Hamilton Branch State Park — Attraction in Plum Branch

My husband and I are avid campers, some seasons we get more trips in than others but of all my camping experiences this was by far the worst. And the only trip that I have ever checked out a full day early. After doing my due diligence and going thru the information of all the north and south Carolina parks checking what amenities were available swim area, open dog friendly beaches, ect clicking open every site photo to come to my final selection. I picked one that appeared to be very well shaded.. upon arrival and getting to the site I noticed that it seemed as though it was catching quite a bit of direct sun light but wasn't for certain the degree of it as it was mostly overcast. We set up camp for the night and it was a pretty enjoyable night.. by noon the next day we realized that we were going to catch direct sunlight for most being of the dayJuly 6-9 bet high Temps which was going to be quite unpleasant. We went to speak with the ranger about it and was told sure we could do something but was only given one option. The swim area had too many downed trees and limbs for my comfort as water moccasins are a real thing we're I come from. I told them as much and that I guessed that we would try to stick it out where we were. The said oh OK. Mid afternoon we spent 3-4 hours in our car because they're was no shade and it was too hot by the time we went to bed had decided to leave the next morning. On our way out I stopped by to let them know that we were in fact checking out a day early to which they responded OK thanks for letting us know. I do realize that the photos they I looked though were all pre helene but I also know what camp sites that that had open to the public, what their occupied capacity was and feel as though they should have been not off an effort made to find a solution to the issue, that when I stopped by on my way out with me having been in the day before that especially at that time someone should have asked wait, is there anything that we can do to fix the bla bla bla? The lack of hospitality being the biggest reason for my low rating.. as the park ranger and staff the job is to help create positive memories, pleasant experiences that people talk about and tell others.. tie was definitely not the case this time . Do b better...

This is a massive campground on Lake Thurmond, absolutely massive. We get to the site (site 114) and I do pre-walk since its about 100 yards down an access road and sites 113 and 144 T off. Most of the ones on this loop are situated like that. I'm like... ok... Lets start by saying we have about a 22' trailer, much bigger and this wouldn't have happened. I know I'm not going to go head in and negotiate the turn because 113 was occupied, if it had been empty you can nose into 113 and back into 114. I started to back down the curved access path (they should take out a tree or two, just saying). and spent the next 30 minutes mustering every ounce of backing skill I could. 20 or 30 exceedingly frustrating minutes later I get it backed into the site and steel myself for the next issue, leveling. I look at the spirit level I have on the nose and miracle of miracles its dead nuts level. Que the halleluiah chorus of camper angels... Setup after that was normal. Well... normal except that the water and electric are on the camp side so I had to run the cord/hose under the trailer, no big deal. Having them on the utility side would have ruined the view you are rewarded with once the 7th level of Dante's Inferno is negotiated.... What a view, picture postcard worthy. 114 is about 25 yards from the lake and its a perfect little rocky beach to go sit, wade, swim let the dogs frolic or just be....

Site 114 is a great site but be aware what you are getting into, you will be rewarded with outstanding views, solitude and no one (except 113) for a long distance.

The bath house is a drive, I wouldn't want to walk it but that's why we have bathrooms. I did use our outdoor shower to bath but with no one around if you wanted to do it au-natural you...

We have been going to Hamilton Branch State Park for years. It is one of our favorite places to get away several times per year. Our extended family drives 15 hours to meet us there and we'd enjoy our stay every time. Our 2023 summer trip made us feel like we were camping at a homeless encampment. Nearly all of the host campsites (and there are at least 5-10 of them) were so trashy looking. We kept driving around the park in disbelief with the way their crowded, trailer-park looking sites poorly represented this beautiful park. What happened to the days when people took pride in being a host and hung a cute little welcome sign and maybe a trinket or two to let everyone know they're hosts? Now there are Tupperwares stacked up on some of their sites (that have obviously been there a while), another one had a blow up bathtub that she was bathing in beside the lake. This should not be acceptable. There was one host that kept a bunch of floodlights on throughout the night, so our camper and tent were constantly illuminated, which really put a sour taste in our mouths. Another gripe is that the park showers are pretty much unusable - no matter which bathhouse you choose, but that's always been the case. We were just hoping they'd fix this by now. The showers are dark, about 1.5 feet wide, and 8 feet deep. It's almost like a prank to see if you're actually desperate enough to try it. I really hope...