Lake Hartwell has three kinds of launches: Corps of Engineers ramps and day-use areas, state parks on both sides, and parks the Corps has leased to a city or county. Each sets its own fee. At today's low water level, check the Corps ramp status page before you go.
Corps fee areas: $7 a vehicle, card only
The Corps lists seven fee areas on Hartwell. Fees are paid at automated stations by credit or debit card only; no cash, and gate staff can't take it. Leave the receipt on your dashboard.
| Area | Where | Type | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elrod Ferry | GA · Hart Co. | Day use + ramp | 1387 Elrod Ferry Rd, Hartwell, GA | Day-use area closed after a June 1, 2026 storm; the Corps ramp list shows the ramp open (Nov 1). Call 706-856-0300 before you go. |
| Big Oaks | GA · Hart Co. | Ramp fee only | — | — |
| Poplar Springs | GA · Franklin Co. | Ramp fee only | — | — |
| Hattons Ford | SC · Anderson Co. | Ramp fee only | — | — |
| Twin Lakes | SC · Pickens Co. | Day use + ramp | 189 Shelter Dr, Pendleton, SC | 2 lanes, both closed on the Corps ramp list (Nov 1, 2026); day use May 1–Sept 4; 2 swim areas. |
| Broyles | SC · Anderson Co. | Day use + ramp | 900 Smyzer Rd, Townville, SC | 3 lanes, open year-round; swim beach. |
| Singing Pines | SC · Anderson Co. | Day use + ramp | 6001 US Hwy 29 S, Starr, SC | 1 ramp, open year-round; day use Apr 1–Sept 30; 2 swim areas. |
The Corps also runs less-developed areas with no fee station. Its fee-area list doesn't include the other ramps below, but signs at the ramp are what count.
State, city and leased parks
| Park | State | Run by | Fee | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tugaloo State Park | GA | Georgia State Parks | $10/day ParkPass per vehicle ($70/year) | 6-lane megaramp + 2 more ramps |
| Hartwell Lakeside Park (formerly Hart State Park) | GA | City of Hartwell | Not published; call | 1 boat ramp |
| Lake Hartwell State Park | SC | South Carolina State Parks | $3 adults · $1.50 SC seniors · $1 ages 6–15 · 5 and under free | 2 ramps (1 open to the public) + courtesy dock |
| Sadlers Creek State Park | SC | South Carolina State Parks | $3 adults · $1.50 SC seniors · $1 ages 6–15 | 2 ramps |
| Twelve Mile Recreation Area | SC | City of Clemson (leased from the Corps) | $5 gate · Pickens Co. resident annual pass $40/car, $75/car + boat | Boat launch; flatwater cove |
Since 2021 the Corps has leased these areas to local governments, which set their own rules: Paynes Creek Recreation Area (Hart County, GA), River Forks Recreation Area (Anderson County, SC), Weldon Island Day-Use Area (Anderson County, SC), Twelve Mile Day-Use Area (City of Clemson, SC), Friendship Day-Use Area (Oconee County, SC).
Which Lake Hartwell ramps are closed?
As of Nov 1, 2026, the Corps lists 9 ramps fully closed and 5 with lanes closed, mostly because of low water:
- Apple Island: closed
- Cleveland: closed
- Durham: closed
- Honea Path: closed
- Jarrett: closed
- Spring Branch: closed
- Tabor: closed
- Townville: closed
- Twin Lakes: closed
- Big Oaks: left lane closed
- Broyles: left and right lanes closed (middle open)
- Hattons Ford: left lane closed
- Jenkins Ferry: right lane closed
- Poplar Springs: left lane closed
The Corps tells everyone to inspect a ramp before using it, since usable depth changes with the lake level. Check the Corps ramp status page the day you go.
All 34 Corps ramp sites, by county
From the Corps' own status list; closed ramps are struck through. It doesn't publish addresses or say which are free, so search the ramp name in your maps app and check the sign at the gate.
Georgia: Hart County
- Big Oaks · left lane closed
- Carter's Ferry
- Cleveland · closed
- Crawford's Ferry
- Duncan Branch
- Elrod Ferry
- Mary Ann Branch
- New Prospect
- Powderbag Creek
- Rock Springs
- Watsadler Campground
Georgia: Stephens County
- Jenkins Ferry · right lane closed
- Spring Branch · closed
Georgia: Franklin County
- Poplar Springs · left lane closed
South Carolina: Anderson County
- Apple Island · closed
- Broyles · left and right lanes closed
- Camp Creek
- Denver
- Double Springs
- Durham · closed
- Eighteen Mile Creek
- Glenn Ferry
- Hattons Ford · left lane closed
- Jarrett · closed
- Honea Path · closed
- Richland Creek
- Singing Pines
- Springfield Campground
- Townville · closed
South Carolina: Oconee County
- Coneross Campground
- Martin Creek
- Oconee Point Campground
- Tabor · closed
South Carolina: Pickens County
- Twin Lakes · closed
Best calm water for a first paddle
- Twelve Mile Recreation Area in Clemson: listed by Paddle SC as easy flatwater, good for beginners.
- Tugaloo State Park on the Georgia side: a launch next to the visitor center and quiet coves around the peninsula.
- Anywhere: the backs of creeks and coves, away from the main channel, and early in the morning.
Before you load up, check the Lake Hartwell water level today.
Sources
- USACE: Status of Corps boat ramps
- USACE: Hartwell day-use fees are card only
- USACE: reduced park operations and leases (2021)
- Recreation.gov: Hartwell Lake
- Fox Carolina: Elrod Ferry closed after storm (June 2026)
- SC State Parks: Lake Hartwell
- SC State Parks: Sadlers Creek
- Paddle SC: Twelve Mile Recreation Area
Checked November 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.