About

Enjoy nature at its finest. The Bussey Point Wilderness Recreation Area is a 2,545 acre peninsula on J. Strom Thurmond Lake with horse trails and a horse campground that provides a relaxing getaway for horseback riding. The Army Corp of Engineers has stated that the Bussey Point horse trails were created by horseback riders for horseback riders to peacefully enjoy the trails without worry of the dangers of motorized and non-motorized vehicles. 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, plenty of water to swim your horses, fall color and year-long riding and horse camping opportunities. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.

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Thurmond Lake provides some of the best horse camping, horseback trail riding, 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, kayaking and swimming opportunities.

Location

Located between Augusta and Lincolnton, Georgia, is a hidden gem of horse trails on the shore of J. Strom Thurmond Lake (still Clarks Hill to many native Georgians). Bussey Point Wilderness Recreation Area is a peninsula with 32 miles of shoreline on this very large pristine lake nestled between Georgia and South Carolina.

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Google Plus Code: PMGX+QQ Lincolnton, Georgia  (Search for this code using Google Maps)

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/KZezmJvMjh4PmWtHA

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Horse Trails

This trail circles the peninsula and is 12.5 miles long. Along with the horse trails, there are an additional 20 miles of roads and trails located within the area that all are welcome to use (no motor vehicles please). Located within the area are 15 wildlife food plots, that have been tilled and planted with very green grasses and vegetables like kale and radishes, six ride/boat in camping/picnic sites, and several natural beaches. Ample deer and turkey inhabit the area along with other mammals and birds to provide one of the best opportunities on the lake to view wildlife in its natural setting. The Corp of Engineers Wild Management asks that riders keep their horse off the plots since it destroys plantings

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Closed to motorized and non-motorized vehicular traffic, there are over 20 miles of well-marked wooded equestrian trails and natural surfaced roads, perfect for hours of riding enjoyment. Shoes for horses are optional. The roads and trails can be somewhat rocky in places so some riders prefer at least front shoes. Others, whose horses are more accustomed to the barefoot trim, find that their horses have no difficulty with the natural surfaces.

 

The main wood trail is marked with yellow diamonds and is 12.5 miles long. At the furthest point within the peninsula and out past the 6 mile point on this trail, riders will find a favorite resting spot, complete with picnic tables, fire rings, highline poles, and beautiful views of the lake. In the summer, boaters also find this area of the peninsula to be a favorite stopping point.

The entire yellow trail and out to the point will provide riders with about a 15-mile ride. There is a shorter 6.5-mile loop for those wanting a little less saddle time. Maintained entirely by volunteers of CSRA Equestrian Club, the trails are used primarily by equestrians.

Trail Maps

Maps are available either online or at the new information kiosk (another CSRA Equestrians volunteer contribution) located about 500 feet within the gated area. Scroll to bottom of this page for maps. Please note that as of 1/15/2022 there are a few newer short sections of marked connecting trails that have not yet been added to the map.

Day Use Area 

Thanks to a 2013 partnership project between local equestrian volunteers (CSRA Equestrians & Back Country Horseman of Middle & South Georgia) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there is now an enlarged day parking area for horse trailers that is free for day use horse riders. Please be courteous when parking and do not block others from leaving. Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/CpMQFRmvrjWrwTmQ7

Directions to day use area:

Take GA-47 W to Ashmore Barden Road in Lincoln County. Turn onto Ashmore Barden Road. At the T intersection Stop and Turn right onto Double Branches Road travel all the way to the end (no turns) and you will arrive at the day use area.

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Horse Camping

The campground has two loops of campsites, each with a vaulted pit toilet and a hand pump for water, but please bring your own potable drinking water.  There is no attendant on duty and no trash service is available so please be responsible and pack it in/pack it out. The campground has 14 primitive horse campsites (pull-through with some accommodating up to 50' LQ horse trailers & back in sites) without water or electric, however, the below amenities have been erected at each campsite.

• Tent Pad

• Picnic table 

• Lantern post

• Fire ring

• Grill

• Highline poles for tethering horses (Please bring your own high tie equipment)

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All of the campsites are situated along the shoreline so just simply sitting and enjoying the beauty of the water could be the best entertainment of all. There is a boat launching ramp on site.  

 

Camping with a group?

Loop A, Sites 11-14 are suitable for larger groups that want to camp together, however each site must be reserved individually. These sites were built and are maintained by this club through a handshake agreement with the Army Corp of Engineers since 2013.

Directions to horse camp area:

Take GA-47 W to Ashmore Barden Rd in Lincoln County Turn onto Ashmore Barden Rd. At the T intersection Stop and Turn right onto Double Branches Rd travel all the way until the road turn to gravel when you see the Bussey Point Campground signage, turn right onto Moseley Ramp Road there are two separate camping loops, follow directions to your camp site.

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Scroll to bottom of this page for maps.

Reservations

Reservations can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of desired date. As of 01/15/2022 overnight camping fees are $10 per night.

Volunteer - Donor - Sponsor Opportunities

With mild year-round weather, the CSRA Equestrians are always maintaining the trails at Bussey Point, please consider volunteering, making a donation or becoming a sponsor to help maintain these beautiful campgrounds and trails.

Hunting

It is important to note that Bussey Point is closed three or four weekends (Hunts are Friday and Saturday only, no hunts on Sundays) a year for managed archery hunts. The dates of the hunts vary, usually with two or three deer hunts prior to Christmas and one turkey hunt in early spring, and those dates are posted well in advance on the http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/thurmond" Lake Thurmond website.  

Visitors

Visitors to the area should check for any closures, either by the Internet or by calling the Thurmond Visitor Center at 1-800-533-3478, prior to their planned arrival.

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