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Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area offers visitors year-round recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and hiking, all centered around beautiful Lake Winfield Scott.
The area is situated high in a mountain valley within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, approximately 80 miles from Atlanta, Georgia. The facility offers a rental cabin with electricity and water, as well as sites for tent and RV camping.
The Lake Winfield Scott Beach includes a designated swimming area, picnic tables, a bathhouse, pavilions (by reservation only), a playground and trash bins.
Day-use hiking trails are found within the recreation area, ideal for a short stroll. A 0.4-mile trail parallels the lakeshore. In addition, the 1-mile Jarrard Gap Trail and 2.7-mile Slaughter Creek Trail both begin within the recreation area and connect to the Appalachian Trail.
Lake Winfield Scott is open to hand-powered and electric motor boats only. Fishing for catfish, trout, perch, brim and bass is a popular activity. See the [Georgia Department of Natural Resources](http://www.gofishgeorgia.com/) for a complete listing of freshwater fishing regulations for the lake. A boat ramp and accessible fishing dock provide year-round lake access.
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area's cabin is a short walk to the lake, and can accommodate up to 12 people. A sleeping area upstairs is furnished with six twin beds and three double beds, all with mattresses. Visitors must provide their own bed and bath linens.
The main floor houses a living room with wood stove (no wood provided), dining room and kitchen, which is equipped with a refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, assorted pots and pans, utensils, plates, glasses, cups and flatware. The bathroom has a flush toilet, shower and an electric heater.
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area's campground consists of 31 campsites configured in two loops for tent or RV camping. Showers, flush and vault toilets, grills, picnic tables and lantern posts are provided. The campground has no dump station. Nearby Vogel State Park has a dump station with a nominal fee.
There are water and electric hookups on Site #12, 13, 14 and 15. The North Loop is open November - March (sites 21 - 37). Fees are temporarily reduced because water is not available.
The recreation area includes 18-acre Lake Winfield Scott, which forms the headwaters of Cooper Creek. The lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
A variety of wildlife makes its home in the surrounding forest, including deer, bear, wild turkey, grouse and songbirds.
Suches, Georgia is five miles southwest of the recreation area and offers a general store and fuel station.
Blairsville, Georgia is 16 miles north on U.S. Highway 19/129 and offers the nearest full-service grocery stores and shopping villages.
From Blainsville, take U.S. 19/129 south for 10 miles. Turn right (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.
From Dahlonega, take U.S. 19 north for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.
I am trying to find out whom I need to report an incident involving myself and a staff member. The female staff member was very rude to me without cause. I am unsure if she was having a bad day but she approached me with contempt and enough intimidation that my daughter actually believed that I was in danger. Later learned that she had asked my daughter whose vehicle it was and when my daughter responded the woman sped towards me in the golf cart. She told me that I had not purchased entry into the park...which I had done and had the slip in my dash per the instructions on the payment envelope. She was looking for something on my mirror and it took several minutes for her to realize that I purchased mine from a box that was at the other entrance. Not even an apology before again coming at me about fishing. I drove over an hour because this park offered a handicap fishing peir according to the website.
When I arrived the pier was pretty crowded but the map near the permit box showed other fishing spots in the park so I decided to stay. I was surprised to see that the price on the board was higher than what the website stated but I was already there so I filled out the envelope and paid the $10. It took almost 45 minutes but my daughter and I found a spot that, with her assistance. I was able to get to. It was while she went back to my vehicle to get our gear that this woman approached her and then came at me. After no apology for ticket issue She said that there was no fishing allowed. It was about 1:30 in the afternoon and I had driven all over the park. There were a lot of people fishing and no signs stating what she was saying. When I asked about that she said she was on her way to deal with them and that forestry was on their way to put up signs. I asked her about my paying $10 to fish but before I could even ask if I could get a pass to come back another day she shouted at me and told me she didn't know what to tell me other than I was not going to fish in her park. I showed no disrespect for the lady. I never raised my voice nor did I argue. I was on a small wooden dock with my back to the water with this woman actually making me feel fear. I really want to see that this never happens to anyone again and intend to follow up on this matter.
This is a really great place to go for low crowds. The lake offered fair fishing for me but was really taken in how quiet it was. There is a $5.00 charge PER PERSON for day use. There is a nice beach area and the bathrooms have showers and are well maintained. It is real close to Vogel State Park but seems more secluded. The are a lot of steps to get to the swimming area. I think the builders were paid according to the number if steps the could put in. Bring all that you may need cause the nearest store...aint near.
Everyone should be aware that it is NOT dog friendly in the swimming area. So if you want to swim with your dog and family you cannot have the dog at the roped off swimming area even on the shore. This information is not posted online correctly and it leads you to believe that this is a great dog lake when it is not.
Used parking here as a jump off spot heading to Blood Mountain, use the Slaughter creek trail if you like less traffic. Medium on the scale my hikes. There is a $5.00 charge to park here, worth it! There is an easy trail around the lake
There was one other camper there. No staff, restrooms closed and water off in the 1st come area of 18 sites but the sites are wonderful. It probably is much more populated during summer with day users. It was a great overnight since we are completely self sufficient. There is a couple trails, one 1.8 miles around the lake and the other goes off into the wilderness.
