Lake Sidney Lanier is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in north Georgia, about an hour northeast of downtown Atlanta. The Corps built Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in the 1950s for flood control, hydropower and water supply. Today it's one of the most visited Corps lakes in the country, with more than 10 million visits a year.
Planning to get on the water? Start with kayak rentals or the free launch spots.
Lake Lanier facts
| Surface area | About 38,000 acres |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | 692 miles |
| Islands | More than 100 small islands (Corps of Engineers) |
| Deepest point | About 160 feet, near Buford Dam |
| Full summer pool | 1,071 feet above sea level |
| Visitors | More than 10 million a year |
| Rivers | Chattahoochee and Chestatee |
| Counties | Hall, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Dawson and Lumpkin |
How the lake was made
The Corps began buying land in the late 1940s and closed Buford Dam in 1956. The lake took until 1959 to reach full pool. Farms, roads and small communities in the river valley, including part of the old Oscarville community, ended up underwater, which is why low-water years still expose old roadbeds and foundations.
Why it's called Lanier
The lake is named for Sidney Lanier, a 19th-century Georgia poet and musician who wrote "Song of the Chattahoochee," about the river the lake now holds back.
The 1996 Olympics
Lanier hosted the rowing and canoe/kayak sprint events of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics at what is now Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville. The venue still hosts racing and training, and it rents kayaks and paddleboards to the public in summer.
Water levels
Lanier stores drinking water for millions of Georgians, so its level moves with rainfall and dam releases. In the 2007–08 drought the lake fell to a record low of about 1,050.8 feet, more than 20 feet below full pool, exposing red clay banks and closing many ramps and beaches. See today's water level.
Things to do on Lake Lanier
- Paddle: where to find calm water
- Rent a pontoon, jet ski or party boat: boat rentals
- Swim and picnic at one of the Lake Lanier beaches
- Hike the Laurel Ridge Trail near Buford Dam
- Fish for stripers, spotted bass and catfish
Frequently asked questions
Can you kayak on Lake Lanier?
Yes. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are allowed lake-wide, and many Corps, county and city parks have beaches or banks where you can launch. The upper lake near Gainesville and the backs of coves are the calmest.
Do you need a permit to kayak on Lake Lanier?
No permit or registration is needed for a non-motorized kayak or paddleboard. You may pay a day-use fee to park at some launch sites, and you must carry a life jacket for each person.
Where can I rent a kayak on Lake Lanier?
Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on summer weekends for $30 per person for two hours. Outfitters in Cumming, Flowery Branch and Buford rent by the hour, and some deliver to a park.
Is it free to launch a kayak on Lake Lanier?
At 14 Corps of Engineers parks, yes. Corps and Hall County fee parks charge $8 per vehicle, card only, and Forsyth County parks charge their own fee.
How deep is Lake Lanier?
The deepest point is about 160 feet, near Buford Dam. Much of the lake is far shallower, and the level rises and falls with rainfall and dam releases.
How big is Lake Lanier?
About 38,000 acres of water with 692 miles of shoreline, according to the Corps of Engineers.
Is Lake Lanier safe for kayaking?
Yes, if you wear a life jacket, stay near shore and avoid the main channel when boat traffic is heavy. Most drownings on the lake involve people who weren't wearing a vest.
What is the best time to kayak Lake Lanier?
Weekday mornings from May through September for warm, calm water. September and October bring fewer boats. Avoid the main channel on summer weekend afternoons.
Is it safe to swim in Lake Lanier?
Swim only at designated beaches, wear a life jacket if you're not a strong swimmer, and stay away from the main boat channel. Drop-offs can be steep and the water is deep.