J. Strom Thurmond Lake spans 71,000 acres with over 1,000 miles of shoreline across Georgia and South Carolina. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, ranging from full pool at 330 feet above sea level in spring to lower levels in late summer and fall. Camping options range from tent-only walk-in sites to full-service RV pads, with many sites offering direct lake access for swimming and boating.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The lake supports diverse fish populations including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and striped bass. At Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake, anglers can fish directly from their campsites. "Winfield is a compartively little-known USACE campground situated on a peninsula near the more heavily-traffic Mistletoe State Park. Quiet and peaceful, it's tucked up the Little River and therefore not on the main body of Clarks Hill Lake which sees a good deal of boat traffic in the summer months," notes one camper.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer trail networks with varying difficulty levels. The Rock Dam Trail near Mistletoe State Park provides a challenging experience with potential water crossings during spring months. One hiker described the trail as "moderately strenuous with a fair amount of ups & downs and parts where you are in a very narrow ravine. If the water crossings really involved water (as they do in the spring apparently) it would be even more strenuous."
Water activities: The lake supports multiple recreation options beyond swimming. At Raysville Campground, visitors can enjoy kayaking and boating directly from the campground. "Not many sites but what they have are nice. Bath houses are ok and staff is laid back," notes one camper who appreciated the more secluded feel of this location compared to busier areas of the lake.
What campers like
Lakefront access: Many campsites provide direct waterfront locations. At Hickory Knob, campers appreciate the proximity to the water. "Site 18 had great water access. Beach is made of clay so be sure to wear shoes unless you don't mind red feet," advises one visitor, highlighting the practical considerations of the red clay shoreline common in this region.
Spacious sites: The Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Thurmond Lake typically offer larger camping pads than average. One camper at Baker Creek noted, "Each of the campsites come with the standard amenities: brand new picnic tables, easy-open grill covered fire circles and what looked to be newly installed water spigots."
Wildlife viewing: The forested shoreline supports diverse wildlife populations. Early mornings and evenings provide the best viewing opportunities for deer and waterfowl. "Outside the campground, there's really beautiful foliage everywhere you look and plenty of nature creeping out to take a peek at you (several deer, raccoons and snakes were spotted)," reports a Baker Creek visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Water levels can drop significantly by late summer. A Baker Creek visitor observed, "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 fifty feet of mud to get to it and you'd probably get swallowed or it would really suck anyway. So save #3 for the springtime only I think."
Shower facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Elijah Clark State Park Campground, "The bathrooms with shower stalls have AC and heat no matter the time of year you go," according to a camper who appreciated this amenity during cooler weather camping.
Limited services: Most campgrounds around the lake have minimal shopping options. A camper at Hickory Knob State Park Resort noted, "It's a long way to everywhere here. But they have it all. Golf, swimming, axe throwing, archery, skeet shooting. Trails for hiking/biking. Nice sites close to the lake. Shower house is just adequate, barely."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with gradually sloping shorelines. Winfield Campground includes a dedicated beach area near the playground. "Nice camp site. Site 74 is right between the beach an the boating dock. Very large pull thru. Love how it was super private compared to the many other campgrounds I've been to," reports one family visitor.
Recreation rentals: Many glamping locations near J. Strom Thurmond Lake provide equipment rentals. At Untamed Honey Glampsites, visitors can focus on fishing without bringing their own gear. One visitor mentioned catching "fifteen fish and whose counting? Not to mention the 'BIG ONE' that got away on our last day!"
Off-site activities: When weather turns unfavorable, nearby towns offer alternatives. A Baker Creek visitor suggested, "When we got hit hard by rain one night just before I was about to get the chicken skewers on the grill, the rain didn't look as though it was going to let up, so we headed into town instead and went to Michelle's - which was one-part 'hole-in-the-wall' Italian joint and one-part go-go dive bar."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Full-service sites with water, electric and sewer connections are limited around the lake. At Heritage RV Park near Augusta, "All sites are back in but very big so easy to get in. Great wifi. Streaming was no problem. Simple but had everything and was clean."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Baker Creek, a visitor cautioned, "There are some incredibly bad roads, complete with 3rd world pot holes. I would advise on driving slowly throughout."
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely around the lake basin. At Plum Branch RV Park, one RVer tested multiple carriers and reported: "Cricket: 7.98dn, 0.84up; ATT: 27.69, 0.3 up; Visible: 7.2dn, 1.2up; Verizon: 44.9dn, 1.88 up; T-mobile mifi: no 4g nor 5G service."
