Lake Hartwell

Georgia/South Carolina border, USA

Lake Hartwell is one of the Southeast’s largest and most loved lakes—renowned for bass fishing, big-water boating, and easy access right off I-85. It offers year-round recreation with 962 miles of shoreline and dozens of public parks and ramps.

56,000 acres

Surface Area

185 ft

Max Depth

962 miles

Shoreline

1955–1962

Created

Charlene Fields

Real Estate Broker, Charlene's Lakeside Realty

Helping people buy and sell real estate on Lake Hartwell, GA and SC.

706-436-1112

charlenefieldslee@gmail.com

www.charleneslakesiderealty.com

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About Lake Hartwell

Completed in 1963, Hartwell was created for hydropower, flood control, and navigation, and quickly became a regional recreation powerhouse. At full pool (660 ft msl) the reservoir extends roughly 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca, with public access points spread across multiple counties.

Water levels are actively managed by the USACE and can vary seasonally or during droughts and heavy-rain events. Historical extremes have ranged from a low of 637.49 ft msl (Dec 9, 2008) to a high of 665.4 ft msl (Apr 8, 1964). Anglers, paddlers, and boaters monitor USACE’s “Current Lake Levels” page—especially before tournaments and holiday weekends.

Key Features

Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

State Parks

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Seasonal Water Level Management

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Surface area: ~56,000 acres — one of the Southeast’s largest reservoirs.
Shoreline: ~962 miles — extensive coves and island shore.
Rivers: Tugaloo & Seneca form the Savannah at the dam.
Full pool elevation: 660 ft msl — typical summer target.
Created: 1955–1963 — USACE project for power & flood control.
Nearest interstate: I-85 bisects the lake for easy access.

Lake Hartwell Vacation Homes For Rent

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Lake Hartwell EVENT GUIDE

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Lake Hartwell DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Boat & Paddle: Launch from state parks or USACE ramps and explore broad open reaches for cruising, tubing, and sailing. Kayakers and SUPers will find quieter coves off the main channels.

Swim & Beach Time: Head to designated swim areas (e.g., Broyles, Coneross, River Forks) or Tugaloo’s white-sand beach; many parks have restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.

Fish: Target striped bass on points and humps, largemouth/spotted bass on docks and brush, spring crappie in creeks, and catfish at night. Tournament-grade facilities include Tugaloo’s six-lane “mega ramp.”

Camp: Reserve campsites or camper cabins at Lake Hartwell State Park (SC) or cabins/RV sites at Big Water Marina’s resort.

Dine on the Water: Grab a meal at marina restaurants like The Galley at Portman or J.R. Cash’s at Big Water; many marinas have ship’s stores and fuel.

Access, marinas & ramps

Major marinas:
Portman Marina (Anderson, SC) – South Carolina’s largest inland marina; ~500 slips, dining.
Harbor Light Marina (near Lavonia, GA/SC line) – Rentals, slips, convenient to I-85.
Big Water Marina (Starr, SC) – Full-service marina with lakeside resort and restaurant.
Sun Life Lake Hartwell Marina (Hartwell, GA) – Slips to 70’, indoor storage, on-site grill.
Clemson Marina (Seneca, SC) – Full service, across from Clemson University.

Popular public ramps & parks:
ugaloo State Park (GA) – Six-lane mega ramp for large tournaments.
Lake Hartwell State Park (SC) – Ramp, fishing pier, trails, camping.
Hartwell Marina ramp (GA) – Public access near the city of Hartwell.
Broyles, Coneross, River Forks (SC) – Day-use parks with swim areas and launches.
USACE “Boat Ramp Open/Closure List” – Check current status before you go.

Safety & regulations

Life jackets (PFDs): Georgia: Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved PFD while underway; a wearable PFD is required for each person on board (Type IV throwable also required on boats ≥16’).
South Carolina: Children under 12 must wear a USCG-approved PFD on boats <16’ and on PWCs; one wearable PFD per person and a Type IV on boats ≥16’. PWCs not permitted between sunset and sunrise.
General: Observe no-wake/idle-speed zones (e.g., within 100 ft of docks, swimmers, and moored vessels in GA), follow buoys and channel markers, and always check current lake levels and ramp status via USACE. No lifeguards at most swim areas—swim at your own risk.

Gallery

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Clemson, SC – Lakeside college town vibes, game days, and campus museums; Clemson Marina sits right across from campus.
Anderson & Hartwell – Gateway towns with dining, festivals, and lake-centric parks and ramps.
Tugaloo State Park (GA) & Lake Hartwell State Park (SC) – Easy day trips for beaches, trails, piers, and camping.
Regional excursions: Greenville, SC and Athens, GA are popular culture/food day trips from many lake communities.

Events & community

Lake Hartwell routinely hosts regional and national bass tournaments (helped by the mega-ramp at Tugaloo and plentiful marinas), plus marina-hosted poker runs, holiday fireworks, and lakeside live-music nights. Lake associations and USACE partners share timely lake-level and ramp updates, and local towns organize seasonal festivals that draw both residents and weekenders to the shoreline. Before attending, check the USACE lake level page and the specific park or marina’s calendar for current details.