Region
North Georgia High Country
Lake Lanier Recreation Guide
Make Memories at Lake Lanier
Georgia’s largest lake, known for boating, swimming, fishing, camping, and major recreation areas.
Why Lake Lanier Belongs on Your Georgia Outdoors List
Lake Lanier anchors north Georgia reservoir fishing with a large network of public ramps, parks, marinas, coves, points, and open-water structure. Anglers use Lanier for boat-based bass and striped-bass fishing, seasonal crappie patterns, catfish, bank fishing near public recreation areas, and quick trips from the Atlanta and Gainesville areas. Use GeorgiaOutdoors to compare public access points, nearby campgrounds, lake recreation options, and official fishing resources before you go.
Quick Facts for Planning Your Visit
Use these at-a-glance details to understand the setting, then build the trip around how your family or group wants to enjoy the water.
Lake Size
38,000 acres
Shoreline
690 miles
Best For
Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, parks & day use
What You Can Do at Lake Lanier
These lake-specific notes highlight the recreation that is genuinely available here, along with the limits and practical details that shape a visit.
A Major Boating Destination
Lake Lanier supports everything from family cruising and paddling to sailing, personal watercraft, and full-day powerboat trips. Its extensive network of public ramps, marinas, parks, and protected coves makes it one of Georgia’s most accessible large-lake boating destinations.
Fish Open Water, Points, and Coves
Anglers use Lake Lanier for striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, catfish, and other reservoir species. The lake’s size and variety of structure support open-water trolling, casting around points and docks, and quieter fishing in creek arms and coves.
Use Designated Beaches
Public swimming is concentrated at developed recreation areas and beaches rather than along every stretch of shoreline. Choose an established swim area with parking and visitor facilities, and confirm seasonal operating status before making the trip.
Camp Near the Water
Multiple public campgrounds around Lake Lanier provide access to boating, fishing, beaches, picnic areas, and shoreline views. The lake works well for both a campground-centered family trip and a boating weekend with a campsite as the home base.
Parks for a Full Lake Day
Lake Lanier’s public recreation areas make it possible to combine picnicking, shoreline walks, fishing, playground time, swimming, and boating in one visit. Facilities vary widely by park, so the access listings are the best way to choose the right destination.
Launch Points & Shoreline Access
Lake Access & Boat Ramps at Lake Lanier
7 published access points can help you choose where to launch, fish, picnic, swim, or begin a day on the water. Confirm current hours, fees, water levels, and ramp conditions before traveling.
State Park Access
Public access
Don Carter State Park Access
Operated by: Georgia State Parks
Location:
5000 N Browning Bridge Rd
Gainesville, GA 30506
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Swimming
Private Marina
Private business
Holiday on Lake Lanier
Operated by: Holiday on Lake Lanier
Location:
6900 Lanier Islands Pkwy
GA 30518
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Marina, Boat rentals
Phone: 770-945-7201
Private Marina / Public Launch
Private business
Safe Harbor Aqualand Marina
Operated by: Safe Harbor Aqualand Marina
Location:
6800 Lights Ferry Road
GA
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Restrooms, Picnic area, Marina, Boat rentals, Fuel, Bait & tackle
Phone: 770-967-6811
Campground Boat Ramp
Public access
Bald Ridge Creek Campground
Operated by: Corps of Engineers
Location:
4045 Bald Ridge Park Dr
GA
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Fishing pier, Restrooms
Phone: 770-945-9531
Boat Ramp
Public access
Laurel Park Boat Ramp
Operated by: Hall County Parks & Leisure
Location:
3100 Old Cleveland Hwy
Gainesville, GA
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
County Campground / Park Access
Public access
River Forks Campground and Park
Operated by: Hall County
Location:
3500 Keith Bridge Road
GA 30504
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 770-531-3952
Private Marina
Private business
Sunrise Cove Marina
Operated by: Sunrise Cove Marina
Location:
5725 Flat Creek Rd
GA 30504
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Marina, Boat rentals, Bait & tackle
Marinas, Rentals & Lake Services
For many visitors, lake weekends start with practical services: fuel, ramps, rentals, dock access, supplies, and a good launching point for the day.
Guide Service
Bait Shack Watersports
Lake Lanier fishing guide and fishing boat rental business serving anglers and lake visitors from Cumming.
Bait Shack Watersports is a dual-purpose Lake Lanier business offering fishing guide services and fishing boat rentals, making it useful for both Lake Lanier recreation planning and fishing-category pages.
Services: fishing guides, fishing boat rentals, pontoon rentals, fishing charters, Lake Lanier fishing trips
Hours: Confirm guide trip and rental availability before booking.
Address:
4900 Pilgrim Mill Rd, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 678-234-4371
Marina
Gainesville Marina
Public marina and boat dealer serving Lake Lanier visitors from Gainesville.
Services: public marina, used boats, boat motors, boat service
Address:
2145 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770-536-2171
Watersports Rental
Lanier Jet Ski & Watersports
Lake Lanier watersports rental provider offering jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, tours, and boat rentals from Margaritaville / LandShark Landing.
Lanier Jet Ski & Watersports helps visitors get on the water at Lake Lanier with jet ski rentals, kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, boat rentals, and guided water experiences from LandShark Landing at Margaritaville.
Services: jet ski rentals, kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, boat rentals, guided water tours
Hours: Check booking site for current rental hours and availability.
Address:
LandShark Landing at Margaritaville, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
Phone: 470-758-8298
Marina
Port of Indecision Marina at Margaritaville Lanier Islands
Lake Lanier marina at Margaritaville Lanier Islands with slips, storage, boat rentals, and fuel dock access.
Port of Indecision Marina at Margaritaville Lanier Islands gives Lake Lanier visitors a full-service marina base with boat slips, dry stack storage, boat rentals, fuel dock access, and a resort-style lake setting at LandShark Cove.
Services: marina, boat slips, dry stack storage, wet slips, boat rentals, fuel dock
Hours: Confirm current marina, rental, and fuel dock hours before visiting.
Address:
7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
Phone: 470-323-3444
Marina
Port Royale Marina
Large Lake Lanier marina with rentals, slips, storage, sales, and service.
Services: boat rentals, slips, storage, boat sales, boat service, gas island
Address:
8800 Port Royale Drive, Gainesville, GA 30506
Phone: 770-887-5715
Boat Rental
Aqua Sports Adventures
Lake Lanier boat rental company operating from the Holiday Marina / Lanier Islands area in Buford.
Aqua Sports Adventures serves Lake Lanier visitors with boat rentals from the Holiday Marina / Lanier Islands area, making it a practical rental option for families and groups planning a day on the water.
Services: boat rentals, pontoon rentals, lake rentals
Hours: Confirm rental hours and reservation availability before visiting.
Address:
6900 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
Phone: 770-932-3366
Marina
Bald Ridge Marina
Longstanding Lake Lanier marina in Cumming with wet slips, covered berths, fuel dock, pump-out, security, and boat service access.
Bald Ridge Marina has served Lake Lanier boaters since 1958 and offers a large marina footprint in Cumming with wet slips, covered berths, fuel dock, pump-out, boat service access, and convenient south-lake access.
Services: marina, wet slips, covered berths, fuel dock, pump-out, boat service, boat storage
Hours: Confirm current marina office and fuel dock hours before visiting.
Address:
1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 770-887-5309
Bait And Tackle
Buford Dam Bait and Tackle
Local bait and tackle stop serving anglers on Lake Lanier.
Services: live bait, tackle, fishing supplies
Address:
2595 Buford Dam Road, Cumming, GA
Gainesville, GA
Phone: 706-429-7211
Boat Rental
Captain Watersports
Lake Lanier boat rental and watersports provider offering pontoon rentals and delivery on the north end of the lake.
Captain Watersports offers Lake Lanier pontoon boat rentals and watersports support, including delivery to docks on the north end of Lake Lanier for visitors who want an easier way to get on the water.
Services: pontoon rentals, boat rentals, watersports, dock delivery
Hours: Confirm delivery area, rental hours, and availability before booking.
Address:
Lake Lanier, Gainesville, GA 30506
Phone: 678-221-4034
Marina
Holiday on Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier marina destination in Buford with boat slips, boat service, boat club, sailing academy, towing services, and lake-area amenities.
Holiday on Lake Lanier is a full marina destination in Buford offering boat slips, boat service, boat club access, sailing academy programs, towing services, and a broad set of lake services near Lanier Islands.
Services: marina, boat slips, boat service, boat club, sailing academy, towing services, ship store
Hours: Confirm current marina hours and service availability before visiting.
Address:
6900 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
Phone: 770-945-7201
Marina
Sunrise Cove Marina
East-side Lake Lanier marina in Gainesville with boat slips, boat rentals, ship store, clubhouse, pump-out, and fuel dock services.
Sunrise Cove Marina is a Lake Lanier marina in Gainesville offering boat slips, boat rentals, a marine ship store, clubhouse access, bath house, laundry, pump-out, and seasonal fuel dock services.
Services: marina, boat slips, boat rentals, ship store, clubhouse, pump-out, fuel dock, events
Hours: Confirm current office and fuel dock hours before visiting.
Address:
5725 Flat Creek Rd, Gainesville, GA 30504
Phone: 770-536-8599
Campgrounds & Places to Stay Near Lake Lanier
A lake trip changes when you stay overnight. Campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, resorts, and local lodging can turn a day on the water into a more complete weekend with more time for the people you came with.
Featured Places to Stay
Resort
Legacy Lodge at Lanier Islands
Lakeside resort lodging on Lake Lanier with hotel rooms, lake-view accommodations, pool, dining, recreation and direct access to the Lanier Islands resort amenities.
Events, Dining & Nearby Stops
The best lake trips often include more than time on the water: a nearby town, a seasonal event, a restaurant, a park, or a second activity after boating or beach time.
Dining & Nearby Attractions
-
Fish Tales Lakeside Grille
6330 Mitchell Street
770-967-3775 -
Skogie's Lakefront Restaurant
2151 Dawsonville Highway
678-450-1310
Build a Weekend Around Lake Lanier
Use the lake as the anchor, then add campgrounds, parks, restaurants, marinas, and nearby outdoor stops to shape a trip that feels distinctly Georgia.
Start with the Water
Plan a day of fishing with information on fish species, access points, and places to cast from shore or launch a boat.
Add the Basecamp
Choose a campground, RV site, cabin, hotel, or nearby town that gives everyone more time together.
Explore Nearby
Look for parks, restaurants, events, trails, and small-town stops that turn the lake visit into a more memorable Georgia getaway.
Plan Your Lake Trip
Explore More Around Lake Lanier
Find campgrounds, explore the map, and use the lake as the beginning of your next Georgia outdoor memory.