Hartwell Lake spans 962 miles of shoreline across Georgia and South Carolina with water levels typically ranging from 645 to 662 feet above sea level. Many campsites feature red earth beaches that require ladders to reach the water when lake levels are low. Hartwell Lake area receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with peak camping season running April through October.
What to do
Hiking access: Most Tugaloo State Park sites offer direct trail connections to the Sassafras Loop, which follows the lakeshore for most of its length. "The Sassafras Loop trail follows the lake shore most of time and great views the rest," notes camper Liz H. who stayed during winter months.
Kayak from your site: Launch directly from many waterfront campgrounds without driving to boat ramps. At Springfield - Hartwell Lake, "Site 77 has very nice water access with no problem to launch the canoe and the sup," according to Olaf I. who appreciated the small cove location.
Tennis and swimming: Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground provides centralized recreation with tennis courts and a swimming beach within walking distance from campsites. Crystal C. notes the "campground was pretty centralized to all the action at the facility with trails leading to the visitor center, a beach, tennis courts and trails."
Goat farms: Visit local farms for tours and cheese making demonstrations. Located a short drive from lake campgrounds, these farms offer educational tours for all ages. Plan to spend 1-2 hours touring facilities and sampling products.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Nearly every site at South Cove County Park offers water views. "Almost every site is on the water, and those that aren't, have a water view. You can go into the lake right from your site," explains Cheryl W. who appreciated direct water access from most locations.
Private islands: The extensive shoreline includes numerous secluded coves and islands perfect for day trips. "What a BEAUTIFUL lake with many private islands to pull up onto," shares Lisa D. about her experience at Anderson-Lake Hartwell KOA.
Fishing access: Sadlers Creek State Park Campground offers stairs directly to the water for easy fishing and canoe access. "Stairs down to the water right next to our site so easy access to our canoe," explains Paul Z., who enjoyed convenient water entry.
Level sites: Many campsites throughout the region feature relatively flat gravel or concrete pads suitable for all camping styles. "Sites were large and spacious," notes Kevin A. about Tugaloo State Park, mentioning "water, electric and cable TV connections."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some areas offer more privacy than others. At Tugaloo, "only a few campsites offer a little bit of privacy, most have none," reports Ethan H., who found the campground "extremely busy with lots of partying-like noise" despite not being fully booked.
Beach access considerations: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting beach accessibility. "Needed to buy a ladder to reach the water from our site," mentions Marcy S. about her experience at Springfield, where many sites have beaches with red earth shorelines.
Gate closures: Some parks lock entrance gates at night while allowing exit. "The campground has a gate that gets locked at 10 pm. You can leave but you can't come back into the campground after the gate gets locked," warns Amanda W. about South Cove County Park.
Wildlife presence: Expect to see deer, rabbits, and various bird species. Some parks post bear warnings, though sightings are rare. "We saw deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and many salamanders," reports one camper about the regional wildlife.
Tips for camping with families
Playground locations: South Cove County Park features several play areas within walking distance of campsites. "There are several large play areas in walking distance," notes Kelli P., who visited with her family and found the campground "family friendly, well maintained."
Safe swimming spots: Look for dedicated beach areas with gradual entry points. "There is a really nice sandy beach area for swimming," recommends Cheryl W. about South Cove County Park, perfect for children who need shallow water.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Select parks with paved roads for cycling. "Great to see kids riding bikes and running outside," Rachel G. observed at Tallulah Gorge State Park, which offers relatively flat campground roads despite the surrounding terrain.
Goose awareness: Keep food secured to avoid attracting wildlife. "Don't feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything! Including the picnic table!" warns Roxy M. about her experience at South Cove.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Many sites have limited space for larger rigs. "Not big rig friendly. I have a 43ft 5th Wheel and it was very tight navigating through the park," cautions 5Dudes about their Tugaloo State Park stay.
Utilities available: Most lakefront sites offer water and electric hookups without sewer connections. "There is no sewer at sites but water and electric up to 50amp," explains Talia R. about her stay at Big Water Marina & RV Park.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require blocks for proper leveling. "Needed to slightly block up rear of our class A to get level," shares Paul Z. about Sadlers Creek State Park, adding "could be a little more level" despite the otherwise excellent experience.
Dump stations: Convenient facilities are available at park exits for end-of-stay waste disposal. "Dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out," notes Kevin A. about his Tugaloo State Park experience.
