Discover Georgia's Lake Sidney Lanier Day Use Parks

Discover Georgia's Lake Sidney Lanier Day Use Parks - Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America’s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year visit Lanier. With over 692 miles of shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and many recreational activities. Play and Stay in GA!

Videos of places and things to do in Georgia

General Info: Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950’s, Lake Lanier is a multi-purpose lake that provides for flood protection, power production, water supply, navigation, recreation and fish and wildlife management. It has won the best operated lake of the year award in 1990, 1997 and 2002.

Lake Sidney Lanier is well known for its recreational opportunities. The Corps operates 46 park areas around the lake providing, picnicking, campgrounds, boat launching ramps, swimming areas, group picnic shelters and hiking trails. Additional areas have been leased from the Corps and are operated as city and county parks as well as marinas.

With over 690 miles of shoreline and over 100 small islands Lake Lanier is the perfect place to pursue your recreational adventure. Recreation includes fishing, camping, boating, picnicking, swimming or a variety of other activities.

Contact Numbers: Water Release Schedules 770-945-1466 - Lake Info 770-945-1467 and
Corps of Engineers 770-945-9531

Directions: From I-985/Buford Take GA Hwy 20 West, from GA 400/Cumming, take GA Hwy 20 East, to North on Suwanee Dam Road. Go 3 miles and go left on Buford Dam Road. The Visitor Center is one mile down on the right. Make reservations at 1-877-444-6777.

Lake Lanier Day Use Parks and Amenities

Balus Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Balus Creek Drive in Flowery Branch.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, boat ramps, user fee and pets are allowed. See more info and pictures of Balus Creek Park.

Bethel Park - 770-945-9531 - On Swiss Air Road
Park Amenities: Restrooms, boat ramp, dock and pets allowed. This park has been leased from the Army Corps of Engineers to the YMCA.
Directions: Off Bethel Road from Browns Bridge Road/GA 369

Big Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Holiday Road in Buford
Park Amenities: Restrooms, boat launch ramp, sandy beach, user fee and pets allowed. This park has been lased to the Lake Lanier Islands. Please contact them for fees and more amenities information.
Directions: Located at the end of Big Creek Road, off Holiday Road in Buford. Next to Big Creek Tavern and near the marinas on Holiday Road.

Bolding Mill Park - 770-945-9531
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter, boat ramp, swim area, pets allowed
Directions: From Atlanta, take SR 400 north to Exit 17, turn right on GA Hwy 306, turn right on GA Hwy 53, turn left on Old Sardis Rd, and turn left on Chestatee Rd. Follow into park and campground.

Buford Dam Park - 770-945-9531 - 1200 Buford Dam Rd. in Cumming
Park Amenities: Laundry, picnic tables, picnic shelter, boat launch ramp, beach with swim area, volley ball and basketball areas, playgrounds and user fee. Note: No pets allowed. Laurel Ridge Trail (3.8 miles) goes through Buford Dam Park, Powerhouse Park and Lower Overlook.
Note: Open 7 days a week from April to September. It is a fee park and costs $4 per day. During Monday through Wednesday, fees will be self-service paid into the fee valut at the park entrance. Shelters in Buford Dam Park can be rented for $90 per day. Call 770-945-9531 to make reservations.

Burton Mill Park - 770-945-9531 - Yacht Club Road off Gaines Ferry Road
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, boat ramp, beach, swim area, walking trail that goes through woods, user fee, no pets allowed. See more info and pictures of Burton Mill Park.

Charleston Park - 770-945-9531 or 770-781-2215- 6020 Browns Bridge Road (GA 369), Gainesville, GA. Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, boat ramp, user fee and pets allowed. Cost $3 to launch your boat. See more info and pictures of Charleston Park.

City Park - Close to Starboard Marina
Park Amenities: Picnic area and playground, plus nice views and good fishing.

Clarks Bridge Park - 770-535-8280 - Clarks Bridge Rd., (off Limestone Rd.) Gainesville, GA
Park Amenities: Boat launch ramp, dock, picnic tables, grills, swimming platform, beach, designated swim area, bathrooms, boat launch ramp, boat dock, canoe and kayak club, rowing club (row the 1996 Olympic course), canoe and kayak rentals, and Lanier Centre

Duckett Mill Park - 770-945-9531 - Duckett Mill Rd, Oakwood (off Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53), GA
Park Amenities: Boat launch ramp and pets are allowed

East Bank Park - 770-945-9531 - Located off Buford Dam Rd in Buford - close to the Dam Store.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat launch ramp, docks and user fee. Pets are not allowed. See more info and pictures of East Bank Park.

Holly Park - 770-531-2680 - Located on Holly Park Drive
Park Amenities: A small boat ramp and two areas with beautiful locations overlooking the lake and a large, sandy swimming beach.
Directions: Off Old Thompson Bridge Road from Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville.

Keith's Bridge Park - 770-945-9531 - Off Rt. 306 and Keith Bridge Rd
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, boat ramp, swim area, playground and pets allowed. Great picnic area for groups and parties. If you are looking for something more secluded, drive to the end of the parking lot and take the walkway. Follow this path to a beautiful secluded beach. See more info and pictures of Keith's Bridge Park.

Lanier Park - 770-945-9531 - off Budford Dam Road in Buford
Park Amenities: Restrooms, boat launch ramp, picnic tables, grills, 1/2 mile walking trail, user fee. Note: No pets allowed. Features a pavilion area with its own dock on a peninsula with gorgeous views of the lake. Park is open April through September. $4 per vehicle or $1 for pedestrians. The pavilion can be reserved by calling 770-945-9531.

Lanier Point Park - 770-531-2600 - On Lanier Valley Dr. off Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53 in Gainesville, GA
Park Amenities: Features a softball and baseball complex with lighting, and a picnic pavilion with three picnic tables, playground and a boat launch ramp. To reserve the picnic pavilion, call.
Directions: Heading away from Gainesville on Dawsonville Highway (Ga. 53), pass Home Depot and take a left at the church onto Lanier Valley Drive. Follow Lanier Valley Drive to the park.

Laurel Park - 770-535-8280 - Off Hwy 129, north of Gainesville
Park Amenities: 2 Little League fields and 2 softball fields, 2 Playgrounds, 2 restroom buildings, 2 tennis courts, 25 picnic sites with grills, 3 picnic shelters with water and electricity, 1-mile walking trail, Volleyball court, 2 large boat ramps, large parking lot, and Sprayground (water playground) for small children. Features a 'Bark Park' with space for large and small dogs to play in an enclosed area.

Directions: Take Exit 24 off I-985, and turn left at end of ramp onto Jessee Jewell Pkwy. Travel to Limestone Pkwy (2nd stoplight) and turn right. Go to the end of Limestone Pkwy and turn right onto Clevleand Hwy. Park is located 1 mile from bridge on right at New Bridge Baptist Church. Follow signs.

Little Hall Park - Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter, grills, boat ramp, swim area, user fee and pets allowed. Directions: Go north on Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53 heading toward Gainesville. The left turn for Little Hall Park is just after Bolling Bridge. See more info and pictures of Little Hall Park.

Little Ridge Park - 770-945-9531 - Off Holtzclaw Road
Park Amenities: Boat ramp and pets allowed

Little River Park - Off Cleveland Hwy, north of Gainesville
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grill, boat launch ramp, dock and pets allowed. Very well-liked spot for early morning fishermen to launch their boat, and is one of the best bass fishing areas on Lake Lanier.

Directions:Go north on Hwy 129, heading towards Cleveland. You will cross over Lake Lanier via Longstreet Bridge. There will be a State Patrol office on the right. Shortly afterwards, there will be a small gas station on the left with “Solo” pumps. Turn into the little street beside this station onto Little River Park Rd, turn left and head down “Little River Park Rd” for about a 1/4 of a mile.

Long Hollow Park - 770-945-9531 - Off GA 306 on Bryant Road (off Waldrip Road)
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp, swim area and pets are allowed. See more info and pictures of Long Hollow Park.

Longwood Park - 770-531-2680
Park Amenities: 8 tennis courts with lights ,dogwood pavilion with sheltered picnic tables and BBQ pit, unsheltered picnic tables with grills, sheltered mini-pavilions overlooking lake, walking trail, playground, beachfront and restrooms. Park is open 7am to dark. Call for more info and to reserve the Dogwood Pavilion. Located off Pearl Nix Pkwy across from Gainesville High School

Lower Overlook Park - Located in Buford off Buford Dam Road.
Park Amenities: Picnic tables, grills, winter view of Buford Dam. laundry, restrooms and user fee. Note: No pets allowed. Laurel Ridge Trail (3.8 miles) goes through park. See more info and pictures of Lower Overlook Park.

Lower Pool Park - 770-945-9531 - Off Buford Dam Road in Forsyth Co.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables and boat ramp. Life jackets are required for all persons entering the river to the Hwy 20 bridge. Note: No pets allowed.

Lula - Amenities are boat ramp and pets allowed

Mary Alice Park - 770-781-2010 in Forsyth Co.
Park Amenities: Restroom facilities, picnic, beach and boat launch ramps. $3.00 fee for park entry and to launch your boat.

Mountain View Park - 770-945-9531 - On Old 141 Road off Browns Bridge Rd. (GA 369)
Park Amenities: Picnic tables, boat ramp, dock, beach front in cove, fishing, and pets are allowed. See more info and pictures of Mountain View Park.

Nix Bridge - 770-945-9531 - Off GA 226
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat launch ramp, nice lake view, pets allowed
Directions: To reach the park, turn right onto Ga. 136 just north of the Dawsonville Outlet Malls and after a mile, turn right onto Ga. 226.

Old Federal Park - 770-945-9531 - Old Federal Road, Flowery Branch
Park Amenities: Laundry, picnic shelter, boat ramps, beach, swimming area, Volleyball court and user fee. Pets are not allowed. See more info and pictures of Old Federal Park.

Lower Pool West - Located off Buford Dam Road in Buford
Park Amenities: Features scenic views of the Chattahoochee River and is a great spot for hikers, fishermen, tubers, and kayakers. The Laurel Ridge Trail (3.8 miles) goes through this park. There is a wildlife lookout point and a lovely bridge that takes pedestrians over the river just behind the dam. If you want to go tubing or rent kayaks, Up the River Outfitters uses the park as its drop spot. Life jackets are required for all persons entering the river to the Hwy 20 bridge. This park has been leased to Lake Lanier Islands. Please contact them for info on fees and new amenities. Note: No pets allowed. See more info and pictures of Powerhouse Park.

Robinson Park - 770-945-9531 - On Robinson Road off Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp and pets allowed
Directions: North on Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53. If you are heading from Gainesville, make a left onto Lynncliff Road. Follow Lynncliff Road to Robinson Road. Make a left onto Robinson Road, and go straight into the park.

Sardis Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Antioch Church Rd., Gainesville
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp and pets allowed
Directions: From Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53, turn onto Sardis Road (right turn if coming from Gainesville). Follow the signs to Sardis Creek Park and turn right onto Antioch Road. Follow Antioch Road to the end. See more info and pictures of Sardis Creek Park.

Shoal Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Shadburn Ferry Road, Buford
Park Amenities: Picnic shelter, swim area, boat launch ramp and pets are allowed
Directions: Off Shadburn Ferry Road (which is off Buford Dam Road).

Simpson Park - 770-945-9531
Park Amenities: Picnic tables, boat ramp and pets allowed
Directions: Heading from Gainesville, from Dawsonville Hwy/GA 53, make a left onto Lynncliff Rd (shortly after Lanier Bridge). Follow Lynncliff to Simpson Park Road. Turn left onto Simpson Park Road and follow it to the park.

Six Mile Park - boat ramp, user fee and pets allowed

Thompson Bridge Park - Off Thompson Bridge Road (GA 60) in Gainesville
Park Amenities: Scenic lake views, boat ramp, boat dock, picnic shelter, ample parking and pets are allowed. Directions: Turn off Thompson Bridge Road (Ga. 60) onto Dunlap Landing. Follow Dunlap Landing to park.

Thompson Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Close to Dawsonville Outlet Malls
Park Amenities: Laundry, picnic tables, picnic shelter, large BBQ pit and pets are allowed. See more info and pictures of Thompson Creek Park.

Tidwell Park - 770-945-9531 - Located off exit 16 on 400 in Forsyth Co.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, benches, boat launch ramp, $3 user fee, $3 launch fee and pets are allowed. Directions: To get to Tidwell Park, follow Pilgrim Mill to the end.

Toto Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - On the north of Lake Lanier off Price Rd (GA 136)
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, boat ramp, swim area and pets allowed
Directions: Take 400 north to Hwy. 136, turn right, turn right at stop sign, turn left before crossing the bridge. Road ends at the park. See more info and pictures of Toto Creek Park.

Two Mile Creek Park - Located off Bethel Road (off GA Hwy 369)
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, fishing, swimming, boat launch ramp and pets are allowed. See more info and pictures of Two Mile Creek Park.

Upper Overlook - picnic tables, laundry, restrooms and user fee. Note: No pets allowed.

Van Pugh North Park - 770-945-9531, Gaines Ferry Road, Gainesville
Park Amenities: Restrooms, abundant picnic tables, picnic shelter, grills, playgrounds, boat ramp, beach and swim area, user fee costs and a picnic pavilion. Cost $4 per vehicle to enter. Note: No pets allowed. Call to reserve a sheltered grill area next to the pavilion. See more info and pictures of Van Pugh North Park.

Van Pugh South Park - 770-945-9531 - On the southeast end of the lake.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp and pets are allowed. This park has primitive campground that is open April through September. Sites are first come first serve. There are 57 sites with picnic tables and grills, shower washhouses, playground and boat ramp. Sites are limited to 8 people and 2 motorized vehicles. $10 fee for each vehicle that enters the park. Pets must be leashed and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Opens at 8am on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Van Pugh South Park also has a small non-pay section with beautiful views and nice beaches (though not designated swim areas).

Vann's Tavern Park - 770-945-9531 - Vann Tavern Road
Park Amenities: Restrooms, boat launch ramp, dock, $3 launch fee, swimming at beach with white sand and pets are allowed. Directions: Off Waldrip Circle from Browns Bridge Rd/GA 369 See more info and pictures of Vann's Tavern Park

Wahoo Creek Park - 770-945-9531 - Mount Vernon Rd. in Gainesville
Park Amenities: Picnic tables, boat ramp, secluded paths to lake and pets are allowed

War Hill Park - 770-945-9531 or 706-344-3600- Recent plans were made to turn the park into a public marina. Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, boat ramp, beach, swim area and pets are allowed. Located On the north end of Lake Lanier, off Ga. 318. See more info and pictures of War Hill Park.

West Bank Park - In Forsyth Co.
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter, swim area and a picnic pavilion. User fee. Note: No pets allowed. See more info and pictures of West Bank Park.

West Bank Overlook Park - In Forsyth Co. User fee. user Note: No pets allowed.

Young Deer Creek Park - 770-781-2215
Park Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelter, pavilion (for rent), grills, boat launch ramp ($3 fee), swim area and pets are allowed. To rent the pavilion, call Forsyth County Parks and Recreation at 770-781-2215. See more info and pictures of Young Deer Creek Park.

Check out the Lake Lanier Visitor Center.



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