MCCORMICK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA · THE LAKE
Lake Thurmond, South Carolina
71,000 acres of water, 36 boat ramps, and the only resort park in the state system.
What is Lake Thurmond?
Lake Thurmond — officially Lake Strom Thurmond, and still called Clarks Hill Lake by longtime locals on the Georgia side — was renamed in 1987 in honor of the longtime U.S. senator. It covers 71,000 acres along the Savannah River, making it the second-largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. The region markets itself as "South Carolina's Freshwater Coast," with roughly 65 miles of Savannah River coastline running through it.
What fish are in Lake Thurmond?
Anglers come for white bass, striped bass, and hybrid stripers, along with largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. The lake's size and depth support healthy populations of all of them, and McCormick County's stretch of shoreline includes some of the least developed water on the entire reservoir.
How many boat ramps are on Lake Thurmond?
McCormick County alone has roughly 36 public boat ramps along the lake, giving easy access from nearly anywhere in the county rather than requiring a long drive to a single marina.
What is Hickory Knob State Resort Park?
Hickory Knob is the only resort park in South Carolina's state park system — meaning it combines a state park's land and pricing with resort-style amenities: an 18-hole championship golf course, archery and skeet ranges, hiking and biking trails, and lodging directly on Lake Thurmond. It's also home to the historic Guillebeau House, one of the oldest structures in the county.
Where can I paddle near McCormick, SC?
The Little River Blueway threads 51 miles of marked paddling trail through Sumter National Forest, connecting quiet stretches of the Little River to the open water of Lake Thurmond. It's a slower, quieter way to see the same shoreline the boat ramps open up.
How many golf courses are near Lake Thurmond?
McCormick County has four golf courses within its borders: Tara, Monticello, the course at Hickory Knob State Resort Park, and the McCormick Country Club. Combined with the lake itself, that density of golf is a big part of why Savannah Lakes Village draws as many retirees as it does.