It’s almost time to celebrate and we have great news! More parks are open on Lake Lanier just in time for the huge Independence Day holiday weekend.
64 public parks will be open beginning July 1st. We’ve updated the info on which parks are open and what amenities each has available for your enjoyment.
Please note Burton Mill Park will be open July 4-7 only. All other parks are open daily through the remainder of the 2025 season. Van Pugh North and South will remain closed.
We are also pleased to share that after a long period of being closed, Sardis Creek Park has been reopened thanks to Hall County Parks & Leisure. 
See map of open parks and boat ramps below.

Corps of Engineers Parks

Park Name OPEN/CLOSED Boat Ramp Day Use Camp Ground USACE Ranger Support
BALD RIDGE CAMPGROUNDOPENYESYESYESYES
BALUSOPENYESYESNONO
BELTONOPENYESYESNONO
BOLDING MILL MULTIPURPOSEOPENYESNONOYES
BURTON MILLOPENYESYESNONO
DUCKETT MILL MULTIPURPOSEOPENYESNONOYES
KEITH'S BRIDGEOPENYESYESNONO
LANIER PARKOPENYESYESNOYES
LITTLE HALLOPENYESYESNONO
LITTLE RIDGEOPENYESYESNONO
LITTLE RIVEROPENYESYESNONO
LONG HOLLOWOPENYESYESNONO
LULAOPENYESYESNONO
MOUNTAIN VIEWOPENYESYESNONO
NIX BRIDGE PARKOPENYESYESNONO
OLD FEDERAL CAMPGROUNDOPENYESYESYESYES
OLD FEDERAL DAY USEOPENYESYESNONO
ROBINSONOPENYESYESNONO
SAWNEE CAMPGROUNDOPENYESYESYESYES
SARDIS CREEKOPENYESYESNONO
SIMPSONOPENYESYESNONO
THOMPSON CREEK PARKOPENYESYESNONO
TIDWELLOPENYESYESNONO
TOTO CREEK MULTIPURPOSEOPENYESNONOYES
TWO MILEOPENYESYESNONO
VANN'S TAVERNOPENYESYESNONO
BUFORD DAM PARKOPENNOYESNOYES
EAST BANK PARKOPENNOYESNOYES
LOWER OVERLOOKOPENNONONOYES
LOWER POOL WESTOPENNONONOYES
THOMPSON BRIDGEOPENNOYESNONO
WEST BANKOPENNOYESNOYES
WEST BANK SCENIC OVERLOOKOPENNOYESNOYES
VAN PUGH NORTHCLOSEDYESYESNONO
VAN PUGH SOUTHCLOSEDYESYESNONO
LOWER POOL EASTCLOSEDNONONONO

City, County & State Parks

Area Status Campground Boat Ramp Beach
Big Creek (Lanier Islands) OPEN NO YES NO
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands OPEN YES YES YES
Don Carter State Park (Georgia) OPEN YES YES YES
Holly Park (City of Gainesville) OPEN NO YES NO
Lake Lanier Olympic Park (City of Gainesville) OPEN NO YES YES
Laurel Park (Hall County) OPEN NO YES NO
Shoal Creek (Lanier Islands) OPEN YES YES YES
Sardis Creek (Hall County) OPEN NO YES NO

Map to day use Parks & Boat Ramps

4th of July Weekend News

Water Safety Advisory

With the busy Memorial Day weekend ahead, Discover Lake Lanier offers the following safety information and links for your use. Click the links to learn more.

Always wear floatation device when accessing the lake. 

Take advantage of life jacket loaner stations at lake parks. 

Swimming access at Don Carter State Park

What to do this 4th of July Weekend

All the Hot Spots for the Cool Kids

Celebrate 4th of July weekend with us on and around Lake Lanier whether you want to Lake It…or Not! Here are some links to awesome things happening both on and off the water this weekend:
Patriotic Pops at The Arts Council – kick off the weekend with a fun and festive outdoor concert in downtown Gainesville at the Smithgall Arts Center with the Northwinds Symphonic Band.
4th of July at Lanier Islands – two nights of fireworks, beach, waterpark, boat rides and laid back luxury at Legacy Lodge, the Villas or Camp Margaritaville
Red, White & Moo! at the Sunflower Maze at Buford Corn Maze – Mini highland cows, the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile and of course gorgeous sunflowers!
U-Pick Peaches at Jaemor Farms – prowl around the peach orchard and take home a basket of the most delicious peaches in Georgia.
Yappy Hour at Game Changer – select Fridays including July 4th, bring your dog to Lanier Islands and visit Game Changer (think Dave & Busters with a lake vibe) All pets get a free doggie goodie bag!
American Legion Celebration – Red, White and BOOM! at Laurel Park in Gainesville. Enjoy awesome park amenities like the dog park, spray ground and hammock swings then sit back and take in the fireworks from a 300 degree view!
First Friday Concert with Fly Betty Band – stroll down the Midland Greenway in Gainesville for a live concert and fireworks on the 4th!
Sandcastle Building Contest – Don Carter State Park will celebrate summer with their own challenging contest for artists of all ages. Teams of 6 or less have 45 minutes to build a masterpiece.