Hickory Knob State Park Resort, near McCormick, South Carolina, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy a lakeside camping experience. With a variety of campsites nestled among the trees, you’ll find plenty of space to set up your tent or RV, complete with picnic tables and fire rings for those evening cookouts.

This campground is packed with activities to keep you busy. Visitors rave about the golf course, swimming opportunities, and even axe throwing and archery. One camper mentioned, “It’s a long way to everywhere here, but they have it all,” highlighting the park's extensive offerings. The lake is a major draw, providing easy access for boating and fishing, along with scenic trails for hiking and biking.

While the facilities could use some updates, the natural beauty and seclusion make up for it. Campers appreciate the well-maintained sites and the intimate feel created by the surrounding foliage. Just remember to stock up on supplies before heading out, as the nearest town is a bit of a drive away. Whether you’re looking to relax by the water or dive into outdoor adventures, Hickory Knob State Park Resort has something for everyone.

This recreation area is part of [J. Strom Thurmond Lake][1]

[1]: http://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=453&agencyCode=130

Hickory Knob State Park Resort — Hickory Knob State Park

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Lincolnton. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lincolnton is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Lincolnton, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Lincolnton

The Best Camping Near Lincolnton, Georgia

I've been coming for 4 years. Camped all over. By far my favorite.

Wonderful campgrounds. Clean bathhouses. Access to the pool, restaurant, boat ramp, tennis, skeet shooting, etc. 

Clark’s Hill is a Great Lake! HK is an OK park.  It does have a nIce  golf course and skeet shooting, kayak rentals, cabins, a restaurant and a pool. The campsites are nice enough. but. The entire park sits on a mound of ants. ants everywhere. ants of all varieties. And most of the lake access is solid Georgia red clay mud...



mehhh

First time visit to Hickory Knob camping. Check in was easy and staff were nice and helpful. The camp store has most of your camping needs and other items. Bathhouse is clean and well stocked with toilet paper. There are no paper towels or a air blower for washing your hands. Our site was for the most part level with a bonus little cove by the lake water for sitting and swimming. The camp site is well shaded with trees.

First time visit and love the bonus we found. 

We loved hickory Knobb state park. It was very clean and well taken care of. 

Beautiful! 

If you are looking for a near perfect lakeside camping experience in the 'Low Country' here in South Carolina, than you may have just found the perfect getaway! Tucked away from main roads and a solid 20 minute drive from the nearest traces of civilization (the itty bitty town of McCormick), Hickory Knob State Park, which sits right on the Savannah River / Lake Thurmond and provides the setting for truly one of the most perfect camping escapes I have ever encountered. 

  

There's about 60-70 individual campsites here, but you would be hard pressed to count them all on account that there is so much foliage that separates each individual campsite that despite the # of sites, you are left with a very intimate and secluded feeling. While some of these well-secluded spots can get you just about as close to the lakeshore as possible (without infringing upon the land boundaries itself), most set a decent 10- 15 feet above shoreline and offer a private and simple-to-navigate pathway to the refreshing lollops of the lake's gentle rippling waves. 

  

Each site is apportioned with the basics - long drive-way with corresponding flat base platform (either perfect for RV or very amenable to the largest of tents), fire ring, water spigot and picnic table. While there's a handful of campsites that appear to be close cousins to the one next to it, most sites feel independent from one another and offer up enough space to forget your next-door neighbors. Further, I counted 3 separate loops (or communities, if you will), each with their own facilities. 

  

Apart from the greatest amenity being the lake itself, the park also offers a simple, yet splendid boat jetty with an easy-to-navigate round-about. Unlike many other state parks I have visited in the country, this one offers boaters many easy places to stow away their boats, when not in use on the lake. Further afield, there are plenty of trails to explore the deeper, less frequented side of this overgrown lakeside forested haven. 

  

If there were any drawbacks at all, it would simply be the less than mediocre bathrooms and showers that the state of South Caroline seems intent on not fixing (think back 50 to 60 years ago to what bathrooms might have looked like back then and then come present day to find exactly the same thing, without any repairs (and perhaps any sanitation) being made whatsoever). With all of the tax dollars that the state collects, on top of the fees paid for camping in these amazing state parks, you think the state would be able to afford building and maintaining better and more modern facilities for its overnight guests (what is it that they say about hospitality in the South?!). 

  

In sum, if you are looking for some really good seclusion, right on the lake, don't mind the overgrown nature of this campsite, have a boat, and perhaps older children that don't need playgrounds (and other man-made distractions) and can do without direct access to civilization, then this may very well be a perfect spot for you. 

  

Insider tips? Here's a few: (1) Because the nearest town of McCormick is a bit of a hike to get to (think at least a 20 minute drive on slow moving, winding country roads), be sure to bring everything you need with you, but if you do need any groceries, there's a Food Lion that has just about everything you might need; (2) When you grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova cooler, then check out Michelle's, which is one half family restaurant - where I never believe any waitress who answers the question 'What is the best thing on the menu' with the response 'EVERYTHING!', but I will admit, she was absolutely right - we tried the pizza, wings, salad bar and hamburger one night - all were equally amazing - and one half happy hour / karaoke bar that apparently the entirety of McCormick shows up at after 8pm every night, which was pretty cool to experience; (3) When / if you head into the town of McCormick, take note of the Ice ATM machine there - it's fantastic and super cheap, so be sure to stock up on your ice there; and (4) If you are wanting to 'whet your whistle' after a good hard day of kayaking, then head on over to nearby Back Paddle Brewing for some really nice local craft beers.

  

Happy Camping!

Lakeside Camping Perfection 

Better bring a cart or a bike. It’s a long way to everywhere here. But they have it all. Golf, swimming, axe throwing, archery, skeet shooting.  Trails for hiking/biking. Nice sites close to the lake.  Shower house is just adequate, barely. 

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