Johns Creek source photograph

Outdoors

Swimming holes and lakes near Johns Creek

Lakes, rivers and beaches near Johns Creek where swimming is allowed on public land.

13places to swim
10 mito the closest
10within 30 miles
May–Septemberbest months

Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.

Closest picks

1

Lake Sidney Lanier

10 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.

2

Sawnee

11 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

Sawnee Campground lies just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to boating and swimming.

3

Bald Ridge Creek

13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

Bald Ridge Creek Campground is on Lake Sidney Lanier, popular for its aqua-blue waters and spectacular scenery.

Map of all 13 places

Map of 13 places loads as you scroll.

Within 30 miles (10)

10 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

Lake Sidney Lanier

Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Nature education

11 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Sawnee

Sawnee Campground lies just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The campground features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to boating and swimming.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Water Activities

13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Bald Ridge Creek

Bald Ridge Creek Campground is on Lake Sidney Lanier, popular for its aqua-blue waters and spectacular scenery.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access

18 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Old Federal

Old Federal Campground lies on the eastern banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in Northern Georgia.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Water Activities

21 mi east · USDA Forest Service

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding

23 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Duckett Mill

Duckett Mill Campground is located on Lake Sidney Lanier. With over 692 miles of shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Water Activities

24 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Payne Campground-Allatoona Lake

Payne Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife viewing

25 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Bolding Mill

Bolding Mill Campground is an excellent choice for camping on Lake Sidney Lanier, offering plenty of comfortable amenities in addition to a well-kept facility.

  • Accessible Swimming
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access

25 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Sweetwater Campground

Sweetwater Campground sits on the banks of Allatoona Lake, providing visitors with a variety of water activities in the green rolling hills of Georgia.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Swimming

25 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Sweetwater Day Use Area (Ga)

Sweetwater Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 45 miles south.

  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access

30 to 75 miles (1)

34 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Allatoona Lake

Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Nature education

75 miles and farther (2)

86 mi west · National Park Service

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.

  • Biking
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Picnicking

88 mi northwest · USDA Forest Service

Cherokee National Forest

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Johns Creek. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

Get outside around Johns Creek

The Boardwalk at Johns Creek Town Center: From Construction to Opening video thumbnail

THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT

The Boardwalk at Johns Creek Town Center: From Construction to Opening

A local activity video shared by JohnsCreekGAgov.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Around Johns Creek

Newtown Community Garden, Newtown GA, Johns Creek
Newtown Community Garden, Newtown GAJohn Phelan · CC BY 4.0
Old Jones Bridge Ruins, Johns Creek
Old Jones Bridge RuinsThomson M · CC BY 3.0
Former Warsaw School, Warsaw GA, Johns Creek
Former Warsaw School, Warsaw GAJohn Phelan · CC BY 4.0

More outdoors near Johns Creek

Questions

Where is the closest place for swimming near Johns Creek?

Lake Sidney Lanier (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 10 miles northeast of Johns Creek as the crow flies. Next are Sawnee (11 mi) and Bald Ridge Creek (13 mi).

When is the best time for swimming near Johns Creek?

Based on Johns Creek’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

Johns Creek AI

Your Johns Creek local guide
Hey there!

I'm Johns Creek AI. Ask about neighborhood food, independent shops, local history or planning a visit.

AI recommendations may be inaccurate. Verify hours and prices. Questions are processed by Cloudflare. Privacy