Lake Hartwell Swimming

Lake Hartwell provides an excellent place to swim. During the summer, the surface water temperature on Hartwell Lake can climb well above 90 degrees. If you swim down towards the bottom, this temperature gets cooler and cooler. If you decide to swim in a non-designated swimming area, always be on the lookout for boats and personal watercraft.

When swimming in Lake Hartwell, safety should be your first and foremost concern. There are many places to swim, from the small sandy beach at Poplar Springs Recreation Area, to leaping into deep water from a boat. The Georgia side of Lake Hartwell also has several designated swimming areas.

Elrod Ferry Recreation Area is open from March 1 through October 31. Park hours are 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM except for fishing and boat launching. This recreation area has a boat ramp, two playgrounds, a picnic area, three designated swim beaches, a volleyball court, restrooms, and more. There is a $4.00 per vehicle day use fee, and a $3.00 per day boat launch fee. Elrod Ferry Recreation Area is located on Hwy 29 just north of Hartwell, GA, about 3 miles from the Hartwell Dam.

Hart State Park is located at 330 Hart State Park Rd in Hartwell, GA. Amenities include a boat ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic area, playground, swimming beach, boat rentals, cabin rentals, campground, water and electrical hookup, and showers. For reservations, call 1-800-864-7275.

Tugaloo State Park is located at 1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd in Lavonia, GA. Amenities include a launching ramp, restrooms, picnic area, playground, fishing pier, a very nice swimming beach, boat rentals, cabin rentals, campground, water and electrical hookup, showers, and a concession stand. For reservations, call 1-800-864-7275.

Another nice place to visit is the park located at the end of Old Hwy 29 in Hartwell. With water on both sides of the road until it dead ends at the water, the big-water view is spectacular!