How much does camping cost at Bussey Point Campground?

Camping fees at Bussey Point Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Bussey Point Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bussey Point Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bussey Point Campground before I book?

Yes! Bussey Point Campground has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Bussey Point Campground?

Bussey Point Campground is open January 1 to December 31 is considered peak season.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Bussey Point Campground?

Bussey Point Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Bussey Point Campground?

Fire policies at Bussey Point Campground: Fires are only permitted in designated grills or fire rings, and must be attended at all times.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Bussey Point Campground have?

Bussey Point Campground has 14 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bussey Point Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bussey Point Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bussey Point Campground?

Bussey Point Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bussey Point Campground?

Popular activities at Bussey Point Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bussey Point Campground

4.27

81 reviews

510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping South Carolina Swimming Camping South Carolina Primitive Camping South Carolina +6 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

387 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Open January 1 throu...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on J. Strom Thurmond Project Office Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

387 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Open January 1 throu...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on J. Strom Thurmond Project Office Official Website

Get Directions

Bussey Point Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees are $10 per night. Reservations must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Additional reservation fees apply.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(800) 533-3478

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.27

Satisfactory

Based on 81 reviews

14 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietspacioushiking

"Overall, reviewers appreciate Bussey Point Campground for its serene and natural environment, suitable for primitive camping. Many highlight the spacious campsites, wildlife viewing opportunities, and access to recreational trails and the lake. However, complaints include inconsistent maintenance of vault toilets, lack of trash facilities, and occasional noise from generators and other campers."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821

Bussey Point Campground

510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821

Nearby places

Lincolnton, GA (approximately 10 miles, 15-20 minutes driving time)

Nearby supplies

Lincolnton, GA offers nearby access to groceries, fuel, and basic camping supplies

specific locations for these services are not detailed.

Driving directionsFrom 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 0.5 miles to the fork in the road. Take a right at the campground sign.

The campground is accessed by a combination of paved and unpaved roads. The last stretch involves continuing for 0.5 miles on a dirt road, which may be challenging for some vehicles.

Best Time to Camp at Bussey Point Campground

Summer brings the full experience: water temps climb into the 80s, daylight stretches long for trail time, and the lake fills with paddlers and anglers. Expect daytime highs in the 90s and evenings around 65-75°F. The wooded sites offer shade, but southern humidity is unavoidable. Spring and fall deliver milder temperatures for hiking and biking. Autumn turns the hardwoods gold and crimson. Winter stays relatively mild for trail use. Holiday weekends see moderate crowds, but the peninsula layout keeps most sites secluded.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warm days ideal for boating and lake activities, though peak crowds and heat can be downsides.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1 to December 31 is considered peak season.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open January 1 through December 31.

About Bussey Point Campground

Bussey Point Campground sits on a wooded peninsula jutting into J. Strom Thurmond Lake near Lincolnton, Georgia. The 14 primitive sites go for $10 a night and come with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Over 20 miles of non-motorized trails wind through the property for hiking and biking, plus 12.5 miles of equestrian paths. Cell service is unreliable, and there's no trash pickup, so come prepared to haul out what you bring in.

Bussey Point Campground is a primitive camping area offering 14 campsites. It is ideal for tent camping but also accommodates RVs, though without hookups. The campground is particularly suited for equestrian enthusiasts due to its extensive horse trails and facilities.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the full experience: water temps climb into the 80s, daylight stretches long for trail time, and the lake fills with paddlers and anglers. Expect daytime highs in the 90s and evenings around 65-75°F. The wooded sites offer shade, but southern humidity is unavoidable. Spring and fall deliver milder temperatures for hiking and biking. Autumn turns the hardwoods gold and crimson. Winter stays relatively mild for trail use. Holiday weekends see moderate crowds, but the peninsula layout keeps most sites secluded.

ElevationElevation details are not provided.

Natural Features and SceneryMixed pine and hardwood forests blanket the peninsula at 387 feet elevation, creating thick shade and natural privacy between sites. The lake wraps around much of the campground, offering water views and shoreline access for swimming and fishing. Wildlife sightings are common. Reviewers regularly spot bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. The dense canopy provides relief from summer heat, though the humidity still settles in thick during July and August.

Geological RegionNestled on a captivating peninsula that juts into J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Bussey Point showcases the region's signature landscape of mixed pine and hardwood forests. This heavily wooded sanctuary represents the perfect marriage of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, where the rolling piedmont forest meets the expansive lake waters, creating diverse habitats and endless opportunities for nature exploration.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

3:00 PM

Check-out

2:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights per visit and a total of 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy of 10 people per campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo loops, each with a vault toilet. Sites are spacious and spread out across the wooded peninsula. The vault toilets get mixed reviews for cleanliness, and there's no on-site attendant. Some reviewers reported finding horse dung in campsites from the equestrian trails.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability is mentioned. Reservations are required.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled before check-in with a $10 cancellation fee and forfeiture of the first night's recreation use fee for late cancellations.

AccessibilityThe campground has some accessibility challenges. For instance, the vault toilet in Loop A "is located at the far end of the line of campsites and is up a short slope," which "might be difficult for some to navigate.

Site SizeCampsites are large and well-spaced. One user noted, "The campsites are big," and another mentioned, "Campsites are large and well spaced.

PrivacyCampsites offer a decent level of privacy due to their spacing. One reviewer stated, the sites "were well distanced from each other, to allow for some privacy.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites 11-14 for waterfront views and larger spaces. Avoid weekends if seeking peace and quiet due to generator noise.

Need help booking Bussey Point Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Bussey Point Campground offers a wide variety of recreational activities. The 2,545-acre peninsula features approximately 12.5 miles of equestrian trails designed specifically for horseback riding, as well as an additional 20 miles of multi-use roads and trails for hiking, biking, and riding. The area provides access to J. Strom Thurmond Lake for fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, and swimming. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy abundant opportunities to observe southern bald eagles, wild turkeys, whitetail deer, and other wildlife.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include horse dung causing campsite cleanliness issues, rusty water from pumps, and proximity to wildlife like coyotes.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFires are only permitted in designated grills or fire rings, and must be attended at all times.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Expected quiet hours are not mentioned, but generator noise complaints suggest no enforced quiet hours.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are likely in Lincolnton, GA, including police, fire, and medical facilities.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are not provided, and campers are required to pack out their trash. Several users noted this as a minor inconvenience: "No dumpsters or anywhere to toss your trash would be my only complaint."

Water FeaturesThe campground is directly adjacent to J. Strom Thurmond Lake, with boating and fishing opportunities available.

Camp HostNo on-site host. The campground is unstaffed.

Weather at Bussey Point Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

81 reviews

Satisfactory

Bussey Point Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, reviewers appreciate Bussey Point Campground for its serene and natural environment, suitable for primitive camping. Many highlight the spacious campsites, wildlife viewing opportunities, and access to recreational trails and the lake. However, complaints include inconsistent maintenance of vault toilets, lack of trash facilities, and occasional noise from generators and other campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 81 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects mentioned by users include the quiet atmosphere, excellent lake views, spacious campsites, and recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Reviewers also...

Based on 81 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include issues with vault toilet cleanliness ("nasty" or "deplorable"), lack of trash disposal facilities, and occasional theft (e.g., a user reported stolen firewood). Noise from...

Based on 81 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include bringing sufficient drinking water due to issues with the hand pumps, reserving sites in advance as cell service can be unreliable, and preparing for self-sufficiency given...

Based on 81 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is quieter during weekdays and off-season, with fewer visitors. However, it becomes crowded during weekends and holidays, leading to noise from generators and reduced privacy. Summer...

Based on 81 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Primitive camping at its best. A favorite for sure." - Yvonne Reyes 2. "Love this campground because of its lack of amenities which deters most 'weekend campers.'" - Michael Barton 3....

Based on 81 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Best sites mentioned include 11 through 14 for their proximity to the water and scenic views. Site 6 was noted as accommodating a 32-foot Class A vehicle. Complaints about specific sites include...

Based on 81 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility issues include the difficulty of reaching the Loop A vault toilet for some campers due to its location and steep slope. One user noted, "The vault toilet in Loop A...might be difficult...

Based on 81 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed or penned. Reviewers appreciated the pet-friendly environment but mentioned the need to clean up after pets to maintain cleanliness.

Based on 81 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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