Day Trippin' › Georgia › From Atlanta › Best beaches and lakes
Our picks for the best beaches and lakes within 3 hours of Atlanta: 30 places, 7 under an hour away, 10 between 1 and 2 hours and 13 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 30303.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 29 min north of Atlanta.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Richard A. Weaver, CC BY-SA 4.0
#1 · National park · 2 hr 25 min northwest
A deep canyon on top of Lookout Mountain with a scenic rim drive, overlooks, Little River Falls and spots for paddling and climbing.
Heads-up: Pets on a 6-foot leash. Swift water and cliffs; swimming can be dangerous.
Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0
#2 · Garden · 1 hr 22 min southwest
A big garden resort with a butterfly house, a lake beach, a chapel and a 10-mile bike trail.
Heads-up: Beach open in summer only. No strollers in the butterfly center.
Photo: Thomson M, CC BY 3.0
#3 · Small town · 1 hr 30 min north
A mountain town with shops, restaurants, apple orchards and nearby lakes and rivers.
Heads-up: Fall leaf weekends bring heavy traffic.
Photo: Ryan Cragun, Public domain
#4 · State park · 1 hr 41 min west
The highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet, with rock overlooks, a lake, CCC history and access to the Pinhoti Trail.
Heads-up: The old hotel was torn down; a new one is planned. Dog park on site.
Photo: Ralph Daily from Birmingham, United States, CC BY 2.0
#5 · Museum · 2 hr 23 min southwest
A free art museum set in Blount Cultural Park, with American art, a hands-on kids gallery and lakeside grounds.
Heads-up: Guided tours are not included in free entry. Park grounds open dawn to dusk.
Photo: Keizers, CC BY-SA 3.0
#6 · National park · 29 min north
A string of river parks inside the metro area with flat riverside trails, paddling and tubing on the cool Chattahoochee.
Heads-up: The river is cold year-round because of dam releases. Wear a life jacket and watch for rising water.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#7 · State park · 43 min northwest
A wooded peninsula on Lake Allatoona with lake views, swimming beach and trails.
Heads-up: Swim beach is seasonal. Leash pets.
Photo: Ysabella Escalona, CC BY-SA 4.0
#8 · State park · 50 min southeast
Cascades on the Towaliga River with a short trail and lake.
Heads-up: Rocks near the falls are slick.
Photo: savoryexposure from Atlanta, GA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
#9 · State park · 51 min east
A lake park with a beach, trails and a well-known golf course.
Heads-up: Beach is seasonal.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#10 · State park · 53 min east
A lake park in Winder with a 1790s log fort, beach, mountain bike trails and paddling.
Heads-up: Swim beach is seasonal. Leash pets.
Photo: muffinn from Worcester, UK, CC BY 2.0
#11 · Springs · 58 min southeast
A long-loved park with a mineral spring, lake beach and old stone buildings.
Heads-up: Beach is seasonal.
Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0
#12 · State park · 1 hr 23 min south
A big park on Pine Mountain with the long Pine Mountain Trail, a lake and overlooks.
Heads-up: Trail sections are rocky.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#13 · State park · 1 hr 38 min northeast
A lake park next to Helen with trails, a lodge, zip lines and a mountain bike trail.
Heads-up: Adventure activities cost extra and need booking.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#14 · State park · 1 hr 38 min north
A classic mountain park at the foot of Blood Mountain with a lake, beach and a loop trail around the water.
Heads-up: Busy in fall leaf season. Leash pets.
Photo: Knizzle17 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
#15 · State park · 1 hr 41 min southwest
A wooded park in Auburn with a small lake swim area, creeks, CCC stonework, and hiking and mountain bike trails.
Heads-up: Swim season. Trails get busy on football weekends.
Lake Lanier Islands (48 min), Panther Creek Falls, Georgia (1 hr 26 min), Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (1 hr 42 min), Fort Mountain State Park (1 hr 42 min), Mistletoe State Park (2 hr 8 min), Wind Creek State Park (2 hr 17 min), Lakepoint State Park (2 hr 17 min), Georgia Veterans State Park (2 hr 21 min), Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (2 hr 23 min), Elijah Clark State Park (2 hr 23 min), Florence Marina State Park (2 hr 23 min), Oak Mountain State Park (2 hr 24 min), Little Ocmulgee State Park (2 hr 32 min), Lake Guntersville State Park (2 hr 44 min), Magnolia Springs State Park (2 hr 50 min)
Our top picks are Little River Canyon National Preserve (2 hr 25 min), Callaway Gardens (1 hr 22 min), Blue Ridge (1 hr 30 min), Cheaha State Park (1 hr 41 min) and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (2 hr 23 min). The page lists 30 places in all.
30: 7 under an hour away, 10 between 1 and 2 hours and 13 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 30303.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, about 29 min north of Atlanta.
3 need no pass or fee, including Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and Blue Ridge. Fees change, so check each place.
27 of the 30 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.