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Lake Allatoona is a popular spot for outdoor relaxation and recreation. Follow the links to find out more about Lake Allatoona's activities which include boating and boat rentals, hiking and biking, camping and day use areas/parks, museums and historic sites, hunting and fishing, restaurants and wineries, and golf courses and golf clubs.

Boating and Boat Rentals

There are 8 marinas on Lake Allatoona that have dry, wet and seasonal storage. Most are full-service and have fuel docks, some offer boat rentals, and some have fuel docks that are open year-round. A few of the marinas also have restaurants on the water. There are also a plethora of day use parks that have boat ramps.

Hiking and Biking

Lake Allatoona offers great hiking and biking trails. There are 12.5 miles of biking only trails in Blankets Creek Trails; and then other trails like the Iron Hill Trail at Red Top Mountain State Park that opens its trails to bikers and hikers. The Pine Mountain Trail is managed by Cartersville Parks and is also open to bikers and hikers.

Other trails that are only for hiking include Army Corps of Engineer Trails: Cooper Branch Trail, Laurel Ridge Trail, Cooper's Furnace Trail, and the Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trails. Red Top Mountain State Park also includes a variety of hiking trails: Homestead Trail, Sweetgum Trail, Whitetail Trail, Lakeside Trail, Visitor Center Loop, and the Allatoona Pass Civil War Interpretive Trail. There are also county managed trails which include: Etowah Trail and Pine Mountain Trail.

Camping and Day Use Areas/Parks

There are loads of options for those wanting to camp on the lake, or for those just wanting to visit one of the day use areas or parks for a day outing.

The Army Corps of Engineers manages 8 campgrounds which include: Clark Creek North Campground, McKaskey Creek Campground, McKinney Campground, Old Highway 41 #3 Campground, Payne Campground, Sweetwater Creek Campground, Upper Stamp Creek Campground and Victoria Campground. Other popular camping places not managed by the Corps are Red Top Mountain State Park and Bartow County Park.

The Army Corps of Engineers also manages 14 day use areas, many of which include boat ramps, picnic areas, and designated swim areas. The Corps day use areas include: Allatoona Lake Visitor's Center, Cooper Branch #1 and #2, Upper Stamp Creek, Tanyard Creek, Old Highway 41 #1 and Old Highway 41 #2, Blockhouse, Riverside Park, Cooper's Furnace, Sweetwater, Knox Bridge, Victoria, Kellogg Creek, Payne Ramp and Galt's Ferry.

There are also 11 state/county/city parks on Lake Allatoona that also have various amenities for day trippers. These include: Bartow Gatewood Park/Bartow Beach, Allatoona Wildlife Management Center, Boling Park, Cherokee County Park, Cherokee Mills, Bartow Carver Park, Red Top Mountain State Park, Acworth Beach at Cauble Park, Cobb Regional Park, Dallas Landing Park, Proctor Landing Park, Southshore Park and Overlook Park.

Museums and Historic Sites

For those wanting to get out of the water for a short time, there are wonderful museums and historic sites within close proximity to the lake. The Allatoona Visitor's Center offers a museum which gives history of the area, including the Civil War. Then the Booth Western Art Museum offers a glimpse into western art from the 20th and 21st century. The Bartow History Center includes a detailed history of the area, including information about the Civil War Battle that took place in the area, as well as a history of the Native Americans that inhabited the region. Red Top Mountain State Park has a walking trail called the Allatoona Pass Civil War Interpretive Trail that takes visitors through the bloody Civil War Battle that took place in the area where Lake Allatoona currently sits. The Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site is also within easy access from the lake, as well as the Rose Lawn Museum. Another cool museum that will be opening in the area in late 2008 is TELLUS: Nothwest Georgia Science Museum.

Fishing and Hunting

Fishing is by far one of the most popular activities on the lake. The lake is stocked with black bass, crappie, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, bluegill, red breast sunfish, redear sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish and carp. Boats can be launched from various parks and day/use areas around the lake. To find out whether particular boat ramps are open, click here. There are also various guide services you can contact to arrange day outings or to find out more information about fishing at Lake Allatoona. For more information about obtaining a fishing license, click here.

Though not as popular as fishing, there are some areas around the lake where hunting is permissible provided hunters have a permit with a Georgia Wildlife Management Area stamp. One place where you can hunt is the Allatoona Wildlife Management Area, which is located on the northeastern end of the lake.

Restaurants and Wineries

There are various restaurants located on the lake and in the surrounding towns and area. Whether you want to dine in extravagence or just go out casually, there is a restaurant that will suit your wants. There are a few options if you'd like to dine on the lake, which include a full-service restaurant at Little River Marina and one at Victoria Harbour Marina as well.

Unbeknownst to many, there is also a winery in Acworth. If you'd like to take some time out from your day for a nice tasting or tour, visit Boutier Winery.

Golf Clubs and Courses

Golf courses are also in abundance on Lake Allatoona. Two of the most popular courses are Barnsely Gardens in Cartersville and Centennial Golf Club in Acworth.