Campers visiting Appling, Georgia stay in an area characterized by shallow clay soil, pine forest cover, and weather that remains warm into fall with typical summer highs reaching 90°F. The region around Clarks Hill Lake (also called Lake Thurmond) offers over 1,200 miles of shoreline. Several campgrounds provide direct water access with most waterfront sites featuring enough space for both tents and water craft.
What to do
Fishing for varied species: Clarks Hill Lake holds multiple fish varieties accessible from shoreline camping areas. "Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern US. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass," notes a reviewer at Winfield Campground.
Explore backcountry trails: The Rock Dam Trail at Mistletoe State Park features challenging terrain with varying difficulty levels. "This trail was supposed to involve several water crossings, but when I was here in September, the water level was extremely low and nothing was flowing beyond a trickle. If you are filtering water (and you surely will be if you are camping back here), you'll need to pre-filter well to not clog your filter," explains one hiker who examined the backcountry sites.
Water recreation beyond swimming: The lake offers multiple activities beyond basic swimming. At Baker Creek State Park, visitors find diverse water options. "The greatest experiences we had involved swimming, canoeing and/or inter-tubing on the lake. My entire family just had a blast on the water," reports one camper who visited during renovation.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campsites directly access the water with enough room for multiple setups. At Elijah Clark State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Nice peaceful, layed back campground will return!!!" Another camper at this location mentioned, "We had a true adventure when we stayed there. The place was beautiful we camped overlooking the lake."
Night sky viewing: Clear skies make for excellent stargazing conditions. "The first night spent underneath the stars at Baker Creek SP was highlighted by a full, new moon, which was nothing short of spectacular. Every night (even the nights it rained) we had such clear views of the constellation of stars from our tent with peeled back ceiling cover," describes one visitor.
Privacy between sites: At Raysville Campground, the site arrangement provides separation. "Raysville is a hidden gem at Clarks Hill Lake. This campground is much quieter and more secluded than the others in the area. They still offer decent bath houses with showers," comments a regular visitor to area campgrounds.
What you should know
Lake water levels fluctuate: Water access can change dramatically based on season and rainfall. "If the water is low like it was when I was here, the lake water was not accessible -- you'd have to trudge through 50 fifty feet of mud to get to it and you'd probably get swallowed or it would really suck anyway. So save #3 for the springtime only I think," warns a Mistletoe State Park visitor about one of the backcountry sites.
Facility maintenance varies: Bathhouses and amenities differ significantly between campgrounds. At Hamburg State Park Campground, visitors note consistent upkeep: "There is one bath house which is older but relatively clean. I never saw anyone else in the bath house. It does have a family bath/shower room."
Limited services in surrounding areas: Stock up on supplies before arrival. For Baker Creek, a camper advises: "Beyond the Baker Creek SP itself, there is the small town of McCormick. Is there a lot around this campground? No. But is there more than sufficient resources to replenish your camping cupboards, must-haves or even nice-to-haves? Absolutely."
Tips for camping with families
Check playground availability: Some campgrounds maintain playground facilities while others have removed them. "For the hikers the trails are great, and very in difficulty to keep things fun and the backwoods hiking camp sights were great. The beach and boating facilities were very nice. The playgrounds were still closed off due to Con-19," reported a visitor at Mistletoe State Park.
Consider swimming areas: Not all lakefront sites have suitable swimming access. At Untamed Honey Glampsites near Lincolnton, glamping close to Appling, Georgia provides water recreation opportunities. One visitor enthused about "Fifteen fish and whose counting? Not to mention the 'BIG ONE' that got away on our last day!!!"
Evaluate site positioning: Site location affects sun exposure and water accessibility. At Hamburg State Park, "Sites 1-20 get the morning sun, 21-30 get the afternoon sun. Trees provided good shade. Our site was fairly level, no boards needed," explains a camper, while another adds, "All but 3 sites are on the lake. Sites 1and 2 are primitive - water, electric and no water view."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds accommodate larger rigs but site dimensions vary. At Winfield Campground, "The 70,000 acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline provide excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking. This wooded, waterfront campground contains 80 sites with electrical hookups."
Hookup configurations: Electric service varies between campgrounds. One RVer at Baker Creek noted, "Each of the campsites come with the standard amenities: brand new picnic tables, easy-open grill covered fire circles and what looked to be newly installed water spigots."
Road conditions awareness: Access roads may require slow driving. "Caution here and throughout the entire park: there are some incredibly bad roads, complete with 3rd world pot holes. I would advise on driving slowly throughout," warns an RVer who visited Baker Creek State Park.
