Lake Hartwell Recreation Guide

Make Memories at Lake Hartwell

Lake Hartwell is a Georgia reservoir fishing destination with public access for boaters, shoreline anglers, and day-use trips, plus opportunities for bass, crappie, catfish, bream, and seasonal open-water fishing.

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Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District

Why Lake Hartwell Belongs on Your Georgia Outdoors List

Lake Hartwell is one of the Southeast's largest and most heavily used public recreation reservoirs, spreading across nearly 56,000 acres along the Georgia-South Carolina border. Its long arms follow the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca river valleys, creating 962 miles of shoreline with broad open water, quiet coves, wooded public land, marinas, campgrounds, beaches, fishing areas, and boat ramps. On the Georgia side, visitors can build a trip around boating, fishing, swimming, lakeside camping, day-use parks, and views from Hartwell Dam. The lake's scale means every visit can feel different, from an early fishing launch or quiet picnic to a full weekend based at a shoreline campground.

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.

Region

North Georgia High Country

Lake Size

56,000 acres

Shoreline

962 miles

Best For

Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, parks & day use

What You Can Do at Lake Hartwell

These lake-specific notes highlight the recreation that is genuinely available here, along with the limits and practical details that shape a visit.

A Large Border-Lake Boating Network

Lake Hartwell supports canoeing, sailing, motor boating, water skiing, and quiet cove cruising across a large Georgia–South Carolina reservoir. Numerous public ramps, campgrounds, day-use areas, and marinas make it easy to reach the water from many directions.

Boat, Bank, and Pier Fishing

Fishing is one of Lake Hartwell’s defining activities, with opportunities from boats, public shoreline, piers, parks, and campgrounds. The lake’s coves, river arms, open water, and developed access points support both casual outings and serious fishing trips.

Explore Fishing

Sand Beaches and Designated Swim Areas

Developed beaches and designated swimming areas are available at several Corps recreation areas and campgrounds. Visitors should use these established locations and confirm seasonal operating status before traveling.

Camp Along an Extensive Shoreline

Lake Hartwell has multiple Corps campgrounds and other public and private camping choices around the reservoir. Many sites place visitors close to ramps, beaches, fishing access, picnic areas, and shaded shoreline.

Parks for Picnics and Water Access

Day-use facilities around Lake Hartwell offer combinations of boat ramps, beaches, picnic shelters, fishing access, and open shoreline. Because the lake spans two states and hundreds of miles of shoreline, selecting a specific park before departure is important.

Launch Points & Shoreline Access

Lake Access & Boat Ramps at Lake Hartwell

14 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.

Boat Ramp Public access