Lake Rabun
A 1915 mountain reservoir with vintage wooden boats, lakeside pizza and a classic boathouse
The short answer
Why Rabun is different
Lake Rabun has the kind of shoreline that makes people slow down: narrow, winding, full of old cottages and a fleet of wooden boats that has been on the water for generations. It's an 835-acre reservoir on the Tallulah River, about 50 minutes from Helen, and it feels more like a very wide river than a big lake.
The Mathis Dam was finished in May 1915, but the lake sat dry for years waiting on the tunnel to the power plant, and it filled around 1925. The rest of the story is cottages, wooden boats and, on the Fourth of July, a boat parade run by the Lake Rabun Association. For beaches, camping and fees, see our Lake Rabun recreation guide.
A short history
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 1915 | Mathis Dam completed: ambursen concrete, 108 feet high, 660 feet long |
| About 1925 | Lake finally fills, after the power tunnel to Tallulah Falls is done |
| 1920s | Atlanta families begin building summer cottages on the shore |
| Today | Georgia Power runs the lake; the Terrora plant at the dam serves as a peak-power source |
Dates from Wikipedia and Georgia Power material.
Wooden boats and the Fourth of July
Lake Rabun's signature is the "Rabun Navy," the lake's collection of vintage wooden boats. Hall's Boathouse has been a landmark on the lake since the 1930s and handles rentals, sales and repair, including work on wooden boats. On the Fourth of July the Lake Rabun Association organizes a wooden boat parade with prizes, and the Rabun Ramble 5K and 10K follows the north shore. Both draw crowds, so book early if you want to be here that weekend.
Eating on the lake
| Business | Where | Hours and notes | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max's Lakeside | 1659 Lake Rabun Road | Restaurant: Mon to Thu 4 to 9 PM, Fri to Sun noon to 9 PM. Swing Bar: Thu to Fri 4 to 9 PM, Sat to Sun noon to 9 PM (Sunday alcohol from 12:30 PM). First come, first served. | 706-960-8619 |
| Lake Rabun Hotel | 35 Andrea Lane | Restaurant and lodging; welcoming guests since 1922. Dining days and hours aren't posted online, so call. | 706-782-4946 |
| Hall's Boathouse | 1897 Lake Rabun Road | Boat rentals, sales and repair; hours change by season, so call. | 706-782-2628 (store) |
Checked on Max's Lakeside, Hall's Boathouse and the Lake Rabun Hotel sites in October 2026.
What you'll find
Max's Lakeside does New York-style pizza, pasta, salads and wings, with a lakeside Swing Bar. The Lake Rabun Hotel has been taking guests since 1922 and has a farm-to-table restaurant; since dining days aren't posted online, call ahead. Hall's Boathouse rents boats, so you can make an afternoon of it.
Rabun Beach Recreation Area
The Forest Service's Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area at 5315 Lake Rabun Road is the public beach and boat launch, open year-round sunrise to sundown. Day use is $5 per person for ages 16 and up, and the 80-site campground runs from April 1 to October 28. Minnehaha Falls, one of the better-known waterfalls in the area, is nearby too; see our waterfall guide for more falls in the region.
Tips
Go on a weekday
Summer weekends and the Fourth of July are the busiest times on the lake.
Mind the wake
The lake is narrow; keep wakes small near docks and wooden boats.
Call before you plan a meal
Restaurant hours shift with the season. Max's posts afternoon and evening hours; the hotel doesn't post dining days.
Pair it
Lake Burton is to the north: see our Lake Burton guide.
Common questions
What is the Rabun Navy?
It's the local nickname for the lake's collection of vintage wooden boats. The Lake Rabun Association runs a Fourth of July wooden boat parade, and the Rabun Ramble 5K and 10K follows the north shore the same weekend.
Where can I eat on Lake Rabun?
Max's Lakeside (1659 Lake Rabun Road, 706-960-8619) serves pizza and Italian dishes, open daily afternoons and evenings. The Lake Rabun Hotel (706-782-4946) has a restaurant; call for dining days and hours.
Is there camping?
Yes. The Forest Service's Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area has an 80-site campground open April 1 through October 28. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
How far is Lake Rabun from Helen?
About 32 miles and 50 minutes to Lakemont, without traffic.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
