Georgia / Columbia County

Ridge Road

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from late March through early September and is currently closed for winter. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Ridge Road Campground is located on a scenic, wooded peninsula surrounded by J. Strom Thurmond Lake, offering campers convenient access to 70,000 acres of water and over 1,000 miles of shoreline. As one of the area's first campgrounds, Ridge Road provides a mix of modern conveniences and natural beauty with 63 sites featuring water and 50-amp electrical hookups, along with 6 primitive tent sites for those seeking a more rustic experience. The campground features two bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, with one bathhouse offering complimentary washer and dryer facilities for registered campers. Vault toilets are strategically located throughout the campground near the boat ramp, primitive camping area, and playground. Additional amenities include two dump stations, a designated swimming beach with adjacent playground, on-site boat ramp with dock, and a fish cleaning station. Camp hosts at the gatehouse provide information and assistance. J. Strom Thurmond Lake is renowned for some of the best fishing and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers target largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, and striped bass. The expansive lake offers excellent conditions for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, and kayaking. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with regular sightings of southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys, and whitetail deer. The Bartram Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, has a trailhead just 7 miles away at Keg Creek boat ramp, offering 27 miles of hiking and mountain biking through scenic shoreline and forest. The nearby Lake Springs Loop provides a shorter 1.8-mile hiking option.

Directions

From I-20 take Exit 183 (Appling). Go north on Highway 221 approximately 6 miles. At 4-way stop, turn left onto Georgia Highway 47 and drive approximately 5 miles. Campground road is on the right. Follow signs.

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