Locations of USACE Fee Machines on Lake Lanier

Out with the old and in with the new.  That’s what’s happening with the old way we used to pay for parking at US Corps of Engineers (USACE) parks on Lanier.  As of April 1, 2018, the new way is paying at automated payment gizmos the USACE is calling fee machines.

Before you get all upset, here’s the good news.  There are many USACE parks on Lake Lanier that you can visit for free.  No charge.  No cash or credit/debit card needed.

Free Parks on Lake Lanier

• Belton Bridge
• Bolding Mill
• Duckett Mill
• Little Ridge
• Lower Overlook
• Mountain View
• Nix Bridge Park
• Robinson
• Sardis Creek
• Simpson
• Thompson Creek
• Toto Creek
• Upper Overlook
• West Bank Overlook

The USACE believes not collecting cash at their parks is the best way to serve those who visit the parks and those who used to handle cash at remote locations.

Locations of USACE Fee Machines on Lake Lanier

• Buford Dam Park
• Burton Mill
• Keiths Bridge
• Lanier Park
• Little Hall
• Long Hollow
• Lower Pool East
• Lower Pool West
• Old Federal Day Use
• Two Mile Creek
• Van Pugh North
• West Bank

Why did the USACE make this change?

In considering the use of fee machines, we conducted an intensive review of our business model for collecting fees at the USACE parks at Lake Lanier.  In reviewing our processes, we considered efficiency, costs, safety, and vandalism/theft.

We found that making the change from collecting cash to using fee machines provided many advantages in saving tax payer dollars.

Advantages included:

• greater efficiency
• improved tracking of fee collections
• decreased costs of managing collections
• safer collection process (no cash)
• reduced theft
• reduced break-ins/vandalism

These six Boat Ramp Areas used to require payment at an honor vault or with an annual pass.

• East Bank Park
• Tidwell Park
• Vann’s Tavern Park
• Thompson Bridge Park
• Little River Park
• Balus Creek Park

They will now require a Federal Recreation Pass.

For your convenience, you may use the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Annual Pass, America the Beautiful Senior Pass, America the Beautiful Access Pass, or an America the Beautiful Annual Pass.

Save the receipt you receive from the fee machines.  You will have seven days to redeem it at the USACE office for whichever annual pass you purchased.

The Bottom Line

• Day-use parks and boat ramps will no longer accept cash.
• 12 day-use parks and boat ramps will have automated credit card machines.
• The automated credit card machines will sell day passes and annual passes.
• If you purchase an annual pass at an automated credit card machine, you have seven days to redeem your receipt for your official annual pass, in person or by mail.
• You may purchase annual passes at the USACE offices (1050 Buford Dam Road; Buford, GA 30518) seven days a week — from 9 AM until 3:30 PM — beginning Sunday, March 18, 2018.
• Click Here for USACE Annual Pass Information