Campgrounds around Lake Lanier will open in March, and when they do, they will be managed by local jurisdictions through Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreements with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Eight campgrounds in Dawson, Forsyth and Hall now have shared management and operations costs. Each jurisdiction will handle campground reservations through their own websites rather than recreation.gov.
Here are the campgrounds, their opening and closing dates and links to make reservations.
- Toto Creek and War Hill, managed by Dawson County Parks and Recreation, opens Mar. 1-Oct. 31, www.dawsoncountyga.gov.
- Bolding Mill, Duckett Mill, Old Federal, managed by Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, Mar. 28-Nov. 17, www.hallcounty.org.
- Bald Ridge, Sawnee, Shady Grove, managed by Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, Mar. 21-Oct. 26, www.parks.forsythco.com.
The Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreements allow non-federal public entities the opportunity to take over certain aspects of park and campground management and operation, including each campground’s reservation system, grounds maintenance, gate staffing and trash removal. Fees collected for these campgrounds will be retained by the specific local jurisdiction partner to be used for future improvements.
In return, the Corps will continue with facility maintenance, park ranger patrols, provide and pay for utilities, such as electricity and water, and enforce regulations and safety issues.
County representatives will staff the gatehouses. All previous passes will still be honored including America the Beautiful Senior, ATB-ACCESS, Golden Access, etc.
For more information about the program, reservations or questions, contact the local county government managing the campground of interest.
