Lake Lanier Public Beaches & Boat Ramps
Where to swim and where to launch — the parks locals actually use, from the dam to the north arms.
Swim beaches
Public beaches on Lake Lanier
Buford — south end, by Buford Dam
West Bank Park
Corps park near the dam with a swim beach, picnic shelters and a boat ramp. One of the closest beaches to Atlanta, so it fills early on summer weekends.
Park detailsCumming — south end, Forsyth side
Little Hall Park
Corps day-use beach and ramp off the west shore. A good family swim spot with picnic areas close to GA-400.
Park detailsFlowery Branch — mid-lake
Old Federal Park
Corps day-use area with a sandy swim beach and picnic tables next to the Old Federal campground. Easy from I-985 and the Flowery Branch neighborhoods.
Park detailsFlowery Branch — mid-lake
Van Pugh Park
Corps park with a beach on the north day-use side and a campground on the south. Calmer coves make it a favorite with younger kids.
Park detailsGainesville — north end, Chestatee arm
Bolding Mill Park
Day-use beach, ramp and campground up the Chestatee River arm. Quieter water and less weekend traffic than the south end.
Park detailsCumming — Forsyth County park
Mary Alice Park
Forsyth County's lake park with a swim beach, playground, picnic pavilions and a boat ramp. County parking fees apply in season.
Park detailsBuford — Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
LandShark Landing Beach
Not a free public beach — it's a ticketed resort beach — but it's the lake's best-known sand, next to the water park and LandShark Bar & Grill.
Park detailsLaunching a boat
Public boat ramps
The Corps runs dozens of ramps around the lake — these are some of the most popular, from south to north.
Buford — south end, by Buford Dam
East Bank Park
Corps ramp on the south end. Pedestrians and vehicles are free; launching a boat carries the daily Corps ramp fee.
Park detailsBuford — south end
West Bank Park
Ramp and beach in the same park, so the family can swim while you launch and park the trailer.
Park detailsCumming — south end
Little Hall Park
Ramp on the Forsyth shore with easy access to the open water near the dam and Lanier Islands.
Park detailsGainesville — mid/north lake
Burton Mill Park
Corps day-use area and ramp; seasonal, typically open spring through mid-fall.
Park detailsForsyth side — mid-lake
Long Hollow Park
Corps day-use park and ramp; seasonal operating dates.
Park detailsDawson County — north end
Toto Creek Park
Ramp, small campground and day-use area well up the lake — a quiet north-end launch.
Park detailsGainesville — Hall County park
Clarks Bridge Park
Hall County's park at the 1996 Olympic rowing venue, with a public ramp on the Chattahoochee arm.
Park detailsGainesville — Hall County park
Laurel Park
County park with a lake ramp, ball fields, trails and playgrounds — handy for north-end neighborhoods.
Park detailsBefore you pack the car
No lifeguards at Corps beaches
The Corps runs 13 day-use swim areas around the lake and none have lifeguards. Swim only inside the marked areas and keep life jackets on kids.
Fees and the annual pass
Corps day-use parks and ramps charge daily fees of up to $8. If you'll launch often, the Corps annual pass pays for itself fast and works at Corps parks nationwide.
Seasonal hours
Day-use parks are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; some close fully or partly in winter. Boat launching is allowed after park closing time.
Low water changes the ramps
In a dry fall some shallow ramps, especially up the north arms, become unusable. Check the lake level before you tow up.
Fees, hours and closures change each season — confirm with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the county before you go.