Best Outdoor Things To Do in Cartersville, GA (Ultimate Itinerary)
This ultimate day trip itinerary will show you the best outdoor things to do in Cartersville, GA! Cartersville sits just off Interstate 75 and earns its nickname ‘Museum City’ thanks to its many museums. However, it truly offers SO much more. This makes an easy and accessible road trip because it’s just over an hour from Chattanooga and 50 minutes from Atlanta.
We recently visited for the first time in partnership with Cartersville Museum City and we already can’t wait to go back! From summiting mountain overlooks, to swimming in beautiful lakes and kayaking calm waters – it’s an outdoor lovers dream. Read below to discover the best outdoor things to do in Cartersville, including a hike at Pine Mountain, where to swim at Red Top Mountain State Park, and where to rent kayaks on Lake Allatoona.
📌 Morning:
Arrive into Cartersville around 8:30am for your first stop of the day – hiking at Pine Mountain Recreation Area! I recommend taking the Pine Mountain Summit via the East Loop Trail. The link on AllTrails is a loop trail for 2.9 miles, but we did it as an out-and-back trail for 2.5 miles total.
The park rates the trail as moderate, but beginners will likely find it more challenging. You pretty much go straight up the mountain for about 700ft. It took us about an hour to go up and only 30 minutes to go down! Thankfully, there’s shade the entire trail and that helps keep it a little cooler. The views at the top are definitely worth it! You’ll take in a scenic panoramic mountain view surrounded by pine trees and rock outcroppings.
Be aware there are a lot of yellow jackets on this trail if you are allergic! You might also get to see huge, colorful mushrooms and little toads.
📍Address for Pine Mountain’s East Loop trailhead:
946 GA-20 Spur, Cartersville, GA 30121
^This is a very small parking lot so I would definitely go early if you plan to go on a weekend. If parking is full when you arrive, there is also a West Loop Trail with a bigger parking lot about 12 minutes away.
– Open everyday
– Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash
– 1 hour 15 minute drive from Chattanooga
📌 Late-morning:
After the hike, head over to downtown Cartersville and go to Noble Main & Coffee Co.. They have coffee, pastries, matcha, smoothies, and more. It’s a cute, small shop with both indoor & outdoor seating. Dogs are welcome on the outside patio area. Additionally, they have pup cups for your furry friends if you ask (whipped topping).
📍Address for Noble & Main Coffee Co:
145 W Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120
– Open everyday at 6:00am except Saturday which opens at 7:30am
– CLOSED SUNDAY
– 15 minutes from Pine Mountain Recreation Area
📌 Lunchtime:
Swheat Market is a must for lunch! They have a large menu of salads, sandwiches, soups, chicken tenders, and sides. One of the reasons why I loved this place so much is because they have gluten free and dairy free options! Per the “Find Me Gluten Free” app, I found out they have a dedicated gluten free fryer. The menu doesn’t have GF items marked, so ask the staff when you order.
If you’re gluten free like me, you’ll be excited to know that you can order chicken tenders (also dairy free!), fries, tater tots, and sweet potatoes fries. Surprisingly, it tasted GREAT and was affordable – I’m talking $4 for 4 tenders which is amazing!!! The portion sizes are very generous as well. Whether you’re gluten free or not, you will definitely find something you enjoy there.
📍Address for Swheat Market:
5 E Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120
– Open 11:00am to 3:00pm everyday
– Not dog friendly / no patio or outside dining
– 5 minute walk from Noble & Main Coffee Co.
📌 Afternoon:
After lunch, take a short drive over to Red Top Mountain State Park, a popular Georgia State Park located on Lake Allatoona. There is a $5 parking fee, and you can pay when you get there. You can either go inside the visitor center restrooms to change into swimsuits or use the outdoor restrooms on the right side of the building. There are a few different trails here, I recommend taking the paved Lakeside Trail (to the right of the visitor center building) down to the lake.
The Lakeside Trail makes a loop around the shore at Lake Allatoona. Plus, it’s ADA accessible and stroller-friendly. Stay “right” on the path and you might end up finding a spot with a rope swing! It’s a lot of fun to hang out, relax, swim and jump off the rope swing. Don’t forget a picnic blanket and towels.
📍Address for Red Top Mountain Visitor Center:
50 Lodge Rd SE, Acworth, GA 30102
– Open everyday
– $5 parking fee
– 15 minutes from downtown Cartersville
– Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash at all times due to park rules
📌 Mid-afternoon:
Next, book a reservation to go kayaking at Pine Acres Retreat! This is Bartow County’s newest property on Lake Allatoona. This property is truly so beautiful. They had paddle boards, sit-in kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, and canoes available for rent. It’s a gated property so you can’t just show up and rent, you’ll need to contact them for reservations. There’s a nice dock there where you can swim, and easy lake access to put in the rentals!
📍Address for Pine Acres Retreat:
3963 Bartow Carver Rd, Acworth GA 30102
– Reservations and Information: Call 770-387-1357
– There is not a lot of info about them online since they are new, so I am unsure on their hours or days open.
– 11 minutes from Red Top Mountain State Park Visitor Center
📌 Late-afternoon:
If you still have some energy after a jam packed day, I highly recommend checking out Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. This is one of the most well-preserved Native American sites in the south! You can learn about the history of the area, how the Native Americans lived, and even walk to the top of the mounds or down to the river. The entry fee is $6, and leashed dogs can join you, just not inside the museum.
📍Address for Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site:
813 Indian Mound Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30120
– Open everyday 9:00am to 5:00pm
– $6 entry fee, dogs allowed on paths (but not in museum)
– 8 minutes from downtown Cartersville
– 20 minutes from Pine Acres Retreat or Red Top Mountain State Park
📌 Suggested Cartersville Packing List:
For the hike / parks – Active clothing, hiking boots or shoes with good tread, at least 32oz of water, trail snacks, bug spray, hiking poles (if you use them), leash if bringing a dog
For swimming / kayaking – Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, water shoes, picnic blanket, towels, dry bag
📌 Additional Information:
Location – Cartersville, Georgia is located about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Downtown Chattanooga, and about 1 hour from Atlanta. Interstate 75 takes you directly into Cartersville from either direction. If you’re coming from Chattanooga on the way to the Atlanta airport, Cartersville makes a great halfway stop to break up the trip. Heading north from Atlanta toward Tennessee? It’s the perfect roadside stop to stretch your legs and get some fresh air!
Other activities – Cartersville is home to several Smithsonian-affiliated museums. During your visit, you can explore the Tellus Science Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Bartow History Museum, Savoy Automobile Museum, or Rose Lawn Museum.
Looking for more roadside stops in North Georgia? Check out Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm in Wildwood, GA.
This makes a fun day trip with the best outdoor things to do in Cartersville for solo travelers, couples, families, or groups. Most of the outdoor activities here are dog friendly and kid friendly as well. Let me know if you take this day trip from Chattanooga or Atlanta!
