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.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$36 - $76 / night
"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."
$38 - $76 / night
"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. "
"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."
$38 - $76 / night
"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."
$26 - $76 / night
"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."
$27 - $230 / night
"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. "
"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."
"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."
$47 - $97 / night
"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"
"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."
ScoutThis is a nice park, it does have a few blind curves that could be fixed and many of the sites aren’t level. The dump station is down this weekend, so a second dump station may be a good idea. It looks like people are having fun at the lake, and using the shelter beside it.
ScoutNice campground. Bathhouse is basic but very clean. Sites are on the small side with lots of tent campers.
GuideThis is a great USFS campground. Great fishing, Mountain biking and hiking. Most of the sites are small so I wouldn't recommend it for 5th wheels or large RVs.
TravelerCamped in f150 with RTT, stayed at site 13 with plenty of room for any overlanding or tent campers. Sites 1-5 fairly close in section 1. Sites 6-13 good for tent or overlanding, sites 14-21 are clumped together at the end for tent/overlanding rig/campers. Small creek crossing, but very easy to cross. We saw a few trailer campers, nothing over 20 feet, and there was plenty of room, but the road is rough coming in, so doable if you’re brave.
Road is marked well off the main road, but is narrow with few pull off opportunities for passing. 1 mile of blacktop with 1* mile of hard pack gravel.
Single vault bathrooms and bear trash cans are at sites 1-5 and another at site 14-21, 5-10 minute walk either way from middle campsites.
Fire rings and picnic tables, well marked sites.
Site 22 is the last site we could find before crossing a more cumbersome creek crossing, just above sites 17-21. Creek accessible from most every campsite, with a few of the sites on the other side of ride (see rec.gov for waterfront specific sites)
Busy road for motorcycles/off road vehicles, but overall peaceful.
Reservations required, no service until almost back to town, so reserve ahead before heading to camp. Cash/envelope/paper tag system no longer present (seems to be the new norm)
GuideThe park is in a great location near Greenville and it's beautiful, but there are things to consider. It's a small campground with just a few sites. Many of which are not even close to level and they're all fairly small. In addition, the road is narrow and winding, so overall it's not the best choice for .medium to large rvs. The bathroom/ shower was clean but the stall door locks are both broken so the doors don't close. The staff is very nice and it's very peaceful. It's a great park for tent camping or small rvs like teardrops. There aren't many camping options near Greenville. I hope the state invests in upgrades for this valuable park.
TravelerFour sites, only one will take a small camper under 18 feet. Tent sites in need of maintenance..
GuideI am an avid sportsman. Both hunting and fishing opportunities are very good here.
ScoutI've been volunteering here since October 2025. Beautiful lake and beautiful campground. Nice selection of full service sites as well as non sewer sites. Also has primitive camping area for groups and individuals.
Sites in the main campground are small and close together to suit me
GuideThis campground is right off the highway but the noise is canceled out by all the trees. The evening sky is beautiful and stars are so bright! We camped here and were able to hike 3 other parks over the weekend! The gorge is breathtaking and worth the hike down and back up. You should probably be in decent shape to take the trek down or at least be used to hiking a more rough terrain. You have to get a permit to go down to the bottom and they only issue a set amount each day. A hiker actually went missing while we were here and wasn't located until the following day. always STAY on the marked path!
We went in December and it was 22 degrees at night, the faucet actually froze on my CTC conversion. Home Depot saved us the next morning, with a short 25 minute drive into town. 10/10 all around great time!
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 204 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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