Baker Creek

Rob Powell

Park Manager

My name is Rob Powell, and I am the park manager here at Hickory Knob. I knew I wanted to be a park ranger after being hired for another position at Hickory Knob State Resort Park in 1999. Being a park ranger checked every box for me: variety, resource management, business, outdoors, history, camping, fishing, hiking, trees, responsibility, people, service….everything I enjoyed all rolled into one job!

My favorite spot at Baker Creek is one you kayak to. It’s the estuary where Baker Creek spills into the lake. About a one-mile paddle, you can see turtles sunning, fish jumping and osprey diving. Varieties of duck, egrets, king fishers, barn swallow, red-winged black birds, woodpeckers and Great Blue Heron can often be seen.

A first-time visitor to the park should catch a famous South Carolina sunset from the pavilion in spring, when the barn swallows are putting on their aerial shows. Once at the pavilion you can cast a rod right over the railing and catch all sorts of panfish.

**The Ultimate Outsider stamp is located on the information kiosk in the office parking lot.

Baker Creek caters to those looking for fun on Lake Thurmond, a wild ride on South Carolina mountain bike trails or a quick camping trip. If you’re looking for quality, South Carolina mountain bike trails, the park is home to 10 miles of rolling, loop trails that take bikers through oak and pine woodlands.

Outside the stillness of the woods sits Lake Thurmond, a 71,100-acre lake that offers campers serene, lakeside camping sites, as well as easy lake access for boaters and fishers. A covered, 160-person capacity pavilion overlooks the lake and is perfect for group get-togethers and family reunions.

Check out other South Carolina State Parks! You can find more boating and fishing fun on the South Edisto River or at Keowee-Toxaway State Park.