Living Our Best Boating Life on Lake Allatoona

In the heat of the summer, we were ready to escape the heat with a trip to the lake. But the complicated task of loading three kids, three adults and three kayaks into a minivan was dampening our enthusiasm during a bright, sunny summer week.

So instead, we made a quick phone call, packed a cooler and beach bag, then enjoyed carefree rental of a pontoon boat to explore nearby Lake Allatoona.

What Floats Our Boat

Aside from occasional vacation outings, we had not enjoyed a real family boat outing in many years. So, we called ahead, scheduled a rental, then loaded the minivan with a cooler, fishing and swimming gear, and plenty of snacks for a day on Lake Allatoona.

Growing up in Louisiana, boating was a fun activity, especially since youngsters never have to understand the cost of owning a boat. During our Flori-days near Tampa, we shared boat ownership with a friend. We often sojourned on Sunday morning cruises for brunch and dolphin explorations through the rivers, sounds and Gulf. We loved it, but the adult realities of boat maintenance, storage, and insurance — plus $5 per gallon marina gasoline required to feed a 15-year-old thirsty engine – made that a short-lived experience. Thus, aside from the occasional vacation tour, we had not enjoyed a family boat outing in more than 10 years.

Calling ahead we arranged a rental quickly and easily with the folks at nearby Glade Marina in Acworth. The next morning, we hopped into the minivan and were happily pulling away from the dock within 30 minutes.

Pontoon boats are perfect for casual lake cruising, and you’ll see lots of them at Lake Allatoona. Passing this one, we were happy that our rental included an open deck, swimming ladder and a top to shade us from the summer sun.

Since sightseeing and swimming were on our agenda, we chose a pontoon boat. It featured an open deck, swimming ladder and a Bimini top to shade us from the summer sun. The slower cruising speed fit our needs perfectly.

Towering Peaks, Hidden Depths

We casually navigated a northerly course. We passed Allatoona Battlefield Park, skirting the southern shores of Red Top Mountain State Park, where the Iron Hill trail hides behind the tree line. Gliding under Bethany Bridge, we cut the engine to observe ospreys nesting in the steel girders.

Bethany Bridge (top) at Red Top Mountain State Park often is spotted in Georgia-filmed movies, like The Accountant, featuring Ben Affleck. Gliding under the bridge, we slowed to watch a pair of ospreys which had build a huge next among the steel girders.

To our left, Vinyard Mountain reached skyward to its 1,300-ft summit. Just beyond, Pine Mountain towered to 1,500 feet. In between, the exposed portion of the Allatoona Dam peaked out of the water. It appears smallish from this perspective while blocking the deep natural valley of the once free-flowing Etowah River. From the boat, we enjoyed the sounds of birds, knowing that the dam’s huge turbines were spinning furiously while releasing water into the Etowah beyond.

We continued north past the Allatoona Dam, wedged between Vineyard and Pine Mountains and sealing off the natural channel of the Etowah River. Approximately 30 feet of the dam extends above the lake surface (top photo.) However, some 150 feet below, the dam’s huge turbines spin furiously while releasing water into the Etowah River on the other side.

Just beyond the dam, the original riverbed and today’s lake loops right, around Red Top Mountain State Park toward the east. We stayed left, motoring past Cooper’s Branch boat launch. Passing through a few small islands, we steered to a quiet dead-end cove. Small red-clay shorelines sloped gently to the lake, with no fallen trees or visible stumps. We tossed anchor, pulled out fishing lines for the kids, and let them try their luck at lack angling. After about 15 minutes of casting, crossed lines and no bites, they were ready for the next adventure.

Fun On and In the Water

Next, it was time for some swimming, and the pontoon boat proved the perfect choice here. The ladder at the aft made it easy to climb into the boat from the water. The wide decks were ideal for jumping and diving from virtually any spot. That made cannonball bombing of other swimmers extra easy (said the grandfather who annoyed his grandchildren this way!).

Tossing anchor in a small cover where red clay sloped gently to the water’s edge, we enjoyed a swim in the lake’s cool water. The pontoon boat’s wide decks were ideal for jumping, and the aft ladder made it easy to climb back in.

Afterwards, we all climbed back aboard, sought out another shaded cove, and enjoyed a picnic-style lunch on the open deck. All around, we watched birds ride invisible air currents steered by the small valleys on the surrounding hills. A few fish jumped nearby, while turtles sunned themselves on logs protruding from the water. Thankfully, those same gentle breezes that lifted the birds also chased away the swarming and biting bugs. All in all, summer days don’t get any better than this.

Lunch and desserts completed, the littles were ready to plunge back into the water for more floating. We asked them to wait a few minutes, giving us time to head back toward our embarkation point at a higher speed than our outbound trip. Just off the banks of Allatoona Battlefield Park, we turned into another deserted cove for a final short swim.

With energy and time depleted, we cruised back into the docks by our appointed time. The helpful team at Glade assisted us in unloading passengers and gear, and made check-in and payment fast and easy. Within 10 minutes, we were all back in the minivan, heading home without any hassles.

Thoughts on Boat Rental

We rented a boat in the summer, but boating is fun in the warm spring and fall, too. A boat ride through Lake Allatoona is an ideal way to observe the changing leaves along the surrounding hills and shores.

Here are some final thoughts on boating:

Where to Rent. Several rental outlets operate in the marinas at Lake Allatoona. We found pricing to be similar, though boat selection can differ. Our top tip: select your rental location based on your own convenience and destination.
Schedule in Advance. Renting during midweek was easy for us as boats were available any day we chose. But that’s not always the case, so call and reserve ahead. When you do, be sure to check the cancellation policy, especially as it pertains to bad weather.
Choose Your Boat Thoughtfully. The pontoon boat was a great choice for our summer outing. But, as we consider a fall excursion to experience changing leaves from the lake view, we’ll likely select a different type.
Pack for Your Purpose. Although life preservers are provided with the rental, we brought our own, for fit and swimming. Regardless of season, bring lots of water, sunscreen and bug spray.
Rent, Club or Own? If you want to use a boat more frequently, several “boat clubs” operate at Lake Allatoona. With these, you pay a monthly fee for priority access to a boat at no or reduced cost versus retail rental rates. Of course, you can buy. But know from experience that a boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money.
Favorite Boating Songs. Jimmy Buffett does a million of them, but our favorite is One Particular Harbor. And who doesn’t enjoy the whimsical stylings of Lyle Lovett singing, If I Had a Boat.