One of the Largest Lakes in the Southeast
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Why Rent On Clarks Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake
Clarks Hill, also known as J. Strom Thurmond Lake, spans 70,000 acres along the border of northeast Georgia and South Carolina, with over 1,000 miles of shoreline stretching through Lincolnton, Augusta, and the surrounding region. Created by the Thurmond Dam on the Savannah River, this is one of the most visited lakes in the eastern United States, and the variety of things to do here is genuinely hard to match.
Why a Lakefront Rental Makes All the Difference
With a lake this size, a vacation rental is not just a nice option, it is the right one. Waterfront cabins and luxury lakehouses along the Clarks Hill shoreline give your family a private dock, a full kitchen, and lake views from the moment you wake up. Many properties comfortably sleep large multi-generational groups with multiple bedrooms, hot tubs, and outdoor living spaces. Pet-friendly rentals are easy to find, and the shoreline communities on both sides of the state line are calm, residential, and welcoming.
Boating, Fishing, and Eagles on the Water
Clarks Hill is a full-service lake for water sports: boating, water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, and fishing all draw visitors throughout the warmer seasons. The lake is home to a healthy population of largemouth bass, and birdwatchers will find southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, and white-tailed deer along the shoreline’s wooded coves. The Thurmond Lake Visitor Center near the dam provides context for the lake’s history and ecosystem and is a good first stop for families who want to understand what they are exploring.
Beaches, Picnic Areas, and Community Spaces
The lake has multiple public access points with beaches, grills, and well-maintained picnic facilities that suit groups of all sizes. The clean, organized infrastructure around Clarks Hill is one of the things that makes it easy to recommend for coordinated family reunions or multi-family trips where logistics matter. You can split time between your rental’s private dock and the park-managed beaches without any planning effort at all.
Augusta Is Close, the Lake Is Better
Augusta, Georgia, sits just 35 minutes from the dam, which means you have a major airport, good restaurants, and real-city amenities within easy reach. But the truth is, most families who stay at Clarks Hill find that the lake is more than enough. The combination of size, variety, wildlife, and shoreline character makes it one of the Southeast’s great lake rental destinations, and one that rewards visitors who stay for a full week.
- Surface area (mi)
- 111.97
- Max depth (ft)
- 121.39
- Elevation (ft)
- 1043.31
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 1200
Popular activities
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking
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Marinas on Clarks Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Clarks Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, there are designated swimming areas at Clarks Hill – Strom Thurmond Lake. These areas are found within the Clark Hill Park Recreation Area and other recreation areas around the lake, providing safe and designated spots for swimming.
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Clarks Hill – Strom Thurmond Lake is a popular destination because it offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The lake provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, and water skiing. It also has multiple beaches, picnic areas, and hiking trails, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
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Fishing is not allowed in certain areas on Clarks Hill – Strom Thurmond Lake, such as boat ramps, courtesy docks, off bridges, and private boat docks without owner’s permission. These areas are marked as restricted or prohibited access. Additionally, fishing is prohibited near water intake structures and in the tailrace section during power generation.
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The best beach for families at Clarks Hill – Strom Thurmond Lake is at Wildwood Park. This park offers multiple beaches, a disc golf course, and hosts fishing derbies, making it ideal for both families and fishing enthusiasts. It also provides a variety of amenities suitable for family activities.
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Towns near Clarks Hill – Strom Thurmond Lake include North Augusta, South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia. The lake is also close to cities like Evans, Georgia, and Aiken, South Carolina. It spans across several counties in both Georgia and South Carolina.
