Paddling Lake Tugaloo
South Carolina and Georgia Border

Wilderness Flat water - Oconee County SC

 Lake Tugalo 

A fantastic place to go flat water boating is Tugalo Lake on the SC-GA border near Long Creek SC. The lake is best known as the terminus of the Chattooga River. The lake is located along the western-most portion of South Carolina - the upstate corner of SC (see map below). 

Boat traffic is limited to small john boats for fishing as well as rafters and other paddlers coming off the Chattooga river and flat water paddlers on the lake.  There are no jet skis or bigger power boats on this lake.

To get there, you first have to get on Damascus Church road in Long Creek SC.  From Westminster SC, travel west on on US 76/123. At US 76/123 split just outside of Westminster, take right staying on US 76 toward Clayton GA. After appx 13 miles bear left onto Damascus Church Road, at the Long Creek Volunteer Fire Station.

On the Georgia side, travel east out of Clayton GA on US 76.  In approximately 8 miles you cross the Chattooga River entering SC.  Approximately 4.5 miles later on the right is Damascus Church road.

Once on Damascus Church road bear right at  0.8 mile (left is gravel rd - don't take). 3.0 miles later, bear right again (In April 09 there was a sign directing you to Tugalo ramp).  1.2 miles later, turn right onto a gravel road - more signage pointing to right toward boat ramp.  

After 3.3 Miles on the gravel road, the surface turns to pavement and slope gets steeper. In 0.6 miles, come to end of road at parking area and boat ramp ( Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º44'12.36"N  83º20'44.04"W ).

Once at the lake, there are several routes you can take.  If you go north, the lake becomes narrower much like a wide river.  

Steep sided slopes with some cliffs dominate the view.  It is not uncommon to see raptors circling overhead. About 1.5 miles north of the boat dock is a large sand bar sometimes used by campers on the Georgia side.

About 2.5 miles north from the boat ramp are rapids from the Chattooga River emptying into the lake.  Paddling further upstream is impractical at this point.

If you travel south, you will end up in the main part of the lake.  Approximately 1.5 miles to the south turn right into Tallulah Gorge.  Here the lake narrows with high cliffs overhead.  The lake ends here at approximately 3 miles below a power generating building.

Keep in mind the remoteness of this location.  Help is not readily accessible.  There are no facilities at the parking area except a concrete vault type of "outhouse" and there are no potable water sources at the boat ramp.  Also this lake is deep and does have a slight downstream current.

The lake is owned by Georgia Power.  To get the latest information on the lake go to: