Campground

Big Oaks

Hartwell Lake · HARTWELL · Georgia — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Books out fast — 2 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Big Oaks campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USACE

Weekend availability at Big Oaks

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 7:55 AM PT

Sold out 4 of the next 5 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Sold out

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Big Oaks?

as of September 17

Weekends book out well ahead here — 2 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Big Oaks and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Sold out
Oct 10Sold out
Oct 17Open
Oct 31Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 14Open
Oct 28Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
1
Electric sites
1
Group Shelter Electric

About this campground

Overview Big Oaks Recreation Area is a 12 acre gently sloping site with good grass cover and scattered pine and hardwood trees throughout.. . . The area experiences high levels of intense public use during peak recreation season and serves to host numerous large special events annually, e.g. Hartwell Dam Run, Pre-Fourth Fireworks, etc. The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities to include a large picnic shelter (with water and electric service), 26 picnic sites, a two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 1 comfort station, 1 playground, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. The area is also the access point to the paved walking trail located atop the Georgia earthen embankment of Hartwell Dam. Recreation Boating and water sports top the list of popular activities. A two-lane boat ramp with a courtesy dock is provided for easy lake access. Facilities The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities to include a large picnic shelter (with water and electric service), 26 picnic sites, a two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 1 comfort station, 1 playground, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. 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 hydropower, 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 A 2.75 mile (rountrip) paved, walking, and bicycling path is located at the entrance to Big Oaks.Charges & Cancellations A $10 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation more than 14 days in advance of the arrival. If you cancel a resrvation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival date, you will forfeit the reservation fee.

Getting there

From Hartwell, GA, take Highway 29 North towards Anderson, SC for about 5 miles. Big Oaks is located on the left next to the Hartwell Visitor Center and Manager's Office. 5823 DAM ROAD HARTWELL, GA 30643

Elevation
674 ft
Contact
888-893-0678 HARTWELL PROJECT OFFICE

Activities

  • FISHING
  • BOATING
  • DAY USE AREA
  • PICNICKING
  • WATER ACCESS
  • SWIMMING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Big Oaks

Popular Georgia campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Big Oaks around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Big Oaks opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.