Cumming and the lake
- About 30 percent of Lake Lanier's shoreline lies in Forsyth County. New Georgia Encyclopedia: Forsyth County
- In the late 1970s City leaders signed the area's first contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to draw water from Lake Lanier. Cumming Utilities now supplies water and sewer to about a third of Forsyth County's homes and businesses. City of Cumming: Our Community
- Downtown and City Center addresses use ZIP code 30040 (City Hall, 100 Main St.; City Center, 423 Canton Road). Lakeside addresses east of GA 400 use 30041 (Mary Alice Park; Bald Ridge Marina). City of Cumming: Facilities; Forsyth County: Mary Alice Park; Bald Ridge Marina
Mary Alice Park
- Mary Alice Park, at 1820 Mary Alice Park Road, is a 110-acre Lake Lanier park with a sandy swimming beach, a boat ramp with courtesy dock, picnic areas, grills and a pavilion. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation has run it since 2023 under a lease worked out with the City of Cumming and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park; park map PDF
- Mary Alice Park charges $10 a day per vehicle and $10 a day to use the boat ramp. A Forsyth County annual pass is $60. Day-use areas are open 6 a.m.–9:30 p.m. from March to October and 6 a.m.–7 p.m. from November to February. The boat ramps are open 24 hours but may close when the park is full. Forsyth County: Lake Lanier Day Use Parks; Mary Alice Park
Bald Ridge Marina
- Bald Ridge Marina, at 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., has served Lake Lanier boaters since 1958. It has more than 600 wet slips on about 35 acres. The marina says it is east off GA 400 Exit 15. Bald Ridge Marina
- The City's "Cumming Home" water tower stands at GA 400 Exit 14. Tijon at the City Center tells visitors to take Exit 14 and follow signs to the City Center, and Bald Ridge Marina is off Exit 15. City of Cumming news (Dec. 18, 2025); Tijon Atlanta page; Bald Ridge Marina
Before you go
- Lou Sobh Amphitheater concerts and movies: Admission and parking are free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. No tents, coolers, outside food or alcohol, glass, or smoking. Cumming City Center: Visit Us (Concerts & Entertainment)
- Cumming Farmers Market (Saturdays 8–11 AM): The market sets up in the Vision Parkway lot, on the left as you enter the City Center from Canton Hwy. Park in that lot or in the parallel spaces along Vision Parkway. Cumming City Center: Cumming Farmers Market listing
- Haunted Cruise-In (Oct. 22, 2026): Show-car parking is first-come, first-served and the road closes when it fills. Spectator parking is free in the deck and overflow lots. Cumming City Center events calendar
- Cumming Country Fair & Festival (Oct. 8–18, 2026): The fair is at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. Gate admission is $10 for ages 11 and up (10 and under free), cash or card, with ATMs on site and no re-entry. No pets, coolers or alcohol. Fair parking arrangements and fees were not found on the fair's pages. Cumming Fairgrounds: Hours & Pricing
- City of Cumming Christmas Parade (Dec. 12, 2026): In 2025 road closures started at 4:30 PM for a 5 PM parade from Forsyth Central High School to the Fairgrounds via Tribble Gap and Castleberry roads. The 2026 closure details are not yet published. Cumming Fairgrounds events calendar (2025 description text on the 2026 entry)
- Mary Alice Park (any day): Vehicles need a $10 daily pass or an annual pass on the dashboard, and the boat ramp is also $10 a day. Boat ramps may close when the park reaches capacity. The park is closed the evening of Nov. 9 and Nov. 10–12, 2026 for a USACE deer hunt. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park
- Sawnee Mountain Preserve: The county park map shows lots at the visitor center (4075 Spot Road), at 2500 Tribble Gap Rd. (pavilions, the amphitheater and restrooms) and at 2505 Tribble Gap Rd. (a playground, two pavilions and restrooms), plus a small west-end lot by the Church and Mountainside trails marked "Limited – 10 Spaces" with no published address. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve park map
Questions
Where can I swim or launch a boat on Lake Lanier near Cumming?
Mary Alice Park, at 1820 Mary Alice Park Road, has a sandy swimming beach, a boat ramp with a courtesy dock, a pavilion and picnic areas. Forsyth County has run it since 2023. A day pass is $10 per vehicle and the boat ramp is $10. Day-use areas are open 6 AM–9:30 PM from March to October and 6 AM–7 PM from November to February. The ramps are open 24 hours unless the park is full.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks
Is Mary Alice Park open in November 2026?
Mostly, but not Nov. 9–12. Forsyth County says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deer hunt closes the park to the public the evening of Nov. 9, 2026 for a hunter safety briefing, and all day Nov. 10–12 during active hunting. Mary Alice Park reopens for normal public use on Nov. 13. From November through February, day-use areas close at 7 PM.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park (USACE 2026 deer hunt notice)
Is there a marina near downtown Cumming?
Bald Ridge Marina is at 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road, east off GA 400 Exit 15. It has served Lake Lanier boaters since 1958 and has more than 600 wet slips, a fuel dock, launch ramps and service on about 35 acres. From Sept. 8, 2026 the marina is closed Tuesday and Wednesday and open Thursday to Monday, 9 AM–5 PM. Check its news page for public ramp days.
Source: Bald Ridge Marina
Can I walk or bike the Big Creek Greenway from Cumming?
Yes. The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path that runs nearly 16 miles from south Forsyth County to a trailhead at Sawnee Mountain Preserve, 4075 Spot Road. It is open 6 AM–9:30 PM from March to October and 6 AM–7 PM from November to February. The stretch from Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3) is closed for renovation.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Big Creek Greenway
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Cumming