Lake Rabun, the Emerald Jewel of the Blue Ridge
An 835-acre mountain lake with a public beach, a National Forest campground and a classic boathouse
The short answer
Lake Rabun in brief
Lake Rabun is the intimate one. It's a narrow, winding 835-acre reservoir with about 25 miles of shoreline, ringed by old cottages and woods, and it has a long tradition of vintage wooden boats on the water. It's about 50 minutes from Helen, third in the Tallulah River chain of lakes that Georgia Power runs.
For dining, wooden boat culture and history, see our Lake Rabun guide. This page is the practical one: how to get on the water and where to camp.
Lake Rabun at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | About 835 acres, roughly 25 miles of shoreline |
| Owner | Georgia Power; third lake in the six-lake Tallulah River chain |
| Dam | Mathis Dam, ambursen concrete, 108 feet high and 660 feet long; completed May 1915 |
| Normal water level | About 1,690 feet above sea level |
| Drive from Helen | About 50 minutes (32 miles) to Lakemont |
How the lake came to be
The Mathis Dam was completed in May 1915, but the lake didn't fill for about ten years because the tunnel carrying water to the power plant at Tallulah Falls had to be finished first. The Terrora Hydroelectric Plant at the dam can generate 16,000 kilowatts and now serves mostly as a peak-power source.
Lake Rabun became a summer retreat for wealthy Atlanta families in the 1920s, and a lot of that cottage-and-wooden-boat character survives. The Lake Rabun Association, which works to protect the lake, helps organize the Fourth of July wooden boat parade each year.
Public access: Rabun Beach
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Place | Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area (Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest) |
| Address | 5315 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont, GA 30552 |
| Phone | 706-754-6221 (Chattooga River Ranger District) |
| Beach and boat launch | Open year-round, sunrise to sundown |
| Campground | 80 sites; closes October 28 and reopens April 1. Reserve on Recreation.gov |
| Day use | $5 per person ages 16 and up; boat and trailer launch $5; vans and buses $5 plus $2 per person |
| Facilities | Swimming, motorized boating, fishing, picnicking. The Forest Service lists no potable water |
Details from the Forest Service page; the campground closes for the season October 28. Book at Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
At the beach
Rabun Beach is the main public way onto the lake if you don't own a lake house. It has a sandy swimming area, picnic spots and a boat ramp, and the campground sits right beside it. Plan to bring your own drinking water, since the Forest Service lists none on site.
Rentals and meals on the lake
| Business | Where | What it offers | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall's Boathouse | 1897 Lake Rabun Road | Landmark since the 1930s; boat rentals, sales and repair | 706-782-2628 (store), 706-782-4981 (shop) |
| Max's Lakeside | 1659 Lake Rabun Road | New York-style pizza, pasta, salads and wings. Restaurant Mon to Thu 4 to 9 PM, Fri to Sun noon to 9 PM; Swing Bar Thu to Fri 4 to 9, Sat to Sun noon to 9 | 706-960-8619 |
| Lake Rabun Hotel | 35 Andrea Lane | Lodging and restaurant, welcoming guests since 1922. Call for dining days and hours | 706-782-4946 |
Hours from Max's Lakeside and Hall's Boathouse; the Lake Rabun Hotel doesn't post dining hours online, so call. Rental rates for pontoons and paddle craft aren't posted; ask when you call.
Tips
Slow down
The lake is narrow and the shoreline is lined with docks. Keep to no-wake speed near homes and coves.
Bring a life jacket
Georgia requires one for every person on board; kids 12 and under wear theirs underway.
Check the season
The campground closes October 28 and reopens April 1. The beach and ramp stay open, but rental hours drop after Labor Day.
Make a day of it
Pair the lake with Tallulah Gorge State Park nearby, or Lake Burton to the north.
Compare options in our guide to lakes near Helen and the Lake Burton guide.
Common questions
Is there a public beach on Lake Rabun?
Yes. The Forest Service's Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area at 5315 Lake Rabun Road has a swimming beach and boat launch, open year-round from sunrise to sundown. Day use is $5 per person for ages 16 and up.
When is the Rabun Beach campground open?
The 80-site campground runs from April 1 to October 28. Reservations are through Recreation.gov.
Where can I rent a boat on Lake Rabun?
Hall's Boathouse, a lake landmark since the 1930s, rents boats. Call 706-782-2628 (store) or 706-782-4981 (shop) for rates and hours, which change after Labor Day.
How far is Lake Rabun from Helen?
About 32 miles and 50 minutes to Lakemont, without traffic.
Why is the lake so small and winding?
It's a mountain river valley that was dammed in 1915. At about 835 acres, it's far smaller than Lake Burton's 2,775.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
