Petersburg

J. Strom Thurmond Lake

Petersburg Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only four miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam and only 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia.

Camping at Petersburg is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation. The 70,000 acre lake and 1,000+ miles of shoreline are prime for activities that facilitate such opportunities such as boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and bird watching, and so much more of course! Just outside the entrance the largest trailhead for the Bartram Trail which is a designated National Recreation Trail prime for hiking and mountain biking.

Petersburg Campground has many facilities that every camper can enjoy! The gatehouse has friendly Gate Attendants and information about the campground and local area. There are four bathhouses spread throughout the campground that have flush toilets and showers, but the first bathhouse boasts a complimentary washer and dryer for use by registered campers only. The boat ramp and courtesy dock are conveniently placed with circle drives. For the fishers who don't use the boat ramp, there is a large fishing pier to make land fishing easy. There is a playground on the first loop adjacent to one of the two swimming beaches, a first come first served/ reservable pavilion making it the perfect spot for birthday parties or any celebration, and to top it all off the bathhouse is only a short walk away. For campers of all ages, there is a shaded hiking and biking trail that winds through the campground showcasing the beautiful pine and hardwood trees.

For camper convenience, there are two dump stations and dumpsters located in the campground.

Notifications and Alerts

This facility is closed until further notice due to impacts from Hurricane Helene.

Need to Know

Gates open at 7:00am and close at 10:00pm.

Combination lock codes will be issued to registered campers at check-in. If you need to leave due to an emergency and have trouble opening the gate, please notify the on-duty camp host.Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Gate are locked during these hours but a gate combination is issued to campers. In case of an emergency dial 911.
Check-out time is 2 p.m. Starting January 1, 2025 check-out time will be 1 p.m.

Check-in time is 3 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm early check-in.
No more than 12 campers allowed per site, and 4 vehicles per site if space allows. If vehicles do not fit, vehicles must be parked at the overflow lot.
One wheeled camping unit (RV, Camper, Camper van/truck, etc) per single site and must be parked on impact pad. Tents are restricted to impact pad.
Scooters, UTVs, and ATVs are prohibited; however, golf carts are allowed per campground rules. See Park Attendant at the campground gatehouse for more information.
Maximum stay is 14-days within 30 day period. Changing names on a reservation, changing campsites, or making multiple reservations in order to stay over 14-days is prohibited and applicable across USACE campgrounds. Violaters may have reservations cancelled.
Alcohol, fireworks, and firearms is prohibited
Keep your campsite and campground clean. Keep your trash contained and frequently remove trash from campsite (dumpsters located within campground). Do not leave litter in fire ring or on campsite upon check out.
Gray water (any wastewater from sinks, dishwashing, bathing, etc) or other waste water such as black water must be disposed of properly at campground dump station.
All pets must be penned, caged, or on a leash no longer than 6 feet; pets are prohibited on swim beaches, playgrounds, and in restrooms. You MUST clean up after your pet!
All shorelines adjacent to campsites are public property.
There are alligators in the fishing pond at this campground. Please do not feed or interact with the alligators if you see them.
For current lake conditions, call 1-800-533-3478 ext. 1147.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
For a complete set of rules and regulations concerning, please refer to Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327 - Rules and Regulations Governing Public Use of Corps of Engineers Water Resources Development Projects.

Natural Features

Water/ Land:

Petersburg Campground is on the shoreline of the J Strom Thurmond lake that is over 70,000 acres, and surrounded with a mix of pine and hardwood trees which offer shade and visual interest.

Wildlife:

Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.

Weather/ Climate:

Average temperatures during the camping season starts out at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and peaks in July at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. May receives the least amount of rainfall on average, but increased rainfall for June, July, and August.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional settings for outdoor activities such as, boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking. There are many USACE managed day-use areas within six miles where registered campers may enter for free by displaying their campground hangtag pass. Within four miles, campers may visit the dam, Visitor Center, and various USACE trails.

Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas.

The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.

Recreation

Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers great conditions for exciting activities such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming.

The Bartram Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, hosts it's largest trailhead just outside the entrance to the campground. This trail winds around the campground and shares beautiful views of the lake. This trail is favored by mountain bikers and hikers as a convenient option to get out and experience nature. Hikers have access to many miles of trails in the immediate area. The 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park, are both nearby. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.

When recreating at Thurmond Lake, we hope to give our visitors opportunities to bond, appreciate nature, relive stress, improve skills, and improve physical fitness.

Contact Information

Mailing

3998 PETERSBURG ROAD APPLING GA 30802

Physical

3998 PETERSBURG ROAD APPLING GA 30802

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 706-541-9464

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

3998 Petersburg Rd Appling, GA 30802

From I-20, take Exit 183 (Appling). Go north on HWY 221 approximately 6 miles. At the 4-way stop, go straight (HWY 221) another 2 miles. Campground road is on the left. Follow signs.

Available Campsites

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