Looking for a place to take your family or friends RV camping? Look no further. Beautiful Lake Harwell is a man-made reservoir on the border of upstate South Carolina and Georgia. There are plenty of RV parks and campsites located along the 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell.
In this article, I’ll take a look at some of the most popular campgrounds for RV campers, tent campers, and those who are group camping along Lake Hartwell.
Read along if you’d like to learn more about the Top 6 RV Parks near Lake Hartwell, SC!
Lake Hartwell State Park
Lake Harwell State Park is located just off SC HWY I-85 at the South Carolina/Georgia border. If you love fishing, this is the park for you!
This park is a top spot for fishing in SC, with plenty of lake access and spots to drop in. There’s an abundance of striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream, and catfish.
Beyond fishing, Lake Hartwell State Park has a number of other types of recreation:
- a basketball court
- numerous boat ramps
- hiking trails
RV campsites, tent sites, and camper cabins are available at this park.
Camping reservations can be made on the South Carolina Parks website.
Location: 19138-A HWY 11 S Fair Play, SC, 29643
Lake Hartwell RV Park
Lake Hartwell RV Park is located off SC HWY I-85 on SC HWY 11 — also known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway.
The drive to this park is quite scenic, following along the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and passing by quaint villages, peach orchards, and more.
Lake Hartwell RV Park is an adult-only park (18+) and primarily an RV lot. There are 22 spots available with electric hookups and 30/50 amps service.
This spot prides itself on being a sanctuary for relaxation and fun. Lake Hartwell RV Park is also located near local attractions. There are boat ramps for those who enjoy lake-time and water sports. And golf courses are a short drive away. Maybe check out these golf courses in the North Georgia mountains.
Pets are welcome for a one-time fee of $25 per pet.
You can learn more and book your reservation here.
Location: 14503 SC-11, Westminster, SC, 29693
Tugaloo State Park
Tuglaoo State Park is located on a wooded peninsula on the Georgia side of Lake Hartwell.
There are plenty of unobstructed views of the natural beauty that is Lake Hartwell.
Fun fact: The name “Tugaloo†comes from the Cherokee language – it is the name for the river that used to flow before the creation of the Hartwell Dam.
The park offers:
- tent sites
- trailer and RV campsites
- walk-in sites
- 7 picnic shelters
- 1 shelter for group camping
- a sand beach/swim area
- plenty of other recreation areas.
This park is known for its friendly staff. They ride around the park on golf carts and offer help setting up and breaking down your site!
There is a dump station and laundry facilities within the park, and all sites come with an electric/water hookup and fire ring.
You can learn more and book your site here.
Location: 1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd, Lavonia, GA 30553
Carolina Landing RV Resort
Carolina Landing RV Resort is located between Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC.
It is open year-round and offers reservations for year-round cabins and deluxe cabins. The accommodation types vary, but most have a single bedroom with a queen bed and a futon or sleeper sofa option.
If you’re planning to bring the whole family (pets included), check the cabin listing before you reserve. Not all cabins are pet-friendly. However, service animals are allowed.
If you are looking for a Lake Hartwell campground that gives you accessibility to plenty of outdoor recreation in a quiet country setting AND the privilege of hot showers, this park is for you.
Learn more and book a cabin here.
Location: 120 Carolina Landing Dr, Fair Play, SC 29643
Sadlers Creek State Park
Sadlers Creek State Park sits on nearly 400 acres of Lake Hartwell. Along with campground sites, the park offers picnic areas/picnic tables, a fishing pier, and more.
There are 37 lakefront single sites within the park, as well as sites that accommodate RVs up to 40 feet with full hook-ups. And if you’re in need of a new RV backup camera, check out this one on Amazon.
There is also a primitive site for group camping for up to 50 people.
To make a reservation, you can call the phone number for the park toll-free at 1-866-345-PARK.
Book your stay on the South Carolina Parks website.
Location: 940 Sadlers Creek Rd., Anderson, SC, 29626
Lake Hartwell KOA
The Lake Hartwell KOA is located 15 miles outside of Clemson University and near Hartwell Lake in Anderson, SC. This is closer to the north side of the lake.
The Lake Hartwell KOA offers all the amenities you could imagine, from water spigots at the site to satellite reception. There’s even a game room with a pool table, ping pong table, and air hockey!
Although there is no direct access to Lake Hartwell within the park, it is a short 2 miles with easy access to a public boat launch and public recreation and beach area.
It is also just 30 minutes outside of the City of Hartwell and conveniently located near gas stations for any last-minute purchases.
Location: 200 Wham Rd, Anderson, SC 29625
Why choose Lake Hartwell to visit?
Lake Hartwell is one of the Southeast’s largest recreation lakes. It’s conveniently located 45 minutes from Clemson, South Carolina, and is a great spot for students or families to venture for the weekend.
Lake Hartwell camping is for anyone looking for a weekend getaway near the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with easy access to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Many campgrounds boast miles of shoreline and some are situated near golf courses, breathtaking waterfalls, unobstructed views of the southern skies, and more.
Does Lake Hartwell have a beach?
Yes, Lake Hartwell has beach areas that are suitable for recreation. However, there are no lifeguards on duty so you swim at your own risk. One great beach on Lake Hartwell is located at River Forks Recreation Area.
Other Options to Consider
There are plenty of other great parks around Lake Hartwell. Each one has its own list of amenities, recreation, activities, and more.
Whether you’re into trout fishing, big water sports, family outings at picnic sites, or a getaway tailgate during football season, rest assured that options are available on Lake Hartwell.Â
Always do your research beforehand and check to make sure sites are available for your arrival date through your departure date before going to one of the parks listed.
Although we can’t cover every park on Lake Hartwell, there are so many others that are worth checking out. See below for our honorable mentions.
Also, if you’re interested in Georgia and South Carolina coastal areas, check out these beaches here.
