A hidden gem in Cumming right by the lake! A friend of mine told me about this park a few years…read moreago, and it's become a favorite of mine to visit, especially in the Fall! Heads up, you will feel like you're driving into a neighborhood but rest assured, you're in the right spot! It leads you right to the entrance, and there is tons of parking available. There's a trailhead sign as well which is helpful. Gorgeous views of the lake on every side of the park, with plenty of trails in and around the park. Every time I visit, it's always very quiet and serene, and there's a little beach/island that is all dried out now that you can go walk out on which is cool. Anytime I need to destress, a walk around here instantly does the trick!

This is a super cute park. There is no playground so definitely be aware of that but it is a nice…read moreplace to chill at the lake.

A hidden staycation opportunity that flies under the radar. Known for their boating and lake…read moreactivities but the other side offers a relaxed environment. Lodge/hotel lodging with spacious rooms with the treat of a Keurig in each room. A truly heated pool with poolside service or indoor or patio eating. Onsite restaurant with outdoor lake views offering buffet breakfast and menu dinners. A coffee nook offering fresh coffee/lattes along with patries. The topper is an onsite spa. Plenty of options on the property with golf, pickle ball, game room and water park.

I'm very surprised Lake Lanier has so few reviews. After all, it was one of the water sport venues…read moreof the 1996 Olympics, one of the most popular summertime destinations in the state. Most any warm season holiday is celebrated at Lake Lanier making it a popular place for vacation rental homes. Here you can go boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, golfing, as well as experience a fabulous fireworks show in the summer or Christmas lights and snow sleds in the winter. There is a spa, a beach, a waterpark, a luxury resort and good times @ Margaritaville. You can rent jet skis, go horseback riding, charter a fishing boat, rent a house boat, go camping or take a hot air balloon ride nearby. It was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and named for Confederate Army poet Sidney Lanier. Its primary purpose was for flood control and water supplies and has a water volume of about 1,049,400 acre-ft. The narrative will tell you its construction destroyed more than 50,000 acres of farmland and displaced more than 250 families, 15 businesses, and relocated 20 cemeteries along with their corpses in the process. But I want to pause here and dive a little deeper under the surface of its waters and introduce you to: [ OSCARVILLE, GEORGIA ] "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." ― Oscar Wilde Lake Lanier is partially located in Forsyth county. It is a county that prided itself on not having black residence so much that Oprah came to film an episode of her Emmy Award-winning talk show here in 1987 (trigger warning): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WErjPmFulQ0 The show makes mention that "no black person had lived in the county for 75 years", which was a direct reference to a predominantly African-American community known as Oscarville. It was home to 1,100 black people prior to a racial conflict in 1912 which was so brutally violent that it caused blacks to flee the county... even those who were landowners. "According to Elliot Jaspin, a historian and journalist quoted by the Digital Library of Georgia and the New Georgia Encyclopedia, only about 24 of the nearly 40 Black landowners in Forsyth County at the time were able to sell their land. The other properties have no record of sale, and some believe the abandoned land was simply taken by White residents." - The Times Oscarville began as a small farming town around 1870, but after so many fled the county in 1912, it was practically a ghost town. Those still claiming ownership of their land either had it seized or were "asked" to to forfeit their land to build the Buford Dam by Newport Dam Development according to an article published on April 6, 2021 by The Signal. Prior to the violence, Oscarville was actually known for its agricultural prowess in fighting off the boll weevil infestation that hindered many farm crops and enriching the soil with chicken feces. A technique that has been duplicated to this day to revive poor farming/gardening soil. "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ― Aldous Huxley [ MUST WATCH ] Link to Oscarville | The Town Submerged by Lake Lanier (Intrigued Mind): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifMKfBO_R6s [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] Lake Lanier is a beautiful lake and a rich resource for Atlanta. It provides approx. 70% of the drinking water for Metro Atlanta as well as power, recreation and businesses. But there is more than what meets the eye as you look across its glistening surface. An entire town is buried by its waters and has been nearly forgotten, and the hard truth is this is not an isolated story. There are several other towns across the country who suffered the same fate. They include: Kowaliga (Benson), Alabama Seneca Village In New York City Susannah, Alabama and Vanport, Oregon The story of Lake Lanier and Oscarville will be featured in an upcoming TV series called Oscarville - Below the Surface. Here is the link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVux8Y96cok Thanks for reading. 2022 / 59 #BlackHistorySeries

For a small park it has a good playground and picnic area and those are well maintained. The short…read moreunpaved trail is becoming a little overgrown and is navigable.

I remember going to this park I all the time with my two small dogs. I took them to this park all…read morethe time. This park is truly fabulous. This park contains wonderful play equipment (swings, obstacle courses, etc...) for the children. On the other side is a very nice large gazebo area that has lots of table benches complete with three built in charcoal grills for groups, families, and individuals to have picnics or BBQs on/at. Also, there is a nice little wooden seating area just a little bit aways from the BBQ/picnic area. You can also walk a little further down from that area and go onto a little wooden secured platform the hangs just right over the Chattahoochee Lake to see the lake and all it's beauty. There is also a wonderful nature trail that you can walk on with or without a pooch companion to see the beautiful wooded area and all of the beautiful trees there. I absolutely love this park. I cannot comment on the bathroom that they have on and right next to their parking lot as I have never been inside of it. The parking lot is not large, but is pretty decent. I do recommend this park as it is worth going to, visiting, and seeing.

This is a great park to have a picnic or just walk your dog.A lot of locals like it for:…read more * relaxing by the water * cookouts and family gatherings * wading near the river * short nature walks * photography and sunsets According to gwinnett county: What's there * River access and scenic overlooks * Picnic tables, grills, and pavilions * Playground * Soccer fields * Sand volleyball * Fishing spots * Open grassy areas for relaxing or sports * Kayak/paddleboard drop-in access My wife and I like to walk and enjoy the calm sounds of the river. Its worth your time to get away from the " rat race"

This park is so cute! There's a long winding road to the parking lot and there's two options: a 1…read moremile loop or a 4 (?) mile loop. Super cute lookout point on the river. Didn't go into the bathrooms but there's bathrooms at the trailhead. It wasn't super crowded on MLK day but would highly suggest checking it out. It's like a hidden gem

The McGinnis Reserve Lake and Walking trail is interesting. Part of the perks of being a member of…read morethe McGinnis Reserve subdivision, non-members do have access to the walking trail via the Suwanee Greenway, which rests right along this subdivision. The lake that the paved walking trail surrounds is 20 acres total, and the trail is generally kept up fairly well, minus the side stepping all of the geese poop. The lake itself, which you can't fish out of, is a pretty clear and vibrant lake. Wildlife i've seen have included the aformentioned geese, cranes, and i've seen a few turtles as well. There's no mileage on the actual trail, but I do believe it's less than a mile and is flat in all but a couple of spots with a high hill. There are two access points to the walking trail and lake, one being near the suwanee greenway trail opening (very close to the entrance tot he subdivision), and another via a set of stairs, which leads to the actual subdivision homes. There is no direct parking for walkway access, outside of street parking. I parked at the clubhouse at the rear and walked to the trail. It was about a 12 minute walk, so you'll get a work out in when you combine that with the trail walk itself. Do you HAVE to visit this trail? Well, if you're not pooped out from the grenway, it's a nice lake to take in. If you live here, you definitely should be here daily. But I wouldn't make a special trip to this trail alone. Another fun outdoor stop worth checking out. Give it a shot if you can!

Closest thing to a beach. The kids love it. Want to go back…read moresoon Jsjjsjsjsisksnsksiisjsisjsj

August 16, 2020…read more There is a 5$ fee to get in. This is our third park on Lake Lanier. Perhaps due to recent showers but I thought the water clarity was superior here compared to War Hill or Shoal Creek. You could see schools of fish sized 2-3 inches in length right there with you on the shore. The fish are used to being fed which is why they don't venture far from shore. The beach front is large and there is plenty of parking too. I liked that the park had trash cans right where you park. Good thinking. The water was in the low 80s and very refreshing. I went for a half mile swim by the buoys and played for a couple of hours with our little one in the water. The beach does have a few rocks at the shoreline and if you don't have water shoes you might stub your toe. Just tread carefully. So far this was a winner but there are other parks we have yet to explore.

Absolutely gorgeous park with a beautiful view of Lake Lanier. This place has a stranger history…read morebut it is a nice place to take the kids.

A lovely park beach on Lake Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as…read moreexcellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating. It's easy to remember Lanier Park. It's on Lake Lanier, just off Buford Dam Drive, which means it's near Buford Dam. Lanier Park is a scenic hideaway where you can rest or play, not far from Buford Dam. A beautifully groomed, sandy beach that's just right for swimming or laying out in the sun. Then, add in nearby picnic area with sturdy tables and grills, a boat ramp, and a half-mile walking trail. You can rent a pavilion area with its own dock and gorgeous views of the lake. The Lanier Park beach is open from late March through late September from 7 AM until 10 PM. Visitors can access the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail from multiple locations and parks. The trail is a 3.5 mile loop that offers great views of the lake and Chattahoochee River. Fisherman can expect to catch a variety of species including bass, catfish and panfish. Activities include fishing, swimming, wake boarding, kayaking and hiking. Lanier Park offers access to a designated swim beach, picnic areas and restrooms. Alcohol is not permitted. Pets are not allowed. Arrive early, parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrance fees to the park apply to all visitors. Fireworks prohibited. This location is available through advanced reservations only; no walk-ins. This location does offer first-come, first-served (walk-ins) availability on holidays only. All other dates are reservation only. Reservations cannot be made in person at the Park. Contact information is 1360 Buford Dam Rd., Buford, GA 30518. For any reservations contact 770-945-9531. Great spot to have a picnic lunch, watch the water and water fowl go by. I'll definitely be back many times.

Lovely park with a waterfall and several easy hiking trails ! A couple tables with benches at the…read morebeginning, before the wooden bridge.

This is a perfect location for a photoshoot! The parking can be a bit challenging but once you find…read morea spot, you will be able to enjoy the grounds. The bridge and river were picturesque. The waterfall was a popular place to be, as families swam, picnicked, and soaked their feet in the water. It was beyond crowded, so it might help to get there earlier. If you have anyone elderly or injured, you may want to be mindful of the steep hills leading to and from the waterfall- assistance might be needed. A nice place to have a family outing.