photo by LaGrange-Troup County Chamber Commerce
Whether a sportsman, fisherman or a family looking for time on the water, West Point Lake in LaGrange, Ga., offers something for thrill and retreat seekers alike. Ideally located less than an hour from Atlanta and near the Alabama border, West Point Lake is an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir that offers over 26,000 acres of sparkling waters and over 525 miles of shoreline. This Southern recreation destination is surrounded by the yellow pine dotted hills of West Georgia, a serene backdrop for anyone looking to escape.
Before diving into the cool water, first find the perfect place to put down your bags.
West Point Lake offers a variety of vacation rentals. At Highland Marina find waterfront cabins for the couple on a romantic getaway, a fishing group on a tight budget or a sprawling home for a big family. Whether you prefer a laid-back knotty pine feel or vaulted ceilings with gas fireplaces, there is a cabin to suit your needs. Plan on bringing the home with you? Highland Marina also has an RV site.
As another option, vacationers can cozy up in one of Southern Harbor's cottages. These charmers are one-, two- or three-bedrooms, equipped with all of the comforts of home. Prefer to spend the night under the stars? Southern Harbor has 145 campsites, complete with bathhouses and laundry. The U.S. Army Corps of engineers also operates four campgrounds with hundreds of sites available. To make reservations visit
http://www.HighlandMarina.com/index.htm,
http://SouthernHarbor.com/index.shtml and
https://www.Recreation.gov/
Next, your crew will need a vessel to set off on the vacation voyage. Whether you feel the need for speed, prefer to float the days away or want to break a sweat, you will find whatever you're looking for with a variety of boat and watersport rentals available. Highland Marina offers standard and deluxe pontoon boats for big crowds. Or, cast a line from either of the fishing boats they have available to rent. Southern Harbor has boats both big and small to accommodate your group. Adventurers, look no further than GLL Marine. This watersport shop offers kayak and paddleboard rentals. With 30 public recreation areas with boat ramps, feel free to bring your own watercraft to West Point. Whether you prefer sailing, wind surfing or power boating, West Point Lake is a boater's paradise.
After a day in the water, head for dry land, stopping by one of the many parks that surround the lake. Hit up the tennis courts, ball fields, basketball courts or cast a line off the fishing piers. These Army Corps of Engineer parks also have more than a dozen nature and hiking trials. Get lost in these beautiful tree-laden paths that accommodate hikers of every skill level. Each trail has its own unique feature--like waterfront views, benches, rest shelters and playgrounds. This is also a bird watching haven. Keep eyes peeled while walking the paths, because this area is home to purple martins, herons, egrets, osprey and several pairs of bald eagles. Had enough excitement for one day? Kick back by digging toes in the sand at one of the three public beaches or reserve a picnic shelter to share a meal together, al fresco. Visit
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/West-Point-Lake/ for more information
.
Finally, both experienced and novice fishermen will rejoice with the bites available in West Point Lake. With a dozen creeks and the more than 40 square miles of lake, there are plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who visit here regularly. In fact, fishermen from all over the world flock to this lake year-round where six-pound bass are common and the lake record largemouth bass is 14.2 pounds. Fishermen can reel in largemouth bass, crappie, hybrid bass, stripers, channel catfish and spotted bass--making this one of the most sought out fishing spots in the country. It's no wonder West Point Lake is home to over 70 fishing tournaments every year. This November, Highland Marina Resort will play host to the prestigious Georgia State Tournament for the 30th year in a row. Want to fish, but have never held a rod? Let an expert help you catch a big one with a guided fishing tour.
At West Point Lake, dive into fun. Boat the open waters, breathe in nature by hiking gorgeous trails or hunt the perfect catch. With so much to do, you'll end up returning to these gorgeous waters again and again.
Looking to host a fishing tournament?
West Point Lake is the ideal spot to host angler competitions of many varieties. Contact the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce for details, at
706-884-8671.