Army Corps of Engineers · J. Strom Thurmond Lake · Clarks Hill, SC

Bussey Point Campground

Enjoy nature at its finest. Located at the entrance of the Bussey Point wilderness recreation area- a 2,545 acre peninsula on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, the campground provides a relaxing getaway for the nature enthusiast for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The Bussey Point horse trail was created by horseback riders for horseback riders. This trail circles the peninsula and is 12.5 miles long. Along with the horse trail, there are an additional 20 miles of roads and trails located within the area that all are welcome to use (no motor vehicles please). Located within the area are 15 food plots, six hike/bike/ride/boat in camping/picnic sites, and several natural beaches.

More like this: reservable in South Carolina · pets allowed in South Carolina

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Entrance to Bussey PointSite 6Bussey Point CampgroundVault toilet 11-14 loop
Photos courtesy of M. Barlow USACE, CESASOPT · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups14
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

14 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopEntrySurfaceShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
1APull-throughGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
2ABack-inGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
3ABack-inGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
4APull-throughGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
5ABack-inGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
6APull-throughGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
7APull-throughGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
8APull-throughGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
9ABack-inGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic
10AGravelPartialLakefront10 / 4YesBasic

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesCamping fees at $14 per night.

The campground has two loops of campsites, each with a vaulted pit toilet. There is a hand pump for non-potable water. There is no attendant on duty.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Bussey Point Campground40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 4.03 inches of precipitationFebruary: 3.91 inches of precipitationMarch: 4.32 inches of precipitationApril: 3.08 inches of precipitationMay: 3.43 inches of precipitationJune: 4.72 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.74 inches of precipitationAugust: 4.46 inches of precipitationSeptember: 3.67 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.04 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.30 inches of precipitationDecember: 4.21 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 45.7°F averageFebruary: 48.5°F averageMarch: 55.5°F averageApril: 63.5°F averageMay: 71.3°F averageJune: 78.4°F averageJuly: 82.0°F averageAugust: 80.6°F averageSeptember: 75.2°F averageOctober: 65.3°F averageNovember: 54.6°F averageDecember: 48.0°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Clarks Hill 1 W, less than a mile from the recreation area point at 400 feet, station USC00381726 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year.

Getting there

From the HWY 47 Little River bridge in Lincoln Co, GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Rd. Go 3 miles to the stop sign and turn right on Double Branches Rd. Go 3 miles until the pavement ends. COntinue straight on the dirt road.5 miles to the fork in the road. Take a right at the campground sign.

Nearest townClarks Hill, South Carolina
AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 33.66° N, 82.20° W. Call the office before you drive.

Explore

Video

Video of Bussey Point Wilderness Area, GA from cody S.

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, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.

Recreation

The area has 12.5 miles of equestrian trails that cross through the adjacent wilderness recration area. There is a boat launching ramp on site. 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, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities.

Nearby

The campground is just outside of Lincolnton, GA. Cherokee Recreation Area is nearby. Nearby golf course.

Guidebooks for South Carolina

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: the Carolinas
    Johnny Molloy, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping South Carolina
    Melissa Watson, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Five-Star Trails: South Carolina Upstate
    Sherry Jackson, 2023
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Bussey Point Campground?

Sites at Bussey Point Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Bussey Point Campground?

Camping fees at $14 per night.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Bussey Point Campground?

Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Bussey Point Campground have?

14 sites, including 14 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Bussey Point Campground?

Bussey Point Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Bussey Point Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bussey Point Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Bussey Point Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Bussey Point Campground?

The area has 12.5 miles of equestrian trails that cross through the adjacent wilderness recration area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Bussey Point Campground?

Clarks Hill, South Carolina. The campground is just outside of Lincolnton, GA.

Source: Getting there