Ridge Road

Ridge Road Campground is located on a scenic peninsula surrounded by J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only 15 miles from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam, and is one of the area's first campgrounds. The 70,000-acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline are prime for boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking and bird watching. Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass, and the large lake offers great conditions for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming. Many miles of hiking trails are available a few miles from the campground; hikers enjoy the 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads, the closest being Keg Creek. Ridge Road has 63 sites with water and electric hookups, a space for campers who prefer a more primitive experience with the convenience of modern amenities. The gatehouse has friendly camp hosts and information about the campground and local area. Two bathhouses have flush toilets and showers, and vault toilets are spread throughout the campground at the boat ramp, primitive island and playground. There is a playground near the designated swimming beach, and two dump stations and dumpsters in the campground. The campground sits on the shoreline surrounded by a mix of pine and hardwood trees that offer shade and visual interest. Wildlife is abundant around the lake — visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys and whitetail deer. Average temperatures during the camping season start out at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and peak in July at 90 degrees; May receives the least rainfall on average, with increased rainfall in June, July and August. Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional settings for boating, swimming, hunting and hiking. There are many USACE-managed day-use areas within six miles where registered campers may enter for free by displaying their campground hangtag pass, and within 15 miles campers may visit the dam, Visitor Center and various USACE trails. The Bartram Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, has a trailhead only 7 miles away by the Keg Creek boat ramp, loved by hikers and mountain bikers, with many trailheads offering different lengths and challenge levels. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants and shopping areas, and the Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.