This recreation area is part of Richard B. Russell Lake

Calhoun Falls State Park Campground

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! 

Great amenities!

Lakefront sites are fantastic. If you plan to fish, you'll need a boat for true success. Plenty for the family to do. Clean facilities.

Lakefront Sites!

We camped in our rv mh. The site we had was very large. It was a pull through site that had a fine gravel pad area on the upper level. It had steps down from there to the next level which had a very large pad where the fire pit was located. There was two other sets of stairs off of that one went to a wooded area the other went to water front lake area. My family enjoyed having our own private fishing area. The bathrooms were clean but outdated. I did see some cobwebs in the corners. It did rain a couple of the days we were there and the 2nd pad area flooded quickly on the right hand side. We did not store anything on that level but if you do be aware of that or if you set up a tent on that level. It does not drain well at all. The camp host was very nice and stopped by on his golf cart a time or two just to see how things were going and to tell us where he was located if we needed anything. The site we were in was across from the bathrooms and there was a playground there too. They have laundry a single washer and dryer at a few of the bathhouses not every one. There was not a washer and dryer at the bathroom next to us but we did find one. We could only see our neighbor to the right of us no others so 77 has good privacy. I did get special permission from the campground host to drive our Rzr from our site to the boathouse with the laundry area it would of been a long walk. We also drove to the camp store on it too and to put garbage in the dumpsters. We were respectful and only drove on the pavement at a slow rate of speed. Not sure what the official policy is on it but he did allow it.

Fall break visit

I love the people and its clean and peaceful...

peaceful

The state park encompasses miles of shoreline, with incredible views from most of the campsites. They have electric hookups at each site, fire pit, and a grill. There a few trails that are easy around the park. we stayed here two nights. We swam out to an island and hung out there for the day. There’s a beach down near the ranger station you can enjoy as well. 

I gave it five stars because the canoe rental was closed. 

Beautiful Shoreline

I love this campground!! A lot of the campgrounds I have been to can't accommodate my large tent and still leave space. This one can. The sites are large and flat. They are spaced enough apart for privacy and have tons of wooded area for hammocks and such. Most are lake front to beautiful Lake Russell. Campsite 21 had easy lakefront access for swimming or kayaks or even putting our paddleboat in. The campground also consists of a camp store, a basketball court, and a tennis court. A local company we deliver golf carts and water sports equipment right to your site for very reasonable prices. All the rv/tent sites are equipped with clean water and power. From sites 19-24 you can see both the sunrise and the sunset over the lake.

Best campground in South Carolina!

Everything was great about our site, except the ants!! We were overrun with ants getting into our camper, eating the dog food, and anywhere they could fit their little bodies! The site was private, we had beach access to the lake, and the loops are paved which is great for bicycles. 

Loved the views

This campground is very nice. Large sites that are all paved and very clean! Nice beach area, fishing pier and store on a beautiful lake!

Perfect sites...all paved and lots of room. Great amenities and activities 

This is one of the nicest state campgrounds we have been to and we are full timers and try and stay at state parks. The sites are large sandy sites with fire ring and a very  large picnic table. There was a path down to the lake from our site. It poured one day and there was a lake outside the camper but is was gone the next day. Great drainage! There is a very pretty swimming beach and lots of picnic table around the beach area. The bath house is large and clean as are the bathrooms in the camping areas. Our pull thru site was huge! Large enough for our 35’ and loads of room at both sides of the pull thru.

Outstanding 

The tent sites are probably the best tent sites I’ve camped at. Spaced out and the pad area is great. They all have good tree coverage and are somewhat secluded. 

Very Nice!

We camped here for a long weekend. Kayaking, large spacious site right on the water, beautiful lake. A great way to social distance and get some down time. 

Peaceful and Serene

This campground is one of the most beautiful campgrounds. Loved that the site we stayed in was secluded and quiet. My kids loved night fishing at the pier. 

Awesome campground

I got primitive campsite number 7 
Was happy I was only one in my area so I had some privacy 
Pretty lake view 
Grate fire no fires outside of grate


Nice and Private

We stayed one night at Calhoun Falls, SC site 86. The site is the first one in the second grouping of campsites directly across from the camp host. Site 86 is a pull-through. There are 12 steps down to a lower level picnic table and fire pit area. There is a short path down to the water. 

There is 30amp power available as well as household style 110. The 30amp power seemed to be a little finicky. 

The camp host's dog barked for several hours after our arrival which was not very relaxing. During the barking, the camp host decided it was time to run a leaf blower for a while. So we decided to take a walk. 

We liked the walking paths and the public fishing pier. 

There is a rail line that crosses the lake. We heard the train horn a couple times that night. Dogs, leaf blowers, trains ... not the relaxing weekend we had hoped for. 

Security seemed a bit lax. There were several cases of motorcycles and show cars, maybe lost boaters come in an out of the camp area at all hours. 

The dump station was in bad enough shape that we did not feel it would be in our best health to use it (see picture). 

We probably will not go back even though this is not too far from home.

Calhoun Falls, SC Site 86

Spacious sites with amazing views of Lake Russell. Clean campground with nice playgrounds! Highly recommend visiting this campground! 

Perfect location

First time there, and it was very relaxing. Super quiet at night which was nice. Sites spaced out and very well kept. Lake was very clean where we were. 

Very secluded 

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.

Very nice campground with Ants 🐜 

This is one of South Carolina's furthest afield campgrounds (any closer to Georgia and you'd be in that state!), so be prepared to find seclusion and a decent dosage of privacy all on the lakefront edge of heaven. Having never camped in SC before, my family and I checked out a number of campgrounds in the state before stopping by this one - and for the most part (bathrooms aside), we were delighted by what we found! 

  

Unless inland, the majority of campsites either inch up to the lake's shoreline or offer a small, easy-to-access private pathway to the waterline. Each campsite that we viewed had very generous (and most importantly) flat grounds, although all are set off by small pebble grounds, much like a driveway (which if you are used to grass, will irk some, but for those that have camped on much larger stone rubble, won't mind as much). 

  

Insider's tip? Bring cardboard boxes and lay them underneath your tent- both your elbows and knees will thank you later! 

  

All sites feature a fire circle, running waterline (and for those spots designated RV, an electrical line) along with a peculiar hanging hook for garbage (which depending upon which way the wind is blowing, can be good or really horrible). The bathrooms are just mediocre (at best) and should be prioritized by the state to be demolished (yes, not simply remodeled) and rebuilt as they feel fairly 3rd world (in fact, I've camped in 3rd world countries that had better bathrooms!). I was impressed by the space and privacy of each campsite - while in many spots you can still see your neighbors, this campground offered abundantly much more privacy than other SC state campgrounds. And while camping purists will be put off by the seemingly overwhelming# of RV's, although the way that the sites are organized, you can still camp out in a tent here and not feel as though you are spending the night in a mall parking lot. 

  

The most majestic offering of Calhoun Falls State Park is its access to the pristine lake- whether boating, kayaking or inter tubing it, this spot is nothing short of perfection! The entire state park is fairly great-sized and you'll find numerous trail hiking and biking to explore. For those seeking spiritual experiences, there's even an outdoors service on Sundays, which looked pretty spectacular when we passed by(for more, just read John 3:16). 

  

Outside the campground perimeters, there's not much in the way of commercial offerings or grocery stores, although there is a 7/11 in the nearby town of Calhoun Falls, and for those that don't mind a slightly longer drive, there were definitely some stop by's in neighboring Mount Carmel (roadside café), Bordeaux (check out the small church!) and Willington (beware the odors from the outdoor 'art cafe'!). 

  

Happy Camping!

On The Edge of Camping Paradise

I stayed in primitive tent site 10 but all of these primitive sites are great! Well kept and spacious. Some sites have a decent walk in distance but others are close to the parking areas. There’s water points to get fresh water if needed throughout the site areas. Definitely will stay here often when “car” camping instead of backpacking. 


Primitive Tent Sites

This was a nice State Park. Very quiet and private. Our side has a walkway/steps to the lake. There was a sandy area to the lake. There is NOTHING near by so make sure you take your food for the stay. 		

This is probably one of my favorite SC State Parks. We camp here often in a travel trailer, and have stayed in both campgrounds. At most lakeside sites you can have boats tied or kayaks on the shore right at your site. Great for an early morning paddle!

Campground 1 is older and has poorer cell reception than Campground 2, but both are nice. I've heard the campgrounds will be closed for a few months, beginning in December 2022,  for renovations. I'm excited to see what they do.