Established Camping
Ridge Road - J Strom Thurmond Lake
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Overview
Ridge Road Campground is located on a scenic peninsula on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, and is one of the area's first campgrounds. The 70,000 acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline provide excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Recreation
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Many miles of hiking trails are available a few miles from the campground. Hikers enjoy the 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.
Facilities
This wooded, waterfront campground has beautiful views of the lake. It contains 63 sites with water and 50-amp electrical service. Six sites are for primitive tent camping. Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station. A playground, boat ramp, dock, and fish cleaning station are located on-site.
Natural Features
Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl and wild turkeys. The Ridge Road area is home to many families of whitetail deer.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.
Location
Ridge Road - J Strom Thurmond Lake is located in Georgia
Directions
From I-20 take Exit 183 (Appling). Go north on HWY 221 approximately 6 miles. At 4-way stop, go left (GA HWY 47) and drive approximately 5 miles. Campground road is on right. Follow signs.
Address
5886 RIDGE ROAD
Appling, GA 30802
Coordinates
33.68 N
82.2586111 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonGood
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Love Core of Engineer parks
There is a 5 mile twisty road that is east to navigate to get to the park. Check was a breeze with the friendly, courteous folks at the front gate. Finding our site was easy as they are all clearly marked. Easy walk down to the water, lovely breeze, quiet. We were close to the ADA bathhouse that was immaculate.
- (8) View All
We will return
The roads leading here are quite comfortable for our 37' motorcoach as are the roads inside the grounds. This is a very well maintained USACOE facility. Our site (19) is quite large and very level (after the entry driveway): plenty of room for the coach and at least 2 other vehicles (we only have the coach - not towing) and it has 50/30 amp service and water. There's no sewer hookup... dump station only.
Most of the sites are quite spacious with views of the lake.
Quiet Place
Simple camp ground with roomy sites that spread out. Some sites have nice lake views. All sites are wooded.