Lake Oconee Jumping Rock and The Sandbar: Popular Boating Destinations

We hear it all the time — “Where is Lake Oconee?” Considered a hidden gem, Lake Oconee is Georgia’s second-largest lake and a popular destination for relaxation and recreation. And it’s actually not hidden at all. Lake Oconee is located between the picturesque towns of Greensboro and Eatonton, about an hour east of Atlanta.

But, in regards to the lake, the next most popular questions we get are “Where is Jumping Rock?” and “Where is The Sandbar?” Those are hidden gems, as they’re both only accessible by boat. Here’s how to find and enjoy each one…

Jumping Rock at Lake Oconee

Whether you are adventurous enough to jump off the renowned rock or prefer to watch others who take the plunge, this legendary spot is tons of fun for everyone. Lake Oconee’s Jumping Rock is a fantastic freak of nature. It’s an enormous bolder located right on the water’s edge. The boulder is about 10-feet tall, though it seems much higher than that when you’re standing on top. To access it, you must take a boat to its location. Don’t be surprised to see other boats in the area, as crowds never cease to congregate to watch the jumpers. Once safely anchored, hop into the water and swim up to the rock. There’s a ladder to access the top. Once you climb up, it’s time to gather your courage to jump. Momentum is your friend here, so get a few good steps in before you leap. Don’t worry — the water is deep here, but keep in mind that there are no lifeguards. If you’re not a strong swimmer, be sure to wear a life vest. That way, you’ll pop up to the surface quickly. The jump is an exhilarating, memory-making experience that will have you smiling from ear to ear. Don’t be surprised if you want to do it again (and again.) You can find Jumping Rock on the south end of the lake before you get to the dam. The GPS coordinates are 33.37912365108089, -83.18434546931657.

The Sandbar at Lake Oconee

For many of us, there’s no place we’d rather be on a hot summer day than floating on a boat in a beautiful body of water. What’s even better is anchoring your boat and taking a nice, refreshing dip, preferably with a cool beverage and even cooler friends. Amazingly, there is a place in the middle of Lake Oconee where the water is only about waist-deep. Aptly known as “The Sandbar,” it’s the perfect spot to lounge on the lake. There, you’ll often find several boats anchored closely together, as it’s a popular meeting place for all. And while it can be a bit more boisterous on the weekends, it’s not really a ‘spring-break’-type of atmosphere. People boat up with kids all the time, especially since it’s shallow and an ideal place to swim. The Sandbar is about a 10-minute boat ride from Jumping Rock. The closest boat launch is Armor Bridge at the end of Brown’s Ford Road. The GPS coordinates are 33.4533417923, -83.1973084562.

We hope you enjoy your time on Lake Oconee this summer. And if you’re interested in making “lake life” a permanent part of your life, visit us at Harbor Club. We’d be happy to show you around our award-winning Southern Living-Inspired Community. Here, you and your family can enjoy the best in resort-style living, not just for a week, but all year round. See you soon.