Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Hartwell Lake

Springfield Campground is one of Hartwell’s most popular camping destinations consisting of 60 acres of primarily Virginia pine and some mixed hardwoods. The area presently offers 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 79 public campsites with full water and electric hookups, 6 comfort stations (4 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 3 playgrounds, 1 designated swim area/beach, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.

The area presently offers 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 79 public campsites with full water and electric hookups, 6 comfort stations (4 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 3 playgrounds, 1 designated swim area/beach, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.

Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. The dam and lake area boasts 8 campgrounds and 11 day-use facilities that are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Hartwell Project was originally authorized for hydro-power, flood control, and navigation. Later, recreation, water quality, water supply and fish and wildlife management were added. Surrounding vegetation allows for plenty of shade, and the 962 miles of shoreline provide numerous swimming beaches, picnic areas and boat ramps.

Fishing is one of the most popular activities at the lake. Sought-after species include largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass and hybrid bass.

The lake appeals to boaters of all kinds, whether their specialty is canoeing, sailing or motor boating. Coves and areas of quiet water provide water skiers with excellent surfaces.

Swimmers will find sand beaches and designated swim areas along the shoreline.

Very pretty campground in the fall. Operators live onsite and were friendly. Full connections and no issues leveling. Easy in/out and close to Greenville, Paris Mountain, Travelers Rest, Swamp Rabbit Trail etc. Bathhouses were very clean, but the lights are on motion detectors which weren’t sensitive enough to pick you up in the shower. We both had a couple moments of total darkness to contend with. A camp cat hung around our site at times and loved the heat coming out of our furnace. We don’t have pets so didn’t mind. Cell coverage was great (att & Verizon), so we had no issues working our 9-5s. Love the bubbling creek next to our site, which was so pretty from our back window. We’d definitely stay again.

Wow, Oconee Point in South Carolina is one of my favorite camping spots for me. I absolutely love this place, and have been coming here ever since I was little. This place holds such a special place in my heart. Hartwell Lake is gorgeous!! When we come and stay here, I spend most of my day here on the lake. I love to kayak and canoe on the lake. More times than not I am up and going at around 6:30am, and I start my day on the lake. It is so peaceful and quite in the mornings, I love it!! Another thing I love about this campground is that the campsite are very large. In the summer months this campground is very busy- so the large campsites makes you feel like it isn't AS busy. There is enough room between each campsite that you don't feel like you are intruding on another campsite! The campground is also very clean, and there are some rangers and attendants available which is also really helpful. We have asked the rangers in the past about hikes around the area. They have definitely been extremely helpful and have pointed us in the right direction. There are some really great hikes nearby that range from easy to difficult. I would suggest doing research ahead of time, or asking one of the attendants about the hikes in the area. Just so you do a hike that fits your needs. I don't remember what campsites we have stayed at, but we try and get as close to the water as possible. This just makes for a beautiful view, and easy to get our water activities in the lake. I would definitely suggest bringing any water toys you have. Again, I love kayaking/canoeing but we always see people in the lake with floaties or in tubes. I would suggest brining bug spray too- the mosquitoes are always annoying!

Because of the courteous staff and campers, nice events offered, beautiful area, nice pool, dog park, and spa amenities, I gave this campground a 4.  However, after being assured our lot along 246 would be quiet, I was quite disappointed and got poor sleep.  Lots of road noise.  Would not stay near 246 again.  Also, very frustrated with the almost non-existent Wifi.  Couldn't download much of anything or post anything or watch anything.  If you advertise Wifi, it should have much better coverage throughout the campground and inside the RVs.  You could pay to upgrade, but I couldn't access that and felt it wasn't right to do such.  The creeks are a disappointment.  Yes, they are there, but not really scenic or accessible or made to be scenic and accessible by clearing areas or putting park benches up etc.  I recommend staying far from 246, asking what areas are better for WiFI, and take advantage of the amenities and the outside beauty of the area around.

Stayed here in July 2020. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. There is no cell service. It's pet friendly. No water or electric hookups. Bathrooms are toilet only and no running water or temperature control.

There's the facts. Now on to the good stuff.

The road to get to some of these sites is ROUGH. Definitely not a road to drive for those who aren't skilled in off road driving.

We stayed in one of the back sites near the creek (I can't recall the number). Most of the sites were VERY secluded. We could see our neighbors in the distance, but not very well.

Some of the sites are HUGE. Ours was one of those large ones.

There are bugs everywhere. Make sure you know how to set up your site to repel bugs!

This campground has it all - fishing, hiking, waterfalls, wildlife, etc. It's a primitive camper's dream!