Best Tent Camping near Calhoun Falls, SC

Tent campgrounds near Calhoun Falls, South Carolina offer waterfront camping experiences along the shores of Lake Thurmond. Leroy's Ferry Campground provides primitive tent sites with direct lake access for $10 per night, while Fell Hunt Camp offers a more structured camping experience with designated tent sites. Both locations provide basic amenities for tent campers seeking affordable outdoor recreation in the Savannah River Basin.

Tent sites at Leroy's Ferry feature fire rings and picnic tables, though campers must bring their own water and pack out all trash as no dumpsters are available. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with payment via drop box. Cell service is limited but available for basic communication. Fell Hunt Camp provides well water through spigots and has approximately 20 tent sites arranged in a circle, with additional sites designated for equestrian campers. Most tent campgrounds in the area lack electrical hookups, showers, or sanitary dump stations, making them suitable for self-sufficient campers.

The tent camping experience around Calhoun Falls offers seclusion and natural beauty. "This is a great, unpopular place to camp. Most of the campsites have access via trails to the lake," noted one visitor about Leroy's Ferry. Waterfront sites allow campers to enjoy swimming and fishing directly from their campsite, with opportunities to watch sunsets over the water. Denver Downs Farm provides an alternative tent camping option in a large open field about an hour north of Calhoun Falls, offering a different experience from the lakeside settings. During holiday weekends, some campgrounds remain surprisingly uncrowded compared to other regional options. Tent campers appreciate the spacing between sites at places like Leroy's Ferry, which provides enough distance for privacy while maintaining access to basic facilities like pit toilets that are generally well-maintained.

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Best Tent Sites Near Calhoun Falls, South Carolina (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Calhoun Falls, SC

1 Photos of 16 Calhoun Falls Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Calhoun Falls, SC

596 Reviews of 16 Calhoun Falls Campgrounds


  • Everette G.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Victoria Bryant State Park Campground

    Great Camping in any Season

    Victoria Bryant State Park is probably one of my most frequented camping spots in the last few years. All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry) at Victoria Bryant. There are only about 8 platforms, and one is ADA only, so they book up quick. They are all spaced pretty far apart, privacy isn't too hard to maintain (except maybe site 7&8). 1-4 are down a hill, 4 being the furthest away at about 40 feet, down the steepest incline. There are facilities right across the parking lot, that have always been clean and well maintained, and heated in the colder months. Camp hosts and office have firewood. There are several miles of trails that are lower difficulty, save for some hilly spots. In October, the park does a pretty cool little haunted trail. There's obvious reasons we enjoy VBSP, staying dry in the rain, nice, dense forested areas, and awesome campgrounds make it an easy choice.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 24, 2023

    Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area

    Nice spot would return for sure

    I was passing thru SC on the SCAR headed down to the Palmetto Rally and stopped here to camp. It was a very nice campground with level pads, picnic table and fire ring (bring your own wood). As well there were several vault toilets and there was even a water faucet. It was a good campground and I would stay here again. It is not reservable so first come first served. There was some cell coverage as well. I tent camped so can not comment on RV as the others in the campground were tent camping as well.

  • Amy H.
    Sep. 18, 2021

    Calhoun Falls State Park Campground

    Very nice campground with Ants 🐜

    What a beautiful State Park. My husband and I enjoyed our time visiting the park. We were at camp site#83. It was a hike to get to the water with numerous steps that could hinder some. Very private, wooded lot with obstructed views of the lake. Phone service was 1/2 bar to none. We had a terrible issue with ants. We rented a golf cart from Calhoun Falls Rentals and explored the entire park. We loved the Public access beach and picnic areas. The staff at the store were excellent. We went to lunch at a restaurant just over the SC/GA state line called“Ain’t It Guud” and had the best burgers! We took a day trip into Abbeville and stopped at Swartzenteuber’s Bakery and drove the square to see Abbeville Oprah House and other small shops. Overall it was a very peaceful stay and we will definitely be returning, with ant bait in hand.

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Coneross Park Campground

    Lakeside campground

    This campground is huge. A lot of the campsites are close together, but we snagged a site along the west side of the campground, where there’s a little more privacy and seclusion.

    Being right on the water was amazing, the water was so warm and being able to swim from your site is pretty cool. This site had some stairs leading from the parking spot to the site, then slopes down to the lake.

    Dogs need to always be on leash and there’s no alcohol allowed, which is a bit of a bummer.

    Spigots and bathhouse was convenient, except no soap by the sinks.

  • Mo F.
    Aug. 26, 2016

    Mistletoe State Park Campground

    Waterfront seclusion

    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. We had the whole place to ourselves, no neighbors, in late March. The sun setting over the water was beautiful, it was quiet even as a few motor boats came in for the night. There is a tiny beach on the tip of the peninsula, picnic tables, and an outhouse. It was my favorite spot of everywhere we stayed on an Alabama-Georgia-South Carolina roadtrip including AirBnB and bed and breakfast.

  • Kirk R.
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Calhoun Falls State Park Campground

    Overall, the best state park in SC

    We travel and camp at many places across South Carolina but this was our first visit to Calhoun Falls State Park. What a gem! Beautiful scenery, large, spacious lakeside campsites. We enjoyed privacy, lake access from our campsite, and spectacular sunset views over the lake. Rangers and staff at park store are friendly and helpful. We can’t wait to go back.

  • Erica
    May. 19, 2019

    Calhoun Falls State Park Campground

    Great amenities!

    Calhoun Falls is one of 2 campgrounds on Lake Russell. There are over 80 campsites plus 14 tent sites which were all right on the lake. We were on tent site 8, and it looked like tent sites 0-5 had a little more privacy but a longer walk (The tent sites had a bathroom and an outdoor shower). We had a friendly little black snake that lived by our campsite but he didn’t bother us and we didn’t bother him 😊 Also, if you hear rustling around in the middle of the night, it’ll probably turn out to be an armadillo! The state park had a lot of amenities which were great for fishing-plenty of docks, boat ramps, a green-light fishing dock, a tackle loan program and even a fish cleaning area! We saw some nice sized bass by the green light dock. There were bathrooms and showers in almost every area, and a nice sandy beach swimming area. You have to drive or use a golf cart to get to other parts of the state park, otherwise it would be a very long walk. They do have 2 trails you can hike though. This was our first time camping at Calhoun Falls but we will definitely be coming back!

  • N
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Elijah Clark State Park Campground

    Friendly. Fun. Relaxing.

    Set up well for families with children… room to ride bikes, scooters, skateboards; playground; putt putt course; trails to walk; beach areas all around the camp ground for easy access to the water. Kayak rentals.

    Bathrooms were generally clean. Campsites a relatively flat. Good picnic tables at each site. Not every site had a pole for a lantern or trash bags to hang from. Fairly good tree coverage around the campground for shade and hammocking.

  • Andy S.
    Sep. 16, 2019

    Mistletoe State Park Campground

    Nice!

    This is a review of the four walk-in tent sites at Mistletoe State Park.  I personally stayed in #4 and had a look at the others. 

    The best site is definitely #2 -- feet from the water, spacious, suitable for more than one tent or hammock (better for tents as it is mostly open, but there are places for hammocks along the edges). 

    Site #4 is probably second best, better for a hammocks probably (which is what I had) as no great level ground. It is not right on the water but has it's own private path to the water(couple hundred feet to the water).

    Sites #1 & #3 do not really have access to the water without climbing down something steeply dangerous or through thick trees.  (The water access from the other sites is right in the middle of those other sites so you couldn't really share that unless they are empty or occupied by friends.)  Still #1 is a pretty good site.  #3 is the least interesting and smallest, but still secluded -- I wouldn't call any of these bad.

    None of these sites have groomed tent pads -- just gravelly ground.   They do each have a table, fire pit, and lantern pole.  #1 & #2 are best for tents.  There is good separation between all sites.  Sites #2 & #3 are within shouting distance of each other and you'd be able to see tents, etc at one from the other.  There is an outhouse between sites #1 & #2, and another another between sites #3 & #4.  It is a 5 minute (or so) walk to the real bathroom (which also has showers) back in the main campground.

    Other than the lake itself at sites #2 & #4, I didn't see any dedicated water source for these sites.  (The lake is silty -- pre-filtering recommended if you are using a filter.)  So you'd have to bring in water or get it from the bathroom area or maybe from an empty RV site which all have spigots.  You'll have to pack out your trash, and there are definitely critters around that will get in your trash so it should be secured somehow.  (Hanging it from the lantern pole isn't good enough -- you'll wake up to find a hole in the bag and it strewn around, ask me how I know.)

    Everything in the park was very clean and well-maintained, although when I was here in September (during the week), the whole place was basically deserted anyway.

    The water access at sites #2 & #4 is nice but it is not a real beach -- it is all large rocks for the most part and they were very slippery even when dry so be careful.  The water level was also extremely low when I was there so some of those rocks are probably covered by water earlier in the year.


Guide to Calhoun Falls

Tent camping near Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, offers a blend of serene natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Explore Scenic Waterfront Camping Options

  • Enjoy a peaceful stay at Leroys Ferry, where most campsites provide easy access to the lake and are ideal for fishing and swimming.
  • Gill Point Recreation Area offers tent camping just a short distance from the water, making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Experience the tranquility of Morrow Bridge Seasonal Hunt Camp, where you can enjoy secluded camping surrounded by the beauty of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests.

Engage in Outdoor Activities

  • At Fell Hunt Camp, you can set up your tent and explore the surrounding trails, perfect for hiking and wildlife observation.
  • Soap Creek Marina provides opportunities for fishing and boating, with convenient access to a boat launch for a small fee.
  • Campers at Parksville can enjoy a variety of water activities, including swimming and kayaking, right from their campsite.

Discover Unique Campground Features

  • Leroys Ferry allows campfires, making it perfect for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • Fell Hunt Camp offers well water that many campers rave about, ensuring you stay hydrated during your outdoor adventures.
  • Experience primitive camping at Morrow Bridge Seasonal Hunt Camp, where you can truly disconnect and enjoy nature without modern distractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Calhoun Falls, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Calhoun Falls, SC is Leroys Ferry with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Calhoun Falls, SC?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Calhoun Falls, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.