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

Arrowhead Park & Bike Trails at Lake Tobesofkee

Historic Heartland
Columbus Road near U.S. 80
Macon, GA 31220
478-474-8770

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Atlanta Marietta R V Park

Atlanta Metro
1031 Wylie Rd. S E
Marietta, GA 30067
770-427-6853

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Atlanta Motorsports Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
80 Joe Lane, Cox Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
678-455-3646

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Atlanta South R V Resort

Atlanta Metro
281 Mt. Olive Rd.
McDonough, GA 30253
770-957-2610

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Bald Mountain Camping Resort

Northeast Georgia Mountains
751 Gander Gap Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-8896

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Bald Ridge Creek Campground – Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
4100 Bald Ridge Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
877-444-6777

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Barlow Street Park & Pool

West Georgia
709 Barlow St.
Americus, GA 31719
229-924-4878

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Barnsley Gardens Resort

Northwest Georgia Mountains
597 Barnsley Gardens Rd.
Adairsville, GA 30103
770-773-7480

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Bartow Carver Park

Atlanta Metro
3900 Bartow Carver Road SE
Acworth, GA 30101
770-974-6053

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Bartow Gatewood Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
224 Bartow Beach Rd.
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5163

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Battlefield Campground & RV Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
199 KOA Blvd.
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-4166

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Beaver Run RV Park

Magnolia Midlands
Interstate 16 @ Exit 111 - 22321 Excelsior Church Rd.
Metter, GA 30439
912-685-2594

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Bell Street Park & Pool

West Georgia
809 Oak Ave.
Americus, GA 31719
229-924-4878

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Best Friend Park

Atlanta Metro
6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30071
770-814-6054

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Bethesda Park

Atlanta Metro
225 Bethesda Church Rd.
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
770-814-6054

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Big Hart Campground – Clarks Hill Lake

Classic South
5258 Washington Rd.
Thomson, GA 30824
877-444-6777

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Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

Georgia Coast

Blackbeard Island, GA 31327
912-652-4415

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Bloomfield Gilead Park

Historic Heartland
1931 Rocky Creek Rd.
Macon, GA 31206
478-803-1989

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Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking

Northwest Georgia Mountains
56 North River Rd.
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
706-258-2411

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Blue Ridge, Georgia

Northwest Georgia Mountains
152 Orvin Lance Dr
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-5680

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