J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake

When it’s time for outdoor recreation, Americans head for the water. The Corps’ many lakes, rivers, and beaches offer everyone fun, fitness, rest and relaxation. And, America’s first choice for water-based recreation is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; one out of every ten Americans will visit a Corps lake this year.

Thurmond Lake is consistently one of the top 10 most visited Corps site in the U.S. and offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Outdoor water-related recreation abounds at Thurmond Lake. Swimmers delight in the sand beaches and designated swim areas located in many Corps recreation areas and campgrounds along the shoreline. The lake affords the avid sports fisherman and the weekend angler equal opportunities for a rewarding fishing experience. Coves and areas of quiet water provide the water skier with excellent surfaces on which to pursue this sport. Thurmond Lake appeals to boaters of all kinds, whether their specialty is canoeing, kayaking, sailing or motor boating. Picnicking with your family and friends, sightseeing, and other outdoor experiences can be enjoyed at the many public recreation areas located around the lake.

Safety…Thurmond Lake, as a public recreation lake, is provided for the use and enjoyment of you, our visitor. However, each year, needless injuries and deaths occur as a result of swimming and boating related accidents - most of which are preventable. To insure your enjoyment, you should observe water safety precautions as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws when using the lake’s waters for swimming, boating and other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does the Corps charge recreation use fees?

A1: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act provides the authority to charge use fees for recreation facilities and services provided at government expense. The Corps has charged fees for camping, the use of specialized facilities, and special event permits since the 1970s. Legislation to reduce the budget deficit, enacted in the mid-1900s, authorized the Corps to begin collecting day use fees. The collection of recreation use fees allows the Corps to recover a portion of the costs associated with operating and maintaining recreation opportunities at Corps parks nationwide.

Q2: The Corps is raising fees for the use of recreation facilities and services on public land. Is this a standard practice?

A2: Yes, each of the federal agencies that provide recreation opportunities charges entrance and/or use fees. It is standard practice to review and revise fee schedules periodically to assure statutory requirements and program goals are met.

Q3: How do the fees the Corps charges compare to other agencies’ fees?

A3: All Corps sites conduct comparability studies when setting their fees, to assure Corps fees are comparable to those charged by other recreation providers for similar services within the local area.

Q4: Why aren’t other facilities on the lake increasing their fees?

A4: Other state and local agencies may have different procedures for determining their fee schedules or a different period of review. The results of our periodic review of fees demonstrates a need to increase fees to keep pace with the increased cost of operation and maintenance.

Q5: Who makes the decisions about how much to charge and when to increase?

A5: Fees are reviewed every two years and consideration is given to costs of operating and maintaining the facilities. In addition, comparability studies are conducted to ensure fees charged are in line with other recreation providers with similar services within the local area.  The resulting fee schedules are approved by higher Corps authority. Congress established the original criteria for day use fees twenty years ago, which included a cap of $3 per vehicle per day. This increased in 2016 to a minimum of $5 per vehicle per day. The legislation included authority to adjust day use fees as necessary, in accordance with the CPI.

Camping fees have historically increased every few years to ensure we are not unfairly competing with private, local, and other state campgrounds.

Q6: How does the Corps benefit? How are the fees used?

A6: The fees are deposited in a special Treasury account and later returned to the Corps for operations, maintenance and improvement of recreation sites and facilities.

Q6: How much revenue are increased recreation use fees expected to generate?

A6: An increase of about $200,000 across the district

Q7: What does the Corps collect day use fees for?

A7. The fees are collected from visitors for the use of developed sites and facilities such as campsites, swimming beaches and boat launching ramps provided at government expense. Fees are not charged for the use of drinking water, wayside exhibits, overlook sites, picnic tables, toilet facilities or general visitor information. The Corps does not charge entrance fees.

Q8: Since the Corps is a major command of the Army, are active and retired service members exempted from paying fees or receive additional discounts on fees?

A8: Yes. The Military Annual Pass started in 2012 as a free annual pass for current US military personnel and their dependents. On December 27, 2021, S. 1605 “The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022” (PL 117-81) was signed into law. Section 641 of the NDAA makes Gold Star Families and veterans eligible for lifetime passes to federal recreational lands.

Q9: How will the proposed fees affect holders of the America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes and the Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport?

A9: There is no change. Holders of the those passes will continue to receive a 50 percent discount on camping fees and free access to day use facilities.

Q10: When will the new fees be implemented?

A10: January 1, 2025.

Q11: My taxes already pay for these services. Why should I have to pay again to use these facilities?

A11: Tax revenues paid for initial construction and support continued operations and maintenance expenses. Recreation use fees reflect the “user pay” philosophy, which recognizes that visitors who use the sites and facilities enjoy a greater benefit than other taxpayers and should pay a greater share of the cost to operate and maintain the facilities they enjoy.

Q12: Where can I find out more information?

A12: For more information contact your local Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office. A complete listing of Savannah District offices is available at https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/. For more information on America the Beautiful and military/veterans passes please visit https://store.usgs.gov.