Campgrounds, Parks and Beaches

An aerial photo of Lake Sidney Lanier in 1961 shows the lake in its early stages of development. The lake was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River. The lake encompasses 38,000 acres (150 km2) or 59 sq mi (150 km2) of water, and 692 mi (1,114 km) of shoreline at normal level, a "full pool" of 1,071 ft (326 m) above mean sea level and the exact shoreline varies by resolution according to the coastline paradox. Named for poet Sidney Lanier, it was built and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supplies. The 1961 aerial photo shows the lake in its early stages of development. The lake is surrounded by forests and farmland, and there are few signs of human development. The only major development visible in the photo is the Buford Dam, which is located at the southern end of the lake. The 1961 aerial photo is a valuable historical document that shows the lake in its early stages of development. The photo is also a reminder of the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings.
1961 Aerial Photo of Lake Sidney Lanier (scroll over to enlarge)
The history of Lake Lanier beaches is closely tied to the history of the lake itself. Lake Lanier was created in 1956 by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. The lake was created for flood control, drinking water, and hydroelectric power. The first beaches on Lake Lanier were created in the early 1960s. These beaches were mostly small and undeveloped. In the 1970s, the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority (LLIDA) was formed to manage and develop the lake's recreational resources. LLIDA began to develop larger and more elaborate beaches, including the beach at Lanier Islands Resort. In the 1980s, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources began to develop beaches on Lake Lanier. These beaches were designed to be more natural and to provide a more authentic lake experience. The department also began to develop trails and other amenities around the lake. Today, there are over 50 beaches on Lake Lanier. These beaches range from small and secluded to large and developed. There are also many beaches that are accessible only by boat. No matter what type of beach experience you are looking for, you are sure to find it on Lake Lanier.
Beach at Lake Lanier Islands

Many visitors came to Lake Lanier to camp and swim. Beaches, picnic shelters, campsites, and playgrounds materialized around the reservoir to support these activities.

Wayne Hill: “We camped a lot when our kids were small. And we camped all over the south end of the lake, had a boat, and it was a lot of fun. My kids really remember it. We’d go to the Lake Lanier Islands, which was completely different than it is now. And I’d actually leave them over there, my wife and the kids, and I’d go back and forth to work.”

The Picnic Shelter at Van Pugh North Campground Lake Lanier is a great place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. The shelter is located in a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Lanier. It has a large picnic table and benches, as well as a grill. There is also a playground nearby for the kids. The shelter is available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picnic Shelter at Van Pugh North Campground

Martha McConnell: “The Jaycees and Jaycettes saw the need and knew that people were enjoying the lake. So they built Mary Alice Park down on the lake. And they put a little, I think it was a trailer, and hired somebody that lived there. And they ran a concession stand and more or less was the lifeguard for that area. So that was a place you could go swim. They put sand and corded it off, tried to make it as safe as possible.”

Notably, Lake Lanier was not a safe destination for everyone. Part of the lake borders Forsyth County, which was long known as an “all-white” area after a racial cleansing in 1912 when Black residents were driven from the county. In July 1980, a Forsyth resident fired his pistol at two Black visitors from Atlanta attending a company picnic at Lake Lanier. One of them, Miguel Marcelli, was struck in the head, and miraculously survived. This history of segregation is important to remember, even as Forsyth County and Lake Lanier’s overall visitor population grows increasingly diverse.

Clarks Bridge Park is located on the shores of Lake Lanier in Hall County, Georgia. The park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. It is also home to the Lake Lanier Olympic Park, which was used for the rowing and canoeing events during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free. There are two boat ramps, a fishing pier, a playground, and a picnic area. The park also has a swimming beach, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Clarks Bridge Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of Lake Lanier. It is a popular spot for families and for people of all ages.
Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge Park