Rocky Creek Park
Milledgeville
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
Rocky Creek Park is a day-use park owned and run by Georgia Power on the southeast shore of Lake Sinclair, the 15,330-acre reservoir that Sinclair Dam created on the Oconee River in 1953. The park wraps around the mouth of the Rocky Creek cove, a short way up the lake from the dam and about five miles northeast of downtown Milledgeville in Baldwin County. Georgia Power's own recreation table for its Oconee and Sinclair lakes lists the park with swimming, a playground, picnic areas, a boat ramp, trails and restrooms, and its reservation system describes the site as a boat ramp and day-use area with a beach.
Use Rocky Creek Road, Milledgeville, as your destination. The park has two entrances. One serves the beach, playground and pavilion side, and the other leads to the concrete boat ramp, its trailer lot and a stretch of bank where people fish. Parking is $5 per vehicle, charged per car rather than per person, and Georgia Power also sells an annual day-use parking pass for $50. No reservation is needed for a regular day visit.
The swim area is a small sand beach on the east side of the park, facing into the cove, with a designated swimming area just off the sand. Past the sand the bottom turns into the natural floor of the reservoir. Georgia Power does not publish depths for the swim area, so wade in and check before anyone jumps or dives. The water is warm by midsummer, as you would expect on a central Georgia reservoir, and there is no current to speak of inside the cove. Neither Georgia Power nor the county visitor bureau lists lifeguards here, so plan on swimming unguarded and keep children within reach.
This is a seasonal beach. Georgia Power's 2026 season for the Rocky Creek Park beach area runs from May 23 through September 7 (Labor Day), and Visit Milledgeville lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during that stretch. Outside the season the beach side is closed, while the Rocky Creek boat ramp stays open year round. Georgia Power bans alcohol in its parks, and pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are not allowed on the beach or the playground.
The boat ramp sits only about 130 meters west of the beach, so expect boats idling in and out of the cove on summer weekends and stay inside the swim area. Lake Sinclair is also the lower pool for Georgia Power's Wallace Dam upstream, so the water line can move a little from day to day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; get out of the water at the first thunder.
Beyond the beach there is a pavilion with restrooms and vending machines, picnic tables, grills, a playground, a fishing pier and a short walking trail. Anglers come for bass, crappie and catfish from the pier and the banks near the ramp. There is no camping at Rocky Creek Park. Paddlers can launch a canoe or kayak from the ramp and explore the cove and the open water toward the dam.
More Information
Beaches - Georgia's Lake Country
Relax lakeside at Lake Oconee or Lake Sinclair’s many maintained beaches. Fish, swim, or rent a boat to explore all these lakes have to offer!
https://galakecountry.com/lakes/beaches/Discover Prime Fishing Spots on Lake Sinclair: A Comprehensive Guide for Anglers and Outdoor Enthusi
Explore the best fishing spots on Lake Sinclair with our comprehensive guide! From prime fishing piers to marina rentals, discover everything you need for an unforgettable angling adventure. Plan your trip easily with tips, amenities, and must-visit locations on Georgia’s scenic Lake Sinclair.
https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/blog/post/where-to-fish-on-lake-sinclair/East Georgia Lakes | Georgia Power Lakes
Explore the East Georgia lakes maintained by Georgia Power for recreation, habitat protection, and public use.
https://www.georgiapower.com/our-impact/lakes-rivers/our-lakes/east-georgia-lakes.htmlFind Georgia’s hidden gems for summer recreation at Georgia Power’s lakes and campgrounds
With the summer season in full swing, Georgia Power, the state’s leading electric utility and the largest non-governmental provider of recreation facilities in the state, reminds residents and visitors alike that its lakes and campgrounds are open.
https://www.georgiapower.com/news-hub/press-releases/find-hidden-gems-for-summer-recreation-at-georgia-power-lakes-and-campgrounds.htmlFishing - Georgia's Lake Country
Fishing in Georgia’s lake country is one of the main attractions for the area. Both novice and experienced anglers will have plenty of fish to catch!
https://galakecountry.com/lakes/fishing/Georgia Power GPC Reservations - / Facility Details
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https://reservations.gplakes.com/FacilityDetails.aspx?facID=14Georgia Power GPC Reservations - / Policies
Season Dates 2026 Camping Season Dates: Opens March 1, 2026 - November 30, 2026 (Last day for overnight stay will be Nov 29th) Lawrence Shoals Campground - Boat Ramp open year round Old Salem Campground - Boat Ramp open year round Blanton Creek Campground Opens May 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026 (Last day for overnight stay will be Oct 30th) Parks Ferry Campground - Boat Ramp open year round 2026 Beach Season: The Georgia Power 2026 Beach Season will begin May 2nd - September 7th. This includes Lawrence Shoals, Old Salem, Parks Ferry, and Lloyd Shoals Beach Areas. Rocky Creek Park Beach Area will begin May 23rd to September 7th Rocky Creek Boat Ramp open year round ReservationsTo make reservations at any of Georgia Power Company’s facilities go online to www.GPLakes.com or call 855-607-6462Camping is available at: Blanton Creek Lawrence Shoals Old Salem Parks Ferry GPC Camping/Day Use Policies Overnight Camping Reservations may be made up to 45 days in advance of your arrival date. Campsite occupancy is limited to 14 nights. Campers using the site for 14 nights will be requested to vacate the park for a period of at least 3 days before returning. The maximum reservation window is 45 days plus 14 days in the future if customers books a maximum length of stay reservation (14 nights) 45 days in advance. Overnight Parking Fee includes the use of Day Use Facilities during regular hours. A separate Overnight Parking Fee will be charged for each sleeping facility (includes car-truck-van) that remains in the park overnight. Campsite occupancy is limited to 8 people per site. Please place tents, truck campers, motorhomes, trailers, etc., on prepared gravel camp pads or driveways to avoid damaging grassy areas. Camping between designated sites is prohibited. Please attach your receipt to the clip on the numbered campsite post at your campsite.Georgia Power prohibits any alcoholic beverages or drugs inside the park.All pets must be leashed, confined, and under physical control at all times. Maximum leash length is 6 feet and not allowed on beach or playground areas.Golf Carts are not to be used in Georgia Power facilities unless the person has a valid handicap parking permit issued by the State of Georgia. A handicap permit must always be displayed on the golf cart, and the golf cart is to be used for the handicap person to get to and from the restrooms, beach, or other areas as necessary – No joy riding. No passengers permitted; the only person allowed on the golf cart is the person the handicapped permit is issued to. Side-by-sides, utility vehicles, ATVs, and minibikes are not allowed. Lantern hangers should be used for lanterns. Please do not hang lanterns from trees. Fires should be confined to grills or fire rings and always attended. Dead trees or limbs on the ground may be collected for firewood. Do not wash dishes or clothes at drinking faucets or in comfort station sinks. Washers and Dryers are provided. Your RV’s holding tank should be used for sewage and grey water. A sanitary disposal station is provided in the park for your use. Please keep your site clean by placing trash in trash cans or trash dumpsters where available. Please keep buildings and grounds clean and report any unsatisfactory conditions to the park host/s. No more than 2 cars and 2 sleeping facilities are allowed per site where applicable – see Fee section below for more information Reservations Check-in is at 3:00 PM & Checkout is at 1:00 PM If you will arrive late, please notify the campground office before 4pm. All parks are open 7 days a week (Holiday and Fall Hours may vary). Sunday - Thursday Gate Hours: 7:00AM - 9:00PM Friday - Saturday Gate Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00PM Fees Annual Day-Use parking passes are available for $50.00. Campers with self-contained units are charged a $36.00 (RV site) parking fee per sleeping facility per night plus a non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee (per reservation, not per night). One additional tent may be placed on an RV site for an additional $31.00 Per night. Tent site campers are charged a $31.00 parking fee per sleeping facility per night plus a non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee (per reservation, not per night). One additional tent may be placed on a tent site for an additional $31.00 Per night. Weekly rates are Tents $186.00 / RV’s $216.00 (No other discounts apply) plus a non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee (per reservation, not per night). Changes of date or site may be made online or via telephone. The customer will be charged $15.50 for making a change. Cancellations to campsites may be made online or via telephone. For cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance of arrival, the customer will be charged $15.50 for cancelling their reservation and refunded the balance of their transaction, less the non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of arrival or if the customer departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, will result in loss of one night’s fee and will be charged $15.50 for cancelling their reservation and refunded the balance of their transaction less the non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee. No refunds will be given for No-Shows or days not used within the reservation. All fees incurred are per reservation Discounts for those who are eligible are limited to one per reservation. Discount applications can be found on the Shop page. Discounts are automatically applied upon approval of the application. The America the Beautiful Senior and Access pass (formerly known as the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports) are honored at a $2.00 per night savings. For further information on these Passports, visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#america-the-beautiful-passes or you may call the U.S. Forest Service in Eatonton, GA at 706-485-7110. Military discounts are honored at a $2.00 per night savings for active duty, retired or veteran members of the U.S. Military. Proof of service and honorable discharge (if applicable) is required for eligibility. Pavilion Guidelines/RulesPavilions may be reserved at any of the Georgia Power Recreation Areas - Blanton Creek, Lawrence Shoals, Old Salem, Parks Ferry - for a fee. Guidelines and rules for pavilion reservations and pavilion usage are as follows: PAVILIONS CAN NOT BE USED WITHOUT RESERVATION The fee for reserving the pavilion is $150.00 plus a non-refundable $7.75 reservation fee (per reservation, not per day). The maximum group size allowed for a pavilion rental/event is 75 guests. Date or site changes to pavilion reservations may be made online or via telephone. The customer will be charged $15.50 for making a change. Cancellations to pavilion reservations may be made online or via telephone. The customer will be charged $15.50 for cancelling their reservation and refunded the balance of their transaction less the non-refundable reservation fee. Pavilion reservation cancellations must be requested a minimum of 14 days prior to reserved date in order for fees to be refunded. Groups should leave the pavilion area clean for others who may use the facility. A five dollar ($5.00) parking fee will be charged for EACH vehicle entering the park - this is in addition to the pavilion reservation fee. Individuals using the pavilion will not be allowed to have loud speakers, loud radios or loud music at the pavilion or picnic area. Park visitors who do not adhere to this rule will be asked to leave the park. The service road leading up to the pavilion should not be used without prior approval from the Park Attendants. Georgia Power Company prohibits any alcoholic beverages inside the park. Tables should not be moved around without prior approval from the Park Manager or Park Attendant. For a reservation to be held, the reservation fee must be paid at time the pavilion is reserved. Stipulations for Hunting Permits in North GeorgiaProperty lines of Georgia Power Company are marked with YELLOW paint. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to abide by the following stipulations. Each individual hunter is required to obtain a Hunter’s Permit (also known as the Hunter’s Parking Permit), to be allowed to hunt on Georgia Power’s property. The Hunter’s Permit is available for sale at https://reservations.gplakes.com/Shop/home.aspx Sale of permits begin August 1 and end May 15 each year. Permit Holder will abide by all local, state, and federal laws. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of permits and non-issuance of future permits. Permit holders are NOT allowed to hunt within 300 feet of a residence or public use facility when hunting with a bow & arrow. Permit Holder is NOT allowed to hunt within 1,000 feet of a residence or public use facility when hunting with rifles or shotgun. Permit holders are NOT allowed to hunt or park within 1,000 feet of a dam or Tugalo Village. (Georgia Power Company’s maintenance facility) Camping is not allowed on company land except on the designated campsites. Permit holder agrees to always act in a safe manner and always protect the company land. Hunters 16 years or older must hold a valid permit. Hunters 15 years or younger are not required to have a permit but must be accompanied by a valid Permit Holder. Sale of permits purchased are final. Please review the Georgia Power Company North Georgia Hunting Maps below – Full Area View:Northern Section View:Central Section View:Southern Section View:
https://reservations.gplakes.com/Policies.aspxMini Adventures: Rocky Creek Park
Whether you are an avid fisherman or teaching the kids, fishing at Rocky Creek Park on Lake Sinclair makes for a great time! Check out our kid review of Rocky Creek Park boat ramp area. Rocky Creek Park is a Georgia Power Park located on the southeast side of the lake near Sinclair Dam. This area
https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/blog/post/mini-adventures-rocky-creek-park/Rocky Creek Park at Lake Sinclair
Rocky Creek Park (Day-Use Only) includes a pavilion with restrooms and vending machines, picnic tables, grills, swimming beach, playground, a fishing pier, a boat ramp, walking trails and easy access to Lake Sinclair. It includes all you need to catch a big one and have a day of fun! The park is open daily to the public each year from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is a $5 parking fee. The pavilion on the property is free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/listings/rocky-creek-park-at-lake-sinclair/41774/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Milledgeville
- Head north on S Clarke St toward W Hancock St (39 ft)
- Turn right onto W Hancock St (1.0 mi)
- Continue onto GA-22 E/
Georgia Hwy 24 E (1.2 mi) - Turn left onto Lake Laurel Rd NE (3.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Jule Ingram Rd (1.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Dam Rd NE (0.5 mi)
- Turn right onto Rocky Creek Rd (0.5 mi)
- Slight rightDestination will be on the right(72 ft)
