One of America's most popular lakes, situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and known for its scenic surroundings and importance to the region's livelihood, Lake Sidney Lanier is one of America's best recreational and relaxation sites. Named after Georgia poet Sidney Lanier, the lake is a brilliant display of Georgia's magnificent natural life. And the surrounding landscape and thriving ecology make the lake one of the best places to visit in America for nature lovers. The 38,000-acre lake was formed by the completion of Buford Dam by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers on the Chattahoochee River in 1956 and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River.
The dam was originally built for flood control of the Chattahoochee River as well as water supply, recreation, wildlife preservation, and hydroelectricity. Since its completion, the lake has grown in significance and has since hosted many international water sports events such as the 2003 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships and 2016 Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak. The lake also provides drinking water to 60% of Georgia.
Well known for its recreational opportunities, the lake receives just under 12 million visitors annually. It also has a rich history, and visitors to the park can learn about the community beneath the waves. Whether you are looking for boating opportunities, or fishing, hiking, and swimming, Lake Sidney Lanier has it all, as well as a wide range of camping options, making it one of America's very best.
The lake can be easily accessed by vehicle off east off Georgia Hwy 20. The road leads you directly to the park's visitors center. All roads are smooth and vehicle-friendly, with signposts available to direct you to the main parts of the resort. Vehicles should keep to roadways at all times and stay within designated parts of the resort.
Bolding Mill Campground is a great choice for camping on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground has 88 pet friendly campsites with electric and water hookups. Campground amenities include a laundry facility, fishing pier, and shower houses. Facilities close to the ground include a kids playground, and a boat ramp. There are also two dump stations. Length of stay can be no longer than 14 days at a time and reservations are advised.
Sawnee is one of the seven campgrounds at Lake Sidney, lying just north of Buford Dam with beautiful lake views. The ground offers 43 RV campsites all with electrical and water hookups, but no sewer. Showers and laundry facilities are provided on-site, with a playground and swimming beach nearby. The ground has easy access to the lake with a boat ramp, fishing pier and a few trails nearby for extra recreation. The campground is open for reservations
Bald Ridge Creek is a serene campground with brilliant birding opportunities. The campground has a total of 82 campsites available to visitors. The 82 sites offer water and electric hookups, with no sewer hookups. Restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available. Other amenities include campfire rings, picnic tables, and water pumps. There is easy beach access as well as a nearby fishing pier, and some hiking trails within walking distance. Reservations can be made from the park website or in person.
Old Federal Campground is located on the eastern banks of Lake Sidney Lanier. The ground has 65 pet-friendly campsites with water and electric hookups and 12 tent sites. Showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities are provided at the ground as well as a dump station. Other amenities include water pumps, a kids playground, campfire rings, and picnic tables. Easy beach access allows for swimming, kayaking, and boating near the campground. Reservations are advised.
The 39,000-acre lake area at Lake receives thousands of visitors yearly, with boating being one of the most popular activities at the park. The park has 76 boat ramps, and ten marinas dotted across the shoreline, with most ramps open year-round and offering visitors rentals, boat storage, and fuel. Renting boats as well as using the boat ramps will attract fees from dock supervisors. Boaters might need to request permission from the Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources before participating in formal boating events and watercraft festivals.
Lake Lanier is well known for its diverse sport fish population. The lake attracts anglers from all over the region to come fish for lake trout, bull trout, and salmon which all have rich populations at the lake. The cold lake waters also support rainbow trout, small mouth bass and a lot of other sport fish species. The fish population at the lake is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers who help replenish it seasonally to maintain its healthy fish popualation and continue to attract visitors.
The large lake and cool waters along with steady tides make Lake Sidney a brilliant place to swim. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in swimming areas, making it safe to swim at all times, but company is advised for night swimmers. The beach by the swimming area has volleyball and basketball courts for extra recreation. Several games such as swim races and basketball matches are held at the swimming area daily. There are no lifeguards, so visitors are to be self-sufficient at the lake.
Van Pugh South has 37 pet-friendly RV sites with water and electrical hookups. There are no sewer hookups although flush toilets are available at the site. Showers, a dump station and easy access to water are some of the benefits of the campground. The site also has picnic tables, fire rings, and laundry facilities. There is a nearby boat ramp with fishing and birding opportunities available nearby. Reservations are advised for this ground and can be made online or in person.
This campground is located about 430 miles north of Buford Dam. The pet-friendly site offers scenic lake views and great birding opportunities. The ground has just nine tent-only campsites with no electric hookup. Toilets and showers are also unavailable at the small site although drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables are provided. Like other campgrounds at the lake, visitors can stay no more than 14 days at a time at the ground. Reservations can be made online or in person.
Ducket Mill has 97 campgrounds, with neat and well-maintained surroundings. Sites have water and electric hookup, with no sewer option available. The ground is pet and kid-friendly with a playground nearby for recreation. Restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are provided. Other amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, water pumps, and a dump station. Boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities are nearby. There are also paved sites available, and the maximum stay is 24 days. Reservations can be made online or in person.
Lake Sidney Lanier is home to a wide range of wildlife species. Hikers and boaters at the resort can spot some of these animals while exploring the resort. Mammals like otters, raccoons foxes, coyotes, and beavers are easy spots. The park also has white-tailed deer, various rabbit species and ferrets which eagle-eyed visitors can spot on the grasslands. Reptiles like snakes and turtles can likewise be spotted at the park.
The annual Island deer hunt at the lake takes place late in the year, coinciding with bow hunting season and is conducted to control the region's deer population. The hunt is done by archery alone, with other forms of weapons and firearms prohibited. Hunting is carried out on designated islands accessible only by boat. Each hunter is permitted to kill a maximum of one deer per day which he must record at harvest game check. A few other regulations apply: Hunters are allowed to bring only one hunting partner to the island and hunters must be properly licensed.
Georgia has a lot of historical sites and museums visitors can explore if the decide to take a day away from the lake. It is a brilliant way to immerse yourself in history and gain some valuable knowledge as well as collect some souvenirs. Chief Vann House State Historic Site, is one of the many places visitors to the region can visit, Antique Funeral Museum is also popular as well as Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and, Gwinnett History Museum.
