North GA Swimming Lakes
Mountain lake beaches within an hour or so of Helen, with fees, seasons and current closures
The short answer
After a day of tubing or hiking, there's nothing better than getting into a mountain lake. The closest swim is right at Unicoi State Park, and a few Forest Service beaches within an hour or so give you bigger water and more room.
Pick a spot below, check the season and fee, and call ahead if you're driving far. Some beaches have no lifeguard, and conditions and closures change.
Swimming spots at a glance
| Place | From Helen | Season and fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi Lake (Unicoi State Park) | About 10 minutes | Park open 7 AM to 10 PM year-round; ParkPass $10 per vehicle per day. Call 706-878-2201 for beach and rental details. | 53-acre lake with a beach, paddle boarding and boat rentals. Lodge restaurant diners don't need the pass. |
| Lake Rabun Beach | About 50 minutes | Open April to October; $5 per person, children 15 and under free. | Forest Service site run by FIND Outdoors at 4726 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont. Beach access, swimming, boating and 80 campsites. Phone 706-782-6798. The lake is about 835 acres. |
| Lake Winfield Scott | About 55 minutes | Seasonal (April 1 to October 31), $5 per person; closes September 1, 2026 for construction. | 18-acre Forest Service lake near Suches; no dogs in the swim area. Check FIND Outdoors for reopening, phone 706-747-3816. |
| Morganton Point (Lake Blue Ridge) | About 75 minutes | Open year-round with limited services November to early April; $5 per person, children 15 and under free. | Forest Service site on a 3,290-acre lake at 475 Lake Drive, Morganton, with a beach, boat launch and rentals. Phone 706-374-1645. |
Fees, hours and addresses checked with Unicoi Lodge, Lake Rabun Beach, Lake Winfield Scott and Morganton Point (FIND Outdoors), October 2026. Drive times are without traffic.
Unicoi Lake, the easy one
Unicoi Lake is the quickest option from Helen. The 53-acre lake is part of Unicoi State Park, which sits on 1,029 acres and runs a lodge, campground and trails. Paddle boarding and boat rentals run from the beach. The park is open 7 AM to 10 PM year-round, and the visitor center is open Sunday to Thursday 10 to 5 and Friday and Saturday 10 to 6. Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day with the Georgia ParkPass.
Lake Rabun
Lake Rabun Beach is a Forest Service recreation area run by FIND Outdoors, with a beach, picnic areas, camping and hiking, including a trail to Angel Falls. It's open April through October and costs $5 per person (children 15 and under free). See our Lake Rabun guide for more about the lake.
Lake Burton and Lake Chatuge
Lake Burton and Lake Chatuge are big lakes with plenty of shoreline, but not every access point has a designated swim beach. Check the guides before you drive: our Lake Burton guide and Lake Burton recreation page cover public access around Burton, and the Lake Chatuge guide covers the TVA lake near Hiawassee. Lake Burton is about 35 minutes from Helen and Chatuge about 35 minutes.
A note on Vogel and other state park lakes
Lake Trahlyta at Vogel State Park is currently drained for dam repairs, so there's no swimming there this fall. Before you plan around any park lake, check the state park's page for notices.
Tips for a safe swim
Swim near other people
Many mountain lake beaches have no lifeguard. Stay in the marked swim area and keep an eye on kids.
Mind the weather
If you hear thunder, get out of the water and off the beach.
Bring water shoes
Lake bottoms can be rocky and uneven.
Check for closures
Construction, heavy rain and maintenance can close beaches. Call ahead, especially in the shoulder seasons.
More swimming ideas
If you'd rather swim in a creek or river, see our Helen swimming holes guide and North Georgia swimming holes. For paddling, see kayaking in North Georgia.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
