Region
Georgia Heartland
Clarks Hill Lake Recreation Guide
Make Memories at Clarks Hill Lake
Large Savannah River reservoir known for boating, fishing, camping, and shoreline recreation.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District
Why Clarks Hill Lake Belongs on Your Georgia Outdoors List
Clarks Hill Lake, also known federally as J. Strom Thurmond Lake, is one of Georgia’s largest reservoir fishing destinations. GeorgiaOutdoors treats Clarks Hill as the canonical public name and highlights Georgia-side access points for ramps, parks, shoreline fishing, camping, and day-use recreation. Use this page to compare public access options and connect to official fishing forecast and recreation resources before planning a trip.
Quick Facts for Planning Your Visit
Use these at-a-glance details to understand the setting, then build the trip around how your family or group wants to enjoy the water.
Lake Size
71,000 acres
Shoreline
1,200 miles
Best For
Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, parks & day use
What You Can Do at Clarks Hill Lake
These lake-specific notes highlight the recreation that is genuinely available here, along with the limits and practical details that shape a visit.
Boating on Georgia’s Largest Reservoir
Clarks Hill Lake—also known federally as J. Strom Thurmond Lake—supports motor boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, personal watercraft, and waterskiing. Dozens of public ramps, access areas, campgrounds, parks, and marinas serve its long shoreline.
Extensive Boat and Bank Fishing
More than 70,000 acres of water, numerous recreation areas, fishing piers, bank-fishing areas, and maintained fish attractors make Clarks Hill one of the region’s most substantial fishing destinations.
Use a Designated Swimming Area
Several Georgia-side campgrounds and recreation areas provide designated swimming areas, including Amity, Big Hart, Elijah Clark State Park, Lake Springs, Mistletoe State Park, Petersburg, Ridge Road, West Dam, and Winfield. Confirm the current status of the specific park before visiting.
Developed and Primitive Camping
USACE manages developed campgrounds with hookups, showers, ramps, docks, playgrounds, and swimming areas, along with primitive campgrounds for simpler stays. State parks and county-operated campgrounds add still more choices on the Georgia shoreline.
A Wide Network of Public Recreation Areas
Day-use parks and smaller access areas provide boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic tables, shelters, playgrounds, courtesy docks, restrooms, and swim beaches. Individual facilities can be affected by maintenance or storm recovery, so current official status should be checked before departure.
Launch Points & Shoreline Access
Lake Access & Boat Ramps at Clarks Hill Lake
10 published access points can help you choose where to launch, fish, picnic, swim, or begin a day on the water. Confirm current hours, fees, water levels, and ramp conditions before traveling.
Day Use / Boat Ramp
Public access
Lake Springs Recreation Area
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
3900 Lake Springs Rd
GA 30802
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Fishing pier, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 800-533-3478
State Park Boat Ramp
Public access
Mistletoe State Park
Operated by: Georgia State Parks
Location:
3725 Mistletoe Rd
GA 30802
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 706-541-0321
Campground Boat Ramp
Public access
Petersburg Campground
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
3998 Petersburg Rd
GA 30802
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Fishing pier, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Campground Boat Ramp
Public access
Ridge Road Campground
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
5886 Ridge Road
GA 30802
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 706-541-0282
County Park / Boat Ramp
Public access
Wildwood Park
Operated by: Columbia County
Location:
3780 Dogwood Lane
GA 30802
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 706-541-0586
Marina
Private business
Clarks Hill Marina
Operated by: Clarks Hill Marina
Location:
4271 Old Lincolnton Road
GA 30802
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Restrooms, Marina, Boat rentals, Fuel
Phone: 706-309-0046
Marina / Campground
Private business
Soap Creek Marina and Campground
Operated by: Soap Creek Marina and Campground
Location:
3000 Soap Creek Lodge
GA 30817
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Restrooms, Picnic area, Marina, Boat rentals
Phone: 706-359-4100
Campground Boat Ramp
Public access
Big Hart Campground
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
5258 Washington Road
GA 30824
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 706-595-8613
Public Boat Ramp
Public access
Keg Creek Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
3780 Dunn Ct
GA 30802
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Fishing pier
Campground Boat Ramp
Public access
Winfield Campground
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
Location:
7701 Winfield Road
GA 30802
Available: Camping, Boat launch, Fishing access, Bank fishing, Restrooms, Picnic area
Phone: 706-541-0147
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District
Marinas, Rentals & Lake Services
For many visitors, lake weekends start with practical services: fuel, ramps, rentals, dock access, supplies, and a good launching point for the day.
Marina
Clarks Hill Marina
Marina on Clarks Hill Lake with rentals, fuel dock, boat ramp, sales, and storage.
Services: boat rentals, fuel dock, boat ramp, boat sales, storage, freedom boat club
Address:
4271 Old Lincolnton Road
Appling, GA 30802
Phone: 706-309-0046
Sporting Goods Store
Hadden Outdoors
Outdoor and fishing-gear retailer located near Clarks Hill Lake and Wildwood Park.
Services: fishing gear, outdoor apparel
Address:
6139 Washington Rd, Suite 112, Appling, GA 30802
Phone: 706-955-4860
Watersports Rental
Keg Creek Watersports
Watersports outfitter inside Wildwood Park offering jet ski, pontoon, kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals for Clarks Hill Lake.
Services: jet ski rental, pontoon rental, kayak rental, canoe rental, paddleboard rental, watersports rental
Address:
3780 Dogwood Ln
Appling, GA 30802
Phone: 706-339-0386
Boat Dealer
Lincolnton Marine
Marine dealer near Clarks Hill Lake offering boat sales, service, parts, and storage in Lincolnton.
Services: boat sales, boat service, marine parts, boat storage, marine dealer
Address:
1006 Lake Thurmond Pkwy
Lincolnton, GA 30817
Phone: 706-359-3124
Marina
Safe Harbor Trade Winds
Clarks Hill Lake marina in Appling with wet slips, transient slips, dry storage, fuel dock, lodging, and boater amenities.
Services: wet slips, transient slips, dry storage, fuel dock, lodging, pump-out, showers, restrooms, boat storage
Address:
5577 Marina Pkwy
Appling, GA 30802
Phone: 706-541-1380
Marina
Soap Creek Marina and Campground
Long-running Clarks Hill Lake marina and campground in Lincolnton with slips, marina services, camping, cabins, and lake access.
Services: marina, boat slips, dockage, transient storage, long term storage, campground, cabins, restaurant, lake access
Address:
3000 Soap Creek Lodge Rd
Lincolnton, GA 30817
Phone: 706-359-4100
Build a Weekend Around Clarks Hill Lake
Use the lake as the anchor, then add campgrounds, parks, restaurants, marinas, and nearby outdoor stops to shape a trip that feels distinctly Georgia.
Start with the Water
Plan a day of fishing with information on fish species, access points, and places to cast from shore or launch a boat.
Add the Basecamp
Choose a campground, RV site, cabin, hotel, or nearby town that gives everyone more time together.
Explore Nearby
Look for parks, restaurants, events, trails, and small-town stops that turn the lake visit into a more memorable Georgia getaway.
Plan Your Lake Trip
Explore More Around Clarks Hill Lake
Find campgrounds, explore the map, and use the lake as the beginning of your next Georgia outdoor memory.