From Charleston,SC to Lake Hartwell Area

[Baileys_Buddies]

We will be traveling from the Charleston area and are looking for recommendations for the best route to get to the Lake Hartwell Area. We will be towing a 23' Travel trailer.

[kohldad]

We've stayed up at Twin Lakes a few time over the last year for my DD graduation and wedding. Lake Hartwell came up last year to full pond and has been about there ever since. You can check current level at http://www.mylakehartwell.com/Level.asp or better yet, the Army Corp of Engineers where they will even give you predictions 10 weeks out.

Easiest way to get there would be I26-I385-I85-Exit 14 south, left at stop sign (careful, down hill stopping), cross the lake, right on 187, follow signs. This assumes you get to the toll road by 3. If after 3, take I185 (toll) to I85. I usually get off on 153 because I go to Easley, but you may want to do the same if around 4:30 -5 as I85 likes to back up some between I185 and Hwy 153. After 153, it should be hectic but flowing.

If you are backroad adventurous, would run up as I described earlier. Would also give you the chance to swing through some of the parks on Clarks Hill Lake, especially Calhoun Falls SP. Just stay on 187 until you see the sign pointing to Springfield.

As a backup, don't know why, you can try neighboring Saddlers Creek SP. They seem to always have sites available. Guess it has to do with the number of campgrounds on the lakes and no large population centers close by.

[Baileys_Buddies]

Wanted to check out the COE campground in Springfield, not sure where that is in relation to the toll road. More than likely it would be on a Friday early afternoon hoping to do a 3 day weekend there. Also, are you familiar with the water level of the lake ? On the google maps pic the water level looked very low. Thanks for the input !

Jeff

[kohldad]

Agree with 26, but with the toll rate increase, I only use the toll road if I know 85 will be busy. Otherwise I just stay on I385 to I85.

That is assuming you are staying above I85 on Hartwell. If you are staying below, then there are a number of backroads you can take which would be even on time.

Alternatviely, how much of a hurry are you in? I often run up Hwy 78 to Aiken, 19 to Edgefield, 23 to Modoc, 28 to McCormick, then finally 81 to Anderson. This is my favorite slow scenic way.

And yes, I made these runs with my 35' FW and always enjoyed them. Just don't like the interstate that much after running it for 30 years going back and forth to the inlaws and Clemson.

[wildtoad]

Pretty much a straight shot up I26 to 385 to 85. I find taking the toll road a good use of a few bucks.