Situated along the Georgia shoreline of Lake Hartwell, Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell sits within the Army Corps of Engineers' Hartwell Recreation Area, roughly 12 miles from campgrounds around Clemson and the South Carolina state line. The campground runs along two loops, and site placement varies considerably. As Thomas A. notes, "most, but not all, sites have lake views," so site selection matters more here than at many comparable facilities.
The loops designated sites 1 through 23 tend to offer more separation between neighbors, and several of those sites sit directly on the water with sightlines across the lake toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sites in the 25 to 58 range vary in proximity to adjacent sites, and a few share utility connections close enough to create boundary confusion between neighboring campers. Skunks have been reported wandering through campsites in daylight hours, including in the presence of people and dogs, so keeping pets leashed and food secured is worth taking seriously.
Full hookups include electric, water, and sewer, with a dump station on site. The campground accommodates RVs up to 62 feet. Travel trailer owners should research individual site layouts before booking, particularly site 12, which has a split-level design oriented for motorized RVs pulling in headfirst. The bathhouses are described inconsistently across reviews, ranging from clean and functional to dated with poor lighting, and at least one reviewer noted the absence of hand soap in the facilities.
Fall weekends fill up fast. The campground sits close enough to Clemson University that home football Saturdays drive demand significantly, and reservations during that stretch can be hard to secure. Nearby alternatives worth considering include Oconee Point and A Place At The Lake Campground, both within a few miles on the same reservoir. Twin Lakes is open year-round and works best for RV campers and tent campers who want direct lake access and are willing to do the homework on site selection ahead of arrival.
Description
Overview
Twin Lakes Recreation Area is a 152-acre site consisting of a dense overstory of pines and mixed hardwoods. The site presently offers camping and a separate day use and boat launching area. Day use and camping facilities are separated to prevent user conflicts. The area is moderate to gently sloping with the northernmost campsites being located on the steepest terrain. Campgrounds facilities presently include a gatehouse/entrance, 2 Park Attendant campsites, 102 public campsites, 1 picnic shelter, 5 comfort stations with showers, 2 dump stations, 5 playgrounds, 1 designated swim area/beach, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. Day Use facilities presently include a new gatehouse/entrance installed in 2017, 1 volunteer host campsite, 27 picnic sites, 2 standard picnic shelters with water and electric service, 1 two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 comfort stations, 1 playground, 2 designated swim areas/beaches, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. The campground experiences very high occupancy rates throughout the year and is Hartwells highest producer of camping revenue.
Recreation
Boating and water sports top the list of popular activities. A boat ramp is provided for easy lake access. With multiple trails snaking throughout the shoreline area, hiking and biking are also popular pastimes.
Facilities
Campgrounds facilities presently include a gatehouse/entrance, 2 Park Attendant campsites, 102 public campsites, 1 picnic shelter, 5 comfort stations with showers, 2 dump stations, 5 playgrounds, 1 designated swim area/beach, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. Day Use facilities presently include a new gatehouse/entrance installed in 2017, 1 volunteer host campsite, 27 picnic sites, 2 standard picnic shelters with water and electric service, 1 two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 comfort stations, 1 playground, 2 designated swim areas/beaches, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. The campground experiences very high occupancy rates throughout the year and is Hartwells highest producer of camping revenue.
Natural Features
Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. The dam and lake area boasts 8 campgrounds and 11 day-use facilities that are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Hartwell Project was originally authorized for hydro-power, flood control, and navigation. Later, recreation, water quality, water supply and fish and wildlife management were added. Surrounding vegetation allows for plenty of shade, and the 962 miles of shoreline provide numerous swimming beaches, picnic areas and boat ramps.
Nearby Attractions
Twin Lakes is located just five miles from Clemson, South Carolina and Clemson University, offering additional tourism opportunities, along with grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants.
Charges & Cancellations
- Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates. - Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first night use fee. - Reserved campsites will be held until check out time ( 2 p.m.) on the day following your scheduled arrival date. If you do not arrive at campground by 2 p.m. to fulfill your reservation, your reservation will be cancelled and you will be assessed a $20 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee. - If your reservation is for one night and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10 service fee. Refunds: - To insure fairness for all Recreation.gov customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 6 or 12 month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation is made. - Refunds must be requested no later than 14 days after scheduled departure date. Refunds may be requested through NNRS Customer Service at 888-448-1474. Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Cash and check purchases will be refunded by check and may take up to 8 weekds for approval and processing.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTwin Lakes at Lake Hartwell is located in Georgia near Clemson
Directions
Take Interstate 85 to exit 14 and merge onto Highway 187. After passing Clemson Research Center, turn left onto Fants Grove Road and follow directional signs to the park. 140 Winnebego Trail, Pendleton, SC 29670
Address
5625 ANDERSON HWY
Hartwell, GA 30643
Coordinates
34.6280556 N
82.8655556 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/29/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/29/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/29/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/29/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
