Bussey Point Campground
4.2440 reviews510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821
Bussey Point Campground
$10.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
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
Camping fees are $10 per night. Reservations must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Additional reservation fees apply.
About this campground
Escape to Bussey Point Campground, where 14 secluded primitive campsites await on a pristine wooded peninsula embraced by the sparkling waters of J. Strom Thurmond Lake. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, creating the perfect basecamp for your outdoor adventures. Adventure seekers will discover a paradise of trails, with over 12.5 miles of winding equestrian paths and an additional 20 miles of peaceful non-motorized routes perfect for hiking and mountain biking. As you explore, keep your eyes skyward for the majestic bald eagles that soar overhead, while wild turkeys and graceful deer make regular appearances throughout this natural sanctuary.
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 SeasonsExperience the gentle rhythm of Southern seasons at Bussey Point, where summer brings warm, languid days perfect for lake activities and cool evening campfires. Winter offers a mild respite with comfortable temperatures ideal for trail exploration. The true magic arrives in autumn, when the diverse hardwood canopy transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of golds, crimsons, and burnt oranges, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your camping adventure.
ElevationElevation details are not provided.
Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Bussey Point, where towering pines intermingle with stately hardwoods to create a verdant cathedral overhead. The campground's lakefront location offers stunning water views and peaceful shoreline access, while the dense forest canopy provides welcome shade and natural privacy. This thriving ecosystem serves as home to an impressive array of wildlife—watch for the iconic silhouette of bald eagles fishing in the morning mist, listen for the calls of migratory waterfowl echoing across the water, and catch glimpses of white-tailed deer grazing in quiet meadows at dawn and dusk.
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.
Campsite details
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."
Sites SizeCampsites are large and well-spaced. One user noted, "The campsites are big," and another mentioned, "Campsites are large and well spaced."
Sites 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 CampsitesChoose sites 11-14 for waterfront views and larger spaces. Avoid weekends if seeking peace and quiet due to generator noise.
Best CampsitesSites 11-14 are particularly recommended for waterfront access and privacy.
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 are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutCampground consists of two loops, with each loop having a vaulted pit toilet.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen January 1 through December 31.
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.
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
The campground features approximately 20 miles of roads and trails available for hiking. These trails, located within the Bussey Point wilderness recreation area, include a mix of easy to moderate routes. One reviewer praised the trails, stating, "The trails are pretty decent and easy to ride on."Fishing
Fishing is available in J. Strom Thurmond Lake with opportunities to catch largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, and striped bass. One user commented, "Fishing is pretty good too."Swimming
Swimming opportunities are available in the lake, though no designated swimming areas or safety measures were explicitly mentioned in the provided content.Biking
Biking is permitted on the trails within the campground and surrounding wilderness area. The 20 miles of roads and trails are noted as suitable for casual riders and nature enthusiasts, according to user reviews.Boating
A boat launching ramp is available on-site, and the lake offers opportunities for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and canoeing. One reviewer stated, "We were able to put our pontoon in just around the corner and drive over to the campsites."Wildlife viewing
The campground is an excellent location for observing wildlife. Commonly sighted species include southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys, and whitetail deer. One reviewer noted, "We heard coyotes, saw a bald eagle every day, some shore birds and 4 kinds of woodpeckers."Beach activities
There are several natural beaches within the area, though no specific amenities or activities were detailed.Winter Activities
Winter activities are not explicitly mentioned, but the area has mild winters that may allow for year-round camping and hiking.Water Sports
Water sports such as water skiing and jet skiing are available on J. Strom Thurmond Lake.Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Fires are only permitted in designated grills or fire rings, and must be attended at all times.
- Quiet hours are Expected quiet hours are not mentioned, but generator noise complaints suggest no enforced quiet hours.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include horse dung causing campsite cleanliness issues, rusty water from pumps, and proximity to wildlife like coyotes.
Weather forecast
82
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 39%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 7.1 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Nearest emergency services are likely in Lincolnton, GA, including police, fire, and medical facilities.
Good to know
Peak season datesJanuary 1 to December 31 is considered peak season.
Trash and 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."
Proximity to water featuresThe campground is directly adjacent to J. Strom Thurmond Lake, with boating and fishing opportunities available.
Common complaintsComplaints include unclean vault toilets, horse dung in campsites, lack of dumpsters for trash disposal, and occasional thefts reported by campers.
HostNo on-site host. The campground is unstaffed.
Campground Map
510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821
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.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.
Camper Reviews
4.2
40 reviews
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 40 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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsShow more
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 40 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025