Strom Thurmond Lake forms the core of the camping experience near Appling, Georgia, covering 71,000 acres with 1,200 miles of shoreline. The region sits at approximately 330 feet elevation with moderate year-round temperatures typically ranging between 35-90°F. Most lakefront cabin areas require advance booking 3-6 months ahead, especially for summer weekends when temperatures regularly reach into the 80s.
What to do
Water activities on Strom Thurmond Lake: Mistletoe State Park offers easy lake access for boating, swimming and fishing. "Great site 49, awesome views. Comfort stations close and clean. Lots of water activities," notes one camper at Mistletoe State Park.
Golfing at lakeside courses: The 18-hole course at Hickory Knob State Park provides challenging play with lake views. "We went specifically to golf, and had a great round. You do need to reserve a tee time," advises a visitor to Hickory Knob.
Hiking woodland trails: Multiple trail systems around Appling range from easy to moderate difficulty. At Mistletoe State Park, "For the hikers the trails are great, and vary in difficulty to keep things fun and the backwoods hiking camp sights were great," shares a recent visitor.
What campers like
Lakefront sites with direct water access: Many cabins offer unobstructed lake views. "Love the big selection of waterfront sites," shares a camper at Mistletoe State Park.
Clean, updated cabins: The rental accommodations maintain high cleanliness standards throughout the region. One visitor to BoMax Ranch and Retreat noted, "My family and friends stayed in the Brown Bungalow and the RV on site, and they both were SPARKLING clean, new, and updated!"
Quiet weekday stays: For those seeking solitude at cabin rentals, non-peak times offer significantly less crowded conditions. A camper at Richard B Russell State Park mentioned, "It's quiet during the week. On the weekends it can be a little noisy but not a bad noisy. Mainly kids squealing laughing and just being kids."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Water levels can vary significantly throughout the year affecting shore access. A visitor to Mistletoe State Park noted, "The water level was also extremely low when I was there so some of those rocks are probably covered by water earlier in the year."
Limited facilities at some locations: Bathroom access varies widely between cabin rental areas. A camper at Elijah Clark State Park reported, "Positives for the park, sunsets over the lake were gorgeous and the bathrooms were nice."
Wildlife considerations: Local wildlife includes various insects that may affect outdoor comfort. "Bring something for the ants!" advises a camper at Hickory Knob.
Supply limitations: Most nearby cabin rentals require advance planning for supplies. A visitor noted, "The park located in small town. It is very quiet, nothing is nearby. Walmart is 33 miles away, so you should stock up before camping there."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several locations offer designated swimming areas with gradual entry points. At A.H. Stephens State Park, a camper shared, "This state park has boats to rent, fishing, swimming equestrian camping, cabins etc."
Evening activities: Some parks offer seasonal programming after dark. "The park had a beautiful Christmas light display with hot chocolate and a Christmas movie playing on a big screen," mentioned a winter visitor to A.H. Stephens State Park.
Recreation equipment: Bringing personal beach and water toys is recommended since rental options are limited. "We had cabin 5 and walked to the water. Free fishing pole for kids," noted one family staying at Mistletoe State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for cabin rentals: Prioritize level sites when booking camping cabins near Appling. "Some sites are challenging to back into but worth the effort," advises a visitor to Pointes West Army Resort.
Seasonal timing: Non-summer visits provide significantly less crowded conditions and more cabin availability. "I've stayed here in summer and winter months. Site 18 had great water access," notes a camper at Hickory Knob.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies greatly throughout the region. "No WiFi," reports a camper at A.H. Stephens State Park, which is common for most cabin camping locations near Appling.
