Lake Allatoona Now

Before you go

Lake Allatoona safety

Allatoona is one of the busiest lakes in the country, half an hour from Atlanta. Crowds, deep water and a lake that drops 17 feet every winter are what catch people out.

Emergency

Call 911

911 reaches Georgia DNR game wardens and the Bartow, Cherokee and Cobb county marine units. Tell them the nearest ramp, marina, park or creek arm.

For lake operations and park questions, contact the Corps’ Allatoona Lake project office near the dam in Cartersville. TowBoatUS covers the lake for breakdowns.

A crowded lake

  • Go early, go weekdays

    From May to September, holiday weekends and fireworks nights are the busiest. Ramp parking fills early; weekday mornings are quietest.

  • Slow down in the narrows

    The lake is long and thin, with a lot of boats funneled through the same channels. Watch wakes near docks, swimmers and the marinas.

  • Sober at the helm

    Georgia DNR patrols for boating under the influence, especially on holiday weekends. Wardens made five BUI arrests on Allatoona over July 4th weekend in 2026.

  • Winter pool hazards

    From mid-November to spring the lake is up to 17 feet lower. Points stretch out and humps, stumps and old roadbeds come up, especially in the upper arms.

Wear the life jacket

Allatoona has a long history of drownings: 281 between 1950 and 2006. In 2026 there was a fatal boat crash in April, a 28-year-old drowned near Glade Marina over July 4th weekend, and five people were thrown from a boat in an August crash. Wardens say most people who drown weren’t wearing a life jacket.

  • Wear one on the boat, not just carry one. In Georgia, children under 13 must wear one on a moving boat.
  • No lifeguards are on duty at any Corps beach. Swim inside the buoys, and never alone.
  • Don’t swim from a boat near channels; boats can’t see heads.
  • Cold water from late fall to spring can take your breath away even on a warm day.

Sources: Wikipedia, “Lake Allatoona”; Fox 5 Atlanta; Atlanta News First; Georgia DNR.

A free annual pass for taking a class

First-time graduates of a Coast Guard Auxiliary safe boating class have been eligible for a free Corps annual day-use pass at Allatoona. Ask when you sign up.

Swim beach rules

  • Corps beaches (Galt’s Ferry, Old Hwy 41 #1, Sweetwater and others): no lifeguards, no pets, no glass.
  • Acworth Beach and Cauble Park (City of Acworth, on Lake Acworth): no alcohol, grills, glass or loud music; no pets on the beach. Open dawn to dusk in summer.
  • Red Top Mountain (Georgia State Parks): ParkPass; leashed dogs are welcome in the park but not on the beach.

Eating your catch

Georgia suggests no more than one meal a week of big bass (hybrid, largemouth, spotted and striped over 16 in) from Allatoona. More on eating your catch.