Cleo and I rolled up to Winfield Campground in early June, kicking off our epic month-long road trip. With its 80 campsites dotted around the 70,000-acre J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Winfield is one super cool US Corps of Engineers campground. Most campsites are directly on the lake and shaded by a mix of pine and hardwood trees. Our spot was sweet, near the bathhouse with an awesome view of the lake. Cleo doesn’t love to swim, but she reluctantly tagged along for a quick dip.

Thunderstorm on Thurmond Lake

70,000 acre Thurmond Lake, nestled in the beautiful southeastern US, stands out as a premier destination for fishing, hunting, and various water sports. From our campsite perch Cleo and I observed many fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, and striped bass cruising the lake on kayaks, pontoons and all types of fast fun looking boats.

Memorably, I got lost while jet skiing on the expansive lake. I became so enraptured while photographing the dramatic cloud formations, I didn’t immediately recognize my situation before being engulfed by a fast-moving thunderstorm.

I managed to get off the lake to take cover under a picnic shelter. Unbeknownst to me, I had crossed into South Carolina while exploring the scenery. I sent a pin of my location to Russ, the water sports guide. The storm had passed by the time Russ arrived to lead me back to the rental facility, Keg Creek Water Sports. Apparently this sort of rescue is common with visitors unfamiliar with the vast lake – something I appreciated hearing. On the return trip I was treated to a gorgeous sunset.

Winfield Campground, Appling, Georgia

Winfield totally nails the balance between nature and people, with nature taking the lead. Driving to your campsite, there is water on both sides of the road. The campsites are super spacious and perfectly positioned along the shoreline, each with water and electric hookups. It was exactly what I needed for some peaceful alone time. Mistletoe State Park, just a few miles from Winfield, has some awesome trails for biking enthusiasts, making Thurmond Lake an amazing outdoor getaway.

Would I prefer to be camping in complete isolation? Heck yeah, sometimes. But I also love having the luxury of a nice hot shower and the peace of mind that comes with park rangers nearby. Winfield is definitely at the top of my list for campgrounds to check out for a return visit.

About

Three years back, as an empty nester hitting 60, I started hunting for the perfect RV for solo summer camping trips. After trying out a few, I’ve finally found the right fit – the Aliner Scout Lite. Small enough to fit in my garage, easy to set up, tow and maintain, I’m thrilled with it. Check out details in this post: Crone Life, Solo Summer Camping Adventures.

On our Summer of 2024 Solo Camping Trip, we kicked things off at the awesome Winfield Campground in Appling, Georgia, a beautiful US Corps of Engineers campground. This spot was just perfect for some quality alone time. Definitely adding it to my “must visit again” list. Next, we hit up Sesquicentennial State Park and Congaree National Park in South Carolina, where we got to hang out with a good friend. Then, we made our way to Warriors Creek Campground, another top-notch US Corps campground in Boomer, North Carolina, which was conveniently close to Elk Knob State Park in Todd, NC, and Price Lake in Blowing Rock, NC. Our final stop was a campsite at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, where I was taking a metal art class – an experience I’ll not soon forget.