COE J Strom Thurmond Lake Gill Point Recreation Area

Overview Gill Point Recreation Area is a rural park on the northern end of J. Strom Thurmond Lake, off Georgia State Highway 79. The 70,000 acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline provide excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking opportunities. Natural Features: Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Elevation is 335 above sea level. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys and whitetail deer. Recreation: Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Facilities: Gill Point Recreation Area is a wooded day-use area with a group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 24 people. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp and dock. Nearby Attractions: This quiet, rural area is very historic. The now-flooded town of Petersburg and the Nancy Hart Historical Site in Elbert County are nearby. The campground is 20 miles southeast of Elberton, Georgia, known as the Granite Capital of the World. Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.