Lake Lanier Getaway: Your Whole Group Gets the Whole Lake House

The best Lake Lanier getaway starts the second your group pulls into the Ark and realizes nobody has to leave. Not for dinner, not for the pool, not for the boat, not for pickleball. It is all right there on 5 private acres of Lake Lanier waterfront, and for the length of your stay, every bit of it belongs to you.

The Ark on Lake Lanier is a 12,000+ square foot lakefront estate in Gainesville, Georgia, one hour north of Atlanta. It sleeps 27 guests across 13 bedrooms and 2 private cabins, and it comes with a private boat dock, a heated pool, a hot tub, 2 brand new pickleball courts, a 16-seat home theater, and a hospitality coordinator who handles your meals. It has more than 1,000 five-star reviews and was featured on the Emmy-winning show Staycation.

If you are planning a getaway for a big family, a group of friends, or a few families traveling together, this is how it works at the Ark and what to do around the lake while you are here.

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What a Getaway at the Ark Looks Like

Most group trips fall apart in the logistics. Three rental houses, four group texts, and a dinner reservation that never fits everyone. The Ark was built to skip all of that.

You wake up on the lake. Coffee is on at the coffee bar, and the kids are already heading for the pool. By mid-morning someone has the boat out, someone else has claimed a pickleball court, and the grown-ups are on the porch with a second cup. Lunch comes off the grill. Dinner is a long table with everyone at it. After dark it is the fire pit, the hot tub, or a movie in the private theater.

Nobody drives anywhere. Nobody gets left out. That is the whole idea.

See the full property and photos to get a feel for it before you book.

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Where Your Group Sleeps

Twenty-seven people need real beds, so here is exactly what the Ark has:

• 8 king beds
• 3 queen beds
• 1 full bed
• 15 twin beds

That is 13 bedrooms in the main house, plus 2 private cabins for anyone who wants their own door. Couples get a king, kids and cousins can bunk in the twin rooms, and grandparents get the quiet room. You can assign every bed before anyone arrives.

The Ark is also pet-friendly, so the dog comes along too.

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What Is On the Property

This is the part people tell their friends about.

On the water:

• A private boat dock on Lake Lanier
• Swimming and kayaking right off your own shoreline

Outside:

• Heated swimming pool and hot tub
• 2 pickleball courts
• Large fire pit
• Screen porch
• Basketball court, corn hole and a trampoline
• Gas grill

Inside:

• Multiple living rooms, a formal dining area and a fully equipped kitchen
• Coffee bar
• Fireplace
• Billiards and table tennis
• 16-seat private home theater
• High-speed internet and air conditioning throughout

Read the whole amenities list and you will see why groups stop making plans to go anywhere else.

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The Food Is Handled

With a background as a chef and restaurant owner, Jackie Page has always been about creating a complete hospitality experience. Today, she coordinates hospitality throughout your entire stay, working with a preferred team of chefs, caterers and local restaurants who share that same passion. Options run from breakfast, lunch and dinner to pantry stocking and everything in between, and all of it can be customized to your family’s preferences, dietary needs and budget. Guests often mention this level of care in their reviews, and for good reason.

Learn more about catering at the Ark, or read what guests say about their stay.

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Things to Do Around Lake Lanier

Plenty of groups never leave the property. If yours wants to explore, Lake Lanier has plenty to offer.

Get out on the water. Lake Lanier covers about 38,000 acres. Bring your own boat and dock it at the Ark, or rent one from a nearby marina. Jet skis, paddleboards and kayaks are all easy to find. The quiet coves are the best spot for an afternoon swim.

Go fishing. The lake is known for bass, and local guides run half-day and full-day trips.

Visit Lanier Islands. The resort area on the lake has restaurants, golf and a seasonal water park, and it works well for a half-day outing with kids.

Hike or picnic at Don Carter State Park. It sits on the northern end of the lake, close to the Ark, and has trails and a public beach.

See more of the area. The attractions page covers wineries, marinas, shops and more nearby.

For a closer look at how a stay actually plays out, read A Day at the Ark on Lake Lanier.

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When to Book Your Lake Lanier Getaway

Summer is peak season. The water is warm, the lake is busy and weekends fill fast. Reach out 6 to 12 months ahead for June through Labor Day.

Fall is the secret. The crowds thin out, the weather is perfect for the fire pit, and the trees around the lake turn.

Spring is quiet and green, with good weather for pickleball and the dock.

Winter is cozy. Fireplace, movie night in the theater, a full house and a lot of home-cooked food. Availability is the best of the year.

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Who Comes to the Ark

• Family gatherings. Several generations under one roof, with space for everyone. See our family reunion venue page and the guide to family reunion house rentals in Georgia.
• Friend groups and multi-family trips. Split the cost, share the house.
• Pickleball groups. Two courts on site means no waiting for a turn. Here is how to plan a pickleball getaway in Georgia.
• Anyone who wants a lake house with a boat and a dog. Our guide to Georgia lake house rentals with boat access that are pet friendly has the details.

Looking for a cabin-style stay? Read what to know about Lake Lanier cabin rentals first.

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Frequently Asked Questions About a Lake Lanier Getaway

How many people can stay at the Ark?
The Ark sleeps 27 guests across 13 bedrooms and 2 private cabins, with 8 king beds, 3 queen beds, 1 full bed and 15 twin beds.

Where is the Ark?
The Ark is at 6250 Old Dawsonville Rd in Gainesville, Georgia, on Lake Lanier.

How far is Lake Lanier from Atlanta?
About one hour north of Atlanta via I-985. Most groups fly into Hartsfield-Jackson, grab a van and arrive in time for dinner.

Does the Ark have a private dock?
Yes. The Ark has its own private boat dock on Lake Lanier. You can bring your own boat or rent one at a nearby marina.

Are pets allowed?
Yes, the Ark is pet-friendly.

Is there a pool or hot tub?
Yes. There is a heated pool and a hot tub.

Does the Ark have pickleball courts?
Yes, 2 brand new courts on the property.

Is food available on site?
Yes. Jackie coordinates your meals with a preferred team of chefs, caterers and local restaurants. Options range from breakfast, lunch and dinner to pantry stocking, all customized to your preferences, dietary needs and budget. You can also cook in the full kitchen.

Is the property private?
Yes. When you book the Ark, the whole property is yours for the length of your stay.

When should I book?
For summer weekends and holidays, 6 to 12 months ahead is best. Other times of year are more flexible.

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Ready for Your Lake Lanier Getaway?

Dates fill up, especially in summer. Reach out and Jackie will tell you what is open.

Phone/Text: 470-600-8442
Email: jackie@arkonlakelanier.com
Address: 6250 Old Dawsonville Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

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Want to see it in person? Come tour the Ark. We would love to show you around.