Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
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.
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.
Need to Know
- Only electric motor boats allowed on Lake Winfield Scott
- Visitor maps for the forest can be obtained by calling the Forest Service office in Blairsville, Georgia at 706-745-6928 or by clicking here
- Learn more about the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Recreation
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 for a complete listing of freshwater fishing regulations for the lake. A boat ramp and accessible fishing dock provide year-round lake access.
Contact Information
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FOREST SERVICE ROAD 37 SUCHES GA 30572
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 706-747-3816
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 011, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 010, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site G01, Loop GROUP SITES, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop NORTH LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 025, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site P02, Loop Day Use Shelter - Large, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 035, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Electric
- Site 003, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site P01, Loop Day Use Shelter - Small, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop CABIN, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 034, Loop North , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop SOUTH LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
