It’s South Carolina
HalloweenHalloween in South Carolina: haunted trails, trunk-or-treats and fall festivals, dated and priced →Halloween Events in South Carolina →
It's South Carolina

Events and things to do in South Carolina, with prices, dates and drive times checked at the source.

Lake Hartwell State Park

Lake Hartwell State Park is a state park in Fair Play, Oconee County, in South Carolina's Upstate. Admission is $3 for adults, less for SC seniors and children 6 to 15. Facts read from the official page on October 25, 2026.

  • HoursSee hoursofficial hours below
  • Admission$3 adultsper person
  • WhereFair PlayOconee County, Upstate
  • DogsLeashed, 6 ftrules below

About Lake Hartwell State Park

Lake Hartwell State Park sits just off I-85 at the Georgia line on the 56,000-acre lake, known for striped and hybrid bass, crappie and catfish. It has a public boat ramp, hiking and one-room camper cabins for guests without camping gear.

Plan It In Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Adults pay $3; SC seniors and children 6 to 15 pay less, and children 5 and under are free. The $99 All Park Passport covers your whole vehicle for a year.

    See hours

  2. Bring The Dog?

    Pets are allowed in Carolina Camper Cabins 1, 2 and 5. They are not allowed in any others.

    Full rules below

  3. Make It A Day

    Sadlers Creek State Park is about 13 miles away (straight line).

    3 places within 30 miles

Lake Hartwell State Park Hours

  • Sun up to sun down, daily
  • Park office: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily April-Oct. and 11 a.m. – noon & 4 – 5 p.m., daily Nov.-March

Admission And Passes

Admission, Side By Side
  • Adults$3.00
  • SC seniors$1.50
  • Children age 6-15$1.00
  • Age 5 & youngerFree

As listed on the official page, read October 25, 2026. SC senior rates need proof of age and residency.

Two adults, visit by visit, against the $99 All Park Passport

$99 All Park Passport

Two adults pay $6.00 a visit here. By visit 17 the day fees pass the $99 passport, which covers everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle at every state park for a year. Bars show the running total of day fees.

  • $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free

Passes: the All Park Passport is $99 and gives unlimited entry to every South Carolina state park for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle for one year; a seven-day passport is $65 (sold at the parks, not online). Half-price passports exist for SC seniors 65 and older and some other residents. Source: southcarolinaparks.com Park Passports, read October 25, 2026. Compare every park on our State Parks Passport page.

Directions And Contact

Dogs And Strollers

  • Pets are allowed in Carolina Camper Cabins 1, 2 and 5. They are not allowed in any others. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.

Not confirmed: stroller rules. The official page we read does not mention strollers; boardwalks and paved paths may suit them, but call ahead.

Near Lake Hartwell State Park

Around Lake Hartwell State Park within 30 miles
10 mi20 mi30 miNSEW123
  1. 1Sadlers Creek State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
  2. 2Oconee Station State Historic SiteState Historic Siteabout 24 mi
  3. 3Oconee State ParkState Parkabout 26 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Coming Up Near Lake Hartwell State Park

38 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

FAQ

How much does it cost to visit Lake Hartwell State Park?

Admission is $3 for adults, less for SC seniors and children 6 to 15.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Hartwell State Park?

Pets are allowed in Carolina Camper Cabins 1, 2 and 5. They are not allowed in any others. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.

Does the All Park Passport cover this park?

Yes. The $99 All Park Passport gives a year of unlimited entry to every South Carolina state park for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle, per southcarolinaparks.com.

What are the hours at Lake Hartwell State Park?

Sun up to sun down, daily.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Holiday and storm closures change at short notice; check the official page the day you go.
  • Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

  1. Lake Hartwell State Park official page (read 2026-10-25)
  2. South Carolina State Parks: Park Passports (read 2026-10-25)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point)

Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Lake Hartwell State Park”, itssouthcarolina.com/places/lake-hartwell-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.