Outdoors
Campgrounds and camping areas near Alpharetta on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Buford Dam Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Sawnee Campground lies just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to boating and swimming.
Map of 26 places loads as you scroll.
Buford Dam Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
Sawnee Campground lies just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to boating and swimming.
West Bank Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
Bald Ridge Creek Campground is on Lake Sidney Lanier, popular for its aqua-blue waters and spectacular scenery.
Lanier Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
Payne Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
Van Pugh North Park lies approximately 15 miles north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
Van Pugh South Day Use Facility lies on the banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia.
Sweetwater Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
Sweetwater Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 45 miles south.
Old Federal Campground lies on the eastern banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in Northern Georgia.
Victoria Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.
Galt's Ferry Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south.
Thompson Creek Park lies approximately 30 miles north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
Duckett Mill Campground is located on Lake Sidney Lanier. With over 692 miles of shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities.
Little Hall Park lies approximately 30 miles north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking, and boating.
Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation.
Carters Lake Project is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Carters Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in the Southeast.
Hartwell Lake is one of the most popular Corps lakes in the nation. Built by the U.S.
Fishing is probably the most popular activity on West Point Lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly.
"Ole Dan Tucker was a grand ole man; He washed his face in a fryin' pan; Combed his hair with a wagon wheel; Died with a tooth ache in his heel!" During the 1700's, this famous folk song was sung by slaves in praise of the Reverend Dan…
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Thurmond Lake is the largest Corps of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi River. The lake encompasses 1,200 miles of shoreline, 70,000 acres of water and 80,000 acres of land.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Alpharetta. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity video shared by Connected Alpharetta.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Around Atlanta with Joel Boss.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Buford Dam Park Shelters (Ga) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 13 miles northeast of Alpharetta as the crow flies. Next are Lake Sidney Lanier (13 mi) and Sawnee (13 mi).
Based on Alpharetta’s average highs, September–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
16 of the 26 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.