🌤 Weather at John Tanner State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–81 °F | 65–90 °F | 39–83 °F | 32–58 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Carrollton, 5 mi away, elevation 995 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
John Tanner State Park is a local park in Georgia near Carrollton, run by Carroll County. It is not part of Georgia’s state park system. The 138-acre park opened as a private park in 1954, was a Georgia state park from 1971 and is now a county park.
Quick Facts
| State | Georgia |
| Nearest City | Carrollton |
| County | Carroll County |
| Park Size | 138 acres |
| History | Private park from 1954, state park from 1971, now a county park |
Location & Getting There
John Tanner State Park is located near Carrollton, Georgia. The park’s coordinates are 33.6022, -85.1678.
Things to Do
John Tanner Park has an upper and a lower lake, stocked with bass, bream and catfish, and fishing is allowed year-round (a Georgia fishing license is required from age 16, and minnows are not allowed as bait). Carroll County calls its sand beach one of the largest in Georgia; swimming is free and possible year-round, but there are no lifeguards. You can rent jon boats at the visitor center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and pedal boats when available, and private boats with electric motors are allowed in daylight. Ashore there is a one-mile walking trail around the upper lake, a short nature trail, a ¾-mile trail around the lower lake, an 18-hole miniature golf course, picnic shelters and a campground with full-hookup and water-and-electric RV sites (as of October 2026). See the county’s park rules for details.
Best Time to Visit
Fishing, the beach and the miniature golf course are open year-round. The gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., so plan to leave the park by then. Tent stays are limited to 5 days a month and RV stays to 14 days.
Visitor Tips
John Tanner Park is run by Carroll County, not by Georgia State Parks, so the ParkPass does not apply. The county charges $5 per vehicle per day or $50 for an annual park pass (as of October 2026).
Explore More Georgia State Parks
Looking for state parks in Georgia? Discover them in our Best State Parks in Georgia guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Nearby Attractions
Carrollton — about 5 miles east — home of the University of West Georgia. F.D. Roosevelt State Park — about 57 miles south. Atlanta — about 46 miles east. Distances are straight-line.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Chattahoochee Bend State Park (within about an hour’s drive) and Appalachian Trail (within about an hour’s drive).
Park Location
Plan your gear for John Tanner State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
