Featuring superb water-based recreation and some more luxurious amenities than a standard state park, Hickory Knob State Resort Park is a must-visit RV vacation destination. Located in the rolling hills of western South Carolina, Hickory Knob State Resort Park consists of 1,091 acres that contain a mixture of recreation and relaxation activities that have something for everyone.
The park is the only full-service resort in South Carolina that is also designated as a resort, so get ready to live the good life during your visit. One of the main draws to visiting Hickory Knob State Resort Park is that it offers guests a quiet respite from their hectic daily lives. If you love to golf, you will be in heaven thanks to the 18-hole championship golf course that is within the park, but for the non-golfers, the main attraction is Lake Strom Thurmond. Here you can go for a swim, explore via watercraft, or cast out a line and try to catch a big one.
The banks of the lake also make for a great picnic location, but for those who are wanting to entertain a larger group, you can even reserve The Barn, which can accommodate 200 people. You can also make use of the many extra amenities that aren't common at state parks if you are staying anywhere besides the campground. These include tennis courts, a swimming pool, a skeet shooting range, and a putting green.
Hickory Knob State Resort Park also offers plenty of accommodation options, including 44 RV friendly campsites that can accommodate rigs up to 65-feet in length. If you are looking to stay outside of your RV, there are 16 lakefront cabins, a lodge, barracks, and a restored historic French Huguenot Guillebeau House for you to choose from. Hickory Knob State Resort Park is open year-round.
Located on the border of South Carolina and Georgia, traveling to Hickory Knob State Resort Park is straightforward. There is one main road that will take you to the park that is easily accessible via US-378, so you won't have any trouble finding where to go.
If you need to pick up any supplies before your adventure, there are a few towns within proximity, including McCormick (around 11 and a half miles away), Lincolnton (about 14 miles away), and Plum Branch (around 15 miles away). The closest city to the park is Augusta, which is around 48 miles to the southeast. If you feel like visiting another park while you are in the area, you can also check out the nearby Baker Creek State Park.
Driving conditions in and around the park should be easy as the roads are well maintained and don't feature any obstacles that could cause damage to your RV. Getting into the campground, however, is another story. The road to the campground can be a little dicey, and depending on weather conditions, some campers have reported getting bogged when trying to exit. We recommend calling to find out about the campground conditions before departing if you plan on staying there.
Guests to the Hickory Knob State Resort Park will find ample parking at the Long Cane Convention Center, the lodge, near the golf course, and within the campground.
RV lovers wanting to call the park home during their stay have the option of staying at one campground within Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The campground can be hard to access depending on road conditions, but when the conditions are good, guests can choose from 44 sites, which can accommodate RVs up to 65-feet in length. The sites feature partial to full shade spots, thanks to the mature forest that populates this area. Some of the sites within the campground are equipped with water and 30-amp electrical hookups, and all sites have a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Amenities in the campground include a bathhouse with hot showers, a dump station, playground, basketball court, ladder ball, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, and tetherball. Although pets are not allowed in most of the lodge areas or cabins, they are welcome in the campground. We recommend booking a reservation in advance before your arrival.
One of the unique features of Hickory Knob State Resort Park is the accommodation that is on offer. The park maintains a lodge with 70 motel rooms suitable for two to four people, 16 one bedroom one bath cabins that can accommodate up to four people, and a unique two-bedroom restored French Huguenot house.
The French Huguenot Guillebeau House is our recommendation if you want to take a break from staying in your RV. 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.
For those traveling in a large group, you can also choose to stay at the group lodge that can accommodate up to ten people in barrack-style housing. Make sure to reserve your accommodation before your arrival to guarantee that you have a place to stay.
Guests to Hickory Knob State Resort Park with 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. A common geocache, known as the Knob on Hickory Knob is located via a slight detour from the Beaver Run Nature Trail. The hike isn’t overly challenging, but guests should be mindful that parts of the terrain surrounding the cache are overgrown. Cachers should also be on the lookout for snakes and bugs. This cache isn’t recommended for small children.
Visitors who love to fish should bring their fishing gear with them when setting out on their adventure to Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The massive Strom Thurmond Reservoir an exceptional place to cast a line. There are several species of fish that call the park home, including perch, many species of bass, and stripers. You can also fish from many different areas of the lake, such as the shaded shoreline, from the courtesy dock, or a boat. If you don't have any fishing gear with you, and you are new to fishing, it's not a problem. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources participates in a Tackle Loaner Program, making it even easier to try a new activity. Stop by the park office for more information on the program.
A top-rated attraction within the park is the park's picturesque championship golf course. Golfers will want to be sure that they pack their clubs for this. This waterfront, 18-hole championship golf course cuts its way through pine trees and follows Strom Thurmond Reservoir's shoreline, offering golfers stunning lake views. This course was designed by Tom Jackson and will challenge golfers of all ages and ability levels.
Along with being a great swimming area, Strom Thurmond Lake is also perfect for boating. Boaters may access Strom Thurmond Lake via the boat ramp, which is made especially for park guests. There is a charge for day-use visitors; however, overnight guests may use the boat ramp at no cost. The park also maintains a boat dock that is free to overnight guests. Don't have your own boat? Don't fret. The park has you covered with canoes or kayaks available for you to rent.
There is no better way to spend a hot summer day at Hickory Knob State Resort Park than by getting into a swimsuit, applying some sunscreen, and jumping into the lake. There are designated areas specifically provided for swimmers, so you will have plenty of choice as to where you can swim. For visitors staying at the cabins or lodge, you will also be able to use a swimming pool that is provided by the park. There is no guarantee that lifeguards will be on duty, so be mindful of this before jumping in.
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 that are perfect for meandering through the mature pine forest or strolling along the lake’s edge. The 12 miles are divided into three different paths that offer their own unique challenges. For guests who want a short hike, you should explore the Beaver Run Trail or the Turkey Ridge Loop Trail. For those looking for a bigger adventure, the Lakeview Loop features seven miles of a dirt trail that is quite difficult. If you are doing a solo hike, we recommend letting the park staff know of your plans before you set out.