A Perfect Lake Blue Ridge Getaway

A lake with clear water in the north Georgia mountains? Yes, please! Enter Lake Blue Ridge. The crystal clear aquamarine waters of Lake Blue Ridge make it one of Georgia's most picturesque mountain lakes. You'll want to jump right in!

Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre lake in Fannin County. It's one of the most picturesque mountain lakes in the state and is nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain range on the Georgia side with a full-service marina.

Pristine Lake Blue Ridge

The lake is just 1.5 hours from downtown Atlanta and three miles from downtown Blue Ridge. In Blue Ridge, you'll find lots of shops, restaurants, and the always-popular, Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad - so it's worth a stop!

The area around Lake Blue Ridge offers campsites, several boat ramps, swimming, a marina, picnic areas, and rentals for all sorts of water activities at their full-service marina.

We're going to fill you in on everything you need to know to have a blast on this amazing lake!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE PERFECT GETAWAY

PRISTINE SHORELINE

The first thing you'll notice when you look out into Lake Blue Ridge is that it's surrounded by beautiful trees! That's because 80 percent of the shoreline is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Blue Ridge Reservoir is 11 miles long with 65 miles of shoreline, making it an ideal place to escape the city, and surround yourself with the beautiful waters of Lake Blue Ridge.

RENT A PONTOON BOAT

My favorite way to enjoy the lake is to get out in the middle of it - and the Blue Ridge Marina is the best way to do just that. At the marina, you can rent a pontoon boat, launch your own craft, gas up at the gas dock, get your supplies for a great day on the lake at the store.

While you're there, check out owner Herb and Eve Windham's collection of antiques in the showroom. They have things like a full-sized honey's Big Boy statue, lots of antique boat engines, old coke machines, and more. Be sure to sit a while at the Boat Dock Bar & Grill on-site, offering great food and a full bar.

Kids will want to feed the catfish off the gas dock. Dogs aren't allowed on rental boats but if you're pulling up to the gas dock in your own boat, your dog gets a treat as well!

Nearby is Blue Ridge Boat Rentals with a variety of offerings to enjoy Lake Blue Ridge. Not interested in driving your own boat, you can schedule a cruise or fishing trip with Capt'n Joe's Lake Adventures.

PADDLE THE LAKE

Paddle the shoreline for a chance to see wildlife, or just relax and enjoy nature.

With the clear water the lake offers, the paddleboard is our favorite choice! The SUPs give you a good view of what's happening below the water, and a chance to catch the small-mouth bass swimming around.

If you don't have your own, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina or Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters.

LAUNCH YOUR BOAT

There are several boat ramps on Lake Blue Ridge and a few that rent kayaks, canoes, and/or stand up paddleboards.

Morganton Point Recreation Area.

More than just a launch site, you could spend the entire day here. Rent a kayak or paddleboard at the concession stand, There e is a $10 parking fee for cars and trailers, but there is no fee to launch your boat

Lakewood Landing Boat Ramp.

Ample parking here, as well as a boat launch ramp for all types of watercraft. You do pay a $5 launch fee, but this is a great year-round option for bass fisherman.

Lake Blue Ridge Day Use Area

This is a forest service-run day-use area. There are no bathrooms here, but they do have a picnic area along with the boat launch. It's a perfect (free) spot to launch a kayak or paddle board. You can also launch larger watercraft, depending on the lake levels. Summer is usually no problem, but as you get into fall when lake levels drop, you may have some issues. There is plenty of parking and easy access to the lake.


SWIM IN LAKE BLUE RIDGE

We've already mentioned Morganton Point Recreation Area for its boat launch, but this is also a great place for an old-fashioned beach day!

Here you'll find public swimming and picnic areas. The swimming area has bathroom facilities (always important), and concessions. This is a favorite beach spot for Lesli's family.

Note that this is a pebble beach - which means it's sandy, but there are also rocks - so we recommend wearing water shoes.

GO FISHING AND CATCH A BIG ONE

My boys are not serious fisherman, but they do enjoy casting a line every once in a while. Lake Blue Ridge attracts serious anglers looking for small-mouth bass or muskie, because this lake is the only place in the state to find them!

Blue Ridge is also the Trout capital of Georgia. I hear the best trout fishing is near the Blue Ridge Dam.

If looking at fish sounds better than catching fish, The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is for you! Guests can tour the hatchery, where rainbow trout is raised for distribution into the nearby rivers and streams.

HIKE AROUND THE LAKE

The Green Mountain Trail part of the Aska Trail System, is 4.6 miles (Please note: 1.3 miles of the Upper Green Mountain Trail has been decommissioned) with some beautiful lake views. It's even more spectacular in early winter before it gets really cold or early spring before the leaves come back.

You can also find a small 1-mile hiking trail at the Blue Ridge Recreation Area, which is a forest service day-use area. There aren't any bathrooms here, but they do have a picnic area.

WHERE TO EAT ON THE LAKE

Boat Dock Bar and Grill, this local joint at the Blue Ridge Marina has slips to park your boat and dine, as well as parking to drive in.

Come for sunset cocktails, great lake views and the best smoked chicken wings ever - made fresh in the giant smoker out back. Note that on busy weekends, there is usually a decent wait - so put yourself on lake time, grab a beverage, and enjoy the views.

for more restaurants in Blue Ridge, see our post about things to do in Blue Ridge.

Boat Dock Bar & Grill at Lake Blue Ridge Marina

WHERE TO STAY ON LAKE BLUE RIDGE

There are no hotels on the lake, but there are lots of cabin rentals to choose from. The homes have docks to park your boat, but if you don't have one, Blue Ridge Boat Rentals will deliver a boat to your dock for the week. If you would rather camp, you'll find that a lot of places in the surrounding area offer campsites. This is a camping-friendly area!

In particular, the Morganton Point Recreation Area has campsites for both tents and RVs - including 2 double-sites and 7 walk-in sites.

You can even launch your boat here and just keep it tied up by your campsite! Just make sure you get a site on the water.

There are nice walking trails around the shoreline in the area.

Related Stories

Sue Rodman

Author

Sue Rodman

365 Atlanta Traveler

Visit Website

Related Stories & Events