The fish are jumping and the living is easy.  So, the unofficial start of summer is here.  That means it’s going to be a busy Memorial Day Weekend camping around Lake Allatoona.

If you haven’t confirmed your reservations for the Memorial Day Weekend — Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th 2019 — you’re unlikely to find a spot to camp on Allatoona.  Sorry.

According to a Facebook post by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on May 20th,

Currently all campsites at these facilities are booked for the Memorial Day Weekend:

• McKinney
• Old Hwy 41#3
• Payne
• Sweetwater
• Upper Stamp and
• Victoria Campgrounds.

The weather is expected to be sunny and hot.  That lessens the chances of finding cancellations that can follow predictions of stormy weather.

The USACE has this additional reminder for the busy Memorial Day Weekend:

Please remember that this is the busiest weekend on the lake and parking will be at a minimal at beaches, shelters, and ramps especially on Sunday and Monday.  We suggest coming early and late on those days to better utilize the parking situation.

Expect a busy Memorial Day Weekend on Lake Allatoona ~ Photo courtesy of USACE

You’ll see a sign of the times at USACE parks: automated fee stations where you pay to play at the lake.

The good news is you won’t need cash to buy a pass.  The bad news is you can’t use cash to buy a pass.

You’ll need a debit card or a credit card to obtain a pass for your vehicle.  Buying a day pass is simple.

You can also purchase a USACE annual pass at the fee stations — but you must redeem your receipt for a more physically study pass.  You can do that at the Allatoona Lake Project Management Office on weekdays during business hours. 

Or, you can trade your receipt for an annual pass at any “staffed gatehouse throughout the week” at Allatoona Lake.