Double Springs Campground is the Boat In Campground on Lake Jocassee that is managed by Devils Fork State Park. We recently camped there and while we had a great time, it was hard to find much information on the sites or where to beach our boat ahead of time. Because of that, I wanted to share information on sites I would recommend and areas where you may be able to beach your boat or access sites if you are paddling over.
Checking In
When you arrive at the State Park, they will have you check in at the main office and will then direct you to a separate boat ramp for those staying at the Double Springs Campground. They will let you check in early, but they ask you to not access your site until after check out. They also provide you with coordinates to help guide you to the campground. It is essentially 2 miles across the lake from where you launch and there is a large wooden site at the edge of the water with the name of the campground on it.
Launching
At the launch, there is no dock and it is rocky. Because of this, we loaded everything onto the boat, launched and Zach kept the boat out in deeper water while I parked the truck and trailer. When I made it back down to the ramp, he came in closer and I walked/swam to the boat.
On the way back, we ended up anchoring the boat as close to shore as we could and Zach swam/walked to shore and got the truck and trailer, then got back in the boat when the truck was ready.
For those that are paddling, there is a section between the two ramps that is a great area to get everything together and then push off into the water.
Campsite Suggestions
Site 1: Close to a sandy cover, but slightly steep climb from the water to the site. Has its own point, so if you are paddling over, you could access the site at an easier point. (Good for Boats or Paddlers)
Site 2: Close to a sandy cove with one of the shortest/easiest hikes to the site from the water. It also has a great view. If you are only booking one site, this is the one that I would book if you are arriving by boat, especially a fiberglass boat. (Good for Boats or Paddlers)
Site 3: There is a small cove at 3 that makes a great access point for paddlers. (Good for Paddlers)
Site 6: There is a slightly sandy cove with small rocks and it has easy access to the site. This would be great for paddlers or a metal bottom boat. (Good for Paddlers)
Site 7: Has a rock landing then stairs to the site. Would be a good spot to put paddleboards for easy access. (Good for Paddlers)
Site 9: Easy walk to the water and has space to beach a paddleboard or canoe. Great view of the lake. (Good for Paddlers)
Site 12: If you are looking for seclusion from everyone at the campground, this is your site! It will require more walking, but the site is really off on it’s own compared to the rest of the sites. (Good for Seclusion)
Sites 14 & 15: If you are booking more than one site, these are the ones to get. They are the closest two sites and the sites that caused an issue for us when we went (For more on that, read The Case of Our Missing Campsite). There are sandy coves on either side of these sites. The one closer to site 15 is much less of a climb. The cove near site 14 is one of the steepest climbs to access the trail from the water. (Good for Groups, Boats & Paddlers)
Site 19: There is a sandy cove near this site, but it is quite steep to get from the water to the trail. It wouldn’t be my first choice of sites, but still has better water access than others. (Good for Boats or Paddlers)
Sites 21 & 22: These would also be good group sites, but there are some trees that separate the two, if you are only booking one site. Site 21 is on a point, so there is easy access to the water and places to put paddleboards or canoes. (Good for Groups, Boats & Paddlers)
Other Things to Note
None of the campsites are bad. Some are just much easier to access from the water, so they require less hiking. Which in turn means you don’t have to tote your supplies as far.
Sites 13, 16 & 17 probably require the most hiking because they are up off the trail. So you have to get to the trail from the water access and then hike further up to these 3 sites.
There is a composting toilet between sites 21 & 23, so generally sites 14 – 25 would use that. Then there are outhouses located through out the first loop, so sites 1 – 13 would use those. Make sure to pack your own toilet paper!!
Each site has a tent pad, hanging hook, fire pit and picnic table. The main office also has a store, so if you forget any necessities, you can purchase items there to get you by.
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