Amity Recreation Area
Lincolnton, Georgia · on J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir · J. Strom Thurmond Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Amity Recreation Area
Amity Recreation Area is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use park on J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill Lake) near Lincolnton, Georgia, on the McDuffie/Lincoln county line. It has an official designated swimming beach, a developed swimming hole on a big lake to swim in, along with a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelters, and playground.
The park sits on the shoreline of the 70,000-acre J. Strom Thurmond Lake (also called Clarks Hill Lake), one of the largest Corps of Engineers reservoirs east of the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Little River arm. The grounds are wooded in mixed pine and hardwood, giving summer shade and fall color, and are near the Amity, Winfield Hill, and Raysville communities.
Swimming at Amity Recreation Area
A designated, roped-off swimming beach area is provided as part of the day-use facility, alongside boating, water skiing, and fishing on the open reservoir. It is listed by a regional parenting guide as one of the family-friendly lake beaches on Clarks Hill Lake.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Thomson, Georgia, take US Highway 78 west about 6 miles, then State Route 43 for about 7.5 miles to reach the recreation area (address given as 5870 Thomson Highway, Lincolnton, GA 30817).
Parking: On-site parking is available at the day-use area and separately at the boat ramp/kayak launch.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up USACE day-use area; the designated swimming beach and boat ramp are both directly accessible from on-site parking lots, with no hike required (ThePaddlingHub explicitly describes a 'parking lot available at boat ramp facility'; Recreation.gov describes it as a wooded day-use area on the lake shore).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Local families count Amity among the designated swim beaches on Clarks Hill/Thurmond Lake suitable for kids, and Recreation.gov describes a roped-off designated swimming area separate from the boat ramp. However, the lake is a large multi-use reservoir with boating, water skiing, and jet skiing nearby, and no source found confirms lifeguard presence, so adult supervision is recommended.
Parking
Paid, $7 day-use entry fee at the gatehouse (USACE/America the Beautiful passes accepted)
Separate parking lots serve the day-use/swim-beach area and the boat ramp/kayak launch; ThePaddlingHub notes a parking lot directly at the boat ramp facility.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed among on-site facilities at the day-use area (Recreation.gov), alongside boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelters, ball field, and playground; exact distance from the swim beach itself was not specified in sources found.
Hours
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily
On the water
ThePaddlingHub describes the boat ramp on the Little River arm as calm, flat water with no significant current or wave hazards, suitable for beginner paddlers (kayak, canoe, SUP, kayak fishing). Recreation.gov's broader lake description also lists boating, water skiing, and fishing as reservoir-wide activities, implying motorized boats and jet skis use the open lake, but no source specified whether motorized craft are restricted near the roped-off swim beach itself.
Amity Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Amity Recreation Area charge a fee?
Day-use entry fee of $7 payable by credit card at the gatehouse; USACE Annual Pass and America the Beautiful passes accepted.
Is Amity Recreation Area kid friendly?
Local families count Amity among the designated swim beaches on Clarks Hill/Thurmond Lake suitable for kids, and Recreation.gov describes a roped-off designated swimming area separate from the boat ramp. However, the lake is a large multi-use reservoir with boating, water skiing, and jet skiing nearby, and no source found confirms lifeguard presence, so adult supervision is recommended.
Do I need to hike to reach Amity Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Amity Recreation Area?
Separate parking lots serve the day-use/swim-beach area and the boat ramp/kayak launch; ThePaddlingHub notes a parking lot directly at the boat ramp facility.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Amity Recreation Area?
ThePaddlingHub describes the boat ramp on the Little River arm as calm, flat water with no significant current or wave hazards, suitable for beginner paddlers (kayak, canoe, SUP, kayak fishing). Recreation.gov's broader lake description also lists boating, water skiing, and fishing as reservoir-wide activities, implying motorized boats and jet skis use the open lake, but no source specified whether motorized craft are restricted near the roped-off swim beach itself.
What are the rules at Amity Recreation Area?
Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; glass containers and pets are prohibited on the designated swimming beach; pets must be leashed elsewhere in the park; alcoholic beverages and open fires are prohibited.
What water body is Amity Recreation Area on?
Amity Recreation Area is on J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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