10 Best Lakes to visit near Savannah, Georgia

10 Best Lakes to visit near Savannah, Georgia

Georgia
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Georgia has many lakes; which means an abundance of water activities for the residents and visitors of the area. Many, if not most of the lake s in Georgia are man-made, many constructed to be reservoirs, and out of dams especially in the 20th Century. They have done that, and more, providing recreational activities over time. 

Here are ten lakes found in Georgia!

1. Lake Allatoona

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Lake Allatoona is a very beautiful lake in Georgia. It is a United States of America Army Corps of Engineers reservoir and is situated in the northwestern part of Georgia, and has over the time served as a hydro-generation plant, a recreational facility, as well a water treatment facility. There are wildlife and nature to be enjoyed around the lake. The lake covers about 12, 000 acres of land and even though the lake is managed by the US Corps, lots of the land around the lake is leased and the public gets to enjoy the lake and its environs. Around the lake, which assumed the name of the US Corps Allatoona, are camping facilities that one can hire for use as one enjoys the lake and the weather. The Lake Allatoona Marina is also an amazing boat servicing service and one can get restaurants around the lake as well! The lake first came into formation in 1949, when the River Etowah started collecting the water that now forms the lake, and that is the genesis if the amazing lake.

 2. Lake Blackshear

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In 1930, Lake Blackshear was created to generate electricity to surrounding areas. Now, the lake covers about 8,700 acres and borders five counties. The lake was named after General David Blackshear who built a fort near where the lake is situated back in 1812. Around the lakes are some of the most interesting amenities, like the Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, the Georgia Veterans State Park, and the Georgia Memorial Golf Course. Now, apart from providing electricity, the lake is a peaceful recreational facility where people can go picnicking, swimming, boating, skiing, swimming, fishing and just enjoying nature! There are also restaurants, and shops, where people can eat some food and buy souvenirs and one, can also rent boats, bicycles, and canoes. 

3. Lake Seminole 

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Covering 37,500 acres, and lying on the borders of Alabama and Florida, is the Lake Seminole. The lake was created by the US Corps in 1946 and took several years to be completed. There is a whole 376 miles of shoreline to be explored, and people can see the beautiful forest of pine and hardwood around the lake which collects water from Chattahoochee and Flit Rivers. People who visit Lake Seminole not only enjoy the views, but also activities like fishing, boating and also one might get lucky to see wildlife such as alligators, eagles, vultures, raccoons, and even ducks! There are also almost 80 species of fish in this lake so there is a ton of things to look out for! 

4. Lake Lanier

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Lake Lanier was officially Lake Sidney Lanier when it was constructed as a reservoir, for flood control as well as recreational purposes by the US Corps Engineers. The lake covers an area of 38, 000 acres and its main source of water is the county of Gwinnett and is named after Sydney Lanier, the poet and musician. it is located about 60 miles from Atlanta and borders the counties of Forsyth, Dawson, Gwinnett, Hall, and Lumpkin. The lake attracts millions of people every year who come to enjoy activities such as camping and fishing as well as watersports. There are about 1,200 campsites around the area as well as Marinas. 

5. Lake Blue Ridge 

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The 3,290-acre Lake Blue Ridge in Tannin County is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes around! The lake covers an area of 65 miles of shoreline and the lake came about after the construction of the Blue Ridge Dam in 1930 by the Toccoa Electric Power Company. Apart from enjoying the beautiful clear water, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and the mountains as well as enjoy camping, swimming, a full-service Marina, picnics, and even boating.  

6. High Falls Lake 

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The 650-acre lake is located Northwest of Macon, in the Butts County offers a very nice place for fishing enthusiasts. One can also rent boats and canoes, go camping, hiking, picnics, and just enjoying nature. It is well known as having some of the best fishing spots are, where one can get really good bass. One is not allowed to swim in the lake, but there is a pool nearby where people can access it. People can camp at the yurts which come complete with picnic tables, electricity supply, a deck, fans, and even grills. The hiking trails to where the hydroelectric plant was, are also phenomenal. 

7. Lake Oconee

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Enjoy golf by the lake, at the Lake Oconee. The 19,000-acre lake was created when the River Oconee was damned by Georgia Power. The lake is separated by the Wallace Dam from Lake Sinclair; and borders three counties; Morgan, Greene, and Putnam. The lake is clean, as there are no settlements nearby. Reynolds, Cuscowilla, and Harbor Club are the three gated Golf Courses near the lake. There are also three parks; Lawrence Shoals, Parks Ferry, and Old Salem as well as the Oconee National Forest. 

8. Lake Rabun

Image: Wikipedia

Lake Rabun is the third lake in a six lake series that follows the course of River Tallulah. The 835-acre lake was designed to be a reservoir and has a 25-mile-long shoreline. The mountainous terrain and nature surrounding the lake, and the activities that one can do around it are amazing. One can stay at the pavilion near the lake, and even host an event there; during spring, summer and fall, one can catch jazz music performances every Saturday, hike, ride bikes, enjoy drive-in movies, visit the Tullah Gorge State Park, or the Black Rock Mountain State Park, or the Rabun County Waterfalls, take a boat ride and many more activities! 

9. Lake Burton 

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With 62 miles of shoreline and covering 2, 800 acres, is the beautiful Lake Burton, located along the Tallulah River. One of the finest lakes in Georgia. If you love watersports, especially, you will love Lake Burton. Full of family and group activities, like waterskiing, boating, kayaking, paddling, tubing, fishing, and even wakeboarding. Around Lake, Burton is parks, lodging facilities, restaurants, shops, and event venues. George Power owns the lake which is near the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

10. Richard B Russell Lake

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The Richard B Russell Lake covers 26,650 acres of land is an amazing place to go boating. The lake is located near Elberton, Georgia. There are a lot of activities to be enjoyed here- boating, camping fishing, hiking, golfing, paddling, biking, kayaking, and even picnicking. The lake has a shoreline of 540 miles and was formed by the Richard B Russell Dam on the Savannah River in the 1980s and was filled in 1984.