Outdoors
Day-use and picnic areas near Sandy Springs on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
21 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Galt's Ferry Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south.
22 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Sweetwater Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 45 miles south.
23 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
Galt's Ferry Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south.
Sweetwater Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 45 miles south.
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
Sawnee Campground lies just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to boating and swimming.
For millions of years, granite monadnocks have stood watch over the rivers and forests of Georgia.
Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area is situated on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. This Day Use Area is downstream of the dam which impounds Allatoona Lake.
Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation.
Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on a portion of the Etowah River, which is a tributary of the Coosa River.
Riverside Park Day Use Area is situated along the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. This Day Use Area is downstream of the dam which impounds Allatoona Lake.
Van Pugh South Day Use Facility lies on the banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia.
Old Federal Campground lies on the eastern banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in Northern Georgia.
Carters Lake Project is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Carters Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in the Southeast.
Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.
Fishing is probably the most popular activity on West Point Lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly.
In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga - a gateway to the Confederacy. The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September.
to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years.
Hartwell Lake is one of the most popular Corps lakes in the nation. Built by the U.S.
"Ole Dan Tucker was a grand ole man; He washed his face in a fryin' pan; Combed his hair with a wagon wheel; Died with a tooth ache in his heel!" During the 1700's, this famous folk song was sung by slaves in praise of the Reverend Dan…
Nearly 13,000 men died on these grounds, a site that became infamous even before the Civil War ended. Their burial grounds became Andersonville National Cemetery, where veterans continue to be buried today.
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Thurmond Lake is the largest Corps of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi River. The lake encompasses 1,200 miles of shoreline, 70,000 acres of water and 80,000 acres of land.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Sandy Springs. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Elements Atlanta Real Estate.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Kyra McKinney.
Watch on YouTube ↗Galt'S Ferry Day Use Area (Ga) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 21 miles northwest of Sandy Springs as the crow flies. Next are Sweetwater Day Use Area (Ga) (22 mi) and Lake Sidney Lanier (23 mi).
Based on Sandy Springs’s average highs, March–June, September–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.