The Corps of Engineers owns the shoreline of Lake Lanier, and they maintain walking trails at several locations. Don Carter State Park and county parks on the lake also provide trails. In addition to these, Lanier Islands has nine trails on its property, which are frequented by guests and locals. Click on the links below to find out more information about these trails.
Buford Dam Hiking Trails
There are a couple hiking trails at the south end of the lake around Buford Dam, including the Buford Dam Trail and Laurel Ridge Trail.
Buford Dam Trail: 1 mile trail through Lower Pool Park and beneath the Buford Dam. Access the trailhead from Lower Pool Park.
Laurel Ridge Trail: 3.8 mile trail loop that takes you past the Buford Dam and a part of the Chestatee River and through Buford Dam Park, Lower Overlook Park and Upper Overlook Park. You can see the Powerhouse from the Trail, as well as Lower Pool Park.
An easy place to access this trail is Lower Overlook Park, which doesn’t charge for parking.
Click here for a map of Laurel Ridge Trail.
Don Carter State Park Hiking Trails
With the addition of Don Carter State Park, Lake Lanier gained 4-miles of hiking trails in the park at the north end of the lake:
- Woodland Loop: 1 mile, paved
- Terrapin Cove Trail: 1 mile, natural
- Overlook Trail: 1/8 mile, paved
- Lakeview Loop Trail: 1/2 mile, paved
- Huckleberry Trail: 3/4 mile, natural
Lanier Islands Hiking Trails
Lanier Islands has nine hiking and walking trails on their Buford property. Follow the links below to find out more information the trails at Lanier Islands.
- Trails at Lanier Islands in Buford
- Click here to download a map of the Hiking and Walking Trails at Lanier Islands.
Other Trails Around the Lake
Many of the parks around the lake have walking trails that border the lake. Two of these include Little Ridge Park and Laurel Park.
Little Ridge Park has a one-mile trail around the park, offering views of the water and a number of different wildlife observing opportunities.
Address: 3295 Lanier Beach South Road, Cumming, GA, 30041
Phone: (770) 945-9531
Operated by: US Army Corps of Engineers
There is also a 1-mile paved, concrete path loop at Laurel Park in Gainesville, where on a nice day you’ll find many locals walking and jogging the loop.
Address: 3100 Old Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, GA 30506
Phone: (770) 535-8280
Operated by: Hall County, Georgia