Ridge Road - 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.