Within the Army Corps of Engineers' Hartwell Recreation Area, Watsadler Campground sits directly on the shores of Lake Hartwell. This established campground operates year-round and accommodates RVs up to 50 feet with full electric and water hookups, though the entry and exit points can present challenges for larger rigs navigating tight turns.
Most sites provide direct lake access, with only four sites lacking water frontage. The layout varies significantly—some sites offer generous space and water views while others sit closer together with limited room. Many sites feature concrete pads and come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, though leveling blocks prove essential as several spots require up to four inches of side-to-side adjustment. Stone riprap lines portions of the shoreline, limiting boat landing options at certain sites.
The campground includes two bathhouses, two playgrounds, and walking trails that extend toward the dam. Traffic noise from the dam and adjacent roadway affects some areas, particularly sites closer to these features. Windell S. notes the "bathrooms, though older, were clean and well maintained." The single-drain dump station can create backups during busy checkout times.
Hartwell sits less than five miles away for supplies and dining. Book sites with lake access well in advance, as these fill quickly during peak seasons.
Description
Overview
Watsadler Campground is a 36 acre site consisting of a relatively dense cover of pine and mixed hardwoods. The area is open year-round and is one of Hartwells most popular camping destinations. The site presently offers camping and boat launching facilities to include 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 51 public campsites with full water/electric hookups, 3 comfort stations (2 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 playgrounds, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.
Recreation
Fishing is one of the most popular activities at the lake. Sought-after species include largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass and hybrid bass. The lake appeals to boaters of all kinds, whether their specialty is canoeing, sailing or motor boating. Coves and areas of quiet water provide water skiers with excellent surfaces. Swimmers will find sand beaches and designated swim areas in many parks along the shoreline.
Facilities
The site presently offers camping and boat launching facilities to include 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 51 public campsites with full water/electric hookups, 3 comfort stations (2 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 playgrounds, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.
Natural Features
Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. The dam and lake area boasts 8 campgrounds and 11 day-use facilities that are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Hartwell Project was originally authorized for hydro-power, flood control, and navigation. Later, recreation, water quality, water supply and fish and wildlife management were added. Surrounding vegetation allows for plenty of shade, and the 962 miles of shoreline provide numerous swimming beaches, picnic areas and boat ramps.
Charges & Cancellations
- Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates.- Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first nights use fee.- Reserved campsites will be held until check out time ( 2 p.m.) on the day following your scheduled arrival date. If you do not arrive at campground by 2 p.m. to fulfill your reservation, your reservation will be cancelled and you will be assessed a $20 service fee and forfeit the first nights use fee. - No-shows are charged a $20 fee plus the first nights use fee.- If your reservation is for one night and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10 service fee.Refunds: - To insure fairness for all Recreation.gov customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 6 or 12 month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation is made.- Refunds must be requested no later than 14 days after scheduled departure date. Refunds may be requested through Recreation One Stop Customer Service at 877-444-6777. Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Cash and check purchases will be refunded by check and may take up to 8 weeks for approval and processing.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundWatsadler is located in Georgia
Directions
Watsadler Campground Address: 286 Watsadler Road, Hartwell, Ga 30643. From I-85 North in Georgia, take exit 177 onto Highway 77 towards Hartwell, Georgia. In Hartwell, take Hwy 29 North towards Anderson, South Carolina. Continue approximately 4 miles, take a Left onto Watsadler Road; entrance will be a short distance down on the right. From I-85 South in South Carolina, take exit 14 (Hwy 187) and follow Hwy 187 until the 4-way stop with Hwy 29. Take a right onto Hwy 29 towards Hartwell, Georgia. After crossing into Georgia, continue approximately 1.5 miles and take a right onto Watsadler Road, campground will be a short distance down on the right.
Address
NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE ADDRESS FOR CAMPGROUND. MAIL ALL CAMPGROUND CORRESPONDENCE TO:
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS - HARTWELL LAKE
5625 ANDERSON HWY
Hartwell, GA 30643
Coordinates
34.3438889 N
82.8413889 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 4/23/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/23/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/23/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 4/23/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/23/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/23/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
