Tugaloo State Park, State park on Lake Hartwell in Franklin County, Georgia.
Tugaloo State Park is a state park on a peninsula jutting into Lake Hartwell in Franklin County, Georgia. The land is lined with oak, walnut, mulberry, and cherry trees, and two hiking trails cross through the wooded interior.
Before the Hartwell Dam was built on the Savannah River in the 1960s, this land was used for farming. The rising water turned those fields into a peninsula, which was then set aside as a public park.
The park's name comes from a Cherokee word tied to the river that once ran through this land before the lake covered it. Visitors can still find interpretive signs that connect the present landscape to its original character.
The park has camping sites, cottages, and yurts for those who want to stay overnight, so booking in advance is a good idea. Several boat ramps give direct access to the lake, and arriving early on busy days helps secure a good spot.
The park has a six-lane boat ramp, one of the largest in the area, built to handle major fishing tournaments. Lake Hartwell is known for its largemouth bass, which draws competitive anglers from across the region throughout the year.
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