The Lake Allatoona Visitor Center — located in Cartersville at the end of GA-20 Spur at Allatoona Dam — is a great place to start your exploration of the lake. Here you can find a detailed map of the lake and the recreation areas, and learn about the history of the lake and the surrounding area.

The center includes a great little museum with information on the Army Corps of Engineers, the Civil War, a multimedia presentation on the building of the lake, scenic overlooks and hiking trails.

After visiting the museum, take a short walk to the Allatoona Dam overlook where you can view the dam and the powerhouse. Picnic areas are scattered throughout, along with many hiking trails. One trail leads to the Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area.

The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM between April-September, and from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, October-March. Admission is free of charge.

Directions

Take I-75 Exit 290 and head east on Highway 20 to Spur 20 (GA 294 on some maps). Go south on Spur 20 for four miles to the Visitor Center.