Petersburg
J. Strom Thurmond Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: APPLING, GA, GA
Price: From $18 per night
Price range: $18–$26 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (1021 reviews)
Season: May through October
Petersburg Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only four miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam and only 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia. Camping at Petersburg is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Dump Station, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/petersburg to be notified when sites open up.
Petersburg Campground sits on the 70,000-acre J. Strom Thurmond Lake with 1,000+ miles of shoreline, offering excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports. The campground is conveniently located just 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia and near the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam.
Wildlife alert: Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake, North American Racer, and Red-bellied Snake present in the area. Bird species include Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing, and Canada Goose.
Insider tips for Petersburg: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups are available at most sites. Plan water activities like fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming on J. Strom Thurmond Lake.
Skip Petersburg if: You require RV hookups — not available at most sites.. You need camping outside May through October — seasonal operations only.. Note: As of January 2026, Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage with reduced shade, low lake levels (10 feet below normal), and ongoing facility repairs..
Best time to visit Petersburg: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only, as verified by official data..
Nearby campgrounds: Ridge Road (APPLING, GA), Lake Springs (APPLING , GA), Below Dam South Carolina (CLARKS HILL, GA), West Dam (APPLING, SC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Petersburg
Cell signal at Petersburg (APPLING, GA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Petersburg Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only four miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam and only 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia. Camping at Petersburg is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups are available at most sites.
Plan water activities like fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming on J. Strom Thurmond Lake.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only, as verified by official data.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
3998 Petersburg Rd Appling, GA 30802 From I-20, take Exit 183 (Appling). Go north on HWY 221 approximately 6 miles. At the 4-way stop, go straight (HWY 221) another 2 miles. Campground road is on the left. Follow signs.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — J. Strom Thurmond Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at J. Strom Thurmond Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Petersburg cost per night?+
What season is Petersburg open?+
Does Petersburg have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Petersburg?+
How do I make reservations at Petersburg?+
What is the cell service like at Petersburg?+
What season is Petersburg open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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