Lake Oconee, Georgia: A Complete Visitor’s Guide

Lake Oconee is a little slice of heaven in central Georgia. As it’s within a short drive of both Augusta and Atlanta, it’s well-situated for the perfect day at the lake on sunny days.

Interested in making it happen? I don’t blame you.

Check out this guide to Lake Oconee, a destination that’s sure to win you over to the side of that lake life.

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Lake Oconee: FAQs

I knew very little about Lake Oconee before heading out myself on a day trip from Augusta, our home base for a month. You’ll have a great time no matter how much you educate yourself about this reservoir — yep, it’s a reservoir! — but understanding more about this scenic place isn’t a bad thing. Who knows? You may even impress some locals.

What is Lake Oconee known for? Lake Oconee is known for being a haven for rest, relaxation, and golf. It caters to a fancier set, a point made more obvious when you see the large homes lining its shores.

How big is Lake Oconee? Lake Oconee is just under 20 miles long, with an area of nearly 30 square miles.

That length means you can drive from Eatonton to Greensboro and three different counties — Morgan, Putnam, and Greene counties — and still be in the Lake Oconee region.

Fun fact: These counties are very different politically, by the way. I’ll let you experience that bit for yourselves.

How deep is Lake Oconee? Lake Oconee is 225 feet deep at its deepest point. The average depth, though, is only 21 feet.

Is Lake Oconee a man-made lake? Lake Oconee is a man-made lake along with its sister lake, Lake Sinclair. Both were created thanks to the Wallace Dam, a dam put in place by the Georgia Power company in 1979. Today, the lake still serves as a reservoir for the Georgia Power Company’s Wallace Hydroelectric Plant.

Is Lake Oconee a clean lake? Lake Oconee is a very clean lake. Georgia Power has seemed to do its due diligence to avoid any contamination of the reservoir when it coems to their own activities. The lake’s accessibility and clear waters are what makes this place so popular with locals and tourists who love their watersports and a cool dip on a hot day.

Does Lake Oconee have alligators? There have been alligators spotted in the Oconee River that eventually flows into Lake Oconee, but sightings are rare. Their natural habitat is below what’s known as the fall line. Spotting one above that fall line is rare, but it has happened. Measures are usually taken by local wildlife specialists to move the gators back to where they belong in those rare cases!

Getting to Lake Oconee

There aren’t any public transportation options for you when it comes to both getting to and navigating the areas around the lake. That means you’ll need a car to get out to Oconee lake. Rent a car ahead of time using a site like Hotwire or Priceline for the best deals.

How far is Lake Oconee from Atlanta? It depends where you’re going along Lake Oconee, but you can reach most of the highlights within about an hour and a half from Atlanta. 

Augusta was our base at the time, so we spent the day at the lake after an easy drive from Augusta, just over an hour away from the lake. If you’re on the South Carolina side in North Augusta, it’s a similarly easy drive.

We found parking easily everywhere we stopped at Lake Oconee, but we traveled there on an unseasonably warm day in March. I’m sure summertime looks quite different at the lake, with boat traffic something to deal with on top of drivers on the road.

Interested in a map of all that I’ll highlight here? Check out the Google map below:

GIMME MY LAKE OCONEE MAP!

Water Activities in Lake Oconee

Lake Oconee is an inland hub for watersports. We saw revelers on jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards during our visit. You don’t need your own watercraft, either. There are several rental shops available for you to choose from if you want to hit the water:

• Oconee Wild Watersports
• Young Harris Watersports

Can you swim in Lake Oconee? There are a number of areas where swimming is permitted in Lake Oconee. The campsites seem easiest to access. Parks Ferry, Old Salem, and the KOA all include seasonal swimming beaches and picnic spots when you’re done splashing around.

We chose Old Salem Park. You’ll be asked to pay a $5 fee at the gate. We visited on a weekday in early March and basically had the park to ourselves. Our pup had a great time frolicking around, despite the duck poop we had to navigate. I imagine the small sandy beach there gets crowded in the summer months.

Fun fact: If you’re lucky enough to be staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, you’ll have access to a private beach.

Keep in mind that we saw signage warning visitors that there are no lifeguards on duty at these swim spots. Whether that changes in the summer, I’m just not sure. Practice lake safety no matter what, even if you think you’re just wading in.

That means reading and listening to any posted information, spending time in the water with a buddy, and heading into the water feet first. The depths in lakes can vary tremendously.

Lake Oconee Restaurants

While I can’t share much about Lake Oconee real estate — we did a quick Redfin search while we were there and aren’t putting any offers in on lake/golf homes anytime soon — I can talk about restaurants at Lake Oconee.

It was just about lunchtime when we arrived, so we kicked things off at Georgia Butts BBQ in the town of Eatonton on the west side of the lake. It has since closed down, which I may blame on their Brunswick stew. It’s apparently a classic Southern dish in these parts, but I can only describe it as liquid pulled pork.

That’s what it tasted like. That’s what the texture resembled.

If you’re feeling fancy or just want a couple of snacks and a cocktail or two, head to Gaby’s by the Lake, the casual eatery on The Ritz Carlton property. 

The lake views here are awesome, and this place is very dog-friendly. Their lower-level patio has a basket of dog toys, doggie beds, and water bowls waiting for guests with dogs.

Kimmy was pleased as punch.

You don’t need to be a guest at the Ritz to dine at Gaby’s, and if you’re someone with a boat, you can pull up right to the dock and get your snacks to-go. 

Note: If you’re someone with a boat, can I be your friend?

We had two glasses of overpriced wine and a couple of appetizers that were just OK, but have no regrets. The views truly can’t be beat, and you can stare at all of the fancy people while you’re there. 

Spend some time strolling the grounds if you have time. You’ll want to linger longer until you see the price of rooms here.  

Golf at Lake Oconee

Golf is king in the area. Golfers will have quite a few courses to choose from if that’s what you’re after. Brian wishes that’s what we were after on our visit, but alas…we had our pup with us and she just discovered that she’s really into lake life, not golf.

OK, this is a big deal, everyone. For the longest time, she hated the water. She was prancing around that lake like she was born for it.

Anyway, back to the golf.

Here are your best options for Lake Oconee golf if you’re into joining the local golf community:

• Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee
• Harbor Club
• Reynolds Lake Oconee

Again, I can’t vouch for which course is best. One, I’m not a golfer. Two, we didn’t golf. Reynolds Lake Oconee has several courses for you to choose from, though.

More Time at Lake Oconee

If you’re a lucky ducky and spending more time than just the day at Lake Oconee, there’s lots to do than isn’t lazing around the water. I mean, you can also have a weekend at Lake Oconee lazing around, but if you don’t want to, I’m saying you have options.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a popular stop while exploring Lake Oconee. The downtown area offers lots of activities and additional amenities if you’re feeling a little sleepy from how relaxed it is closer to the lake.

Note: I’m talking about Greensboro, Georgia, here, not Greensboro, North Carolina.

Here are the top things to do in Greensboro, GA:

• The Old Greene County Gaol: Visit Georgia’s oldest jail, completed in 1807. If you want to head inside, stop by Genuine Georgia downtown for a set of keys. You’ll see the old gallows and trap door just as they appeared when the jail was still executing prisoners.
• Oconee Brewing Company: Greensboro may seem small, but even small Georgia towns want a piece of that craft beer pie. Oconee Brewing Company serves up a variety of brews, including their Waffle House collab Bacon & Kegs.

Lake Sinclair

Lake Sinclair, also a man-made creation, is the sister lake to Lake Oconee. At about two hours southeast from Atlanta, it’s a little further out, but if you’re already at Lake Oconee it’s an easy jaunt to get to this one.

The two lakes are separated by the Wallace Dam, which you already know all about.

Visit Lake Sinclair for more of a local vibe vs. the luxe, resort-style vibes of Lake Oconee. Milledgeville is the closest town to Lake Sinclair if you want to explore the town. It was the capital of Georgia during the Civil War in case that does something for you.

Eatonton

Eatonton is on the opposite side of the lake as Greensboro, and it feels much more rural. I’ve already mentioned Georgia Butts BBQ as an affordable lunch spot in town. If you have more time, Oconee Springs Park is a great place to access Lake Sinclair. Day passes for a day of fun on the lake are only $3.

Eatonton is also where you’ll access the Rock Hawk archaeological site. I’m bummed to say we missed this one, but here’s what I’ve learned.

The Rock Hawk is a hawk-shaped effigy on land that was once Native American land. The theory is that the bird — it’s actually unclear whether it’s really a hawk — arrived here anywhere from 1,000-3,000 years ago.

If you’re here for the hawk, it’s easily accessible from parking areas near the fenced area. With more time, there are a number of hiking and biking trails that start here.

Lake Oconee Hotels

We were only there for a day trip, but if you want to stay overnight, there are lots of options for hotels near Lake Oconee.

I typically recommend sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com for your accommodation needs. If you’re not already staying at the Ritz, check out these hotels on Lake Oconee from Booking.com:

• The Lodge on Lake Oconee (Eatonton)
• Tru By Hilton Greensboro Lake Oconee, Ga (Greensboro)
• Hampton Inn Madison (Madison)
• Southern Cross Guest Ranch (Madison)
• Gillen House Luxury Bed & Breakfast (Maxeys)

Vrbo has become my preferred Airbnb alternative. Interested in something with apartment-style amenities? Check out my top Vrbo picks:

• Lake Oconee Sunset Oasis (Eatonton)
• Executive Suite With Large Patio (Greensboro)
• Large Cottage With Timber Views (Greensboro)
• Condo on Lake Sinclair (Milledgeville)
• Charming 4-Bedroom Cabin With Pond & Pool (Taliaferro County)

Have you visited Lake Oconee? What do you love about the lake? Did I miss anything in my guide to Lake Oconee, Georgia? Share it all with me in the comments!

Ready for Lake Oconee?

Your Flight: To get to Lake Oconee, you’ll likely start in either Atlanta or Augusta on a road trip through the South. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport will offer better deals on airfare over Augusta Regional Airport.

I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, you should use Skyscanner. It’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too, as it allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc.

To get to the lake from the airport, you’ll need a car. Reserve a car ahead of time using a site like Hotwire or Priceline to find the best deals. You can search by car rental company, too, if you feel a loyalty there.

Your Accommodations: I typically recommend sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com for your accommodation needs. Vrbo has become my preferred Airbnb alternative. Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try Hostelworld. Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.

Scroll up for specific picks across booking sites for Lake Oconee lake houses, hotels, and more.

Etc.: For general travel goodies, visit my Favorite Things page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my Travel Tools page.

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