This beautiful lake encompasses 15,300 acres of navigable waterways bordered by the pristine backdrop of the Oconee National Forest. Lake Sinclair, just outside Milledgeville in central Georgia, is less than two hours from Atlanta and is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Georgia’s mild climates make it a perfect place to visit any time of year.
I was lucky enough to own a small lakefront cabin in Milledgeville just off Hwy 212 for several years. Here’s how you can explore it, too!
LAKE SINCLAIR
Lake Sinclair is a man-made lake that was created when the Oconee River was dammed by Georgia Power.
You won’t find any big hotels or resorts along its 417 miles of easy-going scenic shoreline. What you will find are affordable hotel accommodations, lake house rentals, and historic inns. On my recent trip to Milledgeville, I stayed at a gorgeous vacation rental from VRBO.
Read More: 13+ Fun, Cheap & Free Things To Do in Milledgeville You Can’t Miss
LAKE LIFE: FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE
I absolutely loved this Waterfront Lake Sinclair Home. It was so nice to be a guest instead of a host. As an owner, there were so many responsibilities, but on this trip, all I had to do was show up, greet my guests, open a bottle of wine, and watch the sunset from my private dock.
I had to make some really tough decisions. Should I relax on the expansive furnished deck that stretched across the entire length of the house with fabulous lakefront views? Or, should I simply stretch myself out in a comfy lounge chair on the sun deck? Maybe I should just fire up the barbecue grill and play cards on the deck’s outdoor dining area?
This lovely vacation rental was only 15 minutes from downtown Milledgeville, but it felt so much further away from it all. It had everything, including private lake frontage, a dock with a boat house for your vessel, and a huge lawn. The charming three-bedroom, two-bath home is furnished with all the things and can easily accommodate a large family. In addition to the bedrooms, you can sleep additional guests on two fold out beds and even two port-a-cribs.
Free WiFi is available and the indoor spaces are just as chill or as exciting as you prefer. Find flat-screen Smart TVs, recliner sofas, a sunroom with a cozy sectional, huge windows, a rainfall shower (the only time you want rain at the lake), and a shower/tub combo that is perfect for kids. The property has plenty of parking for up to four cars.
OUTDOOR FUN
We reached out to Oconee Outfitters for some water fun. They delivered and unloaded a kayak and paddleboard right onto our lakefront lawn. The owner even gave me a quick paddleboarding tutorial since I was a newbie. I didn’t quite master warrior pose or floating yoga, but I still had tons of fun!
Sunrise and sunset are my favorite times of day. Insider tip: If you are an early riser and happen to be visiting Lake Sinclair on Easter Sunday, you can drive your boat up to the peninsula at Twin Bridges Landing and join the poignant sunrise service presented by a local church. If you don’t have a boat, you can rent one at Sinclair Marina, Twin Lakes Jet Ski or Sinclair Wild Watersports.
Stay Here: Waterfront Lake Sinclair Home
MORE GREAT PLACES TO STAY ON LAKE SINCLAIR
- Vacation Rental for Couples. Check out this brand new tiny cabin! At The Hideaway, you’ll find a queen bed and two twin beds in an upstairs loft, a fully stocked kitchen, an outdoor shower with HUGE rainwater shower head, and a soaker tub with TV.
- Vacation Rental for the Entire Family. This Secluded 5-Bedroom Retreat with Pool and Pond is located on 250 acres and also features a pecan orchard. This gorgeous home is a few miles from beautiful Lake Sinclair, and sleeps up to 10 people, making it perfect for a family getaway.
- Vacation Rental for Fun and Adventure. This beautiful home is right on the lake! In addition to its amazing location, you’ll also find a boat dock, kayaks, cornhole, a fire pit, outdoor dining, water floats and an inflatable trampoline, pull-behind tubes, beach towels, and more. You won’t run out of things to do here!
THINGS TO DO ON LAKE SINCLAIR
- Fishing. Lake Sinclair is known for its fishing. You can find large, small and striped bass; channel, flathead and blue catfish; as well as crappie. The lake is stocked and Georgia Power also plants fish attractors. Here is a map to where to find the fish. If you are in need of supplies, try Lakeside Bait & Tackle on Milledgeville Hwy.
- Fishing Tournaments. Don’t let the big one get away! Lake Sinclair has several popular fishing tournaments to test your competitive skills and win some great prizes. Campers and spectators enjoy watching the weigh-ins at Little River Park.
- Boating on Lake Sinclair. With a maximum depth of approximately 90 feet, you will see watercraft of all shapes and sizes on Lake Sinclair — from the early morning fishing boats to pontoons, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and even sailboats. You can even take a wakeboard or wakesurf lesson.
- Boat Ramps. There are several places to put your boat with easy access to Lake Sinclair. Haslam’s Marina, Twin Bridges Landing, Sunset Marina, Anchors Marina at Lake Sinclair, and Sinclair Marina all have boat ramps, plus everything you need for a great day on the water.
Little River Park Campground, the Lake Sinclair recreation area, and Rocky Creek have basic boat ramps that are great for launching kayaks, paddleboards and smaller watercraft.
- Boat Rentals. Sinclair Marina, the oldest marina on the lake, recently completed a dramatic renovation and now bills itself as the newest marina on the lake. If you want to rent a boat for your stay, this is the place to do it. Lake Sinclair’s 15,330 acre area makes it a perfect place to explore winding coves and vast stretches of open water.
- Wakeboard. At Georgia Wake Lessons, students have fun while being safe. The instructors are USCG certified boat drivers, certified instructors, and certified American Red Cross in Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR and AED. Georgia Wake Lessons breaks tricks into easy-to-digest building blocks and reinforce proper techniques. If you don’t have a ski boat, rent one at Twin Lakes.
- Jet Ski. There are several places to rent jet skis on Lake Sinclair, including Jere Shai Lakeside and Sinclair Wild Watersports. Haslam’s Marina located near the railroad trestle does not permit jet skis at their facility, so if you are looking for gas, try Twin Bridges Landing or Little River Park. Note: You must be 18 to rent a jet ski.
- Kayak. Lake Sinclair has lots of tentacles spreading out from the main lake. Rent a kayak from Krazy Daves or Oconee Outfitters, and explore the hidden, winding coves.
- Swimming. The best swimming spots on Lake Sinclair are at Rocky Creek and the not-so-secret sand bar. The sand bar can be found just off the airport peninsula. If you are lucky, you’ll see a plane overhead while you bask in the sun.
- Dockside Dining. There is something special about arriving at a restaurant or anywhere by boat. Three local favorites located on the water with convenient boat access are Aubri Lane’s for upscale dining, Taylor’s Cove for great food and live music on the weekends, and Dukes Lounge & Dawg House for rowdy fun. The local honky tonk and literal dive bar has pool tables and a stage for karaoke and live music. Look for my picture on the wall of fame.
After a sunrise boat ride, I recommend docking at Little River Park for a short walk through the parking lot for a big breakfast at the Waffle House. Check out the juke box for some custom WH classics.
MORE NATURE-LOVING FUN IN MILLEDGEVILLE
- Hiking. Bartram Forest is a 1,343-acre wildlife management area around Lake Sinclair. View the wildlife and wetlands through three looping trails perfect for walking or biking. Whether this is your first outing or you are an old pro, Bartram Forest has a mountain bike trail for you. The Green Trail is super easy, but by no means boring. There are also trails for intermediate and advanced cyclers.
- Oconee River Greenway. Another option is walking the Oconee River Greenway. Along the way, stop to fish, launch a canoe, or watch for wildlife. There are two small paved loops from .5 – 1.5 miles in length. The perfect distance for kids to bike, and it’s all within easy viewing distance of the Oconee River.
- Wildlife Walks. With the Bartram Forest, the Oconee River Greenway, Lake Sinclair, and the nearby wildlife refuge, you are sure to see some animals on your visit. Watch for deer, turkey, raccoons and other small creatures.
- Bird Watching. The area around Lake Sinclair offers excellent birding. On the lake, you may find heron and osprey, and in the forests surrounding the lake you can look for a Red-cockaded woodpecker, which is especially prevalent in the spring. I have personally seen a bald eagle flying over the lake.
- Look for Butterflies. Engage the family in a natural treasure hunt. See how many of the 92 species of butterflies that inhabit the area your family can find. The monarch butterflies pass through the area during their annual migration to Mexico.
- Explore the Rivers. Rent a kayak and head out on the river. The Upper Oconee is great for teens. It goes from the Sinclair dam to the Milledgeville Greenway and includes a class II rapid at the end.
The Lower Oconee is better for families with younger children. It has lots of sand bars to take a break from paddling, and good picnic stops.
- Full Moon Paddles. For something a little out of the ordinary, book a special kayak trip with Oconee Outfitters. In addition to full moon paddles, they also offer ladies-only paddles, meteor show paddles, and kayak fishing trips.
- Picnic. There are several day use areas near Lake Sinclair. One of our favorites is Rocky Creek Park, which has grills, picnic tables and a playground.
- Frolic among the Trees. The Lockerly Arboretum is 50 beautiful acres of shrubbery, trees, camellias, conifers, and more. The flora and fauna are labeled and the gardens are free to roam. It’s a great way to sneak in a botany lesson and another lovely spot for a picnic. Rose Hill, a mysterious Greek Revival house on the property, has a few spooky stories. Tours are available for a nominal fee.
- Mountain Biking. Whether this is your first outing or you are an old pro, Bartram Forest has a mountain bike trail for you. The Green Trail is super easy, but by no means boring. There are also trails for intermediate and advanced cyclers.
- Biking. If you aren’t up for off-road biking, try the Oconee River Greenway. There are two small paved loops from .5 – 1.5 miles in length. The perfect distance for kids to bike, and it’s all within easy viewing distance of the Oconee River.
- Take a Central State Campus Trolley Tour. Once the largest mental institution in the United States, Central State Hospital still serves patients today. To learn more about its multifaceted heritage, consider taking a Central State Hospital Campus Trolley Tour. Offered on select Saturdays, the 2-hour tour will give you an overview of the hospital, and includes stops at Cedar Lane Cemetery, as well as the Chapel of All Faiths.
CAMPING AND OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS ON LAKE SINCLAIR
- Little River Park Campground. This camping facility and marina features 130 RV sites with water, electricity, sewer, and cable TV. Tent camping is also allowed. All sites have 50/30/20 AMP service. Bring the boat too — there are three boat ramps and 70 wet storage slips. Or come for the day and picnic on the beach and entertain kids on the lakefront playground. Rent boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards nearby.
- Lake Sinclair Recreational Area. This is another scenic spot for families who want to camp. There is also a day-use area with picnic tables, beach access, and a boat ramp. Lake Sinclair Recreation Area is perfect for picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming, with 33 campsites, and five RV campsites with electric and water available.
- Scenic Mountain. Situated on 122 acres of beautiful land, this lakeside RV and campground has it all — plus fabulous views. By “all” we mean a fenced dog run, pavilion, nature trails, bike trails, and five fishing ponds. Scenic Mountain RV Park and Campground has 92 full hook-up camping sites, a bathhouse, coin laundry, three pavilions, and a swimming pool with a pool temperature whirlpool.
- Jere Shai Lakeside. We like Jere Shai Lakeside because not only can you rent a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom cabin, but you can also reserve a pontoon boat or jet ski onsite!
WHERE TO EAT AT LAKE SINCLAIR
- Aubri Lane’s Restaurant at The Club. We mentioned this restaurant earlier, but it’s worth another mention. You don’t have to play golf to eat at Aubri Lanes. This is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner.
- Taylor’s Cove. One of the newest restaurants on Lake Sinclair, you’ll find it easy to pull up your boat to the docks and enjoy dinner and live music. You’ll find everything from oysters, to shrimp tacos, and brisket mac-n-cheese here.
- Local Yokal. The place to go for breakfast or brunch. They have seven different eggs Benedict on the menu and it gets better from there.
- Pickle Barrel. This local favorite is often overlooked by visitors because it isn’t in town or on the lake, but rather in-between. Don’t let the location deter you, it’s worth the detour.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- MILLEDGEVILLE: 21 Undeniable Reasons Your Family Should Visit Blissful Milledgeville, Ga
- LAKES: Your Ultimate Navigation Tool to 35 Amazing Lakes in Georgia
- WEEKEND GETAWAYS: Weekend Getaways in GA: 31+ Awesome Drivable Adventures
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