12 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Elijah Clark State Park Campground accepts pets at all its campsites, with accommodations for tent, RV, cabin, and glamping visitors. This Georgia park sits on Clarks Hill Lake and offers electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at most sites. Richard B. Russell State Park also welcomes pets throughout its camping areas, providing both waterfront and shaded inland sites. Both parks maintain clean bathroom facilities with showers, though Russell's single bathhouse requires an uphill walk from many sites. Leashed pets must be attended at all times on these properties. Hester's Bottoms Family Campground enforces breed restrictions that prohibit pit bulls and potentially other bully breeds based on recent visitor experiences. The bathrooms remain consistently clean even during peak summer months when families with children are most prevalent.
Parsons Mountain Lake Campground provides primitive camping opportunities with nearby hiking trails suitable for dogs, including a strenuous mountain trail recommended only for physically fit hikers and their athletic canine companions. The campground features pit toilets rather than full facilities but does offer drinking water access. Leroy's Ferry offers basic $10/night waterfront camping with no electricity, requiring campers to bring their own water for pets. Swimming areas at many of these lakeside parks allow opportunities for dogs that enjoy water, though most require pets to stay on-leash even at the shoreline. The relative isolation at parks like Hester's Ferry means cell service may be limited or non-existent when emergencies arise, an important consideration when camping with pets. Campers report the lake water at many sites is clean enough for dogs to swim without developing skin issues, and surprising lack of insects at some locations makes evening walks with pets more comfortable.
"Trails to hike, dog friendly, canoes and kayaks for rent and close enough to a town to drive in to if you tire of campfire meals and want a really good margarita or need a grocery store to grab anything"
"Large sites and large open yard behind it, great for dogs to run and kids to play!"
Available this weekend
from $20 - $250 / night
"Bath house was clean but a decent uphill walk away from most sites as there is only one. Plenty of boat ramps, beach, golf course."
"We hiked and biked the trails. They are well maintained. There is only one bathhouse for the campers and only 2 showers and 3 potty’s in there for all 28 campsites. Beautiful sunsets!"
Available this weekend
from $34 - $185 / night
"We camped in one of the tent only walk-in sites located on a peninsula jutting into the lake. We had a ton of stuff, not realizing it was an uphill and pretty long trek, but it was totally worth it."
"Surrounded by water. Camping and boating paradise. Immaculate grounds and facilities. Water and electric and gray water dumps at each site. Washer and dryer."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $190 / night
"The campsites are all a good size and not right next to each other. A lot are tucked away off the road a little and most are right on the water."
"Almost all the sites are lake front. Great family environment and the staff working there are very friendly. The lake is a good size lake and you can see for miles across."
from $30 - $47 / night
"Most of the campsites have access via trails to the lake. It’s clean with easy access and most sites are very easy to navigate. The pit toilets were kept very clean."
"I think it is worth the drive over some of the more crowded places. Each site has a pick nick table and fire ring, a few had charcoal grills on stands but not all."
from $10 / night
"Walked other sites and most of them were nice. Plenty of space between sites."
from $18 - $38 / night
"Parsons Mountain Recreation Area sits beside a small lake called Parsons Mountain Lake."
"If you really want to challenge your self, there is a trail that climbs to parson mountain and is recommended to only people who is fit enough because it is strenuous"
"If you are looking for a near perfect lakeside camping experience in the 'Low Country' here in South Carolina, than you may have just found the perfect getaway! "
"Trails for hiking/biking. Nice sites close to the lake. Shower house is just adequate, barely."
Available this weekend
GuideSites are not level. Thousand trails is currently not investing. Any money in improving the sites. Half of the sites in the park are going back to nature. The roads are falling apart and the inclines are not big rig friendly.
RangerPetersburg is a campground with million dollar views that has become a forgotten asset of the federal government.
The property is mostly overgrown and landscape maintenance appears to be a forgotten concept, like bathhouse maintenance.
On a positive note it has been reported that the government is approving funds to restart the modernization of these once great recreation locations.
ScoutHospitality and attention to detail can't be beat. Rates were very reasonable for the quality of facility and grounds.
LegendHickory Knob SP CG is tucked along the shores of Lake Thurmond in South Carolina’s rolling countryside, where the pine trees stand tall, the crickets sing backup, and life slows to a more reasonable pace. It’s the only South Carolina SP with a full resort feel – which means campers get the perks of a golf course, lodge, and restaurant nearby, without losing that back-to-nature atmosphere that makes pitching a tent or leveling out an RV worth the trouble. First impressions? Think peaceful lake views with just enough activity around to keep things lively but never hectic.
The campground itself offers a mix of RV and tent sites, with electric and water hookups for the comfort crowd and wooded, shaded spaces for the purists. Campsites are fairly roomy, with picnic tables, fire rings, and enough tree cover to keep your morning coffee shaded until you’re good and ready to face the day. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept ... nothing spa-like, but not the kind where you walk out wondering if you need a tetanus shot either. Navigation is straightforward, though larger rigs should take it slow on the curves. And here’s a bonus: campers can stroll over to the resort-style amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts and even the on-site restaurant if they’re tired of hot dogs and s’mores.
The surrounding fun is where Hickory Knob shines. Lake Thurmond offers ample space for boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming, with more shoreline than your GPS can keep track of. The park itself has miles of hiking and biking trails that snake through pine forest and offer glimpses of deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional heron. For the golfers in the crowd, the 18-hole course is the centerpiece here – where else can you balance your day between kayaking coves in the morning and working on your short game in the afternoon? The nearby town of McCormick provides groceries, a few dining options and that small-town charm that feels refreshingly unhurried.
Insider Tips: (1) The waterfront campsites are the gems with west-facing spots for those Technicolor sunsets (but you'll want to book early if you can, because everyone has the same idea, right?); (2) Don’t feel like cooking? Head on over to the Hickory Knob Lodge restaurant, which while nothing fancy, this joint has solid Southern comfort food that tastes even better after a day outdoors; (3) Kayakers should launch near the group lodge cove where it’s calmer water with prime birdwatching opportunities; (4) If you like a side of nostalgia with your dessert, swing by Michelle’s in McCormick for classic Southern diner plates and pie that’ll make you rethink diets; (5) Want a 'higher' perspective? Sites further inland sit at slightly higher elevation, meaning more shade, although fewer lake views, but less wind off the water, so choose based on your style of camping comfort.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWhen we got there, another family was in our space. They said the one they reserved was overgrown with brush (a few were). We tried to call to have it resolved but no one to call. We ended up having to pick another site that was empty. That portion was very stressful after a long drive to get there. Experience was okay, the water is down a good bit right now.
GuideWe had a very nice long weekend on site 32. The sites are large and clean, the park is easy to maneuver. The water level was really low but we were still able to get our Pontoon boat in and out of the boat ramp and pulled ashore right at our site.
ScoutThis camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
ScoutThis rv park is limited in some ways. There's a club house that's more like a small child's play room, and the play ground has a basketball hoop but no court. However it does offer a small laundry room. The bath house is great! Always clean and stocked, it has good AC/heat, a big spacious shower, hooks for towels and a little table to put your shower stuff on. My least favorite about the park is that pretty much ALL of the sites are under constant sun until it drops behind the trees in the evening which makes the RV super hard to keep cool during the day
RangerLet me say that we have stayed at several of the COE campgrounds in this area.
We felt that it had a lot of potential to be an extremely beautiful park but has been neglected in a few ways.
Understanding that this campground like some others in the area suffered damage from a recent hurricane and that the necessary cleanup and recovery can be a long process, much of the needs of Ridge Road appear to be neglect.
The sites and general areas are immensely overgrown and in desperate need of maintenance, and while the bathhouses are in need of renovation, general attention to cleanliness and pest control (a lot of large, live, spiders) would serve them well.
We hope the park will get the attention it needs and look forward to returning.
Springfield Campground offers waterfront sites on Lake Hartwell with water and electric hookups at most locations. The lake water level fluctuates seasonally, dropping 3-4 feet during winter months which exposes rock, sand, and dirt shorelines. Camping near Calhoun Falls provides access to multiple lakes including Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Hartwell, and smaller water bodies within state parks. Late summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making waterfront campsites particularly valuable.
Kayaking on Lake Hartwell: Springfield Campground provides lake access though some sites require walking to designated beach areas. According to a camper, "I love this campground. You have to walk to the beach access for kayaking though." Many waterfront sites offer direct boat access, particularly those in smaller coves.
Hiking mountain trails: Parsons Mountain Lake Campground features challenging hiking routes including one that "climbs to parson mountain and is recommended to only people who is fit enough because it is strenuous." The surrounding pine forest provides shade for most hiking routes.
Fishing from shore: Most sites at Watsadler Campground provide direct water access, though rock riprap at some sites makes shoreline fishing challenging. "Lake access but has stone riprap at this site so no shore to land boat. Water down maybe 3 to 4' at winter level rock sand dirt shore line," notes one winter visitor.
Privacy between sites: Hester's Bottoms Family Campground features well-spaced sites. "The campsites are all a good size and not right next to each other. A lot are tucked away off the road a little and most are right on the water," reports one reviewer. The campground's multiple loops help distribute traffic and reduce noise.
Clean facilities: Even in primitive camping areas, maintenance standards remain high. At Elijah Clark State Park Campground, "The bathrooms with shower stalls have AC and heat no matter the time of year you go." This climate control proves valuable during summer heat and winter cold snaps.
Affordable waterfront camping: Leroy's Ferry provides basic lakefront sites at minimal cost. A camper notes, "$10 bucks a night, sites spaced far enough apart to be comfortable, waterfront, not over crowded. I think it is worth the drive over some of the more crowded places."
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have unreliable connectivity. At Hester's Ferry, one camper reported it's "Quiet...no cell service! Hester's Ferry campground is very quiet due to no cell phone service...which we loved!" Prepare for limited communications when camping with pets that might need emergency care.
Breed restrictions: Richard B Russell State Park Campground maintains standard leash requirements without breed-specific restrictions. However, other properties enforce stricter rules. One camper reported, "Our week long trip was cut short when staff decided to call law enforcement instead of us when our (non aggressive) dog accidentally got loose. After being there for 3 days they then tell us our bully breed dogs are not allowed."
Limited water sources: At primitive sites, access to potable water requires planning. At Leroy's Ferry, visitors must "bring your own water" as facilities are minimal with "a pump for well water and open-pit latrines" being the only amenities available.
Beach swimming options: Most lakefront campgrounds provide swimming opportunities without lifeguards. Parsons Mountain features "a roped off swimming area that has no life guard but is six foot deep at the most at the back of it. The brim in the lake will nibble at the hairs on your legs if you have any."
Seasonal activities: Mistletoe State Park Campground offers structured programs for children and families. "Free fishing pole for kids," notes one cabin guest. The park maintains stocked fishing areas specifically designed for younger anglers.
Dog-friendly swimming areas: Despite leash requirements, many waterfront sites allow supervised pet swimming. At Springfield, the small coves provide safer areas for dogs to swim with "decent water access. No problem to Launch the canoe and the sup." These protected areas typically have calmer water than main lake areas.
Variable site levelness: Bring adequate leveling equipment to most area campgrounds. At Watsadler, one RVer noted, "Bring leveling blocks. The spot I stayed in required about 4" side to side. Some spots were water view and quite spacious. Other spots were actually kind of awkward."
Water and electric only: Most campgrounds provide partial hookups without sewer connections at individual sites. Springfield has "nice level sites, clean bath house, not full hook up" with a dump station available when departing. During busy checkout periods, dump station lines can become lengthy.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary widely between campgrounds and within loops. At Springfield, "We stayed on site 7 for 4 nights and then site 68 for 2 nights. Water access wasn't the best on 7, but we enjoyed it." Research specific site dimensions when bringing larger rigs to ensure adequate space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Calhoun Falls, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Calhoun Falls, SC is Elijah Clark State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Calhoun Falls, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Calhoun Falls, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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