Twenty-four parks on Lake Lanier operated by the Corps of Engineers are closing indefinitely because of the government shutdown, the Corps announced Friday. Registered campers must depart by 3:00 p.m. Saturday unless directed otherwise by their local project office.
Eleven Corps-operated parks will remain open as will Corps-leased parks and other facilities. (See lists below).
The parks that are closing are:
Lower Pool East
Upper Overlook Day Use Area
Burton Mill Day Use Area
Van Pugh South Campground
Old Federal Day Use Area
Belton Bridge
Little River Day Use Area
Thompson Bridge
Robinson Day Use Area
Keiths Bridge Day Use Area
Long Hollow Day Use Area
Vanns Tavern Day Use Area
Two Mile Day Use Area
Little Ridge
West Bank Overlook
Lower Pool West Day Use Area
Lanier Park Day Use Area
Buford Dam Park
Van Pugh North Day Use Area
Balus Creek Water
Little Hall Day Use Area
West Bank Day Use Area
East Bank Water Access Point
Bald Ridge Creek Campground
- Most recreation area entrance gates will be secured, and ungated areas will be clearly marked as closed.
- Minimal staffing will be available at project offices, but powerhouses and navigation locks will remain operational.
Some parks on other lakes operated by the Corps’ Mobile District Office are also closing.
For more information, contact the Mobile District Operations Division at (251) 690-2499 or visit https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/status.cfm for the status of parks.
USACE-leased parks that will remain open:
| Aqualand Marina | Holiday Marina | River Forks Park |
| Bald Ridge Creek Marina | Holly Park, Lake Lanier Islands | Sardis Creek Park |
| Bethel Park | Lanier Harbor Park | Shady Grove Campground |
| Big Creek Park | Laurel Park | Shoal Creek Campground |
| Charleston Park | Little Shoal Park | Six Mile Creek Park |
| Chestatee Park | Lumpkin County Park | Sunrise Cove Marina |
| Don-Carter State Park | Mary Alice Park | Wahoo Creek Park |
| Gainesville Marina | Olympic Park | War Hill Park |
| Hideaway Bay Marina | Port Royale Marina | Young Deer Park |
USACE-operated parks that will remain open:
| Mountain View Boat Ramp | Thompson Creek Day Use | Toto Creek |
| Lula Boat Ramp | Old Federal Campground | Tidwell Water Access Point |
| Simpson Boat Ramp | Duckett Mill | Sawnee Campground |
| Nix Bridge Day Use Area | Bolding Mill |