Buy a Corps of Engineers Annual Park Pass
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates 13 day-use parks with beaches on Lake Lanier. You can pay $5.00 per visit, or purchase an annual park pass to save money.
We are here to make sure everyone who visits Georgia's ultimate getaway has the best time!
Our local tour guides are here to help you make the most of your Lake Lanier getaway, from guides to the best parks to explore, to tips on where to eat, or what lakeside cottages are best for pets, we've got you covered!
Lake Lanier is one of America's favorite lakes
With several million visitors annually enjoying its recreational facilities, Lake Lanier is the most popular lake in the southeast. You will enjoy the time you spend at Lake Lanier. We guarantee it.
How Big is Lake Lanier? Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia, having nearly 700 miles of shoreline spread over 38,000 acres of spectacular scenery.
The water in Lake Lanier comes from Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The rain falls on the mountains, runs over beautiful waterfalls, and then makes its way down to Lake Lanier via the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers.
The completion of the Buford Dam on the south end of the lake in 1956 by the Army Corps turned the area's Chattahoochee River and Chestatee River into Lake Lanier.
While the original goal was a multipurpose lake for water supply, flood control (flood protection for the region), and natural resources protection, Lake Lanier today also serves as one of the preeminent lakes in the Southeast for recreation and tourism.
Where is Lake Lanier?
Lake Lanier is located in portions of Hall (60%), Forsyth (30%), Dawson (5%), Gwinnett (4%) and Lumpkin (1%) counties. The major towns proximate to the lake are Buford (to the south), Gainesville (northeast), and Cumming (southwest). It's just 60 miles north of Atlanta and about 150 miles southeast of Chattanooga, TN and about 210 miles southwest of Charlotte, NC.
We welcome you to get active on the lake.
Lake Lanier offers something for everyone. Though the most popular activities include fishing, boating and camping, based on the areas abundant natural resources, Lake Lanier has recreational activities recreational activities for the whole family. Lake Lanier has golfing facilities, as well as the world's best kayaking, water skiing and swimming.
We welcome you to enjoy the beautiful parks surrounding the lake.
Over 45 parks, line the shores of Lake Lanier. In 2013, Lanier welcomed its first state park, Don Carter State Park.
With so many lovely parks and campgrounds scattered around the 700 miles of shoreline, visitors won't have difficulty finding a park to suit their needs.
Whether you desire an RV hookup, boat ramp, beach, designated swim area, hiking trail, picnic table, playground, pavilion or barbecue, Lake Lanier has a park for all.
We welcome you to explore the areas around Lake Lanier.
There’s plenty to do off the water, too. Visitors to Lanier can enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, shopping and entertainment in the surrounding area. The two largest cities on Lake Lanier are Buford and Gainesville, each with a historic downtown and distinct flare.
Visitors can enjoy the city of Atlanta and, in the space of a 30-minute drive, can lose themselves in the tranquility of Lake Lanier.
Visitors can also take a day trip to the north Georgia mountains for a hike on the Appalachian Trail, or to enjoy a waterfall or one of the north Georgia mountain wineries. Lanier's neighboring north Georgia towns of Helen and Dahlonega are not to be missed.
