Watsadler
Hartwell Lake
Watsadler Campground is a 36 acre site consisting of a relatively dense cover of pine and mixed hardwoods. The area is open year-round and is one of Hartwell’s most popular camping destinations. The site presently offers camping and boat launching facilities to include 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 51 public campsites with full water/electric hookups, 3 comfort stations (2 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 playgrounds, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.
The site presently offers camping and boat launching facilities to include 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park attendant campsites, 51 public campsites with full water/electric hookups, 3 comfort stations (2 with showers), 1 dump station, 1 boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 2 playgrounds, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout.
Notifications and Alerts
This facility is for camping only. Carnival-type events using inflatables, including water slides, jumping houses, etc. and/or carnival-type rides/activities are not permitted.
Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell
May 8, 2025 Update: Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell Remains in Effect.
On May 6, teams from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Aquatic Science Division collected new water samples from 16 locations around Lake Hartwell and observed the harmful algal bloom (HAB) in several locations.
Based on the latest round of lake observations and water sampling, SCDES recommends (1) avoiding direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed and (2) keeping pets and animals from swimming in or drinking lake water where the HAB is observed
Visit the SCDES Algal Bloom Monitoring Map for the most up-to-date information.
Need to Know
Natural Features
Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. The dam and lake area boasts 8 campgrounds and 11 day-use facilities that are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The Hartwell Project was originally authorized for hydro-power, flood control, and navigation. Later, recreation, water quality, water supply and fish and wildlife management were added.
Surrounding vegetation allows for plenty of shade, and the 962 miles of shoreline provide numerous swimming beaches, picnic areas and boat ramps.
Nearby Attractions
Recreation
Fishing is one of the most popular activities at the lake. Sought-after species include largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass and hybrid bass.
The lake appeals to boaters of all kinds, whether their specialty is canoeing, sailing or motor boating. Coves and areas of quiet water provide water skiers with excellent surfaces.
Swimmers will find sand beaches and designated swim areas in many parks along the shoreline.
Changes & Cancellations
- Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates.
- Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first nights use fee.
- Reserved campsites will be held until check out time ( 2 p.m.) on the day following your scheduled arrival date. If you do not arrive at campground by 2 p.m. to fulfill your reservation, your reservation will be cancelled and you will be assessed a $20 service fee and forfeit the first nights use fee.
- No-shows are charged a $20 fee plus the first nights use fee.
- If your reservation is for one night and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10 service fee.
Refunds:
- To insure fairness for all Recreation.gov customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 6 or 12 month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation is made.
- Refunds must be requested no later than 14 days after scheduled departure date. Refunds may be requested through Recreation One Stop Customer Service at 877-444-6777. Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Cash and check purchases will be refunded by check and may take up to 8 weeks for approval and processing.
Contact Information
Default
NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE ADDRESS FOR CAMPGROUND. MAIL ALL CAMPGROUND CORRESPONDENCE TO: US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS - HARTWELL LAKE 5625 ANDERSON HWY HARTWELL GA 30643
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 888-893-0678 (HARTWELL LAKE OFFICE)
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Watsadler Campground Address: 286 Watsadler Road, Hartwell, Ga 30643.
From I-85 North in Georgia, take exit 177 onto Highway 77 towards Hartwell, Georgia. In Hartwell, take Hwy 29 North towards Anderson, South Carolina. Continue approximately 4 miles, take a Left onto Watsadler Road; entrance will be a short distance down on the right.
From I-85 South in South Carolina, take exit 14 (Hwy 187) and follow Hwy 187 until the 4-way stop with Hwy 29. Take a right onto Hwy 29 towards Hartwell, Georgia. After crossing into Georgia, continue approximately 1.5 miles and take a right onto Watsadler Road, campground will be a short distance down on the right.
Available Campsites
- Site 36, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 45, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 11, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 18, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 21, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 44, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 37, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop W9, Type Rv Electric
- Site 32, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 23, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
- Site 35, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 30, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 27, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 42, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 47, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 26, Loop W24, Type Rv Electric
- Site 48, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 01, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 33, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 20, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
- Site 10, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 16, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 34, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 17, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 46, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 14, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 28, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 41, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 24, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 08, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 29, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 51, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 50, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 25, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 31, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 39, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 49, Loop W42, Type Standard Electric
- Site 05, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 02, Loop W1, Type Standard Electric
- Site 22, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
- Site 15, Loop W9, Type Standard Electric
- Site 40, Loop W24, Type Standard Electric
- Site 19, Loop W18, Type Standard Electric
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