Campfire Chats + Marshmallows!
There’s something about sitting around a campfire that makes even total strangers start swapping ghost stories or bear sightings like they’re old friends. Add in a bag of marshmallows and a Georgia night with just enough breeze to keep the bugs guessing, and you’ve got the kind of evening that doesn’t need a phone signal—or a plan.
That’s the vibe at Red Top Mountain’s Campfire Comradery, a laid-back Friday night hang just for overnight guests. On Friday, May 30 from 8 to 9 PM, park rangers will lead a short, casual chat about local wildlife—with s’mores included and no hiking boots required. You could show up in sandals (well, maybe close-toed shoes are best) … But no matter your footwear preference, feel free to ask your burning nature questions while enjoying a fire that someone else builds and cleans up. Win-win!
Low Flames, Low Pressure
This isn’t a park program with a PowerPoint or a sign-in sheet. Campfire Comradery is simple by design—just a glowing ring of embers, a few friendly rangers, and enough marshmallows to go around. It’s open only to folks staying at the campground or in one of the 20 cozy cottages, making it feel less like a public event and more like a neighborly porch sit (if your porch just happens to be in the woods).
You’ll learn a little about the critters that call Red Top home, from the usual suspects like deer and owls to lesser-known locals like the occasional tree frog or copperhead. You might hear about the park’s mining history! Or you might just talk about the best spots for catching a sunset. No pressure, no agenda—just a warm fire and a good excuse to be outside a little longer.
Beyond the Firelight
Red Top Mountain is one of Georgia’s most visited state parks for good reason. Spread across 1,776 acres on the shores of Lake Allatoona, it’s a hiker’s haven, a boater’s dream, and a quiet antidote to city noise. The Homestead Trail winds past the remains of a 19th-century chimney. And the Iron Hill Trail follows the lake’s edge and the footprint of a former iron mining site—hence the park’s red-soiled name!
Other features include:
- A sand beach perfect for swimming or lounging.
- A full-service marina and two boat ramps (water levels permitting).
- Historic Vaughn Cabin and occasional iron pour demos!
- 15+ miles of trails, including paved and ADA-accessible routes.
- Campground, cottages, and even a lakeside yurt for glampers at heart!
It’s also just 45 minutes from Atlanta, though you’d never know it once the trees close in and your cell service fades.
Leave the Screen, Keep the Sparks
Whether you’re coming for the hiking, the hammocks, or just a night by the lake, the Campfire Comradery on May 30 is a great reason to lean in a little closer to nature—and to your neighbors. No campfire apps, no curated playlists. Just marshmallows, stories, and a sky full of stars.
Find more reasons to love the outdoors at www.gbj.com/sports-fitness!
