A Quiet Georgia Lake With More to Offer Than You’d Expect
Lake Blackshear is an 8,700-acre reservoir in southwest Georgia, created in 1930 by damming the Flint River. The Crisp County Power Dam that formed it was the first county-owned, constructed, and operated hydroelectric project in the United States — a fact that required an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution to make legally possible. The lake stretches roughly 20 miles along the Flint River, borders five counties (Crisp, Dooly, Lee, Sumter, and Worth), and has 97 miles of shoreline lined with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. It was named for General David Blackshear, who built Fort Early near the present-day site during the Creek Indian War.
What makes Lake Blackshear distinctive among Georgia lakes is its setting within the 1,308-acre Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, established in 1946 as a memorial to U.S. veterans. The state park and the Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club share a peninsula on the lake, combining outdoor recreation, military history, resort amenities, and genuine Southern atmosphere in one place. It’s located near the town of Cordele, roughly 150 miles south of Atlanta (about a 2.5-hour drive), just off I-75.
On the Water
Lake Blackshear’s primary draw is its water. The lake is popular for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. The Georgia Veterans State Park Marina rents pontoon boats (accommodating up to 12 people), fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Private boats are also welcome, with public boat ramps located around the lake. Half-day and full-day rentals are available at the marina, which is a short walk from the resort.
Kayaking and paddleboarding through the cypress trees that still stand in the lake — remnants of the forest that was submerged when the dam was built — is one of the most atmospheric water experiences in south Georgia. The standing dead trees and living cypress create a swamp-like environment that’s home to wading birds, ospreys, alligators, and turtles.
The lake has a sandy swimming beach within the state park, and the resort operates a heated outdoor swimming pool for guests.
Fishing
Lake Blackshear is a productive warm-water fishing lake with populations of largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and other sunfish species. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has also worked to establish striped bass in the lake. The submerged timber and cypress stumps provide excellent structure for bass, and the lake hosts a national bass fishing tournament annually.
The lake’s average depth is 11 feet, with a maximum depth of roughly 44 feet near the dam — relatively shallow, which keeps the water warm and productive throughout the growing season. Fishing is permitted year-round with a valid Georgia fishing license. Bait, tackle, and fuel are available at several locations around the lake.
Golf
The Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course sits on the shores of Lake Blackshear and is widely regarded as one of the best-value golf courses in south Georgia. Designed by Denis Griffiths, the 18-hole, par-72 course stretches 7,000 yards and features 130 bunkers, four sets of tees, and two sets of alternate tees. The lakeside setting adds scenic appeal that most inland courses can’t match. A pro shop is on-site, and the course is open to the public. Green fees are moderate by Georgia standards.
For a more casual alternative, the park also has a disc golf course through the woods — a family-friendly activity that requires no prior experience. Equipment is available at the resort lodge.
Military Museum
The Georgia Veterans Memorial Museum is the park’s cultural centerpiece, with indoor exhibits and artifacts covering American military history from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. Displays include uniforms, weapons, medals, photographs, and personal items from servicemembers. The outdoor exhibit area features a B-29A Superfortress bomber (the park’s first major exhibit, received in 1956), along with tanks, helicopters, jets, and other military vehicles. A costumed Patriot demonstrates rifle firing exercises during certain events.
For families visiting with school-age children, the museum provides tangible connections to historical periods that are otherwise abstract in textbooks. The combination of indoor galleries and walk-around outdoor exhibits makes it engaging for kids without requiring hours of attention.
Hiking, Biking, and Archery
Georgia Veterans State Park has four miles of nature trails through the wooded lakeside terrain, some paved and some natural surface. The trails are flat and accessible, suitable for walking, jogging, or casual biking. Bicycles can be rented through the resort. The slow pace and Spanish moss-covered landscape make even a short walk feel distinctly Southern.
The park operates a 3D archery course with 15 foam animal targets positioned along a wooded trail, plus a static archery range and an air gun range with 12 targets. Equipment is provided, and no prior experience is necessary — the 3D course in particular is popular with families and teenagers. The archery and air gun ranges offer multiple distances and target types.
The SAM Shortline Excursion Train
The SAM Shortline is a restored 1949 vintage train that runs near Lake Blackshear, named for the original Savannah, Americus, and Montgomery Railroad (and its founder, Colonel Samuel Hugh Hawkins). The train travels from Cordele through the rolling farmlands of south Georgia, with stops at Georgia Veterans State Park, the Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie, and the town of Plains — where visitors can see the Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Museum and other sites associated with the 39th president.
The train pauses at each depot for passengers to explore before reboarding a later departure. Special themed rides are offered throughout the year, including a Wine and Cheese Train, a Murder Mystery Dinner Train, and seasonal events like A Day Out with Thomas for children. Check the SAM Shortline schedule for current departure dates and ticket prices, as the train doesn’t run daily.
Nearby Day Trips
Lake Blackshear’s location in southwest Georgia puts several interesting side trips within easy reach. The town of Plains (about 30 miles west) is the lifelong home of President Jimmy Carter, with a campaign museum, Carter’s boyhood farm, and the church where he taught Sunday school. Americus (about 25 miles west) is a charming Victorian-era town and home to the Habitat for Humanity Global Village, a collection of houses representing the organization’s international building styles. Cordele, the nearest town to the lake, has restaurants and basic services along its main commercial strip.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options at Lake Blackshear range from resort rooms to campgrounds.
Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club is the primary lodging option within the park. The resort operates 78 guest rooms between the Lodge (14 rooms with lake views) and the Villas (64 rooms in a separate building with more space and screened porches). Ten lakeside cabins are also available for families or groups wanting more privacy. The resort’s restaurants — Cordelia’s for more formal dining and Cypress Grill for casual lakeside meals — mean you don’t need to leave the property for food. The resort is pet-friendly.
Georgia Veterans State Park Campground offers 77 campsites designed for tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground sits on the lake’s edge with access to the resort’s amenities within walking distance. For visitors who prefer camping but still want access to a restaurant, pool, and marina, this is an unusually good setup — you get the outdoor experience with resort-level infrastructure nearby.
When to Visit
Lake Blackshear is a year-round destination, though summer (June through August) is peak season for water activities. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and excellent fishing. The park’s location in south Georgia means winters are mild by national standards — daytime highs in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit — making it a viable cold-weather escape for visitors from the Northeast or Midwest. The SAM Shortline and military museum operate on seasonal schedules, so check ahead if those are priorities.
For more Georgia outdoor planning, see our guides to other state park destinations. If you’re road-tripping through the South, Lake Blackshear pairs well with a stop at Georgia’s coastal beaches or an inland nature trip.
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