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.
Tent Camping near Washington, GA
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Tent campgrounds around Washington, Georgia provide lake-oriented camping opportunities with several options located within 30-40 miles of town. Leroys Ferry Campground, situated on Clarks Hill Lake (Strom Thurmond Reservoir), offers waterfront tent sites with basic amenities and natural settings. The Washington Grass Inn provides a more developed camping experience with tent sites that include amenities like drinking water and electric hookups.
Most tent campsites in the Washington area are primitive with varying levels of facilities. Leroys Ferry features pit toilets that reviewers note are "kept very clean," but campers need to bring their own water and pack out all trash. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 nightly fee collected via drop box. Surface conditions typically include natural terrain with minimal site preparation, and most campsites include fire rings and picnic tables. Several campgrounds have seasonal limitations, like Fell Hunt Camp which operates from mid-September through early January.
Tent campers frequently cite waterfront access as a primary draw for camping in the region. Sites at Leroys Ferry are approximately 100 feet from the water, providing convenient lake access for swimming and fishing. The area offers good site spacing and relative seclusion compared to more developed campgrounds. A visitor commented, "I would recommend this to anyone looking for an affordable, secluded campground in the area." Raysville Marina also receives positive reviews for tent camping, though amenities are limited. Areas farther from population centers typically offer greater solitude, with one camper noting they were "the only camper there while all the other sites were packed" during a holiday weekend at Leroys Ferry.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Washington (12)
1. Raysville Marina
2. Leroys Ferry
"10 bucks a night, sites spaced far enough apart to be comfortable, waterfront, not over crowded. I think it is worth the drive over some of the more crowded places."
"Sites are only a hundred feet or so from the lake, so I threw up a hammock and watched the sunset over the water and spent time during the day swimming."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Soap Creek Marina
4. Clarks Hill
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
5. The Washington Grass Inn
Check Availabilityfrom $50 / night
6. Morrow Bridge Seasonal Hunt Camp
7. Fell Hunt Camp
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $150 / night
8. Clarks Hill Training Center
9. Parksville
Check Availabilityfrom $125 / night
10. Back to Nature Garden Center
Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
Drive Time
- 48 min from Athens, GA
- 50 min from Augusta, GA
- 1 hr 36 min from Gainesville, GA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Washington, GA
1 Photos of 12 Washington Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Washington, GA
538 Reviews of 12 Washington Campgrounds
- T
Ted H.
GuideHard Labor Creek State Park Campground
We went over the Halloween weekend. What great fun. Lots of events for families and kids. Even us retired people got into the spirit! Sites were well maintained with space between sites. Bathrooms were clean all the time. Cell service was at best 2 bars on all networks. But that’s okay. Fall colors were abundant. If you had a small boat, canoe or kayak the lake is perfect for fishing or just enjoying. The only drawback was some road noise from Fairplay road. Otherwise I can’t say enough of how much we liked this park. Site 16 October.
- RRichard 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.
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.Guide
Hamburg 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 Washington
Tent camping near Washington, Georgia centers primarily around Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Strom Thurmond Reservoir. This 71,000-acre reservoir spans the Georgia-South Carolina border, with numerous primitive camping options located within a 40-mile radius of Washington. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through August, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for most visitors.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Soap Creek Marina provides convenient lake access with a $5 boat launch fee. One camper notes, "There's a small restaurant located onsite along with a small store. Nice walking trails which makes this a great getaway spot."
Waterfront relaxation: Leroys Ferry offers direct lake access with sites positioned near the water. A camper shares: "Stayed here over the Fourth of July and I was the only camper there while all the other sites were packed. Sites are only a hundred feet or so from the lake, so I threw up a hammock and watched the sunset over the water and spent time during the day swimming."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds around Washington maintain walking paths through wooded areas. The trails at Back to Nature Garden Center create an isolated feel despite urban proximity, with one visitor noting, "Small campground almost downtown but the dense woods make you feel like you're in the country. There's a family dollar next door if you forget anything."
What campers like
Affordability: Cost-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at lakeside campgrounds. A camper at Leroys Ferry states, "$10 bucks a night, sites spaced far enough apart to be comfortable, waterfront, not over crowded. I think it is worth the drive over some of the more crowded places."
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain basic amenities. A visitor to Clarks Hill remarked simply: "Very clean park. Great fishing."
Group camping options: Fell Hunt Camp provides circular camping arrangements ideal for groups. According to one camper: "We stayed here for one night while traveling and it was perfect for what we needed. 20+ campsites in a circle for tent campers and some additional ones on the side for equestrian campers and their horses. The water in the spouts is well water and delicious. Would be a great spot for some group camping!"
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds around Washington operate with minimal facilities. At Leroys Ferry, a camper advises: "First come first serve, bring exact money because it's just a drop box. It's primitive camping so bring your own water, no electricity. No trash dumpster either so be prepared to pack if out."
Seasonal operations: Hunting-focused campgrounds have restricted availability. Fell Hunt Camp and Morrow Bridge Seasonal Hunt Camp operate only from September 14 through January 4, coinciding with hunting seasons.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. One Leroys Ferry camper reported: "Cell service was spotty on Verizon but I was able to get and receive calls and a few txts although they seemed very delayed."
Litter concerns: Some sites require camper vigilance regarding cleanliness. A visitor noted about one campground: "Only complaint is that it seems to attract people inclined to leave a lot of garbage. I filled a bag before I even set up camp."
Tips for camping with families
Marina amenities: Raysville Marina offers tent camping with convenient access to marina facilities. A camper shares, "Absolutely love this place. However hard to get a spot because so many people pay monthly and leave there campers. Staff is wonderful. No bathhouse."
Fishing with children: Clarks Hill provides productive fishing opportunities appropriate for families. One visitor simply states, "Great fishing."
Space between sites: Campgrounds with adequate spacing between sites provide privacy for families. At Leroys Ferry, a camper comments, "Each site has a pick nick table and fire ring, a few had charcoal grills on stands but not all."
Well water access: For extended stays with children, Fell Hunt Camp offers potable well water. A camper notes, "The water in the spouts is well water and delicious."
Tips from RVers
Limited levelness: While RVs can access most sites, prepare for some grading work. A camper at Leroys Ferry reports: "You can fit an RV on most sites, although they aren't all completely level."
Equestrian accommodations: Fell Hunt Camp provides dedicated areas for equestrian campers. According to a visitor: "20+ campsites in a circle for tent campers and some additional ones on the side for equestrian campers and their horses."
Site navigation: Most campgrounds feature straightforward access roads. At Leroys Ferry, a camper mentions: "It's clean with easy access and most sites are very easy to navigate."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Washington, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Washington, GA is Raysville Marina with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Washington, GA?
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