Naryamie H.
Scout
ScoutCarolina Hill Mobile Home and RV Park
A quiet place to call home
The neighbors are fantastic. The management is fantastic.
We love it here.
Camping near Evans, GA
103 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping near Evans, Georgia centers around the expansive Clarks Hill Lake (also called Lake Strom Thurmond), with multiple lakeside campgrounds managed by Georgia State Parks and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The area features a mix of RV sites, tent camping, cabins, yurts, and glamping options within a 20-30 minute drive of Evans. Mistletoe State Park Campground stands out with over 70 sites nestled in pine forests along the reservoir shoreline, while several USACE campgrounds like Petersburg, Ridge Road, and Winfield offer additional waterfront camping opportunities. Many sites provide direct lake access with small beaches or paths to the water's edge, making them popular for fishing, boating, and paddling activities.
Most campgrounds in the Evans area are accessible via paved roads, though some sites may require navigating narrow campground roads. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Several campgrounds operate year-round, including Mistletoe State Park and Petersburg, while others like Ridge Road and Winfield are seasonal, typically open from March/April through September. Cell service varies throughout the area, with limited connectivity at more remote sites. Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s with high humidity, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing.
The camping experience varies between the different management areas. According to reviews, Mistletoe State Park offers "walk-in tent sites located on a peninsula jutting into the lake" with "a tiny beach on the tip" for more secluded camping. USACE campgrounds like Petersburg provide "90+ sites with water, 50/30 amp electric, and a dozen or so primitive sites" with security features like "gates locked each evening at 10:00 with a combination lock code provided for access." Campers frequently mention excellent stargazing opportunities, with one visitor noting the area "gets really dark at night" allowing for clear views of the night sky. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region's campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Evans (103)
1. Mistletoe State Park Campground
"Mistletoe State Park is another great Georgia State Park."
"We spent a couple of nights in Mistletoe State Park in Georgia while we investigated my husband's ancestry. This park is truly beautiful."
from $12 - $190 / night
Check Availability2. Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Most have access to water and if the lake level is good, there is usually some beach area at most sites where you can swim, tie off a boat."
"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!"
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability3. Hamilton Branch State Park Campground
"The downside to this design is that sites on the left side of the T shape, back in with the trailers camp side facing the road, not the lake."
"We checked in on a Thursday evening from the drive from Florida. Campsite was chosen from a map, which seemed to have an upfront water access."
4. Modoc - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Lots of RVs and pull behinds. Sites were well spaced. We had 15 and it was great, I would stay at the same site again. Water and electric at all sites. Access to water from majority of sites."
"Quiet beautiful good fishing, minimal bugs, waded in the sandy edge of the lake. We will be back."
from $22 - $64 / night
Check Availability5. Ridge Road Campground at J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Easy walk down to the water, lovely breeze, quiet. We were close to the ADA bathhouse that was immaculate."
"Tons of trees and most sites are on right on the lake. The water is amazingly clear."
from $22 - $64 / night
Check Availability6. Heritage RV Park
"The park is close to I-20 and I-520 so there is easy on/off and it is a great place for an overnight if you are just traveling thru."
"Right off the interstate with lots of stores nearby including Walmart and Camping world."
7. Wildwood County Park
"This park is just a few miles away from Mistletoe and we only stayed here because we could not get a site at Mistletoe."
"People are here with boats, golf carts, big outside TV’s and LOUD music that went on until 9:45 at night (camp hosts finally shut down the party scene)."
8. Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Winfield is a compartively little-known USACE campground situated on a peninsula near the more heavily-traffic Mistletoe State Park."
"It’s right on the lake. There is a retaining wall at the water so it’s about a 3” step to the water. We plan to bring a sep ladder next time. Beautiful place to spend your time camping."
from $32 / night
Check Availability9. Bussey Point Wilderness Area
"There's no power which is perfect for camping off grid away from all the trailers. The campsites are right on the water and the view is beautiful."
"It has a fallen tree and lots of underwater sticks right when you walk out on the lake so watch your toes! When we come back we’d probs choose site #5 to avoid the tree and all the limbs."
10. Pointes West Army Resort
"The only reason why I didn't give a 5 star was because we were very close to neighbors. They were all in a row so if you open your curtains others can see you. Full hookups."
"Sites L, M, and N are all on a little peninsula that sticks out into Clarks Hill Lake, and are our personal favorites!"
from $7 - $25 / night
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Drive Time
- 18 min from Augusta, GA
- 1 hr 15 min from Columbia, SC
- 1 hr 38 min from Athens, GA
Recent Camping Photos near Evans, GA
183 Photos of 103 Evans Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Petersburg
Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond LakeA
Wildwood County Park
Timberline Glamping @ Clarks Hill Lake
Ridge Road Campground at J Strom Thurmond Lake
Modoc - J Strom Thurmond LakeJ
Bussey Point Wilderness Area
Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
Pointes West Army ResortB
Hamilton Branch State Park Campground
Mistletoe State Park Campground
Winfield
Recent Reviews near Evans, GA
502 Reviews of 103 Evans Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendHickory Knob
Lakeside Retreat with a Touch of Southern Charm
Hickory Knob SP CG is tucked along the shores of Lake Thurmond in South Carolina’s rolling countryside, where the pine trees stand tall, the crickets sing backup, and life slows to a more reasonable pace. It’s the only South Carolina SP with a full resort feel – which means campers get the perks of a golf course, lodge, and restaurant nearby, without losing that back-to-nature atmosphere that makes pitching a tent or leveling out an RV worth the trouble. First impressions? Think peaceful lake views with just enough activity around to keep things lively but never hectic.
The campground itself offers a mix of RV and tent sites, with electric and water hookups for the comfort crowd and wooded, shaded spaces for the purists. Campsites are fairly roomy, with picnic tables, fire rings, and enough tree cover to keep your morning coffee shaded until you’re good and ready to face the day. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept ... nothing spa-like, but not the kind where you walk out wondering if you need a tetanus shot either. Navigation is straightforward, though larger rigs should take it slow on the curves. And here’s a bonus: campers can stroll over to the resort-style amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts and even the on-site restaurant if they’re tired of hot dogs and s’mores.
The surrounding fun is where Hickory Knob shines. Lake Thurmond offers ample space for boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming, with more shoreline than your GPS can keep track of. The park itself has miles of hiking and biking trails that snake through pine forest and offer glimpses of deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional heron. For the golfers in the crowd, the 18-hole course is the centerpiece here – where else can you balance your day between kayaking coves in the morning and working on your short game in the afternoon? The nearby town of McCormick provides groceries, a few dining options and that small-town charm that feels refreshingly unhurried.
Insider Tips: (1) The waterfront campsites are the gems with west-facing spots for those Technicolor sunsets (but you'll want to book early if you can, because everyone has the same idea, right?); (2) Don’t feel like cooking? Head on over to the Hickory Knob Lodge restaurant, which while nothing fancy, this joint has solid Southern comfort food that tastes even better after a day outdoors; (3) Kayakers should launch near the group lodge cove where it’s calmer water with prime birdwatching opportunities; (4) If you like a side of nostalgia with your dessert, swing by Michelle’s in McCormick for classic Southern diner plates and pie that’ll make you rethink diets; (5) Want a 'higher' perspective? Sites further inland sit at slightly higher elevation, meaning more shade, although fewer lake views, but less wind off the water, so choose based on your style of camping comfort.
Happy Camping!
- OOlivia K.Scout
Bussey Point Wilderness Area
Okay campsite
When we got there, another family was in our space. They said the one they reserved was overgrown with brush (a few were). We tried to call to have it resolved but no one to call. We ended up having to pick another site that was empty. That portion was very stressful after a long drive to get there. Experience was okay, the water is down a good bit right now.
- NNoah W.
GuideHamburg State Park Campground
Middle Georgia Lake
For me this was a very average campsite. Nothing very notable here or in the area. It felt like it was a predominantly RV catered campground but there were available spots for tents. Not much privacy, you can see down the road and to each site pretty well from wherever you’re at, though some sites on the backside of the campground were seemingly a little more private. The main attraction is a swampy lake, pretty but not spectacular. There is a playground and good visibility so maybe a good campground for families. Bathroom water pressure was not good.
- TT&VGuide
Ridge Road Campground at J Strom Thurmond Lake
Very nice campground
We had a very nice long weekend on site 32. The sites are large and clean, the park is easy to maneuver. The water level was really low but we were still able to get our Pontoon boat in and out of the boat ramp and pulled ashore right at our site.
- RRichard A.
RangerRidge Road Campground at J Strom Thurmond Lake
Campground in need of some renovations and general TLC
Let me say that we have stayed at several of the COE campgrounds in this area.
We felt that it had a lot of potential to be an extremely beautiful park but has been neglected in a few ways.
Understanding that this campground like some others in the area suffered damage from a recent hurricane and that the necessary cleanup and recovery can be a long process, much of the needs of Ridge Road appear to be neglect.
The sites and general areas are immensely overgrown and in desperate need of maintenance, and while the bathhouses are in need of renovation, general attention to cleanliness and pest control (a lot of large, live, spiders) would serve them well.
We hope the park will get the attention it needs and look forward to returning.
- CChris M.
TravelerHolliday Park Campground
Hidden Gem
The campsites are spread out. Each features a fire ring, picnic table and power/water hookups. Most sites are on the water. All of them are shaded. Summer months are the busiest. Almost no one comes in the winter. It's very serene.
- RRichard A.Ranger
Pine Hill Camp
Well maintained dispersed site, quiet solitude...
Nice site off the beaten path, plenty of room with lots of shade and sun.
We visited in July and was a bit warm but was able to run our generator as desired as the was only one other camper on this Thursday evening and they were located several hundred feet away.
Of course being a dispersed site there are no hookups, and no fees :)
The road in seemed well maintained and was an easy travel except for the occasional pothole. The campground grass had been recently cut and provided ample areas to set camp, there are even a few rock circles from previous campers that serves as a homemade firepit.
Peaceful and felt safe, was an oasis in an area that has few documented dispersed camping sites.
C.J. C.GuideCalhoun Falls State Park Campground
Beautiful Lakeviews
This is my favorite South Carolina Park. Most sites are waterfront. It's peaceful in the spring and beautiful in the fall. The pull-through sites are great for waking up to lake views and a sunrise or sunset over the lake
Guide to Evans
Dispersed camping near Evans, Georgia is limited, with most sites centered on the shoreline of Clarks Hill Lake. The area has average summer humidity of 85% with daily temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F in July and August. Water levels at the lake fluctuate seasonally, with some lakefront sites requiring steep climbs from camping areas to the water during low water months.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: 20+ miles of trails are accessible directly from Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake, making it ideal for day hikers. The Bartram Trail passes through the property, offering both hiking and mountain biking options. One visitor noted, "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."
Geocaching adventures: Several caches are hidden throughout Hamilton Branch State Park Campground. According to one visitor, this park offers "Plenty of activities for kids and adults alike, including geocaching." The caches range from easy to challenging, providing a fun treasure hunt for all ages.
Horse trails: 12-mile designated route at Bussey Point Wilderness Area caters specifically to equestrians. The sites include pre-installed horse hitches and space for trailers. A reviewer mentioned, "Bussey Point is primarily for equestrians. The campsites have pre-installed horse hitches and plenty of room to move a horse trailer."
What campers like
Waterfront privacy: Most sites at Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake offer direct lake access without crowding. One camper described their experience: "Very large pull thru. Love how it was super private compared to the many other campgrounds I've been to... Site was right on the water. Beautiful views." Sites include water and electrical hookups.
Dark skies for stargazing: The limited light pollution makes several campgrounds ideal for night sky observation. A camper at Petersburg mentioned, "Nice campground. More private than state parks." The secluded nature of these campgrounds creates optimal stargazing conditions away from city lights.
Abundant wildlife viewing: Many campers report multiple deer sightings, particularly at Modoc - J Strom Thurmond Lake. "Wildlife live in the woods around the sites. I've seen deer, a bobcat, and various water fowl," noted one visitor. The peninsula location creates a natural wildlife corridor.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Petersburg Campground uses a gate security system during evening hours. According to a visitor, "Gates locked each evening at 10:00 with a combination lock code provided for access."
Lake water clarity fluctuates seasonally: Water can become murky during low-level periods, particularly at backcountry sites. One camper at Mistletoe noted, "The water is silty - pre-filtering recommended if you are using a filter."
Fire restrictions may apply: Not all campgrounds permit open fires, so check before planning campfire activities. One Winfield camper shared, "The site has a fire ring with grill, a standing grill, a picnic table, and a prep table."
Insect preparation essential: Numerous reviews mention ants and mosquitoes, especially in summer months. "Bring spray for ants an mosquitos but that's everywhere in the woods lol," advised a Winfield camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Sandy swimming areas at Wildwood County Park provide safe water access for children. A visitor commented, "Awesome beach area, great playground for kids. Kayak & paddleboard rentals. Decent pricing for campsites."
Free fishing equipment: Some parks offer complimentary fishing gear for children. At Mistletoe State Park, one family noted, "We had cabin 5 and walked to the water. Free fishing pole for kids."
Playgrounds and activity areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play spaces. At Wildwood, there are "great playground for kids" options, according to reviews. These provide alternatives when water activities aren't possible.
Water level awareness: During drought periods, some waterfront sites have difficult lake access. A reviewer at Modoc mentioned, "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 feet of mud to get to it."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For larger rigs, focus on Petersburg and Heritage RV Park, which accommodate big rigs with level sites. One RVer noted about Heritage, "The sites were level and we had no problem fitting our RV and tow car in a back-in site."
Hook-up variations: Electricity amperage differs between campgrounds. At Petersburg, sites offer "50/30 amp service and water. There's no sewer hookup... dump station only." Knowing your power needs helps select appropriate sites.
Surface materials matter: Some sites have gravel/sand surfaces that can be challenging to keep clean. A Heritage RV Park visitor shared, "The pads for the back in smaller campers were sandy with a concrete pad next to it. The sand was impossible to keep out of the RV."
Interior loops preferred: At several campgrounds, interior sites offer more protection from wind. At Winfield, sites are "enormous, private, and provide panoramic lake views," making them ideal for RVers seeking both views and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Evans, GA?
What campgrounds are available near Evans, GA?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Evans, GA, primarily around Clarks Hill/J. Strom Thurmond Lake. Mistletoe State Park Campground offers over 70 sites with water and 30-amp service in a beautiful pine forest setting along the lake's shoreline. Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake provides 90+ sites with water and 30/50-amp electric hookups, plus primitive sites with excellent lake access. Other nearby options include Wildwood County Park, Ridge Road, and Pointes West Army Resort, all offering various amenities for both tent and RV camping.
What accommodation options are available in Evans, GA besides camping?
What accommodation options are available in Evans, GA besides camping?
Beyond traditional camping, Evans area offers diverse accommodation options. Hickory Knob State Park Resort provides both campground facilities and a resort experience with lodges and cabins about 20 minutes from civilization. Hamilton Branch State Park Campground features huge, private lakefront sites that work well for those seeking a more comfortable outdoor experience. For those preferring indoor accommodations, the Evans/Augusta area offers numerous hotels, motels, and vacation rentals, especially during popular events like the Masters golf tournament.
Are there forest camping options near Evans, Georgia?
Are there forest camping options near Evans, Georgia?
Evans offers excellent forest camping experiences within a short drive. Hawe Creek - J Strom Thurmond Lake provides waterfront sites surrounded by trees with nearby boat launch and fishing facilities. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains these wooded campsites with bathrooms and showers. For a more secluded forest experience, Lake Greenwood State Park Campground offers primitive, tucked-in-the-woods spots along the lake with wonderfully spaced sites. Bring lanterns for navigating the dark forest paths at night.
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