SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hartwell Project Office, announced the April 1 opening of six campgrounds and day-use areas for the 2019 season.
• Crescent Group Campground, Anderson County, South Carolina
• Springfield Campground, Anderson County, South Carolina
• Twin Lakes Campground, Pickens County, South Carolina
• Watsadler Campground, Hart County, Georgia
• Singing Pines Day Use Area, Anderson County, South Carolina
• Twelve Mile Day Use Area, Pickens County, South Carolina
Campers to Springfield Campground will notice the results of a major tree-cutting operation during the winter of 2018-2019. Workers removed weaker Virginia Pine species, which are more susceptible to disease and breakage during storms, from the park. They did so in an effort to reduce continual maintenance issues and public safety concerns resulting from falling and hazardous trees. It will also improve the long term health of the park’s forest, according to Natural Resources Program Manager Kenneth Bedenbaugh.
“Campers returning in 2019 will notice significant short term aesthetic impacts to the overall appearance of the park as removal of these inferior and dangerous trees results in less shade and buffer between sites at many locations,” Bedenbaugh said. “The area will be intensively managed to allow natural regeneration of beneficial tree species, supplemented by planting, to improve the overall health and diversity of vegetation within the park. This process will take time however, and we ask for visitors’ patience as we make long term improvements to the campground.”
Reservations for campsites and picnic shelters located within day-use areas can be made by calling Recreation One Stop toll-free at 877-444-6777 or online at www.Recreation.gov.
For more information regarding camping or day use areas at Hartwell Lake, please contact the Hartwell Project Office at 888-893-0678 or go to the Plan-A-Visit webpage https://go.usa.gov/xEM3t.
Release no. 19-013