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). 

Boat Ramps

Boat Ramp fees are charged at all 4 parks at the rate of $6/day unless you have an annual boat ramp 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 July 2024. 

Campsite Reservations

CLICK HERE to reserve a campsite.  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 but must be approved by Dawson County Parks & Recreation and US Army Corps of Engineers prior to tournament day.  

DCPR requires an approved Fishing Tournament Request form.  If requested date is approved by DCPR, office staff will provide you with an approval form to submit to the US Army Corps of Engineers, validating the approved date.  Once an approved USCOE permit is secured, please submit that to DCPR for final approval of the event. 

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

All boaters attending the tournament must purchase their own single-day boat ramp pass upon arrival, using the on-site kiosk, or display a valid annual pass.

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 Boat Ramp Passes sold by DCPR allow boat ramp use 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 boat ramp passes sold by DCPR do not provide discounts on camping reservations. 

DCPR annual boat ramp 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 boat ramp 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 boat ramp 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.