J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake

Recreation Areas - Hunting

 

This is a picture of a Deer and fawns in the woods

Approximately 55,000 acres of public land around Thurmond Lake are suitable for hunting including over 28,400 acres of project lands leased to the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources for wildlife management.  All state hunting regulations apply to project lands and waters.  Hunters must possess a valid hunting license and permits for the state in which they are hunting. 

For State Hunting Regulations and Wildlife Management Area information:

 

 

 

Visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources web page by clicking on the logo below:

This is the South Carolina DNR logo graphic

Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources web page by clicking on the logo below:

This is the Georgia DNR logo graphic

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Hunting Area Maps

Listed below are Corps of Engineers managed hunting areas.  For maps of individual areas, select the "Area Name."

Maps of US Army Corps of Engineers hunting locations at Thurmond lake are only available on this website. No printed maps are available at the Thurmond Lake Visitor Center.

McCormick County, South Carolina

Area Name

No. Acres

Directions

Hwy 221/Below Dam SC
(PDF 429 KB)

455

From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, go south on Hwy 221 approximately 0.2 miles.  Turn left at second dirt road.  The parking area is just off the highway.  Look for the sign under the power line.  The area may also be accessed from the Below Dam, SC boat ramp area.

Scott’s Ferry (Two Tracts)
(PDF 406 KB)

653

Tract 1:  Project lands northwest of the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, Clarks Hill, SC.  The area may be accessed from the Scott’s Ferry boat ramp located approximately 1.2 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28.  Turn left at the Scotts Ferry boat ramp sign.

Tract 2:  From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 2.1 miles.  Turn left on dirt road at Grace United Methodist lease area sign.  Parking area is approximately 0.2 miles from the highway.

Catfish Peninsula
(PDF 395 KB)

1,286

Access 1:  From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 0.5 miles.  Look for the wide paved shoulder on the left side of the road.  Turn left on single lane gravel road.  The parking area is approximately 0.5 miles off of Hwy 221.

Access 2:  From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 1.2 miles and turn left on Dordon Creek Road (follow the signs).  Turn left on the first paved road.  After the pavement ends, follow the gravel road 0.4 miles to the parking area.

Dordon Creek
(PDF 406 KB)

1,524

Access 1:  From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 3.3 miles.  Turn left on State Road 69, Serpentine Drive (road to SC National Guard Training Site) and go approximately 1.7 miles.  Turn left on single lane gravel road.  The parking area is approximately 0.2 miles off the paved road.

Access 2:  From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 3.8 miles and turn left on Pine Grove Church Road and continue to the end, 1.4 miles.

Hawe Creek
(PDF 432 KB)

1,516

From McCormick, SC, take Hwy 378 towards Lincolnton, GA.  A portion of the tract may be accessed from Hwy 378 at the Little River Bridge.  The remainder of the tract may be accessed from State Road 124, Chamberlain Ferry Road.

Columbia County, Georgia

Area Name

No. Acres

Directions

Below Dam GA Quail Habitat Demonstration Area
(PDF 395 KB)

335

From J. Strom Thurmond Dam in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 221 south 0.5 miles.  The parking area is on the left.  This area is managed in partnership with Quail Unlimited, Inc. to help restore bobwhite quail to the region.  NO QUAIL HUNTING.

Lake Springs
(PDF 396 KB)

240

From J. Strom Thurmond Dam in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 221 south 2.3 miles.  Turn right on Lake Springs Road and go 0.2 miles.  Turn left on Augusta Boat Club Road.  Go 0.1 mile and turn left just before the boat club gate.

Ridge Road West
(PDF 389 KB)

620

From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 104 in Columbia County, GA, go north 3.9 miles on Hwy 104 and turn left on Ridge Road.  Pavement will end.  Follow main gravel road to parking area.  Mistletoe State Park area is off limits to hunting.

Columbia County & McDuffie County, Georgia

Area Name

No. Acres

Directions

Rousseau Creek
(PDF 365 KB)

556

From Pollards Corner in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 150 west 10 miles.  Turn right on Rousseau Creek Road.  Go north 5 miles.  The hunting area is before the subdivision.

Lincoln County, Georgia

Area Name

No. Acres

Directions

Greys Creek
(PDF 387 KB)

775

Tract 1:  From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 0.6 miles and turn left on Trulock Road.  Go 0.7 miles and turn right on Poplar Drive.  Follow Poplar Drive approximately 0.1 mile to parking area.  This tract may also be accessed from the Leathersville boat ramp area at the end of White Rock Road off of Hwy 220.

Tract 2:  From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge, go north 0.25 miles.  The hunting area is on the left.

Dozier Branch (Two Tracts)
(PDF 336 KB)

595

Tract 1:  From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, 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 Road.  Go 0.7 miles.  The entrance to the parking area will be on the left.

Tract 2:  At the south end of Mt. Zion Church Road, turn left on Salem Church Road, go east on Salem Church Road 0.25 miles, turn left on Arimethia Church Road, go northeast 1 mile.

Lloyd Creek
(PDF 354 KB)

1,280

From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 5.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy 220.  Go left on Hwy 220 approximately 6.2 miles.  Cross Lloyd Creek bridge.  The entrance to the parking area will be on the left.  This tract may also be accessed from Clay Hill Road and Salem Church Road.

Cherokee Creek
(Three Tracts)
(PDF 394 KB)

555

Tract 1:  From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Road.  Go 1.2 miles and turn left on a woods road.  Another parking area is just across Cherokee Creek bridge on the left. 

Tract 2:  From Ashmore-Barden Road, turn right on Bass Road, go 0.5 miles and turn left on Price Reese Road.  Go 0.25 miles to the hunting area.

Tract 3:  Only accessible by boat.

Bussey Point
(PDF 398 KB)

2,550

Scheduled hunts only.  Contact the Thurmond Project Visitor Center for more information.  From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Road.  Go 3 miles to stop sign and turn right on Double Branches Road (Hwy 220 Spur).  Go 3 miles until pavement ends.  Continue straight on dirt road 0.5 miles to check station and parking area.

Shriver Creek
(PDF 400 KB)

1,330

Access 1:  From the intersection of Hwy 47 and Hwy 220 in Lincoln County, GA, go east on Hwy 220 1.9 miles to a stop sign.  Go straight onto Maxim Road for 2.4 miles and turn right on Nethania Farm Road.  Follow the gravel road for 0.5 miles to “T” intersection and turn left.  The parking area is at the end of the road, 0.5 miles.

Access 2:  The area may also be accessed via Holloway Landing Road off of Double Branches Road (Hwy 220 Spur).

Wells Creek
(PDF 409 KB)

765

Limited road access.  Best accessed by boat.

Dry Fork Creek
(PDF 385 KB)

580

Very limited road access.  Best accessed by boat.

Soap Creek (Two Tracts)
(PDF 386 KB)

216

Both tracts adjoin Hwy 378 in Lincoln County, GA at the Soap Creek Bridge.

Mill Creek
(PDF 391 KB)

735

From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79 in Lincoln County, GA, take Hwy 79 north, 6 miles.  The tract adjoins Hwy 79.  Best accessed by boat.

Murry Creek
(PDF 405 KB)

1,705

From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 6.5 miles.  Turn right on Murry Creek Road.  Take a right at the fork to access the southern portion of the area.  Take a left to access the northern portion.

Hester’s Ferry
(PDF 796KB)

345

From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 11 miles.  Turn right on Graball Road.  Go 2.7 miles and turn left at the “T” intersection, and continue straight to the end, 1.6 miles.

Newford Creek (Two Tracts)
(PDF 397 KB)

893

Tract 1:  From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north 12.8 miles.  The entrance to the parking area is on the left.

Tract 2:  Limited road access.  Best accessed by boat.

Pistol Creek
(PDF 409 KB)

1,235

From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 14.5 miles.  Turn right on Lisbon Road and continue to the end, 3 miles.  The tract may also be accessed off of Hwy 79.

Elbert County, Georgia

Coody Creek
(PDF 404 KB)

435

From the intersection of Hwy72 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 south, 6 miles.  Turn left on Brad Dixon Rd.  Go 1 mile.  The hunting area is on the right.  Best access is by boat.