Hamilton Branch State Park Campground

We had a couple night stay here but left after one night. So the spots all have amazing views of the lake and the sunrise/sunsets and you can walk to the water from the sites. The bathrooms are clean but very spaced apart so our site at 91 online looked near the restroom but was not. The spots all around us had multiple cars/boats/trucks and was packed. So noise was an issue and not feeling safe to walk all the way to the restroom alone. The forest around the park was demolished with trees laying everywhere and we never saw one park ranger checking the campgrounds or driving around. I imagine a good place if you’re just wanting to camp and fish.

So many huge and private campsites right on the lake! If you need help finding the best campsite for yourself or your group, call the office directly and they will suggest a site. Kayak rental is available - they will deliver a one- or two-person kayak, along with paddles and correct-size lifejackets (with whistle), right to your lakeside campsite. The hike-in sites at "The Point" have big roll carts to help you get your stuff to those sites. I have tent camped at many SC state parks, but this on is THE BEST! I have tent camped here in several different months and at several different campsites.

4 families in 4 campers on a first time visit. Great place! If you want to come for solitude then the “sights”provide that for sure. Park staff very helpful and friendly. Definitely a do over. Only downside was we didn’t realize water level was down. Didn’t affect the views but trodding the mud to get to the water made kayaking a little challenging.

The site is right on the lake with a wide trail leading directly to the water. The water was low during our trip so the immediate shoreline was a bit squishy going through the damp clay. I’d recommend water shoes. The shade provided by the trees was a welcome respite from the summer heat. It also provided ample privacy from neighbors on either side. Neighboring sites are spread out nicely. The area across the road from the site is undeveloped and recently cleared for forest maintenance but still looks nice. This campground loop is very quiet.

Had a great time. Beautiful views from campsite, clean bathroom, loved the General store. Will go back

The app is making my life more easy

Every campsite is on the lake!

Fun place to stay

We had a wonderful weekend. There are a ton of campsites at this park however they are spaced very well. Plenty of room between sites. Almost all sites are on the lake. Bathrooms were dated but clean.

This is a huge state park.  I don't think we even saw a third of it.  The sites are big and spread out.  We had sites 73-76 on campground F and did not feel like we were on top of anyone.  

We went in late March and the kids splashed in the water a little at our campsites, but it was still a little cold. 

There is plenty of trees for shade, hammocks, drying line, and lights.

There is a short nature hike that was walking distance from our site.  It is not a rigorous hike, but the kids enjoyed it.  

The bathrooms were very clean, but not all sites are close to a bathouse.  We would ride our bikes, but you saw people driving golf carts or cars to the bathhouses.  If you need to be close to a bathhouse, be extra vigilant when choosing your site (maybe even give the rangers a call).

Bro just go I enjoyed it so much it was so peaceful for me I had my own shoreline and all it was heaven to me

The park was very well kept including the campgrounds and the bathroom facilities. We stayed in the 162-165 area and the views were breathtaking. There were a few campers who didn’t follow the quiet hours, but we’d still return 100%.

Fun place to visit. Very clean.

Awesome place to visit. Clean restrooms. Very private layout. Great water access. The staff at the gate are friendly. Cool little store with lots of souvenirs.

Almost every site is Lake Front! It was so peaceful and the bathrooms I swear were cleaned every hour. Nice hiking path loop great for family, playgrounds, and the lake access is awesome! Super friendly hosts, easily my favorite SC State park!

This State Park is large with camping for everyone, RV’s, tent camping. On lake Thurmond between Plum S. C. And Modoc S. C. On hey 28.

We camped at Hamilton Branch for a week, Monday-Sunday. The campground was quiet and lovely during the week, however Friday snd Saturday nights were loud-Several folks partied very late into the night (2:00am) with loud music, loud voices, etc. On the positive side: The lake was great, and we had a nice little beach right at our campsite in a calm cove. We spent the week floating, paddle boarding, and canoeing. Our grandsons spent every day in the water. The campground roads are very narrow in spots, and some campsites are quite sloped, so try to look at pictures before choosing a spot. There were very few bathhouses and we had a fairly long walk to get there. The restrooms were adequate.

Two sites share a common drive and it’s very difficult to get into and out of your site without using the other site’s parking area! At least for a novice to trailer camping. Our site was overrun with sugar ants. They were on and in everything! Pretty lake but I won’t go there again

Stayed at hamilton branch this past weekend. Loved the big sites. Only downside was the site we stayed on was site 42 the water connection is too far away so you must have a very long hose pipe. And poison oak surrounds the entire site. Other than that it was nice and peaceful. Look forward to staying again on a different site of course.

We camped here in early May and loved it! Very private, large campsites. Bike friendly and beautiful lake. Wished we had brought our kayaks, but will be back again soon! Drove into McCormick and had dinner at Michelle’s which we would highly recommend. Their calzones and burgers were delicious!

This place is awesome! We slept in the primative tent section. It was nice and peaceful. Facilities are clean. Great views ❤️

A lot of the sites are on the waters edge and offers beautiful views. The red clay was horrible though, especially with a white dog and after it rained. We had site 145, beautiful views but difficult to maneuver into the site and access the water, but we made it work. We would return though. Site 144 and 143 had gorgeous views of the sunset...I’ve heard 108 and 77 are prime spots. Be aware of booking a site and how you’re awning will face! Bathhouse is about 1/2 mile away, so too far to walk when you have to go. Not many bathhouses either so there was a line for the shower (only 2 shower stalls and 3 toilets for at least 75 campsites with the tent sites included). Only 2 single access dump stations for the entire park, so there was a line of 8-10 campers at both on a Sunday morning!

This is a beautiful place, with great sites, that have a good space between each other, this way you can have some privacy!

Great place for kids and dogs. Most camp spots have a great distance between them for dogs to have space. Also a great place for boaters. We pull out boat right up to the camp spot. We have a truck camper a 3500 ram and our boat trailer on the site with room for two more cars if needed. The bathrooms were nice and clean as well.

We loved the mountain like setting right on the lake. Large camping areas that are spaced apart nicely. Plenty of lake access for kayaking and boat fishing with boat landing. Not aware of a swimming area. We will revisit.

Hamilton Branch is amazing! The sites are all lakefront and generously sized. Plenty of paved roads for biking, and kayaking on the lake was absolute perfection! My only regret is not staying longer. Can’t wait for the next trip!

We were at site 158 and had not only the lakefront view but easy lake access at our site. Bathrooms were kept pretty clean. Some of the sites are a bit of a hike to get to the bathrooms which is why it doesn’t have 5 stars. If I could have done 4 1/2 I would have. Only thing that would make it the perfect site would have been sewer hook ups, but those are rare in the SC State park system. Only one neighbor was close enough to be sort of visible but they were rarely there. It was nice and quiet and dark at the site in the evening, which is exactly how we like it. We went swimming, floating and fishing in the lake and never had to leave the site. Just wish we had booked a longer weekend as I was not ready to leave that view!