Are you ready to cool off from this scorching summer heat? If the answer is yes, then boy do we have a few incredible spots for you. While the beaches in Georgia are quite mesmerizing, there is something about spending the day at a local lake that really is pure magic. Whether you’re taking a boat out on the calm water or spending the day grilling lake-side, here are a few of the best Georgia lakes to spend your summer days:

  1. Richard B. Russell Lake

Flickr Trixie.in.Dixie Located near Elberton, Georgia, Lake Russell is a 27,000-acre man-made reservoir, half in Georgia, half in South Carolina. Some of the state’s finest fishing can be done in Lake Russell, not to mention a few campsites and cabins are available to spend the weekend there.

  1. Clark Hill Lake

Flickr Jake Wasdin Also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, Clark Hill Lake is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin. It was built between 1951 and 1952, from the J. Strom Thurmond Dam. Many people flock to this lake for a day of sunshine and relaxation.

  1. Lake Chatuge

Flickr Alisha Newton This man-made reservoir sure is a beauty. Located near Hiawassee, Georgia, Lake Chatuge is a vacation spot for most. Take the boat out and enjoy one of many enchanting sunsets. After all, they do pretty much happen every day.

  1. West Point Lake

Flickr George C Slade There are so many different ways to enjoy West Point Lake, located near La Grange, this summer. From renting a boat and cruising the water, to grabbing a pint and a steak at Hunter’s Pub, there’s always something to do near this lake.

  1. Lake Hartwell

Flickr Anthony Will Photos In the themes of man-made reservoirs, Lake Hartwell might be the most popular of them all. It’s actually known as one of the southeast’s largest and most popular recreation lakes. Take a week, rent a house with a view, and enjoy the rest and relaxation.

  1. Seed Lake

Flickr JR P Imagine 13 miles of pristine shoreline. That’s what Seed Lake has to offer. Not to mention some of the best walleye and trout you’ve ever feasted on.

  1. Lake Yonah

Flickr betsy Lake Yonah is a lake on the Tugaloo River, which separates Georgia and South Carolina. Here, residents and visitors alike set up shop on the lake to catch largemouth bass, and also the sometimes rare crappie and catfish.

  1. Lake Jackson

Flickr Dan Perdue About 44 miles south from Atlanta you’ll find one of the oldest reservoirs in Georgia, Lake Jackson. There are so many fun things to do on the lake, like strapping on a pair of skis and cruising through the water.

  1. Lake Tugalo

Flickr JWagnonPhotography Six-hundred acres. That’s how big Lake Tugalo is. Six-hundred acres of pure beauty located in northeastern Georgia. Also, with more than 18 miles of shoreline, how can you not be enveloped into nature during your visit?

  1. Carters Lake

Flickr Andrew Flenniken Fishing, camping, hiking, boating—you name it, Carters Lake has it. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Carters Lake is known as one of the deepest reservoirs in the state. Take a kayak out to the center and see what we mean.

  1. Lake Blue Ridge

Flickr Jim Liestman Blue Ridge Lake is a reservoir in Fannin County, in the northern portion of Georgia. The lake features a few public beaches with BBQ grills, where you can set up for the day with your family and enjoy the summer sun.

  1. Lake Blackshear

Flickr Courtney McGough This popular spot is a man-made lake on the Flint River, featuring pristine, natural beauty. Whether you’re catching a romantic sunset, or you packed a picnic for the family, there is always something fun to do at Lake Blackshear.

There are so many more beautiful lakes in Georgia. What are some of your favorites? We’d love to hear where you spend most of your summer relaxing.

Flickr Trixie.in.Dixie

Located near Elberton, Georgia, Lake Russell is a 27,000-acre man-made reservoir, half in Georgia, half in South Carolina. Some of the state’s finest fishing can be done in Lake Russell, not to mention a few campsites and cabins are available to spend the weekend there.

Flickr Jake Wasdin

Also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, Clark Hill Lake is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin. It was built between 1951 and 1952, from the J. Strom Thurmond Dam. Many people flock to this lake for a day of sunshine and relaxation.

Flickr Alisha Newton

This man-made reservoir sure is a beauty. Located near Hiawassee, Georgia, Lake Chatuge is a vacation spot for most. Take the boat out and enjoy one of many enchanting sunsets. After all, they do pretty much happen every day.

Flickr George C Slade

There are so many different ways to enjoy West Point Lake, located near La Grange, this summer. From renting a boat and cruising the water, to grabbing a pint and a steak at Hunter’s Pub, there’s always something to do near this lake.

Flickr Anthony Will Photos

In the themes of man-made reservoirs, Lake Hartwell might be the most popular of them all. It’s actually known as one of the southeast’s largest and most popular recreation lakes. Take a week, rent a house with a view, and enjoy the rest and relaxation.

Flickr JR P

Imagine 13 miles of pristine shoreline. That’s what Seed Lake has to offer. Not to mention some of the best walleye and trout you’ve ever feasted on.

Flickr betsy

Lake Yonah is a lake on the Tugaloo River, which separates Georgia and South Carolina. Here, residents and visitors alike set up shop on the lake to catch largemouth bass, and also the sometimes rare crappie and catfish.

Flickr Dan Perdue

About 44 miles south from Atlanta you’ll find one of the oldest reservoirs in Georgia, Lake Jackson. There are so many fun things to do on the lake, like strapping on a pair of skis and cruising through the water.

Flickr JWagnonPhotography

Six-hundred acres. That’s how big Lake Tugalo is. Six-hundred acres of pure beauty located in northeastern Georgia. Also, with more than 18 miles of shoreline, how can you not be enveloped into nature during your visit?

Flickr Andrew Flenniken

Fishing, camping, hiking, boating—you name it, Carters Lake has it. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Carters Lake is known as one of the deepest reservoirs in the state. Take a kayak out to the center and see what we mean.

Flickr Jim Liestman

Blue Ridge Lake is a reservoir in Fannin County, in the northern portion of Georgia. The lake features a few public beaches with BBQ grills, where you can set up for the day with your family and enjoy the summer sun.

Flickr Courtney McGough

This popular spot is a man-made lake on the Flint River, featuring pristine, natural beauty. Whether you’re catching a romantic sunset, or you packed a picnic for the family, there is always something fun to do at Lake Blackshear.

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