For those who want to experience Augusta, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Augusta and stay off the beaten path. Glamping offers quick access to one or more of Augusta's most popular destinations.
This recreation area is part of J. Strom Thurmond Lake
This recreation area is part of J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Winfield Campground is located on the Little River portion of the J. Strom Thurmond Lake, near Mistletoe State Park. Camping at Winfield is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation. The 70,000 acre lake and 1,000+ miles of shoreline are prime for activities that facilitate such opportunities such as boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and bird watching, and so much more of course!
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers great conditions for exciting activities such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming. Mistletoe State Park is nearby and offers hiking trails, a nature center, and wildlife viewing to further expand recreational opportunities and experiences. When recreating at Thurmond Lake, we hope to give our visitors opportunities to bond, appreciate nature, relive stress, improve skills, and improve physical fitness.
Water/ Land: Winfield Campground is on the shoreline of the J Strom Thurmond lake that is over 70,000 acres, and surrounded with a mix of pine and hardwood trees which offer shade and visual interest. Wildlife: Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys and whitetail deer. Weather/ Climate: Average temperatures during the camping season starts out at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and peaks in July at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. May receives the least amount of rainfall on average, but increased rainfall for June, July, and August.
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional settings for outdoor activities such as, boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking. There are many USACE managed day-use areas, trailheads, and the dam to explore. Mistletoe State Park is the closest attraction with many activities available. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas.
$32 / night
Enjoy a stroll in nature along one of our relaxing forest trails and if you want to try your hand at primitive camping let us know since we have several tent camping sites available.
We are booking reservations for our pioneer camping. Sites are $15 per campsite per night. Please note sites do not have access to fresh water or bathrooms. There is limited access to electricity in the common area but roughing it is meant to be part of the experience. Of course if you do need supplies, you are in the middle of Augusta, GA with a Family Dollar conveniently located next door. Once you step foot in the forest though you will feel as though you are miles away from it all! Our forest trails are free to the public and a great way to get out in nature!
$15 / night
This recreation area is part of J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Formerly we were called Lake Thurmond RV Park
OUR PARK: We are a beautiful Year-Around RV Park and Campground quietly nestled in a wooded area just down the street from Lake Thurmond, third largest lake east of the Mississippi.
THINGS TO DO:
• Easy access to Landam Creek boat ramp less than 2 miles away
• Lake Thurmond: easy access to Fishing and Boating
• Hunting(Turkey and Deer)
• Hiking
• Golf: Savannah Lakes Village; Hickory Knob State Park; and McCormick Country Club
RATES:
• Onsite Campers (Fully Equipped): $395 weekly and $750-795 Monthly
Nightly: $45-50
• Weekly: $200-250
• Monthly: $445 + electric+ $200 deposit
$45 - $50 / night
Guide
Site 74 is right between the beach an the boating dock. Very large pull thru. Love how it was super private compared to the many other campgrounds I've been to.. We set up tents and did our glamping camping with ac. Also site was right on the water. Beautiful views. Wish there was more of our own little swim beach area. Bring spray for ants an mosquitos but that's everywhere in the woods lol. Bathroom was average happy our site was so close to the facilities. Would recommend staying here
Legend
Mistletoe State Park is just outside of Augusta, GA. It’s on Lake Strom Thurmond, which is good for fishing and boating. The campground was nice, with level sites, and clean showers and bathrooms. When we were there the lake was very low, so the water activity was limited. It is close enough to Augusta for dining and shopping if you need that.
Guide
Park is the home of the VP of the Confederacy and features his home and Civil War artifacts (check for open hours). Hiking trails. Power and water, with dump station. The shower house is new (2019) and is ADA. Also laundry is at shower house. Firewood for sale with camp host. Shady, level, back in and pull thru sites with fire ring and table. Ask camp host for tour of CCC built fire tower. About an hour to Augusta, GA, via interstate (Costco with gas/no diesel), lots of shopping and resturants. Also stables if you are traveling with horses. Can reserve 1 year ahead.
Legend
We camped here a few weeks ago on week long journey through Georgia and Alabama. This was one of best campgrounds we experienced. Large, clean, spacious campsites. Very friendly staff. Right on the lake. Great for photos and fishing. We will be going back.
GuideMistletoe State Park is another great Georgia State Park. Tucked way back in a big pine forest and nestled right up on the banks of Clarks Hill Reservoir it is well worth the effort to find reservations at this park. Over 70 sights with 30 amp, and water service, plenty of road side gray water dumps between sights and TWO dump stations. The Park Host do a fantastic job with keeping this park clean with multiple bath houses and a large amount of community space. 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. We saw lots of wild life, lots of stars at night (gets really dark at night). I may be partial a little when it comes to Georgia State Parks but they have earned it. This one lives right up with the others I have visited. We had so much fun and created so many great memories that we can’t wait for our next adventure at another Ga State Park.
Scout
Clark’s Hill is a Great Lake! HK is an OK park. It does have a nIce golf course and skeet shooting, kayak rentals, cabins, a restaurant and a pool. The campsites are nice enough. but. The entire park sits on a mound of ants. ants everywhere. ants of all varieties. And most of the lake access is solid Georgia red clay mud...
Scout
Fifteen fish and whose counting? Not to mention the 'BIG ONE' that got away on our last day!!! (According to my Sweetie...Lol!) Lincolnton, Georgia is the place to 'BEE' for a quiet and intimate getaway, encompassing relaxation and fun! Lakefront Hotel! One of the best birthday celebrations ever!!!
Thank you Jana for all the special consideration and your generosity! We will definitely be seeing you again soon!
Sonya and Clarence (Sweetie)
GuideWe spent a couple of nights in Mistletoe State Park in Georgia while we investigated my husband's ancestry. This park is truly beautiful. As you enter and drive through the park you are surrounded by virgin forest and arrive at beautiful Lake Thurmond. Our campsite was the best we have ever had anywhere. Surrounded on 3 sides by the lake we woke to the sunrise and retired to a serene sunset each night. Those we met in the area were so helpful and kind. We will be back.
Legend
This is the site of a lesser known confederate civil war prison. There was some archeological work going on when we were there. The spring is very pretty, with turtles and fish swimming under the bridges of the walkway, and there were lots of alligators along the stream. We let our dogs swim in the lake before we realized the gators were probably there as well. There is an aquarium for Georgia fish at the park. The campground is in tall pine trees with shade, but not much privacy. Most are level. Water and electric sites and a dump station.
GuideWe camped in one of the tent only walk-in sites located on a peninsula jutting into the lake. We had a ton of stuff, not realizing it was an uphill and pretty long trek, but it was totally worth it. We had the whole place to ourselves, no neighbors, in late March. The sun setting over the water was beautiful, it was quiet even as a few motor boats came in for the night. There is a tiny beach on the tip of the peninsula, picnic tables, and an outhouse. It was my favorite spot of everywhere we stayed on an Alabama-Georgia-South Carolina roadtrip including AirBnB and bed and breakfast.
GuideMagnolia Springs State Park is a nice Georgia State Park. Located just north of Millen, GA, the park offers ample camping for both RVs and tents.
Spots are flat and easy to park campers and set up tents with enough room between each for a bit of privacy and a few walk-in tent sites for increased privacy. Cabin rentals are available as well as a group lodge. There is a bath house in the main campground that is well kept complete with flush toilets and showers, as well as a coin laundry machines.
Kayak, canoe, pedal boat and bike rentals are all available from the visitor center to explore the spring fed lake and mostly flat trails in the park.
This is a lovely park to camp and spend time in, but is a 2-3 hour drive to Atlanta or Savannah if you are interested in exploring GA. The town of Millen has fast food options, as well as ample opportunity to pick up essential goods.
TravelerSmall campground almost downtown but the dense woods make you feel like you're in the country. There's a family dollar next door if you forget anything.
TravelerThis is a review of the four walk-in tent sites at Mistletoe State Park. I personally stayed in #4 and had a look at the others.
The best site is definitely #2 -- feet from the water, spacious, suitable for more than one tent or hammock (better for tents as it is mostly open, but there are places for hammocks along the edges).
Site #4 is probably second best, better for a hammocks probably (which is what I had) as no great level ground. It is not right on the water but has it's own private path to the water(couple hundred feet to the water).
Sites #1 & #3 do not really have access to the water without climbing down something steeply dangerous or through thick trees. (The water access from the other sites is right in the middle of those other sites so you couldn't really share that unless they are empty or occupied by friends.) Still #1 is a pretty good site. #3 is the least interesting and smallest, but still secluded -- I wouldn't call any of these bad.
None of these sites have groomed tent pads -- just gravelly ground. They do each have a table, fire pit, and lantern pole. #1 & #2 are best for tents. There is good separation between all sites. Sites #2 & #3 are within shouting distance of each other and you'd be able to see tents, etc at one from the other. There is an outhouse between sites #1 & #2, and another another between sites #3 & #4. It is a 5 minute (or so) walk to the real bathroom (which also has showers) back in the main campground.
Other than the lake itself at sites #2 & #4, I didn't see any dedicated water source for these sites. (The lake is silty -- pre-filtering recommended if you are using a filter.) So you'd have to bring in water or get it from the bathroom area or maybe from an empty RV site which all have spigots. You'll have to pack out your trash, and there are definitely critters around that will get in your trash so it should be secured somehow. (Hanging it from the lantern pole isn't good enough -- you'll wake up to find a hole in the bag and it strewn around, ask me how I know.)
Everything in the park was very clean and well-maintained, although when I was here in September (during the week), the whole place was basically deserted anyway.
The water access at sites #2 & #4 is nice but it is not a real beach -- it is all large rocks for the most part and they were very slippery even when dry so be careful. 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.
TravelerThis review is of the three backcountry hike-in sites at Mistletoe State Park along the Rock Dam Trail. I didn't stay in any of these, but checked them out as I hiked the Rock Dam Trail. 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. Water in the streams was mostly still and quite murky. 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 (at least when it is low and murky).
If you hike the trail from the Mistletoe parking lot counter-clockwise, site #1 is about 2.8 miles in, site #2 about 4.1 miles in, and site #3 about 4.8 miles in. (So sites #2 & #3 would be closer going clockwise.) Water sources: sites #1 & #2 are near the stream, and #3 is near a small lake. 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. The other two water was there but murky as I said. (Apparently when the water is high the streams are really flowing and possibly near waist level to hike through at some points.)
Site #1 was the best in the most interesting location, spacious, level, pretty nice site for tents or hammocks. Site #2 was more boring, smaller and without really good ground for a tent, although workable. No shortage of trees for hammocks though. Site #3 was decent (and the closest to start if you hike the trail clockwise), but again only when the lake water is high or there won't be any water (see pic).
All of these sites are in the forest and I'm sure it is quite buggy almost always, so be prepared with thermacells, bug nets, etc. All sites had a table and fire pit. All trash must be packed out. The trail itself was pretty good, moderately strenuous with a fair amount of ups & downs and parts where you are in a very narrow ravine. If the water crossings really involved water (as they do in the spring apparently) it would be even more strenuous.
LegendThe main feature is the lake. Fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming. Stayed at site #12. Waterfront excellent view of lake but sunny site. Sites had water, electric, concrete table, fire ring, and lantern hook. Not much barrier between sites but sites were good size just open. Everyone was very friendly. During week it was relatively empty but on Friday the campground started to fill up. Sites in the 60-90 loop looked the best with water views and shade and most were pull through. The bathrooms were ok and there is a laundry room. The bathrooms were quite far from some sites requiring a long walk or drive. Park had a great store selling souvenirs, ice, firewood, worms for fishing. Campground staff and host were very friendly. Not much around outside park. There was a dollar general about 12 miles away for supplies. You could pull your boat up to your waterfront campsite. They also have kayak rentals.
ScoutAll campsites have nice views of the lake. Large boat ramp, kayak and paddleboard rentals, cabins, hiking trails, nature viewing spots, walk in sites...this one has it all. Many events throughout the year for all. Store in the park in case you forgot something. Ranger lives inside the campground as well.
ScoutNice spacing between sites, renovated comfort stations with private showers, good little camp office, great staff, miles of lake shore, and lots of beautiful hiking. The site shown is #49.
TravelerVery clean, quiet and a view from every spot. If you Mountainbike or hike, do the muddy spokes club trail. Challenging in spots and 4 creek crossing. Lake is crystal clear and huge! Highly recommend this park and plan to return.
ScoutMistletoe State Park is definitely one of my favorite parks. Most of the campsites are spaced out and there is a lot of trees to give you the feel of privacy. This park is well kept and the camp hosts were very friendly.
GuideWe frequent this place a lot. Bathhouse and grounds are well kept. Beautiful waterfront sites and group camping.
ScoutLove the big selection of waterfront sites
ScoutWe loved this campground! Spent 9 nights there and were away from everything in a quiet secluded shady lot near the lake. Took our own kayak, ride our bikes, hiked the trails and never seemed to run out of things to do!
ScoutSpacious room between sites. Lots of fun things to do!
LegendWe’ve camped here a couple of times this summer. Great access to the lake. Nice campground. Clean good sized sites. Hiking trails. Very nice place to relax.
ScoutGreat site 49, awesome views. Comfort stations close and clean. Lots of water activities.
LegendWe stayed on site 73. It had direct access to the water, was right next to the bath house, huge pull through site, gray water drain on the site next to water and electric hook up. Bath house was clean and well kept. Wood needed to be purchased during daytime hours with card payment over the phone. No souvenir magnet because the store was only open Mon-Thurs, unfortunately.
Some of the folks staying on the other loop mentioned issues with ants, but we only had ants in the spot where we spilled some dog food.
Overall we accomplished what we set out, which was a trip to just relax the entire weekend.
GuideFirst and foremost, Mistletoe is beautiful. It’s tucked away and the greenery is outstanding. The hiking is lengthy and gorgeous (if somewhat difficult to navigate) with an easy grade that’ll keep the huffing and puffing to a minimum. I wish the signage around the park aimed in both directions of the road. Navigating on your way in was easily enough, but getting out was tougher.
The staff at the visitor’s center were friendly, and the toilets and showers were kept very clean.
A fair warning, though: if you’re a tent camper who’s looking to enjoy some quiet time by the water, avoid the loop with the boat ramp. We stayed on site 30, and were surrounded by RVs and boats coming and going: between the sound and the lights, it wasn’t exactly peaceful. Add in the extraordinary winds that were coming in off the lake the weekend we were there, and certain moments of our trip felt very tedious. The Park can’t exactly do anything about wind and neighbors with boats, but we intend to camp further from the boat ramp next time. We got a look at the spots closer to the walk in sites, and think those might be more conducive to anyone who’s going for a more low-key tent experience.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Augusta, GA is Mistletoe State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 66 reviews.
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