Lake Hartwell offers 56,000 acres of water surface with over 960 miles of shoreline around Townville, South Carolina. The lake drops to depths of 180 feet in places, creating diverse fishing conditions throughout the year. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, affecting camping comfort levels at shoreline sites.
What to do
Kayaking from campsite: At Tugaloo State Park Campground, visitors can launch directly from their sites. "Able to kayak right from campsite. Campground has over 100 sites," reports Liz H., who stayed in site 7, a pull-through accommodation with enough room for "camper and extra car with boat and kayak."
Fishing excursions: Lake Hartwell supports substantial bass populations, making it a top destination for anglers. "Peaceful and calming rest from the corporate life!" notes Benita P. about Tugaloo State Park, adding you can "see fishing boats zoom to their fishing location at night."
Mountain biking: For campers seeking land activities, trails are available about 25 minutes from Mile Creek County Park. "We also learned this is some really amazing mountain biking 25 minutes away in the Clemson Experimental Forest... the Isaqueena Trail system. Ranges from easy/intermediate to advanced when you get to the lower waterfall area," shares Adam V.
What campers like
Direct water access: Oconee Point features sites right on the water's edge. "Most every site is on the water and a big discount for seniors with a Golden Eagle National Park Pass," reports Tom R., while Mike G. adds, "You'd be hard pressed to find a site here that's not on the water."
Spaciousness between sites: For campers seeking more privacy, Springfield-Hartwell Lake offers generous spacing. "Big sites, with trees in between most sites. Most sites are a stones throw away from the lake," notes Melissa W., highlighting how natural barriers enhance the camping experience.
Multiple beaches and playgrounds: Coneross Park Campground features several swimming areas with playground equipment. "There are two beaches and multiple playgrounds, and the paved roads make for fun bike riding. The heavy foliage makes everything private," reports Catherine O., who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
What you should know
Late arrival restrictions: Many campgrounds implement evening security measures. At Coneross Park, "Gates do shut in the evening so no late arrivals," warns John R., which means timing your arrival is critical for access.
Bathroom quality varies: While most campgrounds maintain functional facilities, conditions differ significantly. Robert W. notes about Coneross Park: "Biggest flaw here was the bathhouses. They were clean, but only one shower worked out of the three available. The plumbing definitely need some work. This was the case in all of the bathhouses."
Seasonal crowding patterns: Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell experiences significant visitor fluctuations. "Huge campground near Clemson. The best spots are hard to get unless you reserve way ahead of time," shares John R., adding it's "a very busy boat ramp and the lake is as busy here as anywhere on the lake. Hot in the summer."
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Multiple swimming areas offer different experiences for children. At Twin Lakes, Mariah M. reports: "The swimming area was nice and the playgrounds were sadly closed but definitely would have been enjoyed by my kids! Overall it was quiet and relaxing."
Planning for hills: Some campgrounds feature challenging terrain for younger cyclists. At Mile Creek County Park, one visitor noted: "Lots of hills so it was a little hard for the little kids to get around on bikes. We had kids with us age 14 and down to 5 yrs old."
Water shoes requirement: Sadlers Creek State Park Campground and other shoreline areas have rocky lake bottoms. "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," shares Jen G., who appreciated the clean bathrooms and playground facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness challenges: At several campgrounds, RVers report difficulties with uneven sites. Thomas A. warns about Twin Lakes: "Our site- A5- was super unlevel. I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling. That was a first for us, and hope we never have to do that again."
Navigation difficulties: Several campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "This campground is one of my least favorite State Parks. You are packed in, sites close together. Not big rig friendly. I have a 43ft 5th Wheel and it was very tight navigating through the park," reports a reviewer about Tugaloo State Park.
Dump station logistics: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full hookups. Kevin A. notes about Tugaloo State Park: "No sites with sewer, but dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out."
