Lakeside camping dominates the options near Maxeys, Georgia, where the 70,000-acre J. Strom Thurmond Lake creates over 1,000 miles of shoreline perfect for water activities. The region sits within Georgia's Piedmont area with moderate elevations between 400-600 feet, creating rolling hills and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Winter camping remains popular with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though summer humidity can make tent camping uncomfortable without proper site selection.
What to do
Fishing with rentals: At Oconee River Campground, fishing remains the primary draw on this secluded waterway. "Camped out here I really like it just remember it is primitive camping so bring what you need cell phone service was good here i would camp out here again," notes Rodney M., highlighting the basic but functional atmosphere.
Paddling on multiple waterways: Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake offers excellent water access with most sites directly on the water. "Beautiful campground! Our site right on the water. Very clean and well kept. Very friendly," says Lauren W. The lake provides calm waters ideal for beginners with rental options available seasonally.
Historical exploration: A. H. Stephens State Park Campground features significant Civil War history beyond just outdoor recreation. "The park is the home of the VP of the Confederacy and features his home and Civil War artifacts (check for open hours)," shares Norris K., pointing out historical elements beyond typical camping amenities.
Golfing options: Richard B Russell State Park includes an 18-hole golf course with reasonable rates between $30-45 depending on day and time. "Plenty of boat ramps, beach, golf course," notes Sonyia W., highlighting the diverse recreational options beyond just camping.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Hamburg State Park Campground receives high marks for secluded sites. "Great get away for nothing but quietness. No internet, no nothing. Just a peaceful lake escaping reality. Almost every campsite is on the lake but 3 spots," shares Todd L., emphasizing the remote feeling despite established facilities.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites at many area campgrounds. At Winfield, "The sites are enormous, private, and provide panoramic lake views. Ours was perfect... The site has a fire ring with grill, a standing grill, a picnic table, and a prep table. Again, the site is enormous," explains Greg S.
Walk-in options: Fort Yargo State Park Campground offers walk-in sites for those seeking more seclusion. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground," recommends Amalia K.
Swimming beaches: Mistletoe State Park features one of the area's best swimming areas with a dedicated beach. "Great site 49, awesome views. Comfort stations close and clean. Lots of water activities," mentions Stephanie K., highlighting the blend of camping and water recreation.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Most state parks have recently upgraded facilities, but capacity can be an issue at busier parks. Richard B Russell State Park has "only one bathhouse for the campers and only 2 showers and 3 potty's in there for all 28 campsites," warns Jennifer K., which creates morning bottlenecks during peak season.
Limited cell service: While glamping close to Maxeys, Georgia might suggest modern amenities, connectivity remains spotty. Oconee River Campground has decent service, but many parks have limited coverage. Hamburg State Park notably has virtually no connectivity, making it "Great get away for nothing but quietness. No internet, no nothing," according to Todd L.
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Mistletoe State Park Campground experiences significant water level changes that affect camping. "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," advises Andy S. about the backcountry sites.
Reservations essential: During peak seasons (April-October), weekend camping near Maxeys requires advance planning. Elijah Clark State Park fills quickly with waterfront sites booking 3-6 months ahead. "We arrived on a Saturday morning to reserve a walkin site that was available online. Paid for the site at the office only to arrive at the site and see that it was already taken, along with all the others," reports Amber W.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for younger campers. At Hamburg State Park, "There is a nice shaded playground with a horseshoe pit," notes Cathy C., making it ideal for families needing activity options beyond water recreation.
Kid-friendly fishing: Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities with minimal boat traffic. "This campground is now site-specific (meaning that you reserve a specific site prior to arrival) and this worked perfectly for us because we're familiar with the best sites! We grabbed site 43 because it is close to the bath house but very private!" shares George & Patty C.
Swimming options: Winfield Campground includes a dedicated swimming area separate from boat traffic. "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," says Tanya S.
Mini-golf availability: Hard Labor Creek features a mini-golf course perfect for family entertainment. "This is a great campground with lots of activities. There is a putt putt (mini golf) course. You can rent kayaks and kayak in the lake. They offered a kayak by moonlight group tour that was fun," explains Maethea R.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Elijah Clark campers note that many sites don't position hookups ideally. "Several things turn me off of this campground... many of the sites did't take advantage of the view of the lake by having the hookups on the 'wrong' side of the site," cautions Kara's C., suggesting careful site selection for RVers wanting to maximize views.
Construction transitions: Country Boys RV Park (now Georgia RV Park) has undergone renovation to become a KOA property. "As of right now, they are in the middle of construction to transfer over to a KOA campground. So, it's kind of noisy during working hours," warned Amber H., though recent reviews indicate improvements are complete.
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, Hamburg State Park provides several pull-through sites. "We had site #6. Campground was very quiet, relaxing. Campground has 30 sites and was full the weekend of our visit," shares Roger L., emphasizing the peaceful atmosphere despite full capacity.
Grey water solutions: Fort Yargo addresses the lack of full hookups creatively. "Great campground, near shopping and restaurants. Great hiking trail around the lake. No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground," notes Judi P., a convenient feature for extended stays.
