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Joel’s Journal: Mistletoe State Park
By Joel Raeber
Posted
July 2010
 Mistletoe State Park is west of Augusta, Ga., on Clarks Hill Lake (also known as Lake Strom Thurmond on the South Carolina side). With 96 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, there is plenty of space for enjoying the outdoors. The campground is situated on a peninsula, with great views of both sunsets and sunrises over the lake. Most of the campsites are secluded, and many are right along the lake. Privacy is almost guaranteed for all sites. Campsites can accommodate large RVs and cost $25 to $28 per night, depending on hook-ups. Reservations are accepted at all of Georgia’s State Parks.
During the hot summer, campers can cool down at the beach or go fishing, plus there are hiking and biking trails for the more adventurous. Canoes and fishing boats are available for rent, too.
 The 72,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake-Lake Strom Thurmond is known as one of the finest bass fishing spots in the nation. The lake is the border between Georgia and South Carolina and was created when the Savannah River was dammed in 1951 by the Corps of Engineers.
It is the second largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi and is one of the Southeast's largest and most popular public recreation lakes. It ranks as one of the ten most visited Corps’ lakes in the nation.
Each trail at Mistletoe State Park is unique. Some have streams and waterfalls, others ravines, overlooks and lake views. All offer a chance to see wildlife. A 3.75-mile, shaded nature trail and wildlife observation area is available for those looking for a gentle stroll. It has a maximum grade of 25 percent. Parking and the trailhead are across from the office, next to an information stand. The trail crosses areas that were originally fields of cotton, corn and tobacco. The fields feature pine, oak, sweetgum and beech trees.
 The Beach Trail is a 2-mile trail that begins just south of the campground and provides a scenic way to access the swimming beach. It goes through pines and hardwoods, across a bridge, then to the beach. You can spot mistletoe, for which the park is named, high in trees along the trail. This is a good hike for bird watching, too.
The Rock Dam Trail is 6.25-miles long and requires four stream crossings. It is the park’s most challenging trail. The trailhead is at the parking lot across from the office. The Rock Dam Trail runs into a deep ravine, past the lake, near the highest point in the park (465 feet), and it provides lots of opportunities to see wildlife and wildflowers. Biking is allowed on the Rock Dam trail but is difficult without wide tires.
 In spring, the park is a convenient location for golfing enthusiasts hoping to see some of the Masters Tournament in Augusta just 30 miles east.
A Family Fall Fest is scheduled at Mistletoe on Saturday, October 9 with music, hayrides, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, apple bobbing, marshmallow roasting, games, storytelling and a night hike. There is a $5 fee for the fall fest and $2 for hayrides.
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