DO IT: Boating

From Cruisers to Catamarans, Georgia Floats Your Boat

Boating is a popular recreational activity enjoyed by many Georgians across the state with 151
boat ramps available for use. Boating often goes hand-in-hand with fishing, but sometimes a
sunset cruise just to enjoy the water and the breeze is all you need.

Many Georgia State Parks offer boat ramps, docks, rentals and marinas. Some state park campgrounds and cabins even have adjacent docks. Water skiing, sailing and personal watercraft are permitted on large lakes; however, some parks on smaller lakes have horsepower restrictions to preserve the park’s tranquil setting and wildlife. Some facilities may be closed during drought, so check ahead. For added adventure, Stephen C. Foster State Park offers guided boat tours through the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp.

The Army Corps of Engineers operates 10 of Georgia’s largest lakes and their surrounding recreation areas. The lakes were created by damming once free-flowing rivers, and are used for water conservation, power generation and recreation. These lakes provide boating opportunities for every kind of recreational vessel from fishing boats and sailboats to pontoons and personal watercraft.

Georgia Power manages approximately 60,000 surface acres of water making up 17 lakes across the state associated with hydroelectric projects and is the largest non-government provider of recreation facilities in the state. Many Georgia Power recreation areas have boat ramps.

Of course, Georgia’s largest “pool” of water is the Atlantic Ocean which hugs 100 miles of the state’s coast. From Savannah to St. Marys, numerous marinas allow you to hire a captain and/or rent a boat to take out beyond the waves. You can become temporarily certified to operate a boat by taking a 10-minute video certification course offered by the marinas. Boat owners and renters in Georgia must complete this Georgia DNR-approved Boater Safety Training Course.

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Boating - Locations

Beaverdam Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1155 Marina Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-213-6462

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Bobby Brown Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2509 Bobby Brown State Park Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-283-5500

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Bullard Creek WMA – Towns Bluff Tract

Magnolia Midlands
Bell Telephone Rd.
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
229-426-5267

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Butts County Visitor Center

Historic Heartland
25 Third St.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4839

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City of Forsyth CVB

Historic Heartland
20 N. Jackson St.
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-974-1460

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Covington Visitors Center

Historic Heartland
1143 Oak St. SE
Covington, GA 30014
770-385-2077

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Crooked River State Park

Georgia Coast
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy.
St. Marys, GA 31558
912-882-5256

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Doll Mountain Campground at Carters Lake

Northwest Georgia Mountains
1362 Doll Mountain Rd.
Ellijay, GA 30540
877-444-6777

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Don Carter State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-450-7726

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Elbert County Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 72
Elberton, GA 30635
770-595-4222

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F.D. Roosevelt State Park

West Georgia
2970 GA Hwy. 190
Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2200
706-663-4858

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Factory Shoals Park

Historic Heartland
450 Newton Factory Bridge Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
678-699-2809

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Fort McAllister State Park

Georgia Coast
3894 Fort McAllister Rd.
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912-727-2339

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Fort Mountain State Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
181 Fort Mountain Park Rd.
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-422-1932

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Fort Yargo State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
210 S. Broad St.
Winder, GA 30680
770-867-3489

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Georgia State Parks

Atlanta Metro
2600 Hwy. 155 SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7286

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High Falls State Park

Historic Heartland
76 High Falls Park Dr.
Jackson, GA 30233
478-993-3053

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High Falls State Park – Forsyth

Historic Heartland
76 High Falls Park Dr.
Jackson, GA 30233
478-993-3053

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Indian Springs State Park

Historic Heartland
678 Lake Clark Rd.
Flovilla, GA 30216
770-504-2277

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Jack Hill State Park

Magnolia Midlands
322 Park Ln./Hwy. 280 W.
Reidsville, GA 30453
912-557-7744

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James H. Floyd State Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
2800 'Sloppy' Floyd Lake Rd.
Summerville, GA 30747
706-857-0826

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Kolomoki Mounds State Park

Plantation Trace
205 Indian Mounds Rd.
Blakely, GA 39823
229-724-2150

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Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club

West Georgia
2459H U.S. Hwy. 280 W.
Cordele, GA 31015
229-276-1004

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Lake Chatuge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 76
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-4966

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Lake Jackson – City of Jackson

Historic Heartland
180 Dam Rd.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4753

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Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Northeast Georgia
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5499

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Lake Russell Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
304 Lake Russell Rd.
Mt. Airy, GA 30563
706-754-6221

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LaPrades Marina

NE GA Mountains
25 Shoreline Trail
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-947-0010

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Laura S. Walker State Park

Georgia Coast
5653 Laura Walker Rd.
Waycross, GA 31503
912-287-4900

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Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge

Magnolia Midlands
80 Live Oak Tr.
McRae-Helena, GA 31037
229-868-7474

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Featured Attractions