Beach at Lake Rutledge
Rutledge, Georgia · on Lake Rutledge · Hard Labor Creek State Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10/vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Beach at Lake Rutledge
The Beach at Lake Rutledge is a seasonal sand swimming beach inside Hard Labor Creek State Park near Rutledge, Georgia, on the 274-acre Lake Rutledge reservoir. The lake and park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park's own website lists seasonal swimming as an official park activity alongside the sand beach, making this the park's designated swimming hole and its one lake to swim in during the warm months.
The beach sits on Lake Rutledge, a 274-acre reservoir with a 10-horsepower boating limit inside a 5,804-acre wooded state park near Rutledge and Bostwick, Georgia. The park also contains a second, smaller lake (Lake Brantley, 48 acres, no boat ramp) that is not described as a swim location, 24+ miles of trails, an 18-hole golf course, an equestrian camp, and the Georgia State University-operated Hard Labor Creek Observatory.
Swimming at Beach at Lake Rutledge
The park's official page describes the lakeside sand beach as 'popular with swimmers during summer months,' and lists swimming among the park's seasonal activities. No first-hand descriptions of water depth, clarity, or bottom conditions were found in this research.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located within Hard Labor Creek State Park at 5 Hard Labor Creek Road, Rutledge, GA 30663 (Morgan County); the park office can be reached at 706-557-3001.
Parking: Parking requires a Georgia State Parks ParkPass: $10 per vehicle per day or $70 for an annual pass (senior and military discounts available in person). Overnight guests pay the daily fee only once per vehicle for their stay; parking is not included with campsite/cabin reservations.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is required to reach the beach; it is a drive-up state park facility. The park's official paddling program describes the beach/launch area as reached via a short paved road ("first paved road on the left past the stone entrance") about 1 mile from the park office, i.e. a drive, not a trail. The park's hiking trails (Brantley Nature Trail 1.5 mi, Beaverpond Nature Trail 2 mi) are separate nature trails and are not described as routes to the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sand beach with gentle lake entry (no waterfall, no cliffs, no current per land-manager description), but Georgia State Parks' general swim policy states lifeguards are not guaranteed and swimmers must stay within roped-off swim areas, so adult supervision is needed.
Parking
Paid, $10/vehicle daily ParkPass (or $70 annual pass)
Standard Georgia State Parks ParkPass required for park entry/parking; specific parking lot type/location for the beach itself was not confirmed on the pages reviewed.
Hours
Park hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
On the water
Restrictions: Lake Rutledge has a 10-horsepower limit on motorboats. The park's official rental program offers only kayaks (no canoes, paddleboards, or jon boats); renters must be 16+ (or accompanied children 3+), and rentals are for swimmers only.
Lake Rutledge (274 acres) has a boat ramp and an ADA-accessible kayak launch funded by a Georgia Natural Resources Foundation grant, described as providing 'easy and stable access to and from the lake.' Lake Brantley (48 acres) has no boat ramp.
Rentals nearby
Solo kayaks (375 lb capacity) and tandem kayaks (550 lb capacity)
Prices: $40 for 4 hours (solo kayak); $50 for 4 hours (tandem kayak)
On-site at Hard Labor Creek State Park, Lake Rutledge, Rutledge, GA · Seasonal, typically April to November; pay at the park office, launch from the beach area about 1 mile from the office
Backstory
Hard Labor Creek State Park was built in 1934; both Lake Rutledge (275 acres) and Lake Brantley were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 27, 2013.
Beach at Lake Rutledge: FAQ
Does Beach at Lake Rutledge charge a fee?
$10/vehicle daily ParkPass (or $70 annual pass) required for park entry/parking; no beach-specific admission fee was found separate from the standard park parking fee.
Is Beach at Lake Rutledge kid friendly?
Sand beach with gentle lake entry (no waterfall, no cliffs, no current per land-manager description), but Georgia State Parks' general swim policy states lifeguards are not guaranteed and swimmers must stay within roped-off swim areas, so adult supervision is needed.
Do I need to hike to reach Beach at Lake Rutledge?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Beach at Lake Rutledge?
Standard Georgia State Parks ParkPass required for park entry/parking; specific parking lot type/location for the beach itself was not confirmed on the pages reviewed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Beach at Lake Rutledge?
Lake Rutledge (274 acres) has a boat ramp and an ADA-accessible kayak launch funded by a Georgia Natural Resources Foundation grant, described as providing 'easy and stable access to and from the lake.' Lake Brantley (48 acres) has no boat ramp.
When is the best time to visit Beach at Lake Rutledge?
Summer months; the park's own listing describes the beach as 'seasonal' and 'popular with swimmers during summer months,' though specific open/close dates were not published on the pages reviewed.
What are the rules at Beach at Lake Rutledge?
Per Georgia State Parks' general swimming policy, swimmers must stay within roped-off swim areas, lifeguards are not guaranteed, and pets are not permitted at swimming areas or beaches. Park hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
What water body is Beach at Lake Rutledge on?
Beach at Lake Rutledge is on Lake Rutledge, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
