Below Dam South Carolina

Summary

Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a popular park situated on the Savannah River below J. Strom Thurmond Lake Dam. It offers fishing, hunting, water sports, and group picnic shelters, plus hiking trails, boat ramps, a fishing pier, and playground. Wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys, and deer can be seen in the heavily wooded area. Nearby attractions include additional recreation areas and cities with museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping.

Overview

Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a popular park just below J. Strom Thurmond Lake Dam along the Savannah River. The park is located on Power Plant Road just off South Carolina State Highway 221 near the Visitor Center. The Savannah River offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities.

Recreation

The 70,000 acre Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities.

Facilities

Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a wooded day-use area with several group picnic shelters. One shelter has electrical hookups.

Other amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp, fishing pier, hiking trail and playground. There is no swimming at this park.

Natural Features

Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Elevation is 235' above sea level.

Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, osprey, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants and shopping areas.

The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.