Outdoor Recreation
For all reservations go to www.reserveamerica.com enter South Carolina for State and the park name. This will give you detailed info on all surrounding parks around Lake Thurmond.863 Baker Creek Road - McCormick, SC 29835 - (864) 443-2457 - Contact: Todd Rexrode
Directions from McCormick:
Take U.S. Highway 378 west for 4 miles, take a right at the park sign, go 1 mile then take a left at the park entrance.
Baker Creek State Park is located in the heart of the Sumter National Forest on the shore of Strom Thurmond Lake (formerly Clarks Hill Lake). This impoundment of the Savannah River separates South Carolina and Georgia, and is one of the largest lakes in the Southeast. Thurmond Lake's 70,000 acres of fresh water has more than 1,200 miles of shoreline.
Situated in a heavily wooded area with rolling terrain, this 1,305-acre park is popular with campers, fishermen and day visitors.
- Park amenities:
- There are 50 family campsites with water and electrical hookups and picnic tables, comfort stations with showers and restrooms and a dump station. There are an additional 50 campsites with water only.
- A primitive camping area is also available for groups.
- The park also has a picnic area with two shelters, playground equipment, seasonal lake swimming area (no lifeguards), an open-air pavilion, lake, nature trails, basketball court, volleyball court, horseshoes, two boat ramps and trails.
1111 Campground Road - Plum Branch, SC 29845 - (864) 333-2223 - Contact: E.J. Jones
Directions from McCormick:
Located on U.S. Highway 221, 12 miles south of McCormick.
This 731-acre state park is a peninsula reaching into Strom Thurmond Lake, an impoundment of the Savannah River that separates South Carolina and Georgia.
The park's spacious lakefront campsites provide a restful retreat where visitors can enjoy a natural environment and easy access to their favorite water sports.
- Park amenities:
- There are 190 family campsites with water and electrical hookups, heated comfort stations with restrooms and hot water for showers, privy toilets throughout the park and two dump stations.
- There is a primitive camping area for groups.
- The park also has playground equipment, a picnic area with three small shelters, lake fishing, two boat ramps and picnic tables.
1591 Resort Drive - McCormick, SC 29835 - (864) 391-2450 or toll-free (800) 491-1764 - Contact: Gerald Clanton at gclanton@scprt.com
Reservations can only be made by contacting the park directly. 
Visit us on the web at www.hickoryknobresort.com
Directions from McCormick:
Located on S.C. Highway 7, north of U.S. Highway 378, approximately 8 miles west of McCormick.
The only resort park in the state park system, Hickory Knob State Resort Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities on its 1,091 acres, including skeet shooting, tennis, archery, fishing, volley ball, and horseshoes. A beautiful 18-hole championship golf course lies along the shores of Thurmond Lake.
A full service restaurant is open year-round, and visitors can choose a cabin, lodge room or camping for their overnight accommodations.
- Park amenities:
- Lodging options include 18 cabins, 70 lodge rooms, 2 suites, the Historic Guillebeau House (sleeps 4), the barracks (sleeps up to 12) and 44 campsites.
- The campsite areas have water and electrical hookups, picnic tables, comfort stations, showers and a sanitary station.
- The park has a pool, 18-hole golf course with pro-shop and lounge, driving range, putting green, archery range, skeet range, tennis courts, playground equipment.
- There are three hiking/biking nature trails, lake fishing, a boat ramp, canoe and kayak rentals, two boat docks.
- The main lodge and conference area feature a gift shop, restaurant, TV, games, a piano, pool tables, and a fireplace.
- The park also has meeting rooms available for office meetings, church retreats, weddings & reunions. Plus, a lakeside amphitheater and s Sales & Marketing professional to help with all of your meeting planning.
- The Dorn Sport Fishing: handicap accessible.
Operated by the Corps of Engineers, this park offers a boat ramp, picnic grounds and shelters, a fish cleaning station, a fishing pier, drinking water, a playground, a beach and restrooms. It is located near Clarks Hill, on U.S. Highway 221, on the South Carolina side of the dam. (877) 444-6777.
Located off U.S. Highway 378, near Hawe Creek Campground, this County-operated tournament-style boating facility offers boat ramps, fishing piers, restrooms and parking for 200 vehicles with trailers plus 200 additional vehicles. Contact the McCormick County Recreation Department at (864) 852-2921 to schedule events.
Located off U.S. Highway 378, near the Dorn Sport Fishing & Boating Facility, this Corps of Engineers campground offers a boat ramp, dump stations, electricity, drinking water and bathhouses. Campsite reservations are available. (877) 444-6777.
Located near Willington, this Corps of Engineers campground offers a boat ramp and drinking water. (877) 444-6777.
Located near Mt. Carmel on the shores of Thurmond Lake, this Corps of Engineers campground offers a boat ramp, picnic grounds, dump stations, electricity, drinking water, a playground and a bathhouse and a fish cleaning station. Campsite reservations are available. (877) 444-6777.