chau ram river park

Chau Ram County Park is a hidden gem in in the upstate of South Carolina. The park is operated by Oconee County Parks and Recreation, but feels more like a state park. The Day use area includes several nice hiking trails, a swimming area, a wonderful swinging bridge, playground area, waterfall and a recreation hall. The camping area is very well maintained and offers several nice spots. We camped on spot 16 for three nights in early November 2014. We were literally the only people in the entire campground so once they closed the gates for the evening we had an entire campground to ourselves. The bathhouse was spotlessly clean and in fantastic condition. All of the camp spots appeared to be well maintained and clean to the point that there weren't any leaves or twigs on any of the empty camp spots (this during the peak fall with leaves falling heavily). Our camp spot (16) had electric and water hookup as well as a nice pull through paved drive and a huge level pad area that included a grill and a fire pit. My wife and I joked that we needed to have the Oconee County Parks and Rec. staff come clean our home considering how nice a job they did with the bathhouse and the grounds of this park.Camping spots cost $15 per night and include water and electric plus the very nice bathhouse (which had lots of hot water and was well heated).The park is totally alcohol free, with several signs posted in both the day use area and the campgrounds. The staff also warned me verbally at check in about the no alcohol policy. Personally I consider this a bonus feature of the park but if you must have beer while camping or picnicing then this park isn't for you. But if you want a quiet place to enjoy a nice camping trip then this park is perfect for that.

We drove into this park expecting to see a waterfall. What we didn't expect was the beautiful surroundings, a fast moving stream joining forces with a river, and a huge sandy beach! This is such a nice place for a family to enjoy a day of picnics, swimming and hiking. For two dollars per car, you have many opportunities for fun in this lovely park.

I've lived in this area for over 30 years and finally got out to Chau Ram County Park with the kids. Didn't go to the camping area or scope out the bathrooms (which, oddly, has a huge sign saying "BATHROOMS" rather than "rest rooms"). Anyway, we did pay our $2 and park and walk the orange/double-red/blue trail loop (under 2 miles and only one big incline). The trails were nice. The river was pretty. And the swinging, suspension bridge was neat.This is a good picnicking park though you won't find a ton of hiking (I hear that if you did every loop of all the trails, it would be about 4 miles total). It wasn't particularly crowded, either. They say it's an unknown gem, but I attribute it to the fact that it's almost in Long Creek. And you have to really want to get to Long Creek to find yourself there. :) It's pretty out-of-the-way and there wouldn't be a lot of drive-by visitors who just happened to be out that way.

This was just going to be a lunch stop and it turned out to be much more. The trails are quite nice with a suspension bridge included. The water fall is beautiful and picturesque. Swimming isn't half bad either.

You'll love waking along the river after a quick picnic. The river runs across large bolders which offer temptation to walk into the river. Don't do it! The water level drops and the flow is too strong. Great view and a fun place.

They say its the best kept secret in South Carolina.After finding that my usual campground were full for the holiday weekend,I started looking more indepth.This park is a county park,offering a very well maintained campground friendly rangers and hot showers .As you enter you can hear one of six waterfalls,we tubed and hiked.None of the trails are strenuous the orange trail has you hiking right along the water.The best part is the suspension bridge its is a great feature.This will know be one of my favorite campgrounds.

We visited the park to grill out with family and let the children play. I was pleasantly surprised by the park. There is a small, but nice playground for the children. Picnic shelters with grills are available on the river. There is some amazing views! Great place for pictures. There was a lot of people taking prom pictures today. River has a beach area that is not too deep. River current is not strong at that spot either. Perfect place for smaller children. However this is a very small area. It would easily be extremely crowded with 5 or 6 families at the beach area. There is a waterfall in the park as well. My husband did some fishing. He didn't catch anything but you could see decent size fish in the river.

Pack some water shoes, swimuits, a picnic lunch. Go sit in the river with some friends and while away an afternoon.This is a very low key park. You will need to pay a small entrance fee. You can hike and explore as much as you want, or even tube the river if you are so inclined.Or just sit around and read or snooze.

My wife and I went on a waterfall driving tour in the area and this was our first stop. Great little spot for a picnic or hiking on the well marked trails. Small waterfall but with the changing leaves it was very picturesque. There is a camping area here also, maybe we will come back to camp for a night sometime.