Whose lake is it?
- Lake Sidney Lanier was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s and is still managed by the Corps. It has more than 690 miles of shoreline and 76 recreation areas, and it serves flood control, hydropower, water supply, navigation and recreation. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District: Lake Sidney Lanier
- Forsyth County says it has more than 200 miles of Lake Lanier shoreline. The New Georgia Encyclopedia puts about 30 percent of the lake's shoreline in Forsyth County. Forsyth County: About; New Georgia Encyclopedia: Forsyth County
- Lake Lanier's full level is 1,071 feet above mean sea level. The record high was 1,077.2 feet in April 1964 and the record low was 1,050.79 feet in December 2007. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Sidney Lanier Frequently Asked Questions
Before you count on a dock
- Private docks on Lake Lanier need a Corps of Engineers Shoreline Use Permit. Only owners next to public land zoned limited development can apply, permits last up to five years and do not transfer, and the Corps caps the number of permits, with a wait list when none are available. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Lanier Shoreline Management Permit Program
- For dock, riprap and other shoreline permits, contact the Corps' Lake Lanier Shoreline Management Help Desk at 770-904-3262. First-time applicants for a new dock must meet a ranger on site. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Lanier Shoreline Management
Ask the Corps about a specific lot before you buy. A listing that shows a dock, or a lot that looks like it could have one, does not settle it.
Public lake access in Forsyth
- Mary Alice Park, at 1820 Mary Alice Park Road, Cumming, has a Lake Lanier boat ramp, a sand swimming beach and a picnic pavilion. Forsyth County has run it since 2023 under a lease with the Corps of Engineers and the City of Cumming. Ramp parking costs $10 a day or $60 a year. Forsyth County: Mary Alice Park
Mary Alice Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (leased from the City of Cumming and USACE)
About 8 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lake Lanier park closest to Cumming with year-round boat access, a sandy swimming beach, grills and a pavilion; the County has operated it since 2023.
What is there: Boat ramp (Lake Lanier), fee required, Courtesy dock, Picnic pavilion, Sand beach with swimming area, fee required, Grills
Fee: Day-use pass $10 per vehicle; boat ramp $10 (County day-use table). Forsyth County annual Lake Lanier pass $60 (10% discount for ages 55+); temporary annual passes sold at the kiosks at Charleston, Mary Alice, Six Mile Creek and Young Deer Creek parks and redeemed within 7 days at Central Park, Fowler Park or Old Atlanta Park recreation centers or the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.
Hours: Day-use areas: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours (may close when the park reaches capacity).
Parking: Vehicles must display a valid day-use or annual pass on the dashboard or mirror.
Dogs: Beach rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up pet waste.
Good to know: USACE 2026 deer hunt closure: closed the evening of Nov. 9 and Nov. 10-12; reopens Nov. 13.
Source: Forsyth County: Mary Alice Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Sawnee Campground
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation in partnership with USACE
About 10 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lake Lanier campground just north of Buford Dam, first developed by USACE in the 1950s, with campsites, bathhouses and a boat ramp.
What is there: Campsites, Bathhouses, Boat ramp, Beach, lake access and playground (County amenity tags)
Dogs: Campground rules: pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet; not allowed in restrooms, playground areas, shelters or designated swim areas.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Campground, checked 2026-10-19
Bald Ridge Creek Campground
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation in partnership with USACE
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lakeside campground on Lake Lanier just east of GA 400 near Cumming, with showers and a boat launch.
What is there: Bathrooms/showers, Boat launch, Campsites, Activities: boating, camping, fishing, lakeside relaxation
Dogs: Campground rules: pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet; not allowed in restrooms, playground areas, shelters or designated swim areas.
Source: Forsyth County: Bald Ridge Creek Campground, checked 2026-10-19
West Bank Park (Lake Lanier)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Lake Lanier Project Management Office
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
USACE-run Lake Lanier day-use park at the west end of Buford Dam, with a swimming area, play area and reservable picnic shelters; pets are not allowed.
What is there: Reservable group picnic shelters SL8203 and SL8206 (70 people each; tables, grill, outlet, lights; $90/day), Shelter chart also marks beach and play area for West Bank (no boat ramp)
Fee: USACE day-use fees: $3 per pedestrian, $8 per vehicle; no boat ramp. USACE annual passes accepted.
Hours: USACE day-use parks: daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (some parks totally or partially closed in winter).
Parking: When parking areas are full, entry may be closed; USACE advises groups to arrive before 11 a.m.
Dogs: Pets are prohibited at West Bank day-use park (USACE).
Good to know: Picnic shelters reservable March 29-Sept. 26 via Recreation.gov.
Source: USACE Mobile District: Lake Lanier Day-Use Parks; Picnic Shelters, checked 2026-10-19
Little Ridge Park (Lake Lanier)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Lake Lanier Project Management Office
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.1 mi of trail (as published)
Free USACE day-use area on Lake Lanier with a boat ramp and the 1.05-mile Little Ridge Trail; no restrooms.
What is there: Boat ramp, Little Ridge Trail (1.05 miles) with wildlife viewing, No restrooms
Fee: Free day-use park (USACE 'Free Day Use Parks' list).
Hours: USACE day-use parks: daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; boat launching only after closing.
Source: USACE Mobile District: Lake Lanier Day-Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Bowmans Island (Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area)
National Park Service, Chattahoochee River NRA
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 5.4 mi of trail (as published)
The northernmost unit of the Chattahoochee River NRA, just below Buford Dam (its Lower Pool entrance is in Forsyth County; the Island Ford Road and Upper Pool entrances are in Gwinnett County), with 5.4 miles of hiking trails plus boat and canoe launches.
What is there: Hiking trails (5.4 miles), Boat launch, Canoe launch, Picnic area with grills, Restrooms
Fee: Entrance pass required: $5 per private vehicle per day (or $5 per person on foot/bike, 16+); $40 park annual pass; America the Beautiful passes accepted.
Hours: Park lands and waters are open for day use only, dawn (30 min before sunrise) to dusk (30 min after sunset), year round.
Parking: A pass is not a parking reservation; parking is not guaranteed.
Dogs: Pets are allowed on park trails on a leash 6 feet or shorter at all times, including in the water.
Source: NPS Chattahoochee River NRA: maps, unit directions, fees, hours, pets, checked 2026-10-19
Charleston Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (leased from USACE)
About 13 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lake Lanier park first developed by USACE in the 1950s, now run by the County, with boat ramps, a multi-use trail and lakeside picnic tables.
What is there: Boat ramps (fee required), Multi-use trail (walking and biking), Picnic tables with grills, Restrooms
Surface: Multi-use trail (surface not stated; County amenity tag: natural trail)
Fee: No vehicle fee; boat ramp $10 per day (County day-use table). Forsyth County annual Lake Lanier pass $60 (10% discount for ages 55+); temporary annual passes sold at the kiosks at Charleston, Mary Alice, Six Mile Creek and Young Deer Creek parks and redeemed within 7 days at Central Park, Fowler Park or Old Atlanta Park recreation centers or the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.
Hours: Day-use areas: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Charleston Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Six Mile Creek Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (leased from USACE)
About 13 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Boat ramp and shoreline fishing access to Lake Lanier off Browns Bridge Road (GA 369).
What is there: Boat ramp (Lake Lanier), fee required, Lake access, Shoreline access for fishing, Fishing tournament permits
Fee: No vehicle fee; boat ramp $10 per day (County day-use table). Forsyth County annual Lake Lanier pass $60 (10% discount for ages 55+); temporary annual passes sold at the kiosks at Charleston, Mary Alice, Six Mile Creek and Young Deer Creek parks and redeemed within 7 days at Central Park, Fowler Park or Old Atlanta Park recreation centers or the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.
Hours: Day-use areas: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Six Mile Creek Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Tidwell Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (shared-cost partnership with USACE)
About 13 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Pilgrim Mill Road boat ramp on Lake Lanier, closed until 2029 for the County's water intake project.
What is there: Restrooms, Boat ramp, Courtesy dock, Activities: boating, fishing
Fee: When open: no vehicle fee; boat ramp $8 (County day-use table).
Hours: Temporarily closed.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Good to know: CLOSED for the Forsyth County Water Intake Project until 2029.
Source: Forsyth County: Tidwell Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Young Deer Creek Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (leased from USACE)
About 21 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lake Lanier access point with a boat ramp, sand beach, picnic pavilion and shoreline access.
What is there: Boat ramp (fee required), Courtesy dock, Sand beach with swimming area, Picnic pavilion, Swing set, Shoreline access, Fishing tournament permits
Fee: No vehicle fee; boat ramp $10 per day (County day-use table). Forsyth County annual Lake Lanier pass $60 (10% discount for ages 55+); temporary annual passes sold at the kiosks at Charleston, Mary Alice, Six Mile Creek and Young Deer Creek parks and redeemed within 7 days at Central Park, Fowler Park or Old Atlanta Park recreation centers or the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.
Hours: Day-use areas: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: Beach rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up pet waste.
Source: Forsyth County: Young Deer Creek Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Two Mile Creek Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (shared-cost partnership with USACE)
About 22 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Lake Lanier beach, picnic and boat-ramp park on Bethel Road in east Forsyth.
What is there: Restrooms, Boat ramp, Courtesy dock, Picnic tables with grills, Sand beach with swimming area, Activities: fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming
Fee: $8 per vehicle; boat ramp $8 (County day-use table). The $40 U.S.A.C.E. annual pass (sold at the USACE office, 1050 Buford Dam Road) is valid at Keith Bridge, Long Hollow, Tidwell (boat ramp only), Two Mile and Vann's Tavern parks.
Hours: Day-use area and boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: Beach rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up pet waste.
Source: Forsyth County: Two Mile Creek Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Vann's Tavern Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (shared-cost partnership with USACE)
About 22 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Boat-ramp park on Lake Lanier at the end of Vanns Tavern Road in east Forsyth.
What is there: Restrooms, Boat ramp, Courtesy dock, Activities: boating, fishing
Fee: No vehicle fee; boat ramp $8 (County day-use table). The $40 U.S.A.C.E. annual pass (sold at the USACE office, 1050 Buford Dam Road) is valid at Keith Bridge, Long Hollow, Tidwell (boat ramp only), Two Mile and Vann's Tavern parks.
Hours: Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Vann's Tavern Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Shady Grove Campground
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 23 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
County-run Lake Lanier campground on about 100 wooded acres; camping is by advance reservation only.
What is there: Lakeside campsites (many with lake views), Beach, boat launch, lake access, pavilion, playground (County amenity tags)
Dogs: Campground rules: pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet; not allowed in restrooms, playground areas, shelters or designated swim areas.
Access: ADA-designated campsites require proof of disability on arrival.
Source: Forsyth County: Shady Grove Campground; Park Rules (campground), checked 2026-10-19
Long Hollow Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (shared-cost partnership with USACE)
About 24 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Seasonal Lake Lanier beach and boat-ramp park on Bryant Road in the county's northeast corner.
What is there: Restrooms, Boat ramp, Courtesy dock, Sand beach with swimming area, Picnic tables with grills, Activities: fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming
Fee: $8 per vehicle; boat ramp $8 (County day-use table). The $40 U.S.A.C.E. annual pass (sold at the USACE office, 1050 Buford Dam Road) is valid at Keith Bridge, Long Hollow, Tidwell (boat ramp only), Two Mile and Vann's Tavern parks.
Hours: Day-use areas: May 1-Sept. 22, 2026, 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: Beach rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up pet waste.
Good to know: Day-use area season (May 1-Sept. 22, 2026) has ended; boat ramps are listed as open 24 hours.
Source: Forsyth County: Long Hollow Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Keith's Bridge Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation (shared-cost partnership with USACE)
About 25 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Seasonal Lake Lanier beach and boat-ramp park at the end of Old Keith Bridge Road in northeast Forsyth.
What is there: Restrooms, Boat ramp, Courtesy dock, Sand beach with swimming, Picnic tables with grills, Activities: fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming
Fee: $8 per vehicle; boat ramp $8 (County day-use table). The $40 U.S.A.C.E. annual pass (sold at the USACE office, 1050 Buford Dam Road) is valid at Keith Bridge, Long Hollow, Tidwell (boat ramp only), Two Mile and Vann's Tavern parks.
Hours: Day-use areas: May 1-Sept. 22, 2026, 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Boat ramps: open 24 hours.
Dogs: Beach rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up pet waste.
Good to know: Day-use area season (May 1-Sept. 22, 2026) has ended; boat ramps are listed as open 24 hours.
Source: Forsyth County: Keith's Bridge Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-19
Want to be close to the water? The area matcher scores each part of the county on its drive to public lake access.
The lake and your water
- Forsyth County has relied on a Lake Lanier water intake owned by the City of Cumming. It is now building its own intake, tunnel, pump station and transmission main, estimated at $188 million with completion expected in 2031. Forsyth County: Water Intake Facility
Questions
Is Lake Lanier in Forsyth County?
Yes, in part. Forsyth County says it has more than 200 miles of Lake Lanier shoreline, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia puts about 30 percent of the lake's shoreline in the county. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built and still manages the lake, which has more than 690 miles of shoreline in total.
What is full pool on Lake Lanier?
Full pool on Lake Lanier is 1,071 feet above mean sea level. The Corps of Engineers says the lake hit a record high of 1,077.2 feet in April 1964 and a record low of 1,050.79 feet in December 2007. Levels move with rainfall and downstream water needs; the Corps posts current levels online.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Sidney Lanier FAQs
Can I build a private dock on Lake Lanier?
Only with a Corps of Engineers Shoreline Use Permit. You must own property next to public land zoned limited development, and first-time applicants meet a ranger on site. Permits last up to five years and do not transfer. The Corps limits the total number of permits and keeps a wait list. Call the Shoreline Help Desk at 770-904-3262.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Lanier Shoreline Management
Where can I launch a boat on Lake Lanier in Forsyth County?
County lake parks include Mary Alice Park (1820 Mary Alice Park Road, Cumming), with a boat ramp, beach and pavilion, plus Charleston Park and Vann's Tavern Park. County ramp parking costs $10 a day or $60 a year. Mary Alice Park is closed Nov. 10-12, 2026 (and the evening of Nov. 9) for a Corps of Engineers deer hunt.
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Forsyth County Government