Introduction
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is a unique experience. This wooded 1,091-acre park can be found nestled into the rolling hills of western South Carolina along the shore of the 71,000-acre Strom Thurmond Reservoir. Here you'll find a variety of lodging and recreational opportunities awaiting you
With its serene remote location, Hickory Knob State Resort Park offers guests a quiet respite from their hectic daily lives. The park is chock full of surprises and recreational opportunities. Choose from an 18-hole championship golf course, water activities, hiking, camping, or lake front cabin living. This South Carolina park offers a private location for a family vacation, a family reunion or community retreat, a simple day trip and a round of golf.
For guests with a taste for the rustic life, the park maintains a campground along the banks of the Strom Thurmond Reservoir. There are 12-miles of trails, 44 camp sites that can accommodate RV’s up to 65-feet in length, 16 lake front cabins, a lodge, a group space with barrack-style lodging as well as a swimming pool, skeet shooting range, and tennis courts all contained within this one park. Amenities available within the park include a playground, wi-fi access, basketball court, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, tether and ladder ball. You'll also find a putting green.
The park maintains a one-of-a-kind lodging option in the restored historic French Huguenot Guillebeau House. This relocated 1764 house offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a typical French Creole or Huguenot style home. This house, originally a two-room log cabin, has seen many additions through the years. The house has two bedrooms and can accommodate up to four guests.
Camping Accommodations
RV Rentals in Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Transportation in Hickory Knob State Resort Park
The park's address is:
1591 Resort Dr.,
McCormick, SC 29835
Guests driving from McCormick will take Hwy. 378 W/E. Gold St. and drive approximately six miles. Turn right onto State Rd. S-33-7. After approximately two miles, make a left turn at the park entrance. You will see Hosannah Church on your right prior to your turn.
The park is approximately:
90 miles from Columbia, SC
88 miles from Greenville, SC
157 miles from Charlotte, NC
48 miles from Augusta, GA
Guests to the Hickory Knob State Resort Park will find ample parking available to them. Guests will find parking at the Long Cane Convention Center, at the lodge, near the golf course, and within the campground.
There is no access to public transportation available within the park.
Campgrounds and parking in Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Campsites in Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Guests to lovely 1,091-acre Hickory Knob State Resort Park will find a variety of recreational opportunities and lodging options to choose from. The park is tucked away in the rolling hills surrounding Strom Thurmond Reservoir in the western part of South Carolina. The park maintains a lodge with 70 motel rooms which can accommodate two to four people. The park also offers cabins for rent. There are 16 one bedroom/one bath cabins that can accommodate up to four people. Guests will find the cabins located within 150 yards of the lake. Three are also a unique two bedroom restored French Huguenot house available for rent. This space can accommodate up to four people. There is a group lodge available to groups that can accommodate up to ten people in barrack style housing.
Guests interested in a more rustic adventure will find a perfect space in the campground maintained by the park. Guests can choose from 44 sites which can accommodate RV’s up to 65-feet in length. Guests will find sites with partial to full shade under the mature forest that populate this area. There are water and electric hookups available. Guests will find the camp sites outfitted with a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Amenities in the campground include a bathhouse with hot showers, a dump station, Guests will find amenities including a playground, wi-fi access, basketball court, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, tether and ladder ball. Guest are invited to enjoy swimming in Lake Thurmond. Guests staying in a cabin or renting a room in the lodge will also have the option of using the park swimming pool. Guests staying in the park overnight are welcome to use the tennis courts as well.
Although pets are not allowed in the lodge or cabins, they are welcome in the outdoor areas of within the park. Guests should note that pets must be maintained on a leash no longer than six feet.
Seasonal activities in Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Hiking
Don’t forget to throw your hiking shoes into the suitcase when you pack for your adventure to Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The park maintains 12 miles of multi-use trails. Enjoy meandering through the mature pine forest or strolling along the lake’s edge. Visitors to the park can choose from three multi-use trails. These are:
Beaver Run Trail:
This multi-use hiking/biking trail is two-and-a-half-miles in length. Find the trail head near the post and rail fence. The trail begins on gently rolling hills and leads guests along the scenic shore line. After a gentle beginning, the trail offers a series of switch-backs. The packed dirt trail traverses ditches and streams offering some challenges. This includes tree roots, rocks, and the occasional sinkhole or narrowing in the trail. Guests will often find a variety of native wildlife on this trail.
Lakeview Loop Trail:
This challenging seven mile multi-use hiking/biking trail is located near the kiosk. Guests will find this single-track, dirt loop trail challenging. There are several places where the trees make a narrow trail. Guest will also find steep slopes, tree roots, rocks, and rough ruts along this trail. Hikers traverse a variety of habitats along this trail including a growth of young oaks, cedar and hardwood ridges, and stands of mature pines. The trail offers stunning open lake vistas as well as leading into intimate sandy coves.
Turkey Ridge Loop Trail:
Guests will find this moderately challenging two-mile multi-use hiking/biking trail near the post and rail fence. This trail will guide guests along a rolling, single packed-dirt path through a mix of mature pine and hardwood trees. The trail offers some moderate hills, sharp curves, switch-backs, and small streams without foot bridges. This trail offers a good opportunity to view native wildlife and explore the flora and fauna that exists near the park’s creeks.
Swimming
Guests visiting lovely wooded Hickory Knob State Resort Park in the warmer months will want to remember to pack their swimsuits and sunscreen. Many coves offer dappled shaded and invite guests to wade along the water’s edge. All guests to the park are welcome to enjoy the 71,000-acre Strom Thurmond Lake. There are designated areas specifically provided for swimmers. It is advised that those choosing to swim off a boat always wear a life vest and be mindful that coves often appear closer than they actually are. So, please, be mindful of your swimming abilities when attempting to swim from your boat to shore. The park also maintains a pool for cabin and lodge guests.
Boating
Guests to Hickory Knob State Resort will find this lovely wooded park an exceptional place to enjoy the delights of lake life. The park maintains a boat ramp providing private boat access to Strom Thurmond Lake. There is a charge for day-use visitors. However, overnight guest may use the boat ramp at no charge. The park also maintains a boat dock that is free to overnight guests.
Those visiting Hickory Knob State Resort Park without a boat of their own are still able to enjoy time on the massive 71,000-acre Strom Thurmond Reservoir. The park offers canoe and kayak rentals.
Golf
Guests new to the Hickory Knob State Resort Park may wonder at the concept of a “resort” park. However, once they get a look at the picturesque championship golf course maintained here, they will question no more. Golfers will want to be sure that they pack their clubs for their adventure in Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The 18-hole championship golf course cuts its way through a mature pine forest along the shores of massive Strom Thurmond Lake and offers golfers stunning lake views. This course was designed by Tom Jackson and will challenge golfers of all ages and ability levels.
Fishing
Guests will want to bring their tackle with them when setting out on their adventure to Hickory Knob State Resort Park. They will find massive Strom Thurmond Reservoir an exceptional place to cast a line. Guests are apt to catch any of several species of bass, hybrid, crappie, perch and stripers whether they cast from the shaded shoreline, from the courtesy dock, or from a boat. Guests should note that a valid South Carolina fishing license is required. Those new to fishing will be happy to hear that this park participates in the Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the South Carolina Dept of Natural Resources. So, even if you don’t have your own fishing gear, you can cast a line into the lake as rods and reels are available for loan at the park office.
Geocaching
Guests to Hickory Knob State Resort Park with an interest in this modern twist on treasure hunting will be happy to hear that they can find a cache while enjoying this exceptional wooded park. Guest who have yet to try geocaching will find their visit an exceptional opportunity to give geocaching a try. Guests searching for the “A knob on Hickory Knob” cache are looking for a regular sized cache in fairly challenging terrain. However, the cache itself is fairly easy to find. To locate this cache, guests will make a slight detour from the Beaver Run Nature Trail located within Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The hike isn’t overly challenging, but guests should be mindful that parts of the terrain surrounding the cache are overgrown and snakes and bugs are a real consideration. Due to this, the cache isn’t recommended for small children. Those attempting to locate this cache should be aware that the water between the shore and this cache can be flooded, though the cache is rarely over waist deep. Also, be mindful that the bottom is muddy.