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Anderson, South Carolina provides multiple camping destinations along Lake Hartwell, with several established campgrounds offering waterfront access. Lake Hartwell State Park Campground, Springfield - Hartwell Lake, Twin Lakes, and Oconee Point campgrounds feature sites for both tent and RV camping with various hookup options. Anderson-Lake Hartwell KOA offers additional amenities including cabin rentals and glamping accommodations within 5 miles of the city center. Most campgrounds in this region maintain water and electric hookups, with some providing full sewer connections for extended stays.
Reservations are strongly recommended for Lake Hartwell campsites, especially during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds operate year-round, though some like Springfield - Hartwell Lake maintain seasonal schedules, operating primarily from April through October. Most established sites provide 30-50 amp electrical service, drinking water, and trash collection, while dump stations are available at designated locations rather than individual sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area. One camper noted, "Springfield Campground is one of Hartwell's most popular camping destinations consisting of 60 acres of primarily Virginia pine and some mixed hardwoods."
Waterfront camping represents the primary draw in this region, with many sites offering direct lake access. Campers consistently rate Springfield - Hartwell Lake highly for its spacious waterfront sites and swimming areas. According to reviews, "Many sites have direct access to the water allowing boats right at the site and swimming. The swimming beach is very nice and well maintained as are the playgrounds." Fishing opportunities abound for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, and striped bass. Several campgrounds feature boat ramps and courtesy docks for easy water access. While most sites provide partial shade, visitors should note that tree coverage varies considerably between locations, with some sites offering more exposure during summer months. Bathhouse facilities are typically clean and well-maintained across established campgrounds.
"Most, but not all, sites have lake views. During the time of our visit, only one area was open for camping (sites 25-58). "
"Very close to grocery store and dining. Fantastic water views and warm lake water. Boats in the distance, and we had our own private swimming spot with steps into the water."
from $36 - $76 / night
Check Availability"Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers."
"Many sites have a tent pad, are very level packed gravel/sand and well situated with very few having very close neighbors. "
from $36 - $76 / night
Check Availability"Awesome views over lake Hartwell. Nice sized sites, could be a little more level. Needed to slightly block up rear of out class A to get level."
"Close proximity to bathhouse. Wind was a big deal our first day. Temps dropped the weekend we camped and the wind coming off the lake made it much colder."
"Wow, Oconee Point in South Carolina is one of my favorite camping spots for me. I absolutely love this place, and have been coming here ever since I was little."
"We had an excellent weekend stay at site 16, lovely lake view of Hartwell, power and water hookups only."
from $38 - $76 / night
Check Availability"This gem is on Georgia South Carolina line and off the beaten path. Your will feel like you hit pay dirt here.
The park has a great feel and welcoming feel, excellent boat ramps and easy access."
"On the Georgia side Tugaloo State Park is Located on Lake Hartwell on the Georgia/South Carolina state line. "
from $27 - $265 / night
Check Availability"Lots of room for walking. Beautiful and peaceful trees on the lake."
"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."
from $26 - $76 / night
Check Availability"Great KOA to stay at near Clemson University. It's not on Lake Hartwell, but it is near it. Be sure to check out the camping cabins."
"My brother lives on the other side of Lake Hartwell (5 minute drive) and he took me out on his pontoon! What a BEAUTIFUL lake with many private islands to pull up onto."
"We stayed at Lake Hartwell State park in stie 98 which was a lovely lakeside site. The sites on either side (96, 99) all shared a path to a small beach with lake access. "
"We are big fans of space between neighbors and noticed right away that these sites are rather close to one another. The views helped make the closeness bearable."
"I didn't really sleep well because it was 1. cold and 2. it is close to the highway so we could hear cars and trucks driving by at night. Maybe we just picked the wrong campsite."
"Access to the water at the park but didn't see a boat launch."
"Fantastic owners, great rates, lakefront property, private boat dock, next door to a boat ramp, lake vibe restaurant with live bands, (seasonal), mere minutes from nearly anything one could want, delivery"
"So as we were driving up the road leading to the campground this weekend my husband was like "this area looks familiar & I know you haven't booked us @ that raggedy campground we looked @ a year ago"
from $47 - $97 / night
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TravelerStayed 1 week in site 12. Great small campground, clean and quiet. Jojo was a great host and 5pm happy hour gathering was fun. Will DEFINITELY return. Its a great spot for launching adventures.
ScoutThis park was built several years ago by Millenium Motorcoach Company, and is just an incredible place! The sites are all privately owned, and rentals are managed by the resort, for the owners and renters alike. We have travelled for many years in our motorcoach, and have enjoyed accommodations like this seldom. You just want to stay and never leave!
LegendHickory 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!
TravelerWe camped next to the fishing pier, the site was a bit uneven and I had to do some creative engineering to get my 26' rig level. It has been very quiet during the week. By the way, we have great T-Mobile service.
ScoutThis was a really lovely campground. We were greeted by Jojo and escorted to our spot by Daegan who helped us get our camper situated. The campground was clean and tidy, and had firewood and ice available for purchase. The happy hour at 5 is a great way to meet your fellow campers. Nearby there are restaurants and a few shops. The location is very close to several waterfall hikes.
ScoutThis camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
ScoutThis rv park is limited in some ways. There's a club house that's more like a small child's play room, and the play ground has a basketball hoop but no court. However it does offer a small laundry room. The bath house is great! Always clean and stocked, it has good AC/heat, a big spacious shower, hooks for towels and a little table to put your shower stuff on. My least favorite about the park is that pretty much ALL of the sites are under constant sun until it drops behind the trees in the evening which makes the RV super hard to keep cool during the day
RangerThe campground is VERY remote with challenging access. We have a 4x4 pickup and still not sure how comfortable we would be attempting to take our 21' travel trailer to it.
I'll estimate that the access road is a very rough 4-5 miles and while it starts out as paved the road becomes packed dirt (red clay) and quickly narrows and winds through the hills at a sometimes steep incline. The opportunities to pull over should someone approach from the other direction are few and would mean a lengthy backup for someone. Not sure I would recommend the road in a passenger vehicle.
The campsites we visited were nice and well trimmed, many were creekfront and there were bear-proof trash receptacles and vault toilets. Each site also had a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.
During our visit it was peaceful and mostly empty.
RangerWe stayed on site #25 in early August but due to the elevation the weather was mild.
There were plenty of activities to keep us busy at the park and the staff was friendly and helpful.
One thing that surprised us and worth mentioning is that even though the park is massive, the campground appears to have been an afterthought as it, and the sites are generally very small. It would be nice to see them expand it and make the changes to increase the size of sites.
Also, as we have seen at other parks kids on e-bikes is becoming a real problem and safety concern. Young children, many not wearing helmets, continually racing around the campground with no regard for speed limits or traffic signs. It is a recipe for an injury or an unfortunate fatality.
Hopefully parks will begin addressing this issue.
Camping spots near Anderson, South Carolina offer a mix of lakeside and wooded terrain with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters with average lows around 30°F and hot summers with highs frequently reaching 90°F. Most campgrounds feature red clay soil that can become slippery after rain, so site selection requires careful consideration during wet weather conditions.
Kayaking access points: Twin Lakes Campground offers multiple water entry options for paddlers. "We stayed at Twin Lakes for the proximity to our hometown. The sites were immaculate, and more private/better shielded than other campgrounds. The waterfront aspect was completely charming," notes Mariah M. Some sites have small beaches perfect for launching kayaks.
Explore nearby trails: The area surrounding Sadlers Creek State Park Campground provides hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "I've camped here several times over the years. Big park, pretty big sites and awesome bike trails. Nice fishing area. Always see lots of deer and rabbits," shares Tara M. The park maintains several miles of lakeside paths suitable for casual hiking.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with sandy shorelines. "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," reports Jen G. about Sadlers Creek. Water temperatures typically reach the mid-80s during summer months.
Spacious waterfront sites: Oconee Point receives high marks for its generous lakeside camping areas. "Big sites, all but three are lake front. Always great people around," states Crystal C. Many sites feature terraced layouts with private water access points.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer natural buffers between camping spots. "We stayed at one of the small loops, waterfront right at a small cove. Very nice side, some shade but decent water access," shares Olaf I. about Springfield - Hartwell Lake. The campground maintains wooded areas between many sites.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently note the cleanliness of campground amenities. "The bath houses are well kept but many of the sites are far away," explains Windell S. about Coneross Park Campground. Most campgrounds feature regular bathroom cleaning schedules and maintained shower facilities.
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Springfield - Hartwell Lake operates primarily from April through October, while others maintain year-round access. Check reservation systems before planning trips during off-peak months.
Varying site terrain: Coneross Park Campground features different elevations throughout the property. "This campground is huge. A lot of the campsites are close together, but we snagged a site along the west side of the campground, where there's a little more privacy and seclusion," notes Tommy S. Research specific site characteristics before booking.
Lake level fluctuations: Water levels can vary significantly throughout the year, affecting shoreline access. "When we went on the lake we saw many other campgrounds that looked nicer," reports Amanda A. from The Point at Lake Hartwell. During drought conditions, some waterfront sites may sit far from the actual shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Anderson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Anderson, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 209 campgrounds and RV parks near Anderson, SC and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Anderson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Anderson, SC is Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell with a 4.7-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Anderson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Anderson, SC.
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