Pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, kayak rentals and canoe rentals are available on Lake Hartwell in Athens, Clemson, Hartwell, Lavonia, Mountain Rest, Seneca, Starr and Townville. Before going out on any lake, make sure to get a good laminated boat map. It should show all the navigational markers, boat ramps and recreational areas.

You can sign up for a safe boating course from either the US Power Squadrons at 866-430-2628, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary at 864-224-0593/706-376-0096, SC Dept of Natural Resources at 864-654-8266 ext. 18, the GA Department of Natural Resources at 770-535-5499 or call 864-972-2085 or go to http://a0700205.uscgaux.info. For hunting and boating educational classes in SC, call 800-277-4301.

By boat you can…

Explore Andersonville Island, which is only accessible by boat. It’s a large island on Lake Hartwell near Portman Marina that is usually marked on Lake Hartwell maps, near buoys LBC1 – LBC9 and S1 – S13. The wildlife and ruins make this a fun island to explore.

Discover an island with 50 graves dating back to the 1700 and 1800’s. The large island is located near buoy S-55 and S-53 on Lake Hartwell. To find the graves, beach your boat on the North side of the island and hike to the tallest point on the island.

Visit “Broyles Party Island” which is located near Broyles Rec. Area and is only accessible by boat. It is a very popular Lake Hartwell spot to hang out by boat.

Go to Clemson’s Larry W. Abernathy Park which has a few new free public city boat docks, a restroom, picnic area and playground. From the docks you can either go to places on Hwy 123 like a gas station, fast food places, Waffle House (open 24 hours), hardware, liquor and drug store or go down the nice boardwalk to downtown Clemson. Close to buoy S-100 on Lake Hartwell, go down the cove right before you go under the Hwy 123 bridge, then you will see the city docks.

Eat at one of several Lake Hartwell area restaurants that can be accessed by boat in cities such as Anderson, Clemson, Fair Play, Hartwell, Lavonia, Seneca and Townville.

Georgia Hartwell Region | Georgia Toccoa Region | South Carolina Clemson Region | South Carolina Anderson Region

Georgia Hartwell Region
Sandy Creek Park 400 Holman Rd Athens, GA 30607 www.sandycreekpark.com 706-613-3631 On Lake Chapman, opened Tues. through Sun., hours vary by season), park entrance fee is $2 per person (kids under 4 and seniors are free) and disc golf fee is $1 per person. This pleasant park has a beach, playground, fishing pier, tent camping sites, dog runs, picnic area, horse trails, boat ramp, hiking trails, disc golf course, seasonal inexpensive canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals; basketball and tennis courts.	Watson Mill Bridge State Park 650 Watson Mill Rd Comer, GA 30629 3 miles South of Comer, on GA Hwy 22 www.gastateparks.org/info/watson 706-783-5349/800-864-7275 You can see an 1880’s covered bridge while hiking on one of the easy trails that start at the concessions area, picnic area, campsites, horse stalls, horse trails, no horse rentals, bike trail, fishing, canoe and pedal boat rentals
Elrod Ferry Recreation Area From Hartwell GA, go north on US Hwy 29 for 2.5 miles On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic area, playgrounds, volleyball court, swimming beaches and handicapped facilities	Hart State Park 330 Hart Rd. Hartwell, GA North of Hartwell on Hwy 29, turn left on Ridge Rd and go 2 miles www.gastateparks.org/Hart 706-376-8756/800-864-7275 On Lake Hartwell: 78 tent, trailer and RV sites, electrical/water, 5 lake side cabins, picnic areas, restrooms, playground, 2 swimming beaches, 2 boat ramps, docks, store, canoe, Jon boat and pontoon boat seasonal rentals, fishing, hiking and biking (1.5 mile multi-use trail).
Lake Hartwell Dam Area & Hartwell Project Visitor’s Center Located 1 mile passed the Savannah River/Lake Hartwell Dam on the GA side or 5 miles from Hartwell, GA. In GA, Big Oaks Recreation Area is right next to the visitor’s center and has a picnic area, playground, restrooms, boat ramp and facilities for handicapped. In SC, about 1 mile from the dam is Singing Pines Recreation area. It is on Lake Hartwell, has a boat ramp, swimming beach, picnic areas, a playground, bathrooms and facilities for handicapped.
Hartwell Marina 149 Hartwell Marine Rd. Hartwell, GA 30643 www.hartwellmarina.com 706-376-5441 Open 9am to 6pm daily On Lake Hartwell: It is located 2 miles from downtown Hartwell on N. Forrest Ave. I wouldn’t try to walk to town from the Marina because the road is narrow and has no sidewalks. Slips, fuel, boat repair, haul-out service, recovery service, bottom repair, ship’s store and the new Leland’s Lakeside Grille with outdoor picnic table seating are located here.	Milltown Campground 1920 Milltown Rd Hartwell, GA 30643 www.recreation.gov/camping/Milltown_Ga 877-444-6777/888-893-0678 Off Hwy 51 On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, restrooms, dump station and playground.
Paynes Creek Campground 518 Ramp Rd Hartwell, GA 30643 www.recreation.gov 877-444-6777 On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, restrooms, dump station, playground, swimming beach and facilities for handicapped.	Watsadler Campground 286 Watsadler Rd Hartwell, GA 30643 www.recreation.gov/camping/Watsadler_Ga 877-444-6777/888-893-0678 On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, restrooms, dump station, electrical/water and playground.
Georgia Toccoa Region
	Moccasin Creek State Park 3655 GA Hwy 197 Clarkesville, GA 30523 Near the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery www.gastateparks.org/info/moccasin 706-947-3194/800-864-7275 On Lake Burton, hiking, RV and tent camping, boat ramp, dock, wheelchair accessible fishing pier, playground, seasonal canoe/Jon boat rental and fishing
Laurel Park 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy (Hwy 129) Gainesville, GA Exit 24 off of I-985, turn left on Jessee Jewell Pkwy, turn right on Limestone Pkwy, turn right on Hwy 129 www.hallcounty.org/parks 770-535-8280 Playground, water playground for small children ($1), restrooms, tennis courts, picnic areas, boat ramp and a 1 mile walking trail	Lake Lanier Islands 700 Holiday Td Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518 www.lakelanierislands.com 770-945-8787 Hotel, water park, 18 hole golf course, houseboat rentals, camping, fishing pier, boat rentals, beach and horseback riding.
Unicoi State Park Hwy 356 Helen, GA www.gastateparks.org/Unicoi 706-878-2201/800-864-7275 Lake with a beach, rental canoe and pedal boats, several hiking trails, fishing streams, camp sites, lighted tennis courts, playgrounds, a lodge, cabins and a restaurant. You can hike from the Little Creek Campground to Anna Ruby Falls, it’s 4.6 miles one way (it is easier to hike down from Anna Ruby to Unicoi). There is also a 3 mile trail that goes to Helen.	Stephens County Recreational Area From Toccoa go 10 miles on Hwy 123 North Boat ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic and fishing area
South Carolina Clemson Region
Abernathy Park Nice board walk on Lake Hartwell, public city courtesy boat docks, restrooms, picnic area and playground, within walking distance of downtown Clemson.
Twelve Mile Recreation Area Near Clemson, from Hwy 123 turn onto Hwy 132, travel 1 mile www.sas.usace.army.mil On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic area, swimming beach, playground and facilities for handicapped.	Fair Play Recreation Area I-85 South, exit 2 turn left recreation area is at the end of this road www.sas.usace.army.mil $4 per car On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, restrooms, picnic area, swimming beach and playground
Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area 19138-A Hwy 11 South, Fair Play, SC 29643 I-85, exit 1, Hwy 11 toward Walhalla, ½ mile, look for signs $2 for adults, under 15 free www.southcarolinaparks.com 864-972-3352 On Lake Hartwell: 117 camping sites, 2 – one room cabins, RV, electrical/water, dump station, boat ramps, nature trail, fishing, restrooms, picnic area, playground, store, laundry area and they accept reservations. The park’s Information Center displays vintage fishing equipment.	Paris Mountain State Park 2401 State Park Rd (off US 25) Greenville, SC 29609 www.southcarolinaparks.com 864-244-5565 5 Miles north of the city, this hillside park has pedal boats on lakes, stocked fishing ponds, picnic areas, biking and hiking trails
Harbor Light Marina – North 1476 Harbor Light Marina Rd Lavonia, GA 30553 I-85, exit 177 www.harborlightmarina.net 706-356-4119 Open Mon. – Thurs., 9am – 5:30 pm Fri. and Sat., 9am to 6pm On Lake Hartwell: fuel, boat rentals, slips, mobile pump-out boat, service dept., private showers, restrooms and a ships store.	Harbor Light Marina – South 15 Knox Bridge Crossing Lavonia, GA 30553 www.harborlightmarina.net 706-356-2020 Open Fri. 1pm to 6pm, Sat. 9am to 6pm On Lake Hartwell: fuel, mobile pump-out boat, free wireless internet, DirecTV satellite ready, private showers, restrooms and a ship store.
	On Lake Hartwell Tugaloo State Park 1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd. Lavonia, GA 30553 Exit 173 off I-85, follow signs www.gastateparks.org/info/tugaloo 706-356-4362/800-864-7275 On Lake Hartwell, 108 camp sites, most are on a wooded peninsula with great lake views, RV, cable TV, electrical/water, dump station, store, 20 lakeside cottages (some have private boat docks!), 5 primitive camp sites, swimming beach, tennis courts, picnic areas, playground, fishing, 2 boat ramps, 4 miles of hiking trails, miniature golf, volleyball, horseshoes and seasonal canoe rentals.
Oconee State Park 624 State Park Rd. Mountain Rest, SC 29664 www.southcarolinaparks.com 864-638-5353 Fishing, swimming, picnicking, carpet golf, boat rentals, RV/tent camping, cabins (most of which are along the park lake and have fireplaces) and hiking trails. They consist of the Lake Trail, which is a 45 min. nature walk around the park’s lake, the Oconee Trail which is an easy to moderate 3 hour round trip hike with lake and beaver pond views, the Old Water Wheel Site Trail which is a moderate 2.5 mile hike and the 3 hour strenuous Tamassee Knob trail, which takes you to the top of Tamassee Mountain and provides great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.	Twin Lakes Campground Run by the Corp. of Engineers 140 Winnebago Trail Pendleton, SC 29670 Located off US Hwy 76, 5 miles west of Pendleton www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes www.reserveusa.com 888-893-0678 On Lake Hartwell: 102 camp sites, electric, water, pets allowed, RV, sewer hook-up, sewer dump station, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic area, playground, swimming beach and facilities for handicapped
Clemson Marina 150 Clemson Marina Dr. Seneca, SC 29678 864-653-8100	High Falls Park 671 High Falls Rd Seneca, SC 29672 864-888-1488 7am to dark On Lake Keowee, the 1830 historical Alexander/Cannon/Hill House is here as well as camp sites, boat ramp, fishing pier, miniature golf, playground, horseshoes, volleyball, park store and a softball field.
Lake Keowee Marina 156 Keowee Marina Dr. Seneca, SC 29678 www.lakekeoweemarina.com 864-882-2047 Tues. – Sat. 9 – 5, Sun. 10 – 4, Closed Mon. On Lake Keowee: deck or pontoon boat rentals, boat ramp, restrooms, store and meals are served at the Tiki Hut (www.clubtikihut.com, 864-882-0800) which is open during some seasons.
South Cove Park Seneca, SC 29672 864-882-5250 7am to dark On Lake Keowee, camp sites, boat ramps, handicapped accessible fishing pier, sandy beach, miniature golf, horseshoes and 4 tennis courts	Oconee Point Campground Run by the Corp. of Engineers 200 Oconee Point Rd County Rd 21 Seneca, SC 29678 www.reserveusa.com 706-376-4788/888-893-0678 On Lake Hartwell: 75 sites, electric, water, RV, sewer dump station, boat ramp and restrooms
Keowee-Toxaway State Park 108 Residence Dr. (SC 11 at SC 133) Sunset, SC 29685 864-868-2605 www.southcarolinaparks.com On Lake Keowee, hike, fish, picnic and visit the small Cherokee Indian Interpretive Center (FREE, open daily 11am – 12 pm and 4 pm-5 pm) where you can learn about the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians, that once lived in the Keowee Valley. Boat ramp and wooded campsites are available and a 3 bedroom cabin on Lake Keowee with a private boat dock. Restrooms are provided by the Interpretive Center. The parks 4 mile Raven Rock hiking trail is strenuous and takes about 3 hours.	Friendship Recreation Area From Townville go 1.5 miles West on SC 24, follow park signs On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic areas and swimming beach
Waldrop’s Restaurant & Store (Near Lake Hartwell’s T-10 and T-20 buoys), walk from Weldon Island boat ramps. 864-287-3958 Breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and beer, they also have a store.	Coneross Campground 699 Coneross Park Rd Townville, SC 29689 I-85, take exit 11 on Hwy 24 towards Townville, go 1.5 miles past Townville, take right on Coneross Creek Rd. Follow park signs. www.reserveusa.com 877-444-6777/888-893-0678 On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, courtesy dock, camp sites, restrooms, dump station, electrical/water, playground, swimming beach and handicapped facilities
	Lake Hartwell Camping and Cabins 400 Ponderosa Point Townville, SC 29689 www.camplakehartwell.com 888-427-8935/864-287-3223 3.3 miles North of I-85, exit 11, open year round, extended stay available On Lake Hartwell: 9 cabins, RV and tent sites, boat ramp, dock, laundry facilities, boat rentals, outdoor pool, tennis, basketball, horseshoes, volleyball, playground, miniature golf, 35 acres of hiking/biking trails, wireless internet
South Cove County Park 415 S. Pine St. Walhalla, SC Between Seneca and Walhalla, on Hwy 28 turn North onto Hwy 188 www.experienceoconee.com 864-882-5250/864-688-1488 On Lake Keowee: camping, electric, water, horseshoe pits, fishing, beach, swimming, restrooms, picnic area, playground, tennis, volleyball, 2 boat ramps, a handicapped fishing pier , an antebellum grave yard, no alcohol allowed.	BO’s Quick Stop 8835 Toccoa Hwy (123) Westminster, SC 29693 864-647-5075 On Lake Hartwell, a store with a dock. Bo’s is near Stevens Creek Boat Ramp on the GA side of the lake, near the 123 fishing pier.
South Carolina Anderson Region
Broyles Recreation Area Close to I-85 exit 11, go East on Hwy 24, on Right On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, restrooms, picnic area, swimming beach and playground.	Darwin H. Wright Park Close to exit 21 off I-85, go East, off Hwy 178 (Liberty Hwy) Anderson, SC Open March – Oct. On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp and dock, handicapped accessible fishing pier, restrooms, 9 hole disc golf course, picnic area, playground and swimming beach
Portman Marina 1629 Marina Rd. Anderson, SC 29625 1 mile east of exit 14 off of I-85 www.portmanmarina.com 864-287-3211 Open 9am – 5pm On Lake Hartwell: 24 hour fuel with a MasterCard, Visa or Portman credit card, slips, courtesy dock, pump-out station, cable TV, phones, two popular Restaurants that have inside and outside seating, bars, and are more upscale then other choices on the lake. The Galley – open Tues. – Sat. 5 to 10pm, 864-287-3215, seafood, steaks, specialty dishes and Nami Asian Bistro – open Tues. – Sat. 5:30 – 10pm, 864-287-3219 – sushi and other Asian dishes.
River Forks Recreation Area Corp of Engineers Anderson, SC Off Hwy 187 near Old Robert’s Church Rd, follow signs May 1 – Oct 1, 6am – 10pm $4 per vehicle, $3 boat launching fee On Lake Hartwell: good swimming beaches, playground, restrooms, picnic areas, boat ramp and facilities for handicapped	Sadler’s Creek State Park 940 Sadler’s Creek Rd Anderson, SC 29626 12 miles South of I-85 on SC 187 www.southcarolinaparks.com 866-345-park/864-226-8950 $2 for people over 16 On Lake Hartwell: boat ramp, campground, water/electrical, dump station, picnic area, restrooms and a new playground on the lake. The park has a .6 mile walking trail by the lake that is just right for families with small children. The playground, picnic area and short nature trail are located by the park office/picnic shelter. The 7.8 mile mountain bike trail has a single track and is fairly flat. To find the bike trail, stay on main road through park and look for a wooden fence before the cul-de-sac, park at wooden fence and the trailhead is behind fence to the left.
Springfield Campground Corp of Engineers campground 1915 Providence Church Rd Anderson, SC 29625 9 miles SW of Anderson Off of Hwy 187 www.reserveusa.com 706-376-4788/877-444-6777 888-893-0678 April – Sept, on Lake Hartwell, $22 single family rate, 75 sites on waterfront, electric, water, dogs allowed, RV, sewer dump station, boat ramp, restrooms, playground, swimming beach and facilities for handicapped.	Big Water Marina 320 Big Water Road Starr, SC 29684 www.bigwatermarina.com 864-226-3339 Open 9am to 5pm, closed on Tuesdays Pontoon boat rental (pets welcome), store, sailing lessons, ramp, slips, fuel, pump-out station, picnic area and boat bottom painting.