Hart State Outdoor Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Georgia — On the shores of Lake Hartwell — the massive 56,000-acre reservoir on the Savannah River bordering Georgia and South Carolina. Excellent striped bass and crappie fishing with full-service campground and boat ramps.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Georgia |
About Hart State
Hart State Outdoor Recreation Area in Hart County sits on Lake Hartwell — a 56,000-acre reservoir on the Savannah River that straddles the Georgia-South Carolina border. Lake Hartwell is one of the most visited Army Corps lakes in the nation, famous for its largemouth bass fishing. The Tugaloo River arm of the lake passes through the Cherokee homeland — the Treaty of Hopewell (1785) was signed near here. Annual bass tournaments draw competitors nationally.
Things to Do
Fishing for nationally renowned largemouth bass, swimming at the beach, camping (65 sites with hookups), boating on the 56,000-acre lake, waterskiing, and attending major bass fishing tournaments.
Getting There
Located on Hart State Park Road off US 29 in Hartwell. The park has 65 campsites, many directly on the lake. Lake Hartwell is annually ranked among the top bass fishing lakes in the country by Bassmaster Magazine. Hartwell Dam’s visitor center provides views of the 56,000-acre reservoir. Two hours northeast of Atlanta.
History & Ecology
Lake Hartwell is consistently ranked among the top 10 bass fishing lakes in America by major outdoor publications. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the lake for flood control, hydropower, and recreation. Nancy Hart — the fierce Georgia patriot for whom Hart County is named — reportedly killed five Tory soldiers singlehandedly during the Revolution, becoming one of the few women combatants of the war.
Insider Tips
Lake Hartwell: Hart State sits on Lake Hartwell — 56,000 acres straddling the GA-SC border, created by the Army Corps in 1962. Pro tip: Lake Hartwell is home to major college rowing competitions and bass tournaments. Clemson: Clemson University sits directly across the lake in SC — on land donated by John C. Calhoun’s family.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Lake swimming and boating. Fall: Football season atmosphere. Spring: Bass fishing and wildflowers. Winter: Mild lakeside hiking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell covers 56,000 acres with 962 miles of shoreline — created by damming the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The dam generates hydroelectric power and provides flood control. The lake is one of the most-visited Army Corps lakes in the country — 10+ million visits annually. The Savannah River basin it impounds drains portions of both Georgia and South Carolina.
