Overview Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a popular park just below J. Strom Thurmond Lake Dam along the Savannah River. The park is located on Power Plant Road just off South Carolina State Highway 221 near the Visitor Center. The Savannah River offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Recreation The 70,000 acre Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Facilities Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area is a wooded day-use area with several group picnic shelters. One shelter has electrical hookups. Other amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp, fishing pier, hiking trail and playground. There is no swimming at this park. Natural Features Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Elevation is 235' above sea level.
Source: rec_gov · last verified 2026-05-19