Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake

We did not end up with a great site. It was on the water but the view was not great. I feel ridiculous saying that there were too many trees but they were all along the edge and completely blocked the view of the lake. The sites were pretty close together, even the ones across the water. We were in a little cove and we could hear everyone's conversations. We could hear the people on both sides as well as the people across the water. There was also a lot of poison ivy. It's still a beautiful lake and they had nice swimming beaches. The Bartram Trail runs through this campground as well.

One of the nicer ACOE Campgrounds we’ve visited. Friends stayed here over the winter months and picked a couple nice sites for a future stay. Easy access in and out, back-in site was very large with lake views while keeping us in mostly shade. As with all campgrounds, some sites are better than others. But, wouldn’t complain about any if just staying a few nights.

Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy - after the trailer is in the spot.)

Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Heavy, going into Thanksgiving weekend. Site Privacy: All sites are set back from campground loop road Site Spacing: Tremendous Site surface: Gravel. Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No reason.
Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Yes Dump Station: Ues Potable Water Available: At site.
Bathroom: Flush toilets Showers: Yes. Single curtain separation. Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Most sites are lakeside sites.
Weather: Rain, partial sun Bugs: No bites.
Host: Yes Rig size: Large rigs okay Sites: Most and maybe all sites have water views. Site 6 has a great view. Other sites have great views as well. Site 28 has a tremendous view.

The view was amazing! Such a relaxing place.

Great people clean bathhouses

Very nice, clean restrooms and very quiet. Clean camp area and close to the water.

This time we’re in site 7-first time in this loop. Backing in took a few minutes, not the simplest but achievable for our 30 ft fifth wheel. Campsite excellent- electric & water, plenty big site-fire ring and picnic table

Also love trail from here to dam wall - did a bit of bush trail cycling. Awesome

I have read several favorable reviews of this campground and it doesn't disappoint. Very clean and sites are accessible to larger rigs.

Stayed here as one of the very first campsites after buying our camper. Lakeside lot with incredible space. Dog friendly and they enjoyed being able to go for a swim right outside of the camper. Enjoyed taking our paddle boards out in the morning for a sunrise paddle, then swimming the afternoons away in the sun. Can’t wait to come back next summer!!

Petersburg Campground is beautiful. The sites are large and very private and most are on the water. We had Site 60 that had western views along the J Strom Thurmond Lake. The site was very level and was a pull through with a gravel base. The site also has a picnic table and fire ring, water and 59amp electric. The comfort stations were old but that’s ok because everything else made of for that. And all for $28 per night! Highly recommend.

My husband and I stayed here with our small teardrop. The sites were private and clean. Everything was great

The campsites are the best we’ve ever stayed in. Extremely large and everything you could possibly need. Extremely well-kept campground on a beautiful lake.

This campground is beautiful with roomy sites on the lake and nearby.  Some sites are drive-throughs.  Everything was well maintained.  Bathrooms were clean.  FREE laundry in the park although there is only one washer and one dryer.   Campground was quiet, lots of trees.  America the Beautiful national park pass gave us 1/2 off the campsite fee so it's a great value.

We stayed in our 36 ft 5th wheel. Most sites are pull thru and generally pretty private with the passenger side of rv facing the water. We loved it there! I imagine it would be fantastic in the warmer months. We took our fat tire ebikes 5 miles to the dam on the Bartram trail.

Almost every site is on the water! Very spacious sites. All the amenities except sewer, but there are 2 dump stations. Free laundry!! Only one washing machine / dryer. Site 54 is almost secluded, has a tiny beach area where yo can launch your kayak. Site 51 has fishing from your site. Beautiful lawn area surrounding your site with trees. Lots of sunshine.

We tent camped and stayed right on the water. Sites were very clean and spacious. Bath houses were pretty clean. There is water and electric at each site for those who are in a RV but the dump sites are pretty close by. We will definitely be back! We saw quite a lot of wildlife during our stay and enjoy taking the trail around the lake.

This campground has magnificent views, spacious sites, picnic tables, firepits, power (30 and 50 amp) and water hookups, dump station, bathrooms, and groomed swimming area.

The site (21) was very easy to pull through and had a wonderful view of the lake. I had to try to see my neighbors at the next site because the foliage separated the sites well. I saw a grounds person actively maintaining the empty sites which explains how well kept this campground is. The access roads are well kept.

Our family of 5 had a blast. 3rd time on this body of water but first time at Petersburg. Beautiful place, well maintained and will definitely return

We fell in love with this campground after our first stay. Our spot was shaded and a few steps from the water. Such a peaceful place! There is lots to do at this campground (hiking trails, swim beaches, fishing docks). We wish we could have stayed longer. The only problem we had was ants. Our camper was covered in them after being there a day, even though we tried to prevent them. It won’t stop us from returning though.

We camped for a night here and explored some of the hiking trails that surrounded the lake. Some of the sites are pretty secluded from each other, especially the one we were at (39).

Better data coverage here than at Hawe Creek ATT 4 bars versus 2 or 3 in Verizon, but definitely usable. I do not think there is a bad site here, but have not walked the furthest loop. Lovely waterfront sites. We don’t use facilities so cannot comment on them. Even a ‘swimming beach’ if you have little ones.

Some sites take a bit of work to get your equipment level, but not seen anything serious. Also marked down rating for noise as boats are constantly running around - but if that’s the only problem , I can live with it.

Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent 7 nights. Our second ACE campground and liked it even more than the first. Large spread out campground so could bike and hike right in and from the park. Mountain bike trails in either direction just at the park entrance. Our site like most was right on the lake, and because we were out on more of a peninsula had great sunsets.

This Army Corps of Engineers campground has everything, magnificent views nearly all of them lakeside, spacious sites, picnic tables, firepits, dark starry night skies, power and water hookups, dump station, clean bathrooms, swimming beach and 20+ miles of nature trails.

During my March stay the hot water was not working in the shower. That happens, nbd. There was nothing else that didn't delight me. The USACOE sets a standard for excellence at Petersburg Campground.

I’ve camped at Petersburg multiple times of the past 5 years and generally love it. Bartram Trail, terrific mountain for biking and hiking passes through the property. Some of the sites are stellar.

What I noticed on my most recent trip is that the quality of maintenance has declined. The restrooms on our loop weren’t really cleaned deeply over our 4 night stay with used band aids in the corner or the shower stall. I alerted two staff members about the leaking spigot in our site and that was never addressed.

I’m returning in early November with a few friends for some mountain biking and hope things improve.

Access to sites are easy. Almost all are pull through. They’re also pretty well spaced out for privacy and plenty of space for each site. Hook ups are well maintained as are the roads and trailer parking areas.

The grounds were clean. Well kept for the most part and not too hard to get too. Most sites were pull through, so that’s always nice.

However you want to camp you can. Tent, RV, you name it. With lake access on virtually every spot you’ll wake up to amazing views and great days in the sun. Almost every spot has a walkable path to the water. It’s pet friendly and has amenities for even the least experienced (and least willing) campers.

Stayed here twice after upgrading to the new camper. Sites and grounds are well kept. Bathhouses are well maintained.

So many great campsites and so many of them waterfront! Well maintained. Excellent gatehouse staff. Good hiking and boat launch.
Highly recommend. Lots to do in the area. River walk, canal boat tour, great art museum.
Good food and shopping nearby.

Nice campground. More private than state parks.