Bussey Point Campground

Star4.27
81 reviews
510 Clarks Hill HWY, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, Clarks Hill, SC 29821
Summer Destination

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

Opens J. Strom Thurmond Project Office site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
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

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(800) 533-3478
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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."

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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

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.

Best Time to Camp at Bussey Point Campground

Experience 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.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Warm days suit boating, swimming, and fishing; however weekends can be crowded.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mild Southern fall, good hiking and wildlife viewing; generally quieter than summer weekends.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring offers wildlife activity, pleasant weather and good trail conditions for hikers and bikers.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round with mild winters but reduced activity options compared with warmer months.

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

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.
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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.

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.
HikingThe 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."
FishingFishing 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."
SwimmingSwimming opportunities are available in the lake, though no designated swimming areas or safety measures were explicitly mentioned in the provided content.
BikingBiking 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.
BoatingA 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 viewingThe 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."
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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.

Weather at Bussey Point Campground

Reviews

4.3
81 reviews
Satisfactory
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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