Bowmans Island at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a nice little escape if…read moreyou're looking for a quiet hike with plenty of water views. Parking is easy to find, with enough space for at least 75 cars, including spots near what looks like a boat ramp. It costs $8 for the whole day, which isn't bad if you plan to stay a while. Fishing seems to be the main attraction here. There were plenty of folks (kids and adults alike) either in boats or lined up along the shore, casting their fishing lines off the bank. The trails are mostly easy to moderate, but there are a few steep, narrow spots where you'll need to watch your footing. I walked about 3.5 miles with a hiking group, following a loop that winds through the trees and offers a mix of open views and shaded paths. There are some benches along the way if you need a break. Bathrooms are available, which is always a plus, and there's a lot of green space. But honestly, I wouldn't recommend spreading out a blanket for a picnic as the ground is littered with dog poop, despite the big "no dogs" sign at the entrance. It's about an hour's drive from Atlanta, with the last few miles on Buford Dam Highway being steep and winding. The park wasn't overly crowded when I went, but there were a good number of people fishing or tubing. If you're looking for a peaceful walk by the water and don't mind stepping around a few messes, it's worth checking out.

Plenty of parking. Trails in plenty of places to explore . Replace to take the family for picnic…read moreand grilling.

Beautiful surprise on the other side of lake Lainer. Never would have expected that there is a boat…read morehouse with the capacity to host events. Highly recommend, they even have a kitchen but I quite first because there may be a cost associated to using the kitchen

Very poor amenities for an event space. The bathrooms were very badly maintained - no soap, no…read moretoilet paper, half the toilets were broken or clogged. No concessions and nowhere to buy food or drinks. Parking was a disaster. The announcers spent more time announcing cars being towed than the races. The only star is because it is a scenic venue.

I looked up, sky diving, and this shit came up. It's bullshit…read moreNever do business witha company that's not forthright!

This was our first time in the water park... we were very shocked at how nice it was and how close…read moreto home this gem is. Our fly boarding instructors were down to earth and let us have a really good time. Check it out if you have't already. It's DEFINITELY a workout!

What a great sailing club! I was there for a high school regatta that they were generous enough…read moreto host on the same weekend in December as 2 other sailing events. 3 sailing events in December alone is good enough for 5 stars to me. And they were such great hosts. I met a couple board members and they were very gracious. The view is outstanding from the point. Camping is encouraged and they have lots of room. Their club house if fantastic with an open floor plan, gigantic working fireplace, clean restrooms, and large screen TV that was very important on the day we were there. Football was on all day so between races(and sometimes during) we were able to keep up with out favorite games! I look forward to being there next year!

Went up for an open house. Seemed extremely run down and poorly managed. I am used to the three…read moremarinas closest to Oakwood, and they beat this place by a long shot. Lots of unusual junked out shacks in disrepair, next door to the isolated nice residence. I wondered if slip fees subsidised the junky hoarders that seem to abound there. Sad to see such a nice property being run down. Loads of junk boats, rusting metal scraps, and acres of poison ivy. No thanks. Would NOT consider letting our son go to the summer camp they sublet out to. Definitely get a tetanus shot prior to a visit.

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

This place is solid for diving instruction and if you want to become an open water certified diver…read morein Georgia. Doug the instructor guided and helped my 14 year old son get his open water certification after my son discovered scuba diving while we were on vacation in Cozumel and dove there for the first time. Caleb said his instruction was thorough and smooth and he enjoyed the entire process of classroom and pool dives. Doug and Dive Educators helped us complete the certification by allowing my son to do his 4 open water dives while on vacation in Aruba which was very convenient for our needs. We are excited because now my son can dive with me whenever we travel and plan on doing the scuba experience at Georgia aquarium. Much thanks to Doug and Dive Educators for helping my son achieve Open Water certification! 5 solid Stars and two thumbs up!

I did my Open Water + Nitrox training with Alan, and I honestly couldn't have asked for a better…read moreinstructor. I was super nervous starting out, but he was patient, never rushed anything, and even took the time to show extra tips that helped a lot once I got out of the pool. It felt more like learning from a friend than a strict instructor. I did my OW and AOW dives with Howard, and he was great as well. During my OW weekend, I was still struggling a bit with buoyancy, and he didn't have to, but he even did an extra dive with me to work on PPB just so I could feel more confident. My first time in the ocean was with him too, and he always took the time to teach beyond the bare minimum. Shoutout to Stefan and James, who were also on some of my dives -- super helpful with little tips along the way. I started off nervous about diving and ended up with a new hobby and some new dive buddies. Highly recommend Dive Educators -- they genuinely care.

Very nice trail with good parking availability. Family and dog friendly. Unpaved with plenty of…read morechange in topography, not too strenuous and definitely not flat. Good for young kids (but no strollers) and adults of all ages. Nice views along the lake and from up above. Clean and well maintained. Multiple loops means you can make your hike as long or as short as you like. Everyone, bikers and those on foot, were friendly and shared the trail with no problem. I recommend this trail for everyone!

Charleston is an impressive Gainesville park, on the lake. There are miles and miles or mountain…read morebike and hiking trails. Great place to get outdoors and spend a few hours in nature! There is ample parking and restrooms.

Overall, the sites at Duckett Mill are really nice…read more I am taking off 2 stars because they have really stopped managing the location and it's turning into a bit of a free for all. When we camped last year we were limited to 2 cars, 2 tents, and we had to tell them how many people we would have at the site, and were limited (also reminded twice that no alcohol was allowed). This year, our neighbors have 3 boats, 4 tents, 3 cars, and 12 people, half of which are drinking heavily. And blasting music that you can probably hear across the entire peninsula. So it's definitely not as enjoyable the way it has been in the past. Still great views, but the rules are a joke.

Beautiful park surrounding by Lake Lanier. Lots of paved and mostly flat ground if you have a pet…read moreor to walk to enjoy cycling. Almost every campsite has a lovely view. There's a public boat ramp, beach area and grills. This park is a lovely one stop shop for all!