Three different agencies charge to get on Lake Hartwell, and none of them honor each other's passes. Here's what each one costs as of November 2026.
| Where | Day fee | Annual | How to pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corps fee areas (7, GA & SC) | $7 per vehicle | Corps annual day-use pass, also America the Beautiful passes | Card only at automated stations |
| Georgia state parks (Tugaloo) | $10 per vehicle (ParkPass) | $70 | At the park |
| SC state parks (Lake Hartwell, Sadlers Creek) | $3 adults · $1.50 SC seniors · $1 ages 6–15 · 5 and under free | SC park pass (not covered here) | At the park |
| Twelve Mile (City of Clemson) | $5 gate | Pickens Co. residents: $40 car, $75 car + boat | At the gate; closed Feb–Mar |
| Hartwell Lakeside Park (City of Hartwell) | Not published. Call 706-376-1340. | ||
What changed recently
- Corps fee is $7 now. A 2024 Corps release said $5; Recreation.gov lists $7 a vehicle at the Hartwell day-use areas. Older websites still show $5.
- Georgia's ParkPass doubled. It was $5 a day from 2009 through 2025 and became $10 a day ($70 a year) on January 1, 2026.
- Corps passes don't work everywhere. Corps annual passes and America the Beautiful passes are good at Corps areas only, not at state, city or county parks.
Fee-free days
The Corps waives day-use fees on some holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and around the Fourth of July. Check the Corps news releases before you go.
Sources
- USACE: Hartwell day-use fees card only
- Recreation.gov: Twin Lakes Day Use ($7/vehicle)
- Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
- Georgia State Parks: ParkPass 2026 FAQ
- SC State Parks: Lake Hartwell
- City of Clemson: Twelve Mile info sheet
- WRDW: Corps waiving day-use fees (June 30, 2026)
Checked November 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.