Trails at Thurmond Lake
 

Bartram Trail, Columbia CO.,  Georgia    Length 8 miles

Description:  The Bartram Trail was named for William Bartram.  He was America’s first native born naturalist/artist and the first author in the modern genre of writers who portrayed nature through personal experience as well as scientific observation. His travels from Augusta, beginning in May 1775, took him north to Fort James on the Petersburg Road paralleling the Savannah River, but about three or four miles away from its banks.  On this he passed through Columbia and Lincoln Counties in areas now covered, at least in part, by J. Strom Thurmond Lake.

Bartram Trail Map (.pdf Printable Version)     

            The Bartram Trail  is well identified with yellow blazes.  Caution should be taken as the trail crosses several roads as it meanders through the woods.  The Lake Springs trail, a spur trail with white blazes, splits off at Lake Springs Park, where day-use facilities are located.  Within the Lake Springs Trail there are secondary trails identified with red blazes that allow visitors to explore the Lake Springs shoreline.

            The natural beauty of the area along the shore is still intact and will be apparent to any hiker who explores the trail between Lake Springs Road and Petersburg Campground.  This section of the Bartram Trail crosses an abandoned airstrip currently being used as a wildlife food plot.

            Vehicle parking lots are located at three locations along this portion of the Bartram Trail.  The parking lot at West Dam is located on the left just after you enter the park. The parking lot at Lake Springs is approximately 3/10 of a mile on the left after you turn down Lake Springs road. The parking lot at Petersburg is located on the right just before you get to the Petersburg Campground gate.

Directions:  To get to the Bartram Trail from Augusta, take Washington Road to Furys Ferry Parkway continue into South Carolina on HWY 28, turn onto US 221 and continue across the dam to West Dam Park, Lake Springs or Petersburg Campground.

Bussey Point Horse Trail, Lincoln CO., Georgia
Length 12.4 miles

Description: Bussey Point is a 2,545 acre peninsula at the confluence of the Savannah River and Little River. See the Wildlife Management section, on the Natural Resources page, for a more detailed description. The Bussey Point Horse Trail, is 12.4 miles long and circles the peninsula. Working with partners, the Corps has built 4 campsites near the trail entrance specifically designed for use by campers with horses.  The roads and trails throughout the area cover roughly 20 miles and are also open to hikers and mountain bikers. Currently there are 10 primitive campsites near the trail entrance available for $6 a night on a first come first serve basis. Within the area are 6 hike in/boat in camp/picnic sites, a rain shelter, an observation tower, several natural beaches, 15 food plots, and a hand pump well. The area is closed to hikers and others during annual management hunts.

To print maps on one sheet, at your print menu adjust paper orientation to landscape and paper size to legal.

Directions: From the Hwy. 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln Co. GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Rd. Go 3 miles to stop sign and turn right on Double Branches Rd. Go 3 miles until pavement ends. Continue straight on dirt road 0.5 miles to check station and parking area.

Shriver Creek, Lincoln Co., Georgia    Length 3.25 Miles

Description: Shriver Creek is a 900 acre peninsula along the Savannah River portion of the lake. The area contains 6 trail roads which branch out though the area. Most trials go to or past one of 6 food plots. Long leaf pine are common in this area. Note: There are no trail signs in the area.

To print maps on one sheet, at your print menu adjust paper orientation to landscape and paper size to legal.

    Shriver Creek Trail Map

Directions: From the intersection of Hwy. 47 and Hwy. 220 in Lincoln Co. GA, go east on Hwy 220 1.9 miles to a stop sign. Go straight on Maxim Rd. for 2.4 miles and turn right on Nethania Farm Rd. Follow the gravel road approximately 1 mile to the parking lot.

Cherokee Quarry, Lincoln Co., Georgia    Length .5 Miles

Description: The trail circles an old strip quarry that has been converted to a wetland and pond area thanks in part to beavers. Waterfowl are common on the pond. A spur tail leads to the shoreline.  Note: There are no trail signs in the area.

Directions: From the entrance to Cherokee Recreation Area, go north on Hwy. 47 approximately 1/4 mile. Turn left at dirt driveway at the first metal gate.

Catfish Peninsula McCormick Co., South Carolina
Length 6.5 Miles

Description: Catfish Peninsula is a 1,070 acre peninsula along the Savannah River portion of the lake. The area contains 10 trail roads which branch out though the area. The area contains 6 food plots and several old stand of large pine and hardwood. Note: There are no trail signs in the area.

Directions: From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy. 221 approximately 1.2 miles and turn left on Dordon Creek Rd. (Follow the signs.) Turn left on the first paved road. After the pavement ends follow the gravel road 0.4 mile to the parking area

Lake Springs Trail, Columbia Co., Georgia   Length 1 Mile

Description: This is a paved interpretive trail located within Lake Springs Recreation Area. The trail connects the four peninsulas which make up the park. It ends at an observation tower overlooking the lake. The trail also connects to the Bartram Trail which is marked in white, red, and yellow blazes. There is a $4 dollar per vehicle fee to enter the park and horses and pets are not permitted in this area.

Additional trails can be found at the hunter access areas listed in the previous section. They follow trail roads used for logging and food plot maintenance. The trails are generally shorter (less than 2 miles) and do not have directional signs.

Canoe Trails...

Listed below are two canoe areas. There are no trail markers. Extra caution should be used during periods of high stream flows and always wear a PFD.

Dozier Branch Lincoln Co., Georgia     Length 2 Miles

Description: From the canoe launching area, go downstream along Dozier Branch to where it joins Greys Cr. Go north along Greys Creek until the water is too shallow to go any further. These creeks are not accessible to most power boats and provide canoeist with an excellent fishing opportunity.

Directions: From the Hwy. 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln Co. GA, go north 5.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy. 220. Go left on Hwy. 220 approximately 3.6 miles and turn left on Mt. Zion Church Rd. Go 0.7 miles. The entrance to the parking area will be on the left.

Little River,  McDuffie, Wilkes, and Warren Counties, Georgia     Length 7.5 Miles

Description: Little River is accessible from the Little River Boat Ramp on Hwy on Hwy 78 in McDuffie Co. or from the Hwy. 80 bridge in Wilkes. Launching and retrieval from the Hwy 80 may be difficult depending on stream flow. This portion of Little River meanders through a portion of the GA Department of Natural Resources Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area. Hardwood bottoms and steep bluffs are common.

Directions: From Thompson, GA take Hwy 78 west approximately 10 miles. The boat ramp is located on the right just before crossing the Little River bridge.

There a several hiking and canoe trials on U.S. Forest Service land in McCormick and Edgefield Counties, SC. For more information, visit their web site at:

For additional information contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at J. Strom Thurmond Project at the telephone number or email link to the left.