Chau Ram County Park is named for the convergence of Chauga River and Ramsey Creek. I have to say, I was very impressed with this county park! It hosts more than three miles of hiking trails, 26 campsites, a waterfall, multiple cascades, and a 160-foot suspension bridge that crosses over Chauga River. Visitors can hike, tube, fish, picnic, and wade/swim in the river. There is a $3 admission fee to enter the park.
Between the upper parking lots, there is a gift shop for food and drinks. Also in that building, there are clean bathrooms with multiple stalls and a map of Chau Ram attractions.
Ramsey Creek Falls
From the upper parking areas, head toward the recreation building and turn to the right. This will lead you to Ramsey Creek Falls, also called Chau Ram Falls, a 40-foot waterfall. If you park in the lower parking lot, the path to the waterfall is universally accessible.
Chauga River
From the opposite end of the lower parking lot, take the trail toward the river to enjoy the rest of the main park attractions. You will cross a small bridge over the creek and see a sign for children’s life jackets.
As you hit the riverbend, to the left there is a picnic area which also has a wooden frame for people to take souvenir photos. This area is also perfect for shots of the curve in the river.
Swinging Bridge
Continue along the river’s edge to find the suspension bridge and the beach area beyond. Many families enjoy the small, sandy beach, and the water is often shallow enough for children to play, swim, and wade in.
Hiking
Most of the hiking trails start on the other side of the river, so you will need to cross the suspension bridge. The bridge does swing and bounce as people walk on it.
At the end of the bridge is a sign with trail directions and blaze colors. Take the Orange Loop Trail to walk along the Chauga River.
The Orange Trail does have several small spur trails for hikers to head down to the river. The park map calls out specific rapids and rocks on the trail – two of my favorites are the Can Opener and V Rapids.
Can Opener Rapids
Can Opener Rapids is a great spot to explore or take a break. The ground is made up of huge sections of flat rock.
You can carefully climb on the boulders for different vantage points or wade in the shallow water at the river’s edge.
Morgan’s Rock and V Rapids
After the Can Opener Rapids, follow the Orange Trail further downriver. There is a small wooden staircase which brings you out to the water across from Catfish Rock, a large, slanted boulder. A little farther down the path you will see a bigger platform and staircase which will lead you down to Morgan’s Rock.
Morgan’s Rock is a large, flat rock that visitors can walk and sit on. The rock looks over the V Rapids, named for how the riverbed shapes the cascade here.
From V Rapids, water flows down a series of stairstep rock drops and then calmly continues downriver.
After Morgan’s Rock, the Orange Trail pulls away from the river and travels steeply uphill. The Orange Trail eventually hits a conjunction with the Red and Blue Trails. From there, the Orange and Blue Trails combine as they head back to the river beyond the swinging bridge.
Pump House Rapids
If you want to see the Pump House Rapids up close, rather than finishing the Orange Loop, turn left, and follow the Blue Trail down a short path to the river’s edge. You’ll cross a small wooden bridge. This cascade can be seen in the distance from the bridge, but it is beautiful to view up close.
There is a very small section of beach near the rapids as well.
After Pump House Rapids, you can continue up the Blue Trail to see some additional rapids upriver from the pump house, or head back to the Orange Trail and return to the swinging bridge as I did.
On my hike, I spotted turtles, butterflies, damselflies, fungi, and tons of wildflowers.
If you are in the area, also consider checking out nearby nature spots like Sumter National Forest, Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area, and the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River.
Looks like a great place to spend the day. I love swinging bridges! They are so fun!
Yes! I love swinging bridges too. They make some people nervous but as long as the planks/floor are solid I’m good 🙂
LOVE the wildflowers! I’ve never seen anything like Buttonbush and Shameplant. How cool!
Seems like this place has it all.
Wildflowers really do enhance a trail! I hadn’t seen a shameplant before and had a little giggle at its name and the meaning behind it.