Bussey Point Wilderness Area sits on a peninsula along Strom Thurmond Lake in eastern Georgia, near the South Carolina border. The area features 12 miles of horse trails through wooded terrain with lake views. Camping sites require advance reservations through Recreation.gov rather than the previous honor system. Primitive facilities include vault toilets with no electricity or running water available at individual sites.
What to do
Fishing access: Waterfront sites at Wildwood County Park provide direct lake access. "We stayed on site 15 across from the boat ramps. Nice swim area, one bath house, good price. Campsites on this loop have dirt road, sites are fairly level," notes Clark B.
Beach activities: Enjoy shoreline relaxation at dedicated swimming areas. "Awesome beach area, great playground for kids. Kayak & paddleboard rentals. Decent pricing for campsites," writes David H. about Wildwood County Park.
Historical exploration: The region offers significant historical sites like A. H. Stephens State Park Campground, which features a museum and Civil War artifacts. "We did the A. H. Stephens museum tour and that was very nicely done. We did a day trip to Greensboro and walked the shops and went to Oconee Brewery," reports Cathy C.
What campers like
Equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Clarks Hill, South Carolina offer specialized amenities for riders. Bussey Point Wilderness Area provides "pre-installed horse hitches and plenty of room to move a horse trailer," according to Cody S.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe deer and other animals. "We had about 100 whitetail deer in our back yard every night. The camp host apparently was feeding them, and he set up spot lights so that they could be watched as they ate," writes Dan F. about his stay at Wildwood County Park.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the space at certain campgrounds. "We really like campgrounds that have a lot of room, space between each site and easy sites to get in to. AH Stephen's fits that bill!" notes Debbie K. about her experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas now require advance booking. "Campground rates are $10 per night and reservations must be made now through recreation.gov," Linda A. mentions about Bussey Point.
Pack-out policies: When staying at primitive horse camping sites, be prepared to handle your own waste. "If you pack it on, pack it out. There is no trash pickup provided," advises Linda A. about Bussey Point Wilderness Area.
Cell service variability: Signal strength varies significantly between carriers. Kevin H. reports detailed speed tests at Plum Branch RV Park: "Verizon: 44.9dn, 1.88 up" while "T-mobile mifi: no 4G nor 5G service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children should consider parks with dedicated play areas. "Awesome beach area, great playground for kids. Kayak & paddleboard rentals," recommends David H. about Wildwood County Park.
Cabin options: For families seeking more comfort than tent camping provides, A. H. Stephens State Park Campground offers cabins. "The cabins on Federal Lake just reopened after getting new flooring," notes Cathy C.
Accessibility considerations: Families with mobility concerns should look for handicap-accessible sites. "Site 9 (handicapped site) was perfect for the grandparents as there was a short paved walkway straight to the bath house," explains Elizabeth M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose waterfront sites carefully at equestrian campgrounds near Clarks Hill. "We stayed at site #4. Plenty of room to spread out! It has a fallen tree and lots of underwater sticks right when you walk out on the lake so watch your toes!" advises Claire M. about Bussey Point Wilderness Area.
Level site availability: Many RV campers note the importance of level pads. "Campsites on this loop have dirt road, sites are fairly level. Not quite as big and level as local USACOE campgrounds," reports Clark B.
Utilities setup: Check for any unusual utility configurations. "Still being upgraded, so newish pad was still soft but pretty level. Sewer pipes stick out a good 6 or 8 inches. Electric posts are new but have a meter right below plugs, so surge suppressor gets to hang sideways," Kevin H. notes about his stay at Plum Branch RV Park.
