Paddleboarding Perfection Near Atlanta
Atlanta paddleboarders are lucky. There are a number of places to take your board and enjoy a peaceful, long paddle. One of our new favorites is Lake Acworth, which sits just below Lake Allatoona, about 30 minutes north of Atlanta.
Our first visit to Lake Acworth was just a year ago, and it wasn’t our last. Lake Acworth is a hidden gem for SUP enthusiasts. Motorized crafts are not allowed on the lake. Paddleboarders have free reign of the waters and don’t have to constantly dodge ski boats and jet skis. The first thing we always do when we arrive is paddle out to the middle of the lake and take in the open expanse now at our disposal!
The lake is small, just 260 acres, but is ample for long, uninterrupted time on the board. The best area of the lake for paddleboarding lies in the north, off of Lake Acworth Beach, a public beach facility with many amenities, including restrooms and picnic areas.
Parking is a breeze – The Acworth Beach (Cauble Park) area has plenty of spaces just steps away from the water, though it does get busy, so arrive early in the summer months! We always drive to the far end of the parking area, which is past the large playground facility. From there, our car is just yards away from great places to put in and get paddling. And if you don’t own your own board, Appalachian Outfitters rents paddleboards, kayaks, and other recreational goodies during summer months.
Supper for SUP’ers
Another huge perk of Lake Acworth is that it’s located right in historic downtown Acworth which has a ton of great casual eating spots and boutiques. We love the fact that we can hit the lake early in the morning, when there’s a nice mist on the water. We can paddle until lunch, and walk (or drive a few blocks) to town to snag some award-winning BBQ or a gourmet deli sandwich. Followed by… more paddling!
Paddleboarding Particulars
HOURS: Lake Acworth is open 6 AM to 10 PM year-round
FEES: Dallas Landing and Proctor Landing on Lake Allatoona have a $10 non-resident parking fee Monday-Friday during the season (mid-April to mid-September). South Shore Park has a $10 non-resident parking fee and Cauble Park has a $15 non-resident parking fee on weekends during the season, and seven days a week in June and July. Credit card payments only.
RENTALS: During the summer months, boards can be rented through Appalachian Outfitters.