Tent sites at Lake Hartwell State Park Campground sit directly on the waterfront with dedicated beaches for many sites. The shoreline offers varying access options, from stepped terraces at sites 1-26 in Tugaloo to private sandy beaches in Twin Lakes. Camping options range from basic tent-only platforms at Victoria Bryant to full-hookup RV sites at Carolina Landing. Most campgrounds operate year-round, though Paynes Creek closes from November through February, allowing summer visitors to take advantage of multiple swimming beaches.
What to do
Waterfront activities at beaches: Twin Lakes offers multiple designated swimming areas with playgrounds adjacent to the water. "We spent most of the day there, and the weather (late August) was perfect! The playground is big, but the kids MOST enjoyed the 'rock slide' in the creek," wrote one visitor about Victoria Bryant State Park's creek swimming spot.
Trail exploration at Tallulah Gorge: The 1,000+ stairs leading to the canyon floor provide a challenging day hike. "Taking in Goat on the roof, just a short distance down the road as a touristy stop must see!!" recommends a Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground visitor. The suspension bridge crossing offers unique views of the cascading falls.
Golfing near campsites: Victoria Bryant features a golf course directly adjacent to camping areas. "If you're a golfer, there is a BEAUTIFUL golf course here as well!" notes a visitor to Victoria Bryant State Park Campground. Many campers combine a weekend of camping with morning tee times at the state park course.
What campers like
Private lake access points: Many sites at Twin Lakes offer direct water entry from individual campsites. "Able to kayak right from campsite. Campground has over 100 sites. None of the lake front were bad, some were low level, some had fenced railing with a little drop," reports a Tugaloo State Park Campground visitor.
Covered tent platforms: Victoria Bryant offers unique sheltered tent platforms with electricity. "All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry)," explains one regular visitor who considers it their most frequented camping spot.
Level, spacious camping pads: Springfield's sites accommodate larger setups with room to spread out. "Site was in a hill looking down at the lake. Large tent site that easily fit two 4 person tents as well as a picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of trees to put up hammocks," notes a visitor to Coneross Park Campground.
What you should know
Site reservation strategy: Waterfront sites book quickly, especially in summer months. "A great campground. Lots of spacious campsites. Lots of choices. We were lakeside on a pull through that was a bit short for us. The site was amazing we could kayak up to our site," reports a Tugaloo visitor. Reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance for peak season.
Variable shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer full bath facilities. "The bath houses are well kept but many of the sites are far away. The roads are wide and easily navigable for the most part, but in a couple areas very tight turns are necessary (sites 39-52)," notes a Coneross camper about the facilities.
Shoreline conditions vary: Lake levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting water access. "Some sites have little beaches for access to the water. Others have rocks if you want to make your way down those. Mine had rocks covered with wire that's been cut or broken so wasn't taking my chances there," explains a Springfield - Hartwell Lake camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple lake campgrounds feature playgrounds near beaches. "The campground doesn't offer much in way of amenities, but you'll forget about that once you set up camp and relax by the campfire, roasting a s'more while watching the sun set over the lake," explains a visitor about Coneross Park's simple but effective family setup.
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Twin Lakes provides shallow entry points ideal for younger children. "We swam almost all day every day we were here. The lake is beautiful, there are plenty of places to swim, and tons of shoreline to explore. The playground is very nice," shares a Sadlers Creek State Park Campground visitor.
Nature programming: Some parks offer seasonal ranger activities for children. "The park was clean and the personnel was friendly and helpful. We had to leave that morning, but are looking forward to going back and discovering more about it. What a happy surprise Victoria Bryant State Park was," mentions a visitor who unexpectedly discovered the park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some lakefront sites require significant leveling equipment. "I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling. That was a first for us, and hope we never have to do that again. The hill getting up to our site was steep," cautions a visitor to Thousand Trails Carolina Landing.
Campground navigation: Several campgrounds have tight interior roads. "The lower section of the park is tight and can be difficult to get into a site, roads are very narrow," notes a Carolina Landing visitor. Similarly, another RVer warns, "When you enter the park make sure you stay to the left of the sign. We made the mistake of going straight our first time at this park and almost lost our 5th wheel at the turn around by the lake."
Utility hookup locations: Water and electric locations can vary widely between sites. "No sewer hookups but water, electric and cable tv connections. No sites with sewer, but dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out," explains a Tugaloo camper about the campground facilities.
