Georgia experiences sweltering temperatures and humidity during the summer months. For military families stationed in the Peach State at Fort Stewart or Fort Eisenhower, one way to beat the heat is to go for a swim.
While both Army bases have pools and splash pads, the hours and cost may not make it an option every day, or you may simply want to get off post to enjoy the beauty of Georgia’s lakes and beaches. So, where to swim? Here’s a list of lakes, parks, and beaches across east Georgia to provide a cooling-off place for military families looking to make a splash.
State Parks in the Central Savannah River Area
Active duty military and veterans receive a 25% discount off annual state park passes. As these passes work per car, the whole family can visit as many Georgia State Parks as they want for under $50 a year. Several that are local to Fort Eisenhower have beaches for swimming.
Mistletoe State Park is about a 45-minute drive from many neighborhoods near Fort Eisenhower and has a nice bathroom and changing area next to a beach that is roped off from boats on the lake. Shady areas with a playground and picnic tables surround the beach, making this a great location for a picnic with friends. Elijah Clark State Park also has a sandy beach area.
Aerial view of Jekyll Island. Photo from iStock.com/rodclementphotography
Georgia Coast
Many people think of Florida to the south or tourist areas like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina to the north when thinking of a day at a beautiful beach, but the Georgia Coast offers pristine beaches, shell hunting, wildlife, and places to play in the surf.
Take a day trip from Fort Stewart, or plan a weekend getaway from Fort Eisenhower to enjoy one of these hidden gems. While Fort Stewart families are already close to the beaches in Savannah and Tybee Island, venturing a little further south, the Golden Isles offer beaches down the coast of Georgia to explore.
Jekyll Island, in particular, offers seven different beaches to choose from, including the Instagram-worthy Driftwood Beach and Glory Beach, where parts of the war movie of the same name were filmed. There are several other attractions, too, including the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, making it perfect for nature lovers. Throughout the summer, the region offers live music, festivals, and opportunities like dolphin sightseeing for things to do from sun-up to sun-down, and even in the dark with stargazing or turtle walks!
River Relaxation
While lakes and oceanfront areas offer a day at the beach, don’t forget the swimming and outdoor adventures that await in Georgia’s rivers. Victoria Bryant State Park is a hidden gem in the Northeast of Georgia, away from major cities. It’s a longer drive, about two hours from Fort Eisenhower and four from Fort Stewart, but it's worth the trip, with picnic shelters and a campground available.
The park has a pool available in the summer months, but a creek also runs through it, which has a sliding rock area. Adventurous spirits can slide down the rocks for natural water slides or enjoy wading in cool waters. Bring your leashed dog for a pet-friendly outing playing in the creek.
There is some swimming access to the Savannah River near Fort Eisenhower. One local favorite is Rae’s Creek Aqueduct where many people go wading, look at the water features, or take a nature walk. Visitors should take precautions and get in the water at their own risk– water shoes are a good idea for all river areas.
Photo from iStock.com/rodclementphotography
Waterpark Adventures
For water slides closer to home, both Fort Eisenhower and Fort Stewart have water parks within about an hour's drive.
My family recently enjoyed a day at Richardson’s Lake and Outdoor Recreation Area in Warrenville, SC, about 30 minutes from Augusta. The swimming area, with slides, diving boards, and a jumping platform out in the middle of the lake in deeper water, has a nostalgic feel that’s fun for the whole family. Bring your own floats and chairs or rent them. There’s a military discount, and you may not bring outside food, but there’s a concessions stand.
Fort Stewart families have Splash in the Boro, which is about an hour away. It is a water park that offers active duty and veteran discounts. The park has a lazy river, wave pool, slides, and other attractions and is open every day during the summer season, this year from May 25 to July 28. Both water parks offer annual passes as well.
Photo from iStock.com/6okean
Military Recreational Areas
For military families looking for a longer getaway that includes swimming and camping, there are several military outdoor recreation areas throughout the state of Georgia, two of which have beaches.
Pointes West Army Resort is in Columbia County and is part of the Fort Eisenhower MWR recreational areas. It has a sandy beach on a lake that military members can visit for a day or for a longer stay in one of the campsites or cabins. Right to the north of Atlanta, Navy Lake Site Allatoona offers a place to get away to a lake with swimming and boating opportunities while being close to the attractions in Atlanta.
Whether you choose to cool off at a local state park beach, explore the beautiful Georgia coast, relax by a river, or enjoy waterpark adventures closer to home, there are plenty of options for military families stationed at Fort Eisenhower and Fort Stewart to beat the summer heat. So pack your swimsuits, sunscreen, and picnic baskets, and make the most of the hot summer days in the Peach State!
