Only a 45 minute drive North of Atlanta, Lake Lanier is a picturesque "island" paradise with white sandy beaches and over a hundred islands to choose from to beach your houseboat and call your own for your stay. Lake Lanier was created by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956. The lake has 59 square miles of water and 692 miles of shoreline at regular water level.
Port Royale Marina is where you pick up your houseboat, the 53' Deluxe Houseboat, and any other water crafts you have rented for fun on the water. There's a variety of Runabout boats, Waverunners, and Party Barge pontoons to choose from.
There are many ways to enjoy Lake Lanier while you're out on the crystal blue water. Water activities such as swimming, boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, scuba diving and windsurfing (just to name a few).
Fishing is also a very popular pastime on these waters. The fish bite all year round; trout are especially fond of the area below Buford Dam (however, fishermen should be cautious of safety regulations for fishing in this area). There are several types of fish swimming here: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, bullheads, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill crappie, redbreast sunfish, walleye, carp, warmouth, striped bass and gar.
You can also spot other wildlife skyward: Canadian geese, sparrows, warblers, woodpeckers, and even bald eagles; and along the shoreline: frogs, turtles, snakes, bats, gophers, muskrats, deer, wild hog, wolf, and turkey.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding are also popular in this area. There are countless trails to enjoy with beautiful views of the lake, and wildflowers among the woodland scenery. Laurel Ridge Trail (3.8 miles) near Buford Dam winds through several park areas, along the lake's shoreline and the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Many of the hiking trails permit horseback riding, like Willis Knob trail (15 miles - difficult), which provides some of the most scenic horseback riding opportunities in the southeast. It offers both mountainous terrain and rewarding views of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Lake Lanier Islands Equestrian Center offers lessons and trail tours.
There are fun activities to participate in OFF the lake, too. At nearby Lake Lanier Islands Resort, there is an island golf course, mini golf, Lanier World water park, dive-in movies at the wave pool, and a 3 lane zip line, among so much more. Lake Lanier Canopy Tours and the Mall of Georgia are in nearby Buford.
Don't miss out on an unforgettable vacation at Lake Lanier, and the extraordinary memories that last a lifetime.