Spotlight: Allatoona Lake
Spotlight: Allatoona Lake
Recreation seekers in Atlanta flock to this destination.
Allatoona Lake. Photo by John Johnson
Getting There
Allatoona Lake is located on the Etowah River in the hilly piedmont region of northwest Georgia, 35 miles north of Atlanta, making it a popular and convenient destination for Atlanta’s active sports and recreation lovers. Take I-75 North from Atlanta to one of the six Allatoona Lake exits. Reach some parts of the lake by taking I-75 to I-575 North. For more information, visit the Allatoona Lake website.
What You Will Find
This lively recreation center is in a serene setting with plenty of ways to connect with nature. People come to boat, fish, bicycle, picnic, swim, camp, or hike scenic nature trails. Large groups love to gather at Allatoona’s many group picnic shelters, some of which can accommodate up to 200 visitors.
Make Sure You
Bring your mountain bike to sample some of Allatoona’s exciting off-road bicycle trails. The Blankets Creek Trail System is a 15-mile series of trails designed and built jointly with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), a major partner of the Corps of Engineers. These trails are designed for intermediate-level bicyclists seeking strenuous rides with lots of dips, twists and thrills. Visit SORBA trails information to learn more.
Try This
Kids love to visit the Coopers Furnace Iron Works, a Civil War-era site that produced train tracks, cannons and other iron materials. The Coopers Furnace Day Use Area, where the Iron Works is located, is at 1052 Old River Road, Cartersville, GA 30121.
Ask about the LakePoint Sporting Community and Town Center, a project spearheaded by former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and a host of sports luminaries. Adjacent to Allatoona Lake, it will have dozens of facilities for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, equestrian events and other sports, as well as a youth medical facility for sports injuries and rehabilitation. Learn more.
Don’t Forget
For a great view of the dam, stop at the Visitor Center Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. You can also learn how the lake and dam generate power, see an animated cutaway drawing of the dam or view a short video about the lake. Find out how the lake partnered with the Georgia Power Company to build the lake’s Osprey platforms, or with the American Chestnut Association and the American Chestnut Foundation to tend more than 400 volunteer-planted, blight-resistant chestnut trees.
Get Started!
If it’s summer, it will be hot and sunny so bring your sunscreen and plenty of water. New lightweight technical fiber clothing that wicks moisture will keep you cool and dry and a wide-brimmed hat helps protect your skin and eyes from the sun. Stay safe – when you boat, swim or engage in other water sports, use a life jacket!
