River Forks

River Forks is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers access area located west of Anderson, SC off SC Highway 187 (County Road 194). This is a smaller recreation site featuring a boat launching ramp and courtesy dock, making it ideal for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboaters accessing Lake Hartwell. The area is day-use focused and provides a straightforward entry point onto the lake without extensive amenities.

Lake Hartwell is one of the nation's most popular Corps-managed reservoirs, built between 1955 and 1963 on the Savannah River. The Savannah River system is a major waterway (Stream Order 8) with significant flow—averaging over 12,800 cubic feet per second—making it a substantial water resource. Paddlers should be prepared for the scale of this major river system and potential powerboat traffic typical of popular recreation lakes. The Corps manages 29 access areas around Lake Hartwell, so multiple launch options exist if River Forks is at capacity during peak season.

For more information or to confirm current conditions, contact the Hartwell Project Office at 888-893-0678. Nearby Big Oaks Recreation Area (off US Highway 29 near Hartwell, GA) offers additional amenities including camping and day-use facilities if you need more services beyond basic 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...

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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