Anderson calls itself the "Electric City" — it was one of the first cities in the South to have electricity, powered by a local hydroelectric plant on the Rocky River. That's a fun piece of trivia, but the real draw for RVers is right next door: Lake Hartwell, a 56,000-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with 963 miles of shoreline straddling the South Carolina-Georgia border.
Sitting on I-85 between Atlanta and Charlotte, Anderson is an easy stop on one of the Southeast's busiest corridors. It's also 15 miles from Clemson University, which means that on fall football Saturdays, the entire region transforms into a sea of orange heading for Death Valley. Between the lake, the gamedays, and what's reportedly the largest flea market in the South, this corner of the Upstate has more going on than the highway exit signs suggest.
The 9 dump stations in the area — plus excellent Corps of Engineers camping on the lake — make it a practical base for a few days or a whole season.
Dump Stations
Nine dump stations serve the Anderson-Lake Hartwell area. The Springfield campground (Corps of Engineers) has a dump station on-site. The KOA just off I-85 Exit 14 also offers dump access. Most full-hookup parks have sewer connections at the site level.
Browse all Anderson area dump stations
Where to Camp
Springfield Campground (Corps of Engineers) — Best Value on the Lake
79 sites with electric and water hookups, boat ramp, dump station, and showers — all on the shores of Lake Hartwell. Federal campground pricing makes this one of the best deals in the Southeast for lakefront camping. If you're a bass fisherman, this is your spot. Hartwell is known for largemouth and striped bass, plus crappie and catfish.
Anderson/Lake Hartwell KOA Holiday
Just 1 mile off I-85 Exit 14. Full hookups, pool, lake access. The convenience factor is hard to beat — you're off the interstate and set up in 10 minutes. A solid overnight stop or a comfortable base for exploring the area.
Hartwell Cove Resort
The newest RV park on the shores of Lake Hartwell. Full hookups with resort-style amenities. If you want something a step above the standard campground, this is it.
Sadlers Creek State Park
37 lakefront sites on Lake Hartwell with electric and water hookups. This South Carolina state park is known for watersports and wildlife. The sites are lakefront — not lake-adjacent, not lake-view, but actually on the water. That's rare at state park prices.
Lake Hartwell: The Main Event
Numbers first: 56,000 surface acres. 963 miles of shoreline — that's more shoreline than the coast of South Carolina. The lake was created when the Corps of Engineers dammed the Savannah River in the 1960s, and it straddles the SC-Georgia border with enough coves, points, and islands to explore for weeks.
What you can do:
- Fishing — Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish. Hartwell is consistently ranked as one of the top bass lakes in the Southeast. Tournaments run year-round.
- Boating — Multiple public boat ramps including at Springfield campground. Pontoon and fishing boat rentals available at area marinas.
- Swimming — Sandy beaches at several parks and campgrounds. The water warms to the mid-80s by July.
- Kayaking/Paddleboarding — Calmer coves are perfect for flatwater paddling.
Clemson Football Weekends
Clemson University is 15 miles northeast of Anderson, and on fall Saturdays, Death Valley (Memorial Stadium) holds 81,500 fans in one of the loudest environments in college football. If you're an RV tailgater:
- Book your campground weeks to months ahead for home game weekends. Everything within 30 miles fills up.
- Traffic on SC-28 between Anderson and Clemson will be heavy on game mornings and after the game. Allow extra time.
- The SC Botanical Garden on the Clemson campus is worth a visit even without a game — 295 acres of gardens and natural areas, free admission.
The Jockey Lot
The Anderson Jockey Lot claims to be the largest flea market in the South — 65+ acres of vendors selling everything from antiques to produce to tools to handmade crafts. Open weekends. Even if flea markets aren't your usual thing, the sheer scale of this one is worth a walk-through. Arrive early for the best selection and manageable crowds.
When to Visit
| Season | Highs | Lows | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | 74°F | 50°F | Comfortable. Lake warming up. Dogwoods blooming. Severe thunderstorms possible. |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 90°F | 68°F | Hot and humid. Lake is the best escape. Water temps in the mid-80s. |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 74°F | 48°F | Football season. Best weather. Lake still swimmable into October. Peak RV time. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 54°F | 32°F | Mild by standards of anywhere north of here. Quiet season on the lake. Good for fishing without the crowds. |
Side Trip: Stumphouse Tunnel & Issaqueena Falls
About 30 miles north of Anderson, an unfinished pre-Civil War railroad tunnel sits in the mountains near Walhalla. The tunnel was meant to connect Charleston to the Midwest but was abandoned when money ran out in 1859. You can walk into the cool, dark tunnel — it extends about 1,600 feet. Adjacent, Issaqueena Falls drops 100 feet through forest. Both are free and make for a memorable afternoon drive through the Upstate foothills.
RV Services
- Fuel: Gas and diesel widely available along I-85 and throughout Anderson.
- Propane: Hardware stores and gas stations in town.
- RV Repair: Local services in Anderson. For major work, Greenville (30 miles northeast on I-85) has a much larger selection of dealers and shops.
- Groceries: Publix, Ingles, and Walmart in Anderson.
Plan Your Anderson Stop
Anderson works as a quick I-85 overnight, a weekend lake getaway, or a fall football pilgrimage base. The lake alone justifies a multi-day stay — 963 miles of shoreline takes a while to explore.
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