Big Oaks Recreation Area

The Big Oaks Recreation Area offers a convenient boat ramp and access point for kayakers, canoeists, and other small watercraft on Lake Hartwell along the Savannah River. The ramp is a two-lane design, providing easy launching for boats. A courtesy dock is available to help load and unload gear.

This access site is located approximately 1 mile past the Hartwell Dam on the Georgia side of the lake, about 5 miles from the town of Hartwell. It provides day-use facilities including a picnic area, playground, and restrooms. Reservations can be made through the Recreation.gov website or by calling the Hartwell Project Office.

Lake Hartwell is a large reservoir formed by the Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River. It offers over 56,000 acres of surface area for boating, fishing, and other water recreation. The lake and surrounding public lands are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, making this a convenient and developed access point for paddlers and small boaters to explore this scenic section of the Savannah River.

Overview
Big Oaks Recreation Area is a 12 acre gently sloping site with good grass cover and scattered pine and hardwood trees throughout.. . . The area experiences high levels of intense public use during peak recreation season and serves to host numerous large special events annually, e.g. Hartwell Dam Run, Pre-Fourth Fireworks, etc. The site presently offers day use and boat launching...

Overview
Big Oaks Recreation Area is a 12 acre gently sloping site with good grass cover and scattered pine and hardwood trees throughout.. . . The area experiences high levels of intense public use during peak recreation season and serves to host numerous large special events annually, e.g. Hartwell Dam Run, Pre-Fourth Fireworks, etc. The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities to include a large picnic shelter (with water and electric service), 26 picnic sites, a two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 1 comfort station, 1 playground, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. The area is also the access point to the paved walking trail located atop the Georgia earthen embankment of Hartwell Dam. Recreation
Boating and water sports top the list of popular activities. A two-lane boat ramp with a courtesy dock is provided for easy lake access.
Facilities
The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities to include a large picnic shelter (with water and electric service), 26 picnic sites, a two lane boat ramp, 1 courtesy dock, 1 comfort station, 1 playground, and associated paved roads and parking areas throughout. Natural Features
Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. The dam and lake area boasts 8 campgrounds and 11 day-use facilities that are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The Hartwell Project was originally authorized for hydropower, flood control, and navigation. Later, recreation, water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife management were added.

Surrounding vegetation allows for plenty of shade, and the 962 miles of shoreline provide numerous swimming beaches, picnic areas and boat ramps.
Nearby Attractions
A 2.75 mile (rountrip) paved, walking, and bicycling path is located at the entrance to Big Oaks.Charges & Cancellations
A $10 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation more than 14 days in advance of the arrival. If you cancel a resrvation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival date, you will forfeit the reservation fee.

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