Boat, Feel the Breeze, and Play at Buford Dam Park
Why Rent On Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier sits on land that didn’t always belong to the water. When the Army Corps of Engineers completed Buford Dam in 1957, they submerged six cemeteries, portions of two towns (Oscarville and Gainesville’s lower neighborhoods), and a network of old roads. On calm days, early-morning kayakers occasionally glimpse the ghostly outline of a stone chimney or a submerged road surface through the shallows, which helps explain the lake’s persistent folklore about “what’s down there.”
The 1996 Olympics rowing and canoe sprint events were held at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue in Gainesville, and the sprint course is still there, maintained by Hall County. Locals know it as one of the few places on the lake where the water stays glassy in the morning because the shoreline geometry blocks the prevailing southwest wind.
For fishing, the productive spots that never make tourist guides are the rock humps around the mid-lake islands near Aqualand Marina and the deep creek channels off Chestatee arm, where spotted bass stack in summer. The main lake runs up to 160 feet deep near the dam face.
The lake has roughly 57 parking fee areas managed by the Corps, but many longtime residents use the free access points on the Chestatee and Chattahoochee arms, where small municipal and county-maintained ramps see far less congestion than the Corps launch facilities on summer weekends.
Water quality varies sharply by arm, with the Chattahoochee arm typically running clearer than the shallower Chestatee arm during high-runoff periods.
- Surface area (mi)
- 93.21
- Max depth (ft)
- 255.91
- Elevation (ft)
- 1070.87
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 692.21
Popular activities
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ice Skating
- Cross-country Skiing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Lake Lanier has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, swimming is allowed in Lake Lanier, but it must be done in designated swim areas. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers are advised to follow safety guidelines and swim with others.
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Lake Lanier is a popular destination because it attracts about 11.8 million visitors annually. It offers numerous recreational facilities, including 68 parks and recreation areas, 1,200 campsites, and various water activities like boating, swimming, and fishing. These amenities make it the most visited lake in the Southeast.
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The daily catch limit for black bass in Lake Lanier, Georgia, is 10 fish, but only five can be from species like Shoal, Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, and others. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for all black bass species in Lake Lanier, as per the new regulations.
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The best beach at Lake Lanier for families is Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. It offers a beach area for sunbathing and sand play, along with a water park featuring water slides and wave pools. This makes it an ideal spot for both relaxation and exciting family activities.
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Towns near Lake Lanier such as Buford and Gainesville offer the best amenities for families. These areas have several parks like Mary Alice Park and Buford Dam Park that provide beaches, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Additionally, they are close to water sports facilities and family-friendly resorts like Lanier Islands.
