Below Dam South Carolina

About

Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a popular day-use park situated just below the J. Strom Thurmond Lake Dam along the Savannah River. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the facility is located on Power Plant Road off South Carolina Highway 221, near the dam's Visitor Center. The wooded site features a mixed pine and hardwood forest providing ample shade. The recreation area offers seven group picnic shelters available for reservation through Recreation.gov, with one shelter featuring electrical hookups capable of accommodating groups up to 50 people. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, paved driveways, and picnic tables. The park also provides a boat ramp, fishing pier, hiking trail, and playground. The Savannah River below the dam offers excellent fishing opportunities for species including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass. Due to strong currents from dam releases, swimming and wading are strictly prohibited. This is a day-use only facility with no overnight camping permitted; visitors must vacate by 8:30 p.m.

Directions

From Clarks Hill, SC, head west on US Highway 221. Turn onto Power Plant Road just before reaching the dam. The recreation area is located below the dam near the Visitor Center.