36 Simple Hours: Tent Camping at Hartwell Lakeside KOA

The magic of the Inca Trail left me craving a more simplistic travel experience. Armed with lessons in minimalism, I found myself yearning for a tent under the stars. The only hiccup? We owned minimal camping gear; we had only what we purchased for the Inca Trail. Enter Amazon Prime Day, the perfect opportunity to equip ourselves for a weekend of camping at Hartwell Lakeside KOA Holiday on Lake Hartwell in Hartwell, Georgia. Below are some of the items we purchased from Amazon on Prime Day to get us equiped.

I am an Amazon Associate and will earn a small amount if you purchase from any of the below links.

The charm of southern hospitality meets the grandeur of nature at the Hartwell Lakeside KOA Holiday on Lake Hartwell in Hartwell, Georgia. Tucked away on the Georgia-South Carolina border, this getaway offers a breathtaking fall escape.

Hartwell Lakeside KOA is located at the former Hart State Park on the Lake Hartwell Reservoir. Lake Hartwell is one of the largest lakes in the United States, with a shoreline of 962 miles and 56,000 acres of water, and can be used for swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking and paddle boarding. The campground offers scenic hiking and biking trails throughout with views of nature and the lake shoreline. They offer incredibly beautiful lakefront RV and tent sites, all with electric and water hookups. The campers have access to their campground beach, boat ramp and courtesy docks on the lake.

Here’s our memorable itinerary for a weekend that started on a Friday early evening and wrapped up on a Sunday afternoon.

Friday : Arrival & Setup

Evening: Settling In & A Starry Night

As we arrived to the KOA, the tranquil ambiance of the campground welcomed us. We checked in via text because we arrived after the office closed at 5pm; the friendly staff ensured we were comfortable and ready for the weekend. After we got in and found our lakeside campsite (campsite #62) we pitched our tent after the sun had already set. The day we received our tent, we did a dry run at home, so pitching the tent, even in the dark, at the KOA went pretty smoothly!

Post setup, we got set up inside the tent and showered. Then we let the mesmerizing night sky captivate us. The stars shine especially bright there, the gentle sounds of the waters movement of Lake Hartwell, and the sounds of the crickets and frogs accompanied our stargazing.

Saturday:

Morning: Hiking Among Fall Colors:

We woke up early. The start of fall colors—burnt oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows—painted a beautiful picture against the backdrop of the sunrise over Lake Hartwell. We ate a simple breakfast of fruit, yogurt and granola, grabbed Starbucks and headed to our first hike of the weekend.

We hiked the Paynes Creek Trail in Paynes Creek Park. This park was about a 25 minute drive from our campsite, but too was located on Lake Hartwell. Paynes Creek Trail was a moderate 7.3 mile trail with 488 ft elevation gain. A much needed step back into hiking after a reprieve since the Inca Trail.

Afternoon: Dive into Lunch & Lake Activities:

Post-hike, we rejuvenated with some lunch and lake time. We threw together some hot ham and cheese croissants and warmed them over the campfire.

Our campsite was right on the water, we relaxed near the water’s edge by spending time lazing around in our hammocks, letting the cool breeze brush past.

Evening: Spent preparing dinner around the campfire:

We decided to do some more campside cooking. The campside cuisine was a delightful way to end our day. We had grilled filet mignon (not fancy, just some ugly cuts from our favorite butcher), sautéd green beans and pasta salad.

After dinner, we cleaned up the campsite and took early showers.  By 6:30 pm we were relaxing on the air mattress inside the tent.  I fell asleep for the night by 7:30 pm and hubby watched some sports on his phone.

Sunday:

Morning: Reflective Morning by the Lake:

We woke up before the sunrise to spend some moments watching the sun dance on the lake’s surface. Lake Hartwell’s serene mornings were a treat for our souls.

We started another fire to cook our morning meal.  We cooked hash browns loaded with tomatoes, jalepeño, cilantro, red onion and topped with cheese.  It was quite a treat!  

Mid-day: Farewell and One Last Hike:

As we were packing up, taking down the tent, and cleaning up, we shared some stories of our weekend’s adventures. The colors of fall and memories made ensure this won’t be our last visit.

As we checked out and headed towards our last hike of the weekend, we stopped by to grab Starbucks.  Then we headed on to the Lake Hartwell Dam Trail.  This trail was a 2.8 mile paved trail with 89 ft of elevation gain.  It is very easy, but out in the open with no shade.  Be sure to bring a hat and wear some sunscreen.

Prime Day deals might have equipped us, but it was the allure of simplicity and nature’s grandeur that truly enriched this journey. While the comforts of lavish getaways have their place, there’s something profoundly grounding about a tent, a few trails, and the tapestry of fall colors. Would we return to Lake Hartwell? Without a doubt. But more than that, we are now committed to seeking out experiences that bring us closer to nature’s heart.

Hartwell Lakeside KOA on Lake Hartwell is more than just a weekend getaway—it’s a fall paradise where every moment is wrapped in nature’s beauty. This short escape promises to linger in your memory for seasons to come.

-S&E