LAKE PARKS

Dawson County Parks & Recreation manages 4 parks on Lake Lanier:  Nix Bridge Park, Thompson Creek Park, Toto Creek Park, and War Hill Park.  War Hill Park was acquired as a fully leased property in 2011.  The remaining 3 were acquired in 2023 under a cooperative agreement between DCPR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Parks & Facilities

NIX BRIDGE PARK

Nix Bridge Park is located on Nix Bridge Road, just off GA 400 North and consists of day-use areas, restrooms, a courtesy dock, and 1 boat ramp. 

The day-use areas and boat ramps are open year-round. 

THOMPSON CREEK PARK

Thompson Creek Park is located on Thompson Creek Park Road, off of Hwy 53 East and consists of day-use areas, trails, restrooms, a covered pavilion, a courtesy dock, and 3 boat ramps. 

The day-use areas and boat ramps are open year-round. 

TOTO CREEK PARK

Toto Creek Park is located on Toto Creek Park Park Road, off of GA 400 North and consists of 9 primitive campsites, day-use areas, trails, bath house (restrooms and showers), a courtesy dock, and 3 boat ramps. 

The day-use areas and boat ramps are open year-round; however, the campsites close in the winter each year (open March 1-October 31). 

WAR HILL PARK

War Hill Park is located on War Hill Park Road, off of Hwy 53 East and consists of 14 primitive campsites, day-use areas, bath house (restrooms and showers), a courtesy dock, and 4 boat ramps. 

The day-use areas and boat ramps are open year-round; however, the campsites close in the winter each year (open March 1-October 31). 

Day-use/Boat Launch

Day-use and boat launch fees are charged at all 4 parks at the rate of $6/day unless you have an annual pass.  Cash fees are currently collected via a cash drop-box method at each park; however, credit/debit card kiosks will be replacing those in the 2024. 

Campsite Reservations

Campsite reservations for Toto Creek Park and War Hill Park are online only.  The nightly rate for camping is $25.  All campsites are primitive and do not have power, water, or dump stations.

Please be advised that fishing tournaments take place at War Hill Park boat ramps throughout the year.  Boaters often head out from the boat ramps in the early morning hours.

Fishing Tournaments

Fishing Tournaments are permitted at War Hill Park but must be approved by Dawson County Parks & Recreation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to tournament day.  

DCPR requires a rental agreement and payment, which must be done in the main office at Rock Creek Park during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM).  A fee of $100 will include use of the boat ramps and parking lot, as well as up to 20 day-use passes to distribute to tournament participants.  Additional day-use passes can be purchased for $3 each.

USACE requires a Special Event Permit and payment, which must be done directly through their office.  Please visit the USACE website or call (251) 690-2658 for additional information and instructions.

For additional information, please call (706) 344-3646 or email recreation@dawsoncountyga.gov during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM). 

Annual Passes

Annual Passes sold by DCPR allow entry year-round at the 4 parks listed above only and are not accepted at any other parks in the county, state, or country.  Additionally, annual passes sold by DCPR do not provide discounts on camping reservations. 

DCPR annual passes are available are $30 for Dawson County residents ($70 for non-residents) and can be purchased at the main office at Rock Creek, located at 445 Martin Road Dawsonville during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM), or ONLINE at any time.  Annual passes allow access to all 4 lake parks listed above.  

As part of the agreements with the USACE, the following America The Beautiful passes will be accepted at all 4 locations.  If you have one of these passes, you do not need to purchase an annual pass through DCPR, as mentioned above.  If you plan to visit multiple USACE parks throughout the year, you are better off purchasing an America The Beautiful pass; however, if you only wish to visit the 4 lake parks managed by DCPR, purchasing the DCPR annual pass will be sufficient for you.

• Access Pass - covers daily admission, camping discounts, boat launching, and more
• Annual Pass - covers daily admission/parking
• Military Pass (Annual & Lifetime) - covers daily admission/parking
• Senior Pass (Annual & Lifetime)  - covers daily admission, camping discounts, boat launching, and more

Please visit https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes for additional information on eligibility, pricing, purchasing a pass, and more.  America The Beautiful passes are not available for purchase through DCPR.

If you  have questions or need additional information, please call (706) 344-3646 or email recreation@dawsoncountyga.gov during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM).  

Pavilion Rentals

The Thompson Creek Park pavilion is available for rent year-round at the rate of $60 for Dawson County residents ($100 for non-residents) for a 5-hour rental.  Rentals can be made at the main office at Rock Creek, located at 445 Martin Road Dawsonville during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM), or online at any time.  The online reservation process for the Thompson Creek Park pavilion is available on a trial basis.