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You've had a long,
rough week dealing with the hustle and the bustle of the
city. Traffic jams, fast food, and an office with a view
of the parking lot. When the weekend comes, it's
time to get away. So grab your spouse, your kids, and
your boat and head to the lake.
But not all of
Georgia's lakes are created equal.
Carter's Lake is one of the few lakes in Georgia with a
completely undeveloped shoreline. When the Army Corps of
Engineers designed Carters and began construction, they
learned from past projects like - Lake Lanier and Lake
Allatoona - and they decided to only allow one resort
and one marina. Because it is so remote, Carters
offers more outdoor activities than Allatoona or Lanier.
Located half-way between Atlanta and Chattanooga (about
an hour and a half from each city) on the Coosawattee
River, this serene lake is nestled in the southern
foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Only here can you
enjoy the refreshing and clean mountain air of the
southern Blue Ridge Mountains. It's also easy to get to,
being only a few short miles from both I-75 and I-575.
One of Georgia's man-made lakes, Carters provides some
of the best outdoor tourism that Georgia has to offer.
The original dam was completed in 1977, and ever since,
Carters Lake has been popular with fishermen, hikers,
mountain bikers, and campers.
The lake was primarily designed to help control the
annual flooding of the Etowah River Valley. The second
(but still important) function is power generation. A
side affect was that it also created a huge recreation
area, and with over 60 miles of shoreline and 3,220
acres of water (the deepest water in Georgia), there is
room for the whole family. And then some.
The dramatic landscape shifts from gentle rolling hills
on the south and west sides to mountains on the north
and east side near the dam. Its rugged shoreline (which
contains many miles of trails), steep bluff banks, and
deep, clear waters invite you to take advantage of the
many recreational opportunities found here - from
camping, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and mountain
biking, to just spending a day on the beach.
For canoeists, located in the center of the lake is a
thin strip of water with long fingers that project into
the mountains, providing hours of
canoeing fun. For hunters, a large wildlife management
area provides a large selection of medium to large
animals. But fishermen, don't feel left out, as there
are plenty of fish stocked in the lake. For hikers,
there are four trails of varying difficulty. And for
mountain bikers, enjoy some fine single-track and narrow
logging roads.
After a hard days play at the lake, when you're ready
for some fine cuisine, look no further than any of the
nearby towns - including Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth,
Ellijay, Jasper, and Tate. If you're lucky, you might
even be serenaded by some local folk music. There is
also a wide variety of camp sites, cabins, and even
house boats for rent. So go to sleep witnessing a
magnificent sunset and wake up to a sunrise that really
brings out the already beautiful views.
We're waiting for you
at Carter's Lake!
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