Don’t Let the Summer End Without Doing These 6 things at Lake Oconee

May 31, 2023

Summer is upon us. That means warmer weather and a search for the perfect place to cool off. In an under two-hour drive from Atlanta, you can find your summer hotspot at beautiful Lake Oconee.

If you are up for an adventure, don’t leave Lake Oconee without experiencing these six must-try things.

Go tubing

You can’t visit Lake Oconee without spending some time in the water. Tubing behind a boat is one of the most accessible ways for all ages to enjoy the lake. Young Harris Water Sports provides pontoon, ski boats, and jet skis for rent along with all of the equipment, including life jackets, you need to get out on the water.

Customers rave about just how easy it is to rent a boat and other water toys with the online reservation and check-in system. Make the day truly hassle-free with their delivery service. If you are renting a lake house, Young Harris WaterSports will bring the boat or jet ski to you. You can dock the watercraft at your rental house for up to an entire week so the fun never stops.

Learn to wakeboard 

If you, or members of your vacation party, are looking for a little more of an adrenaline rush, be sure to schedule some time behind the boat on a wakeboard. Whether you’re a seasoned wakeboarder or just getting your feet wet in the sport, Georgia Wake Lessons is committed to providing top-notch instruction for all skill and stamina levels.

You can choose from a one-hour lesson all the way up to a full-day, eight-hour lesson for a party size of one rider up to eight riders. Whatever the length and group size, you’ll be pulled behind the world-renowned Super Air Nautique G23 or 210. Georgia Wake Lessons arrives geared up and ready, all you need to do is come ready for some fun on the lake.

Go shooting at Sandy Creek

Shooting is a sport passed down from generation to generation. At Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, you’ll find a five-stand shooting range, sporting clays and air rifles. And while the facilities were designed with serious shooting in mind, expert guides will make sure that even beginners have an experience they won’t forget.

Perfect for groups of family or friends, guests at Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds can also try their hand at an archery range and an off-road driving course.

Cast a line

If you’re looking for a little more relaxation out on the water, fishing just might hit that sweet spot. But, don’t go it alone. Be sure to enlist the expertise of Lake Oconee’s premier full-time fishing guide service lead by Captain Mark Smith and the Reel Time Guide Service.

With more than 30 years of experience, Captain Smith is prepared to teach you all the when, where, and hows of fishing on Lake Oconee. From using the right gear and bait to exploring the shorelines and depths of the lake, Captain Smith will have you catching stripers, bass, and crappie in no time. So, get that fishing license in hand and hit the water for a reel good time.

Jump off Jumping Rock

Lake Oconee is home to many rocks, but only one is famous enough to have its own name. Jumping Rock is sought out by lake visitors for it’s 10-foot height and the amazing jumping pictures you can take as your friends and family free fall into the water.

Jumping Rock is located on the south end of the lake before you get to the dam. It’s only accessible by water, so hop in a boat and find your way to GPS coordinates 33.37912365108089, -83.18434546931657.

Sip a cold one

The family and dog friendly Oconee Brewing Company was quite literally founded on history, selling its craft beers out of a renovated cotton mill warehouse whose red brick walls still frame the buildings and courtyard spaces. Their gorgeous 3,600 square-foot event space with massive floor-to-ceiling windows, makes it more than just a local brewery.

The beer selections change with the seasons and you should let your hunger accompany your thirst so you have room to try out their food truck’s chicken sandwich and hot, crispy truffle fries. If you get lucky, you can also see a local band play or laugh it up on comedy night.

Let Lake Oconee fill your summer days with tubing, wakeboarding, fishing at sunset, retreating to the hills, snapping some action shots at Jumping Rock, and relaxing with a cold brew in hand. You won’t leave disappointed.