Sadlers Creek State Park is found near the border of North Carolina and Georgia, and along the banks of Lake Hartwell. The park sits on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Hartwell, one of South Carolina's largest human-made reservoirs. The Chattahoochee National Forest and the Oconee National Forest in Georgia are both a short drive from the park. Visitors to the Chattahoochee National Forest will find 850 miles of trails through over 800,000 acres of stunning forest with rivers and streams to explore, and visitors to the Oconee National Forest can see petroglyphs, other historic sites and part of the Appalachian Trail.
Campers can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Hartwell from their camping sites. The 56,000-acre lake is one of the more popular recreation lakes in the state and offers a variety of water sports like fishing, canoeing, and kayaking for visitors to enjoy. Geocaching, mountain biking, hiking, and birding are some of the fun activities that visitors can do on land within the 395-acre boundary of the park. Picnic shelters, picnic tables, and sports fields for volleyball, soccer, and baseball or softball are also available for visitors to use. There is even an area where you set up your corn hole and horseshoes. Sadlers Creek State Park is full of native plants and wildlife for visitors, so make sure to bring your camera along to capture any of the interesting species you might find. RVers can bring their pets with too, as long as they are kept on a leash shorter than six feet.
Just off US-29, Sadlers Creek State Park is easy to find. Campers with bigger rigs don't need to worry about any clearance issues when approaching the park. The roads leading to the park are all single lane and tarred. They are narrow, making it challenging to turn around. The nearest gas station to the park and can be found near Allendale, which is the nearest town to the park and is about six miles away. If you are needing to stock up on supplies or need a quick bite to eat, you'll find it there. If Allendale does not have what you are looking for, you can drive a little further to Anderson. Roads throughout the park are mostly tarred with the occasional dirt road, and visitors can drive along the paved roads to all the different sections of the park. It is just as easy to park your RV and walk or bike along the trails through the forest to get around the park. RVers will find parking near the boat dock and also in the campground.
Clemson Fans, along with many other team fans, absolutely love staying at Anderson / Lake Hartwell KOA for a variety of reasons. With a great location, guests at the campground can easily get to sporting events, or for the floral enthusiasts, the South Carolina Botanical Gardens that are also a part of Clemson University. Other sights in the area include historic covered bridges, Split Creek Farm, Pendleton Historic District, and Stumphouse Tunnel. End your day relaxing by the campground pool or unwind tossing horseshoes. Kids can run out the last of their energy in the KOA Fun Area, while the whole family might enjoy a round of mini-golf. Other amenities include full hookups for RV sites, along with 30- and 50-amp electric, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Max length for campers or RV rigs is 65-feet. Propane and firewood are available for purchase.
The park has three different campground loops within its boundaries. There are 66 campsites to choose from at Sadlers Creek State Park, and many have a stunning lake view. Fifty-two of these sites are for RVers and trailer campers and have packed gravel driveways. These sites have water hookups and 30-amp electric hookups. A minimum two-night stay is required when making reservations. There is one central dump station nearby. Campground #1 has 15 sites, which can accommodate trailers and RVs of different lengths ranging from 20 feet to 66 feet. Most of the sites are back-in, but site #1 is pull-through. Most of the sites are level, but sites #10-15 are on a slight slope. A maximum of two cars can be parked at each site during your stay. Sites are shaded, and each comes with a fire ring, grate, and picnic table. Restrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers can be found in the center of the loop.
Organized youth groups looking for a campsite can make use of the primitive camping area. It caters for groups of up to 50 people. Facilities are primitive, but the campground area includes restrooms, central water, picnic tables, and fire rings. The sites are situated in a nice quiet area of the park and are close to the lakefront. This area is in the northwestern part of the park and offers privacy for groups and tent campers.
Make sure to bring your bike and helmet along, as there is a lovely six-mile mountain biking trail in the park. This trail winds throughout the park and is suitable for hikers as well as bikers. Because the trail goes all over the park, bikers and hikers don't have to do the whole six miles. The trail has a few inclines, but it's not very difficult. You can do a stretch and get off the trail when you cross over a paved road and follow that back to where ever you want to go in the park.
Guests to Sadlers Creek State Park with interest in geocaching will believe they have hit the mother lode here. There are numerous geocaches hidden within the park. Those new to geocaching might want to give it a try with so many caches nearby. Geocaching is a modern twist on treasure hunting. Geocachers use handheld GPS or cell phone apps to locate geocaches. Many geocaches offer geocache hunters the opportunity to trade small trinkets found within the caches. Many of the geocaches in Sadlers Creek State Park are micro-caches, so guests will want to be sure to carry their own pen to sign the guest log.
Sadlers Creek State Park has several trails that both hikers and mountain bikers can explore. The Pine Grove Trail is an easy trail of 0.3-miles long. It is mostly flat and would be suitable for children and people with mobility issues. Hikers can take their dogs along on the trail. Several markers about the habitat of the surrounding wildlife can be seen as you walk. During dusk you may be able to see deer, foxes and other wildlife along the trails. The trail is also available to day visitors, who will need to pay an honesty fee when entering the park.
Campground loop #2 has 17 sites available. Site lengths vary from 22 feet to 40 feet and some are on a slight slope. All of them are back-in and provide ample room for comfortable camping. They each have a picnic table, fire ring, and grate. Communal restrooms with toilets and hot showers can be found a short walk from campsites.
Campground #3 has 20 RV sites. Sites are large and shady and come with a fire ring and grate and a picnic table, and communal restrooms have flushing toilets and hot showers. Sites range from 25 feet to 58 feet and can accommodate trailers and RVs of that size. Some of the sites are level, while others have a severe slope. Most are back-in, but sites #43, 43, 58, and 61 are pull-through. The remaining 14 sites are also found in campground #3. These are standard tent camping sites and offer central water facilities and restrooms.
Visitors can enjoy swimming in the refreshingly cool waters of Lake Hartwell. The park does not have a designated swimming area, which means you can choose your own private spot and avoid feeling crowded. No lifeguards are on duty at the park, so visitors are responsible for their children when they swim. It is recommended that you wear a life vest when you swim.
Pack a picnic and spend the day beside the lake. You can choose between two picnic shelters for your outdoor meal or make your own picnic spot along the banks of the lake with some blankets or chairs. The shelters can be reserved in advance for a fee, and if they are not reserved, they become available on a first-come-first-served basis. The shelter amenities include picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. A pavilion is also situated nearby and is available for park guests to use.
Try out your fishing skills in Lake Hartwell! The fish are plentiful during the summer, and you can catch bream, bass, trout, crappie, and catfish. Fishing doesn't only happen during the day; anglers can make use of the illuminated fishing pier at night. This light attracts baitfish and is provides fun entertainment for the children. If you would prefer to fish from on the lake, then you can use the boat ramp to gain access to the water. Fishers will need to have a valid South Carolina or a Georgia fishing license to enjoy fishing at the park. The park is part of a Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the local Department of Natural Resources. Thanks to this, visitors who don't have rods and reels can borrow them from the park's office.
Enjoy soaking up some rays while out on the lake in a boat. Bring your kayak, canoe, or boat along to the park and explore the lake. If you don't have your own boat, you can rent a kayak or canoe from the park. The park is located near a quiet area of the lake, so visitors will be able to peacefully enjoy the lake without the threat of being run over by large boats or speeding watercraft. Kayakers and canoers can gain access to the lake from anywhere along the shore, but visitors who want to gain access to the lake with their boats will have to one of the two boat ramps in the park.
