DO IT: Swimming

Swimming: Cool Off in Georgia’s Pools, Lakes, & Ocean

Georgia summers tend to get hot – often in the 90s, and with high humidity – so there is no doubt that
swimming is a popular recreational activity for cooling off and there are plenty of places to do it.

Swimming pools and water parks abound, operated by the state’s resorts, hotels, municipal and county governments, and Georgia State Parks. The outdoor pools in Georgia are generally open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, whereas the indoor pools are often year-round facilities.

Many of the state’s public pools hold special events, such as “dive in” movies, tropical-themed parties, and water sports contests. Almost all offer swimming lessons. Guest passes can be purchased if you’re not a local resident. A couple of pools you might want to check out are the Georgia Tech Indoor Pool and the Liberty Bell pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park. The Georgia Tech Indoor Pool in downtown Atlanta was constructed for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, where American Amy Van Dyken won four gold medals in the women’s events, and features a leisure pool with six-25-yard lanes, a water slide, lazy river, kids play area. The pool offers public swimming lessons; usage otherwise is restricted to Georgia Tech-affiliated members and their guests. The Liberty Bell pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park is a beautiful, large, rock-lined, spring-fed pool built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Pool general admission is $3-$5 depending on the day of the week. Pools also are the main attraction at the state’s water parks, many of them an adjunct to theme parks such as Six Flags Over Georgia, Wild Adventures, and Lake Winnepesaukah.

Resort area water parks such as Margaritaville at Lanier Islands and Summer Waves on Jekyll Island ensure there are activities for every member of the family. One of the newest water parks in the state is Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins which bills itself as having the world’s largest wet play structure. Or take your water fun indoors at the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange with its indoor pools and slides, accessible to resort guests and those who purchase a day pass.

While pools and water parks are great, there’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned swimming hole. Located in the midst of nature at its finest, these swimming spots are open year-round, and often free to access. Several Georgia waterfalls, including High Shoals Falls and Dukes Creek Falls near Helen, Blue Hole Falls near Hiawassee and Helton Creek Falls near Blairsville, plunge into pools that are swimmable. Just be aware, the water may be a chilly 40 degrees. And please swim with a buddy since there are no lifeguards at these swimming holes.

Lake swimming is also plentiful. Recreational facilities on the Army Corps of Engineers’ 10 Georgia lakes, Georgia Power’s 17 lakes and 20 Georgia State Parks lakes often feature sandy beaches and roped-off areas designated for swimming.

Wherever you go in Georgia, remember to pack a swimsuit.

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Swimming - Locations

Memorial Park Recreation Center

Historic Heartland
2465 Second St.
Macon, GA 31206
478-751-9210

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Milton City Park and Preserve

Atlanta Metro
1785 Dinsmore Rd.
Milton, GA 30004

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Mistletoe State Park

Classic South
3723 Mistletoe Rd.
Appling, GA 30802
706-541-0321

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Morganton Point Recreation Area

Northwest Georgia Mountains
Lake Dr.
Morganton, GA 30560
706-374-1645

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Mountain Park Aquatic Center

Atlanta Metro
1063 Rockbridge Rd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
770-814-6054

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Mulberry Creek Community Center and Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
4491 J.M. Turk Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-965-7140

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Navy Lake Site – Lake Allatoona

Northwest Georgia Mountains
166 Sandtown Rd.
Cartersville, GA 30121
770-974-6309

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Neptune Park Fun Zone

Georgia Coast
550 Beachview Dr.
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
912-279-2836

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Northside Swim Center

Northwest Georgia Mountains
501 Kingston Ave.
Rome, GA 30161
706-291-0766

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Oconee District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Historic Heartland
1199 Madison Rd.
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-485-3180

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Oconee Springs Park

Historic Heartland
109 S. Spring Rd.
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-485-8423

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Okefenokee Country Club

Georgia Coast
1204 South River Oaks Dr.
Blackshear, GA 31516
912-283-7400

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Old Federal Campground – Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6219 Old Federal Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
877-444-6777

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Old Highway 41 No. 3 Campground

Atlanta Metro
6700 North Main St.
Acworth, GA 30102
877-444-6777

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Old Salem Campsite & Boat Ramp

Classic South
1530 Old Salem Rd.
Greensboro, GA 30624
706-467-2850

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Ossabaw Island

Georgia Coast
22814 GA Hwy. 144
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912-727-2112

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Parks Ferry Campsite & Boat Ramp

Classic South
1491 Parks Mill Rd.
Greensboro, GA 30624
706-453-4308

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Parkwood RV Park & Cottages

Magnolia Midlands
12188 Hwy. 301 S.
Statesboro, GA 30458
912-681-3105

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Payne Campground at Allatoona Lake

Atlanta Metro
2495 Kellogg Creek Rd.
Acworth, GA 30102
678-721-6700

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Pebblepocket Park

Atlanta Metro
200 Willow Rd.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
770-631-2542

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