John w. M.
Scout
ScoutSumter National Forest Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
It's primitive, but it is a nice spot. Price is Right. $7 or $3.50 with pass.
Dog-Friendly Camping near J. Strom Thurmond Lake, GA
7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Mistletoe State Park Campground and Ridge Road Campground permit pets throughout their waterfront sites on J. Strom Thurmond Lake. All established campgrounds in the area maintain pet-friendly policies with standard leash requirements. Campers can select from various accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and pet-friendly cabins at Mistletoe State Park and Pointes West Army Resort. Elijah Clark State Park Campground and Bussey Point Wilderness Area offer additional pet-friendly options with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Petersburg Campground provides electric hookups and water access for pets and owners. Most campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal, though specific restrictions vary by location. The campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean facilities with roomy sites spaced well apart from each other.
Bussey Point Wilderness Area features primitive waterfront campsites ideal for pets who enjoy swimming, with all sites positioned right on the water with clear lake access. The 12-mile horse trail provides excellent dog walking opportunities throughout the peninsula. Ridge Road's spacious waterfront sites offer plenty of room for pets to relax while still maintaining appropriate distance between neighboring campers. Pointes West Army Resort accommodates pets in both their cabin and camping areas, though some visitors note proximity to neighbors can be close in certain sections. Most campgrounds provide easy lake access for dogs who enjoy swimming, with Mistletoe State Park offering particularly good water entry points. Temperatures during summer months can become extremely hot, so campers should ensure pets have adequate shade and water. Wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping pets leashed protects both the animals and local wildlife populations.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near J. Strom Thurmond Lake (74)
1. Mistletoe State Park Campground
"Surrounded by water. Camping and boating paradise. Immaculate grounds and facilities. Water and electric and gray water dumps at each site. Washer and dryer."
"Mistletoe State Park is another great Georgia State Park."
42 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $12 - $175 / night
2. Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"We had Site 60 that had western views along the J Strom Thurmond Lake. The site was very level and was a pull through with a gravel base."
"Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake Campground: Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy - after the trailer is in the spot"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $50 / night
3. Elijah Clark State Park Campground
"Trails to hike, dog friendly, canoes and kayaks for rent and close enough to a town to drive in to if you tire of campfire meals and want a really good margarita or need a grocery store to grab anything"
"Large sites and large open yard behind it, great for dogs to run and kids to play!"
107 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $250 / night
4. Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Winfield Campground is located on the Little River near Mistletoe State Park on J. Strom Thurmond Lake."
"Winfield is a compartively little-known USACE campground situated on a peninsula near the more heavily-traffic Mistletoe State Park."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 / night
5. Modoc - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Dogs aren’t allowed on beach area but we found our own great spot within the park that allowed them to swim and cool off with us!"
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $64 / night
6. Ridge Road Campground at J Strom Thurmond Lake
"Pets allowed. Playground and beaches. Fish cleaning station. Boat ramp. Dump station."
"Easy walk down to the water, lovely breeze, quiet. We were close to the ADA bathhouse that was immaculate."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $64 / night
7. Hawe Creek - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"The campground is situated on Strom Thurmond Lake. The campground is run by the Army Corp of Engineers. There is a boat launh and fishing pier near by Dorn Fishing Facility."
"Every site has an awesome view and easy access to the water - wth tons of privacy between sites!"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $32 / night
8. 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."
9. Pointes West Army Resort
"We as in myself, my 2 year old little girl and our 2 dogs). We decided to camp out for the 4th instead of going to watch fire works. Camp grounds weren’t too terribly over crowded when we arrived."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $7 - $25 / night
10. Big Hart Campground - J Strom Thurmond Lake
"That was SO nice when coming in the dark and dog tired. Sites are large, well spaced and on the lake. Wi-Fi not bad, campground less than 10 minutes off interstate yet super quiet, no road noise."
"Loved the big well laid out sites right on the lake. Woods between sites so neighbors were at a distance. Beautiful view of the lake. Quiet. Bathroom uphill but not too far."
Drive Time
- 35 min from Augusta, GA
- 1 hr 18 min from Athens, GA
- 1 hr 51 min from Greenville, SC
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near J. Strom Thurmond Lake
46 Photos of 74 J. Strom Thurmond Lake Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pointes West Army ResortB
Bussey Point Wilderness Area
Mistletoe State Park Campground
Petersburg
Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake
Modoc - J Strom Thurmond LakeJ
Clay Hill Campground
Hawe Creek - J Strom Thurmond Lake
Plum Branch RV ParkA
Elijah Clark State Park Campground
Big Hart Campground - J Strom Thurmond LakeJ
Broad River Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near J. Strom Thurmond Lake
479 Reviews of 74 J. Strom Thurmond Lake Campgrounds
- R
Richard A.
RangerPetersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake
Another COE park in need of upgrades and a little TLC.
Petersburg is a campground with million dollar views that has become a forgotten asset of the federal government.
The property is mostly overgrown and landscape maintenance appears to be a forgotten concept, like bathhouse maintenance.
On a positive note it has been reported that the government is approving funds to restart the modernization of these once great recreation locations.
Naryamie H.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.
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.Ranger
Ridge 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.
Guide to J. Strom Thurmond Lake
J. Strom Thurmond Lake spans 71,000 acres with over 1,000 miles of shoreline across Georgia and South Carolina. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with summer levels typically 10-15 feet higher than winter levels. Camping options range from primitive sites at Bussey Point Wilderness Area to full-service RV sites at Petersburg Campground, with most campgrounds open April through September.
What to do
Hiking Bartram Trail: Access the trail directly from Petersburg Campground, which offers excellent mountain biking opportunities as well. "Bartram Trail, terrific mountain for biking and hiking passes through the property. Some of the sites are stellar," notes Todd C.
Horseback riding: The 12-mile trail at Bussey Point Wilderness Area caters specifically to equestrian campers. "Bussey Point is primarily for equestrians. The campsites have pre-installed horse hitches and plenty of room to move a horse trailer," explains cody S. The campground features dedicated sites with horse hitches and open spaces for trailers.
Kayaking and canoeing: Rent equipment at Elijah Clark State Park Campground or bring your own. "Our boys kayaked all weekend," shares April B. about Ridge Road Campground. The calm waters in protected coves make this lake ideal for paddling, especially during weekday mornings when motorboat traffic is minimal.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Ridge Road Campground offers generously sized lakefront sites. "These sites are all good sized lots and not on top of each other. Beautiful views of the easily accessible lake, a boat ramp and a park all round out this nice little getaway spot," says Ivan C.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the area maintain excellent standards. At Mistletoe State Park, "Great site 49, awesome views. Comfort stations close and clean. Lots of water activities," reports Stephanie K. Petersburg Campground offers "flush and vault toilets, drinking water, a dump station, playground and boat ramp."
Fishing opportunities: The lake provides excellent bass, crappie, and catfish fishing. "Free fishing pole for kids," mentions Amy C. about Mistletoe State Park. At Hawe Creek Campground, "The campground is situated on Strom Thurmond Lake... There is a boat launch and fishing pier near by Dorn Fishing Facility. Every site is on the water," notes Debbie P.
What you should know
Water access varies by site: At Winfield Campground, "There is a retaining wall at the water so it's about a 3" step to the water. We plan to bring a step ladder next time," advises Thomas. Some sites have easy water entry while others require navigating rocks or steeper banks.
Ants can be problematic: Multiple reviewers mention ant issues during summer months. "Need to use something for ants or you will be covered up in them, including from limbs touching," warns Swain K. about Hawe Creek Campground. Bring appropriate ant control measures during warmer months.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal privacy or views. "We did not end up with a great site. It was on the water but the view was not great. I feel ridiculous saying that there were too many trees but they were all along the edge and completely blocked the view of the lake," reports Jaiden W. about Petersburg Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Best swimming areas: Ridge Road Campground provides designated swimming beaches with gradual entry points. "Great beach area as well. One of our favorites!" notes April B. Raysville Campground offers shallow water access ideal for younger children with less boat traffic than main lake areas.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. "The park had a great store selling souvenirs, ice, firewood, worms for fishing. Campground staff and host were very friendly," shares Rachel G. about Mistletoe State Park. Petersburg Campground has both playground equipment and beach areas accessible to campers.
Kid-friendly amenities: Elijah Clark State Park offers family-oriented activities. "The kiddos enjoyed playing putt putt, the playground and the beach area. There is also plenty of history to see, experience and learn about," explains Bill C.
Tips for RVers
Pull-through availability: Winfield Campground features spacious pull-through sites. "Site 74 is right between the beach and the boating dock. Very large pull thru," notes Tanya S. Mistletoe State Park also offers pull-through sites in the 60-90 loop with both water views and shade.
Hookup details: Petersburg Campground provides electric hookups but no sewer connections at individual sites. "We stayed in site #19... it has 50/30 amp service and water. There's no sewer hookup... dump station only," explains Carrie G. Plan accordingly for longer stays and check which amperage is available at specific sites.
Access considerations: Raysville Campground offers easier navigation for larger rigs. "The spots were nice, large, most waterfront, with power and water," shares Kenneth P. Ridge Road Campground notes that "the roads leading here are quite comfortable for our 37' motorcoach as are the roads inside the grounds."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near J. Strom Thurmond Lake is Mistletoe State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near J. Strom Thurmond Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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