once. Parking is not included in cottage, campsite, or shelter reservations and must be paid separately.
How long to spend at Red Top Mountain State Park
Most visitors spend three to five hours at Red Top Mountain State Park, combining a walk on one of its trails with time at the beach or a picnic shelter. Visitors boating, fishing, or water skiing on Lake Allatoona typically plan a full day.
Many guests extend their trip with an overnight stay in one of the park’s cottages, yurts, or campsites.
Accessibility at Red Top Mountain State Park
Some facilities at Red Top Mountain State Park are wheelchair accessible. These include cabins #12, #15, and #17, yurt #19, campsite #2, and accessible restrooms at the Visitor Center, Trading Post, beach, Bethany Boat Ramp, and picnic shelters #1 to #3.
Picnic shelters #2, #4, and #7, group shelters #1 and #2, and the paved half-mile Visitor Center Lake Loop Trail are also accessible, along with docks at the Visitor Center and Bethany. An all-terrain track chair is available for other trails; contact the park in advance to arrange use.
Inside Red Top Mountain State Park: what to see
Lake Allatoona covers 12,000 acres and anchors the park, with a sand swimming beach, boat ramps, and rental boats available through a nearby marina.
The trail network covers more than 15 miles. The paved, half-mile Visitor Center Lake Loop is wheelchair accessible, while the gravel-topped, four-mile Iron Hill Trail suits both hikers and cyclists along the shoreline.
The Vaughn Cabin, an 1860s homestead behind the park office, reflects the area’s iron-mining history; the park occasionally holds iron pour demonstrations nearby.
Allatoona Pass Battlefield, maintained by the park, preserves well-kept Civil War trenches and earthworks from an 1864 battle.
Overnight visitors can choose from 20 cottages, 93 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, or six lakeside yurts.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on weekday mornings for quieter trails and easier beach parking. |
| Crowds | Summer weekends get busy at the beach and boat ramps; arrive early or visit on a weekday. |
| Layout | Start at the Visitor Center for trail maps before choosing a hiking or biking route. |
| Entry process | Pay the parking fee at the kiosk or by QR code as soon as you arrive. |
| On-site logistics | Check the official site for current algae or water advisories before swimming or fishing. |
Frequently asked questions about Red Top Mountain State Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Red Top Mountain State Park suitable for children? | Yes, the beach, playgrounds, and easy trails suit most family visits. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Red Top Mountain State Park? | No separate ticket is needed; parking is paid on arrival, though cottages need booking. |
| Is Red Top Mountain State Park open on Sundays? | Yes, the park is open daily, including Sundays, from 7 a.m. until dark. |
| Can you swim at Red Top Mountain State Park? | Yes, at the sand beach, though visitors should check current water quality advisories first. |
| Are dogs allowed at Red Top Mountain State Park? | Yes, on a leash through most of the park; check when booking if a pet-friendly cottage is needed. |
Things to do near Red Top Mountain State Park
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, a preserved Native American mound complex, is about 20 minutes away.
Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, with a large collection of western and Civil War art, is about 15 minutes away.
Tellus Science Museum, featuring mineral, fossil, and transport exhibits, is about 15 minutes away.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a Civil War battlefield with summit trails, is about 30 minutes away.
Downtown Cartersville, a historic district with local shops and restaurants, is about 15 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
Fort Mountain State Park, with forested ridge trails and a historic stone wall, is about one hour away.
Vogel State Park, offering lake and mountain trails near Blood Mountain, is about one hour 30 minutes away.
Cloudland Canyon State Park, featuring canyon rim trails and waterfalls, is about one hour 15 minutes away.
Amicalola Falls State Park, home to Georgia’s tallest waterfall and a wide trail network, is about one hour away.
Unicoi State Park, with lake and forest trails near Helen, is about one hour 30 minutes away.
More Atlanta travel
Other Atlanta travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
- Why you should book Zoo Atlanta tickets in advance.
- Why the Fernbank Museum of Natural History offers more than you’re probably expecting.
- Plan your visit to the Atlanta History Center.
- Visiting the home of the Gone With The Wind author – Margaret Mitchell House.
- Guides to state parks near Atlanta: Sweetwater Creek State Park.
