Buford Dam Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Buford Dam Park is a popular recreation area located in Buford, Georgia.
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Summary
The park offers a variety of outdoor activities and amenities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and picnic areas. The park is situated on the shores of Lake Lanier, which is known for its scenic beauty and excellent fishing opportunities.
Some of the points of interest at Buford Dam Park include the Buford Dam, which is a massive concrete structure that was built in the 1950s to control the flow of the Chattahoochee River. Visitors can take a tour of the dam and learn about its history and function. Another popular attraction is the Lake Lanier Islands Water Park, which features water slides, wave pools, and other water-based activities.
There are many interesting facts about the Buford Dam Park area, including its role in providing water and power to the surrounding communities. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Buford Dam Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the water is ideal for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities and events throughout the year.
Overall, Buford Dam Park is a great destination for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and natural beauty. With its stunning lake views, abundant wildlife, and wide range of amenities, it's a must-visit attraction in the state of Georgia.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
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Sawnee
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Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
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Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
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Bald Ridge Creek
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Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
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Charleston - Lake Lanier
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Gwinnett County Park
Lower Overlook Park
Lake Lanier Islands Park
Lake Lanier Islands
Lanier Beach Park