Ridge Road

J. Strom Thurmond Lake

Ridge Road Campground is located on a scenic peninsula surrounded by the J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only 15 miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam and one of the area's first campgrounds.

Camping at Ridge Road 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!

Ridge Road Campground has many facilities that every camper can enjoy with 63 sites with water and electric hook up, while providing a space for campers that prefer a more primitive experience with the convenience of modern amenities! The gatehouse has friendly camp hosts, information about the campground, and local area. There are two bathhouses that have flush toilets and showers, but the first bathhouse boasts a complimentary washer and dryer for use by registered campers only. There are vault toilets spread throughout the campground at the boat ramp, primitive island, and playground for convenience. For the young campers, there is a playground near the designated swimming beach. 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.
All campground and picnic shelter reservations for the 2025 season have been cancelled due to damaged sustained by 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.
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 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!
Fireworks and firearms are prohibited.
All shorelines adjacent to campsites are public property.
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:

Ridge Road 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 15 miles, campers may visit the dam, Visitor Center, and various USACE trails.

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

The Bartram Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, has a trailhead only 7 miles away by the Keg Creek Boat ramp. This trail is loved by hikers and mountain bikers. There are many trailheads that offer different lengths of trail and challenge levels along the 27 mile trail.

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. Many miles of hiking trails are available a few miles from the campground. Hikers enjoy the 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads, the closest is Keg Creek.

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

5886 RIDGE ROAD APPLING GA 30802

Physical

5886 RIDGE ROAD APPLING GA 30802

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 706-541-0282

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

5886 Ridge Rd Appling, GA 30802

From I-20 take Exit 183 (Appling). Go north on HWY 221 approximately 6 miles. At 4-way stop, go left (GA HWY 47) and drive approximately 5 miles. Campground road is on right. Follow signs.

Available Campsites

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