Lake Hartwell Boat Ramps: Open For Launch?

Lake Hartwell, located on the South Carolina-Georgia state line, is a popular destination for fishing, camping, hunting, and boating. With 56,000 acres of water and 45 boat ramps, it offers a range of recreational opportunities. The lake is renowned for its fishing, inhabited by striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, and bream. There are several boat ramps around the lake, including Gum Branch Mega Ramp, Twelve Mile Recreation Area, Big Oaks Recreation Area, and more. These ramps offer various amenities, such as launching ramps, restrooms, picnic areas, and some are open year-round.

Lake Hartwell State Park boat ramp

Lake Hartwell is a popular lake in the southeast, sitting on the South Carolina-Georgia state line. It is a renowned fishing spot, with anglers travelling from across the state to fish for striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream and catfish. The lake covers 56,000 acres and is surrounded by over 23,000 acres of public land.

Lake Hartwell State Park is located just off I-85, at the South Carolina-Georgia border. The park offers a range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, paddling, hiking and camping. The park has a publicly accessible boat ramp, which is open year-round. The park's boat ramp has two lanes, with a courtesy dock also available.

The park's hours of operation are from sun-up to sun-down daily, with the park office open from 10 am-5 pm daily between April and October, and 11 am-noon and 4-5 pm daily between November and March. The park charges an admission fee of $3 for adults, $1.50 for South Carolina seniors, $1 for children aged 6-15, and free entry for children aged 5 and under.

Lake Hartwell has a total of 45 boat ramps, with 34 of these located on the lake. The ramps are a mix of single and multi-lane ramps, with some also offering parking for trucks and trailers. Some of the other boat ramps on the lake include the Twelve Mile Recreation Area, the Asbury Park Boat Ramp, the Big Oaks Recreation Area, the Elrod Ferry Recreation Area, and the Friendship Boat Ramp.

Gum Branch Mega Ramp

The Gum Branch Mega Ramp is a large-scale facility for boating enthusiasts, featuring a six-lane, striped concrete ramp for smooth launches and an impressive 200 truck and trailer parking spaces. This ensures that a large number of boats can be accommodated, making it ideal for hosting fishing tournaments and other events.

The facility also includes a large pavilion with power supply, which is perfect for weigh-ins and other activities, as well as permanent restrooms for visitors' convenience. The pavilion and ramp can be reserved for events, but a Personal Use Permit is required for any fishing tournaments.

The Gum Branch Mega Ramp is located at 1352 Vanna Waller Rd. in Hartwell, Georgia, and is managed by both the City of Hartwell and Hart County. This ramp is just one of many boat ramps on Lake Hartwell, a popular lake that sits on the South Carolina-Georgia state line. Lake Hartwell is a hotspot for fishing, attracting anglers from across the state, and it also offers other recreational activities such as camping and hunting.

Twelve Mile Recreation Area

The Twelve Mile Recreation Area is located in Pickens County, South Carolina, near the City of Clemson. The area is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and is open from 6 am to 10 pm, unless you are actively fishing or boat launching. The park features a boat launch ramp, which is open all year, and a beach area, which is open from April 1 to September 9. The beach area has a playground, picnic tables, and a designated swimming area. There are also two picnic shelters that can be reserved for $40 to $50 each.

The recreation area offers a range of amenities, including restrooms, drinking water, a courtesy dock, a ramp security light, and facilities for the handicapped. The boat launch ramp is accessible for an annual fee of $75 for Pickens County residents and $150 for non-residents. The park also has a parking fee of $4 per vehicle from March 1 to October 31 and $3 per vehicle from November 1 to February 29.

The Twelve Mile River, which flows into Lake Hartwell, offers a range of paddling experiences, from flatwater to whitewater rapids. It is a great spot for beginners, as the river enters Lake Hartwell and provides lake-like paddling conditions. There are also historic landmarks, scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and parks in the area. However, due to previous PCB contamination, it is advised not to consume any fish caught in the Twelve Mile River or the upper reaches of Lake Hartwell.

Big Oaks Recreation Area

The site is open year-round, and pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash (6 feet or less) or otherwise physically restrained. There is a $5 per vehicle fee for boat launching. The large picnic shelter is available from April 1 to September 30 for reservations, which can be made up to 365 days in advance.

Friendship Boat Ramp

Lake Hartwell is a popular destination for fishing, with opportunities to catch three species of black bass, striped and hybrid bass, black crappie, and bream. Other recreational activities available at the lake include camping, hunting, and boating. The lake has numerous boat ramps, parks, and recreation areas that offer a range of amenities and facilities for visitors to enjoy. These include launching ramps, restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas, playgrounds, swim beaches, courtesy docks, and ramp security lights. Some parks also offer unique features such as camper cabins, paved walking trails, and fishing piers.

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