Located in the deepest reaches of central Georgia, Lake Oconee is revered statewide for its rustic natural beauty and remote location. A haven for fans of outdoor recreation, the reservoir is home to campgrounds along its banks, while the lake itself is a popular destination for jet skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and a wide variety of other watersports. For those who are hoping to drink and dine in style, the nearby town of Greensboro is packed with popular venues catering to a diverse array of palates, ranging from the classic Southern cuisine to regional Mexican. Though watersports may reign supreme on Lake Oconee, the surrounding land is a prime destination for golfers, equipped with six individual courses that provide spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding natural beauty.

While Lake Oconee is located roughly halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, two of the largest cities in Georgia, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the best option if you’re arriving by commercial flight. Due to Lake Oconee’s rural location, the only feasible way to access and explore the area is by car. After securing a rental vehicle at the airport, you’ll need to drive roughly 90 minutes east before reaching the banks of Lake Oconee. Once you have arrived at the lake, the closest town, Greensboro, is just a twenty-minute drive to the north.

Lake Oconee tends to favor warm-weather tourism, with peak visitorship in the middle of summer when conditions are ideal for boating and swimming. For those who prefer to avoid the crowds, a spring visit may be a more suitable time to stay in one of the area’s vacation rentals. Foodies will want to time their visit to mid-March when the area celebrates the popular Lake Oconee Food and Wine Festival, a three-day showcase of the region’s best chefs alongside wineries from around the world. During fall, when the crowds thin, the hills surrounding the lake turn a deep crimson in what amounts to some of the best leaf peeping in all of Georgia. If you’re less inclined to the great outdoors, winter offers ample opportunity to hit Greensboro’s hottest restaurants and boutique shops without having to stand in line.

The Old Gaol

A fixture of downtown Greensboro for more than two centuries, the Old Gaol was constructed in 1807 to serve as a jailhouse for any local outlaws apprehended nearby. Equipped with two-foot-thick granite walls, made in the style of the fortresses of Western Europe, this imposing structure was built with locally quarried granite and offers a glimpse into the harsh conditions afforded to criminals in the bygone era.

The Jumping Rock

Anyone spending a day on the water should be sure to check out the Jumping Rock, a famous boulder resting on the southern edge of the Oconee shoreline. Standing at a height of ten feet, the stone is a beloved launching pad for front flips, pencil dives, and even the occasional belly flop.

Old Salem Park

Located on the shore of Lake Oconee, Old Salem Park is a rallying point for those looking to spend a day — or week — in and out of the water. The large park is easily accessible, with boat ramps and paved roads in and out, and offers plenty of shady swimming spots as well as communal barbecues and full-service campsites.