Lake Hartwell: Best Boat Ramps To Use

what boat ramps are open on lake hartwell

Lake Hartwell, located on the South Carolina-Georgia border, is a popular destination for fishing, camping, hunting, and boating. The lake is surrounded by over 23,000 acres of public land and has 34 boat ramps, including the Gum Branch Mega Ramp, which features a six-lane concrete ramp and ample parking. Some boat ramps on Lake Hartwell are open year-round, while others are subject to seasonal closures. The park hours are generally from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless actively fishing or boat launching. Fees for boat launching vary across the different ramps, ranging from $3 to $4 per vehicle.

Characteristics Values
Number of Boat Ramps 34
Names of Boat Ramps Twelve Mile Recreation Area, Asbury Park Boat Ramp, Big Oaks Recreation Area, Elrod Ferry Recreation Area, Friendship Boat Ramp, Jenkins Ferry Access, Lake Hartwell State Park, Lawrence Bridge Landing, Martins Creek Boat Ramp, Mary Ann Branch Access, Owls Swamp Boat Ramp, Poplar Springs Recreation Area, Richland Creek Access, River Forks Recreation Area, Singing Pines Recreation Area, Spring Branch Access, Stephens County Boat Ramp, Twin Lakes Recreation Area, Weldon Island Recreation Area, Gum Branch Mega Ramp
Location South Carolina-Georgia Border
Number of Acres of Water 56,000
Number of Acres of Public Land 23,000
Number of Boat Ramps at Lake Hartwell State Park 2

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Twelve Mile Recreation Area

The Twelve Mile Recreation Area is a Clemson City Park on the northernmost tip of Lake Hartwell. It has a beach, a playground, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a boat ramp. The park is open from 6 am to 10 pm, and the boat ramp is open year-round. The park is open from April 1 to September 9.

The park is located in Pickens County, South Carolina, near the City of Clemson. To get there, turn onto Hwy 132 from Hwy 123, and travel for 1 mile—Twelve Mile will be on your left. Look out for brown directional signs.

The parking fee is $4 per vehicle, and the boat launching fee is $3. Picnic shelters can be reserved in advance for $40 to $50 each. Annual passes are also available for $40 for Pickens County residents and $120 for non-residents.

The beach is open from May to September. Swimming is allowed but at your own risk, as there are no lifeguards on duty. No pets are allowed on the beach.

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Asbury Park Boat Ramp

The Asbury Park Boat Ramp is located in Anderson, South Carolina. The boat ramp is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless you are actively fishing or boat launching. To get to Asbury Park, take Whitehall Road from the City of Anderson, turn right onto Centerville Road, and then turn left onto Asbury Road and follow the signs. The amenities at the Asbury Park Boat Ramp include a launching ramp, a courtesy dock, a picnic area, and a hunting area. There are no fees to use the boat ramp.

Asbury Park on Lake Hartwell is also home to a floating water park called The Shores of Asbury aqua zone. The water park includes an obstacle course and a separate section for children under 46 inches, with a 250-pound weight limit. The water park offers 1-hour, 2-hour, and all-day sessions, as well as a family ticket for 4 people. A parking pass with a water park ticket is $5, and a parking pass without a water park ticket is $10. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and from noon until 1:00 pm on the days it is open.

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Big Oaks Recreation Area

The recreation area is a popular site for large special events, such as the Hartwell Dam Run and Pre-Fourth Fireworks. It is also the access point to the paved walking trail located atop the Georgia earthen embankment of Hartwell Dam.

Pets are allowed at Big Oaks Recreation Area but must be kept on a leash (6 feet or less) or otherwise physically restrained.

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Elrod Ferry Recreation Area

The boat ramp at Elrod Ferry Recreation Area is available year-round. The day-use area is open from May 1 to September 9. There is a $5 user fee per vehicle. Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash (6 ft or less) or otherwise physically restrained. Shelters can be reserved from May 1 to September 9 and reservations can be made 365 days in advance. There is a $10 service fee for changes or cancellations made more than 14 days in advance. If a reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the arrival date, the reservation fee will be forfeited.

To get to Elrod Ferry Recreation Area from Hartwell, Georgia, travel approximately 2.5 miles on Highway 29 North. Turn left onto Elrod Ferry Road, and after a mile, follow the brown directional signs to the facility. The address is 1387 Elrod Ferry Road, Hartwell, GA 30643.

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Friendship Boat Ramp

To get to Friendship Boat Ramp, go 1.5 miles west on SC 24 from Townville, South Carolina, and follow the brown directional signs. The boat ramp has two lanes for launching, restrooms, a designated swim beach, a picnic area, a courtesy dock, and a playground. The fee is $3 per vehicle for boat launching.

Frequently asked questions

There are 34 boat ramps at Lake Hartwell.

Some boat ramps that are open on Lake Hartwell include:

- Gum Branch Mega Ramp

- Big Oaks Recreation Area

- Elrod Ferry Recreation Area

- Friendship Boat Ramp

- Richland Creek Access

- River Forks Recreation Area

- Singing Pines Recreation Area

- Twin Lakes Recreation Area

- Weldon Island Recreation Area

Lake Hartwell offers a range of amenities, including:

- Fishing

- Camping

- Boating

- Basketball court

- Hiking

- Picnic areas

- Swimming beaches

- Courtesy docks

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