Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Guide

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.