Free Camping Collection with

Camper submitted image from Alston Trailhead - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Alston Trailhead - 2

Roads

Camper submitted image from Alston Trailhead - 3

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Alston Trailhead - 4

Nature

Camper submitted image from Alston Trailhead - 5

Activities

Unlock Planning Tools in App

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Alston Trailhead

5 Reviews

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Alston Trailhead, near Newberry, South Carolina, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank. This free location offers a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for tent and RV camping, with a spacious parking lot and several camp areas featuring fire pits.

Visitors have mentioned the beautiful scenery and easy access to the Palmetto Trail, making it a great place for morning walks. While there are no bathrooms or drinking water available, many campers appreciate the quiet environment, with one reviewer noting, “It was like being a kid where you could hear the train off in the distance.”

The area is known for its natural beauty, with plenty of trees and open spaces to soak in the sights. Just keep in mind that the nearby train tracks can be a bit noisy at night, but that hasn’t stopped folks from enjoying their stay. Whether you're passing through or planning a longer visit, Alston Trailhead is a convenient and scenic choice for your next camping adventure.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Alston Trailhead is located in South Carolina

Directions

Alston Trailhead: From Columbia: I-26, exit 97, take US 176 west 11 miles; turn east on SC 213; drive 3.1 miles, turn right onto Alston Road (1st road after the bridge); road changes to unpaved, take right fork, cross RR track and go under the trestle; parking is on the left at the top. From Spartanburg: I-26, exit 82, take 773 to Pomaria, east on US 176 to SC 213; turn east on 213; follow directions above.

Coordinates

34.24355474 N
81.31786099 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Last on 7/2/25
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 3 users
AT&T5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Eden in Lancaster SC

54 min away

Primitive Camping By the Creek

1 hr 29 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

34 min from Columbia
1 hr 5 min from Spartanburg
1 hr 15 min from Sumter
1 hr 25 min from Charlotte

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Last on 7/2/25
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 3 users
AT&T5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Alston Trailhead needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

Contact

General Info

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented by

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Rachel S.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 24, 2024

Nice free spot

We enjoyed this free trailhead parking. No bathroom, and the train only woke us up once in the night. Only one other van there with us, so very quiet and peaceful. Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees.

Month of VisitApril

(5) View All

Isabel B.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 8, 2023

Amazing site, minus the train

This site is awesome. The scenery is beautiful and it is super easy to access. You can hear coyotes howling at night.

The only problem is the train. It woke us up at least 4 times last night. You can see the train from your campsite.

Everything else was perfect for us though!

Month of VisitOctober

Will C.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2023

Stay at TrailHead

Beautiful place! Unfortunately no space for us to drive our bus to a camp spot but plenty of room in parking lot. Just a nice little spot to stop before hitting the road again.

Month of VisitSeptember

Addison C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2023

Amazing camp site

There are several camp areas, fire pits and picnic tables at the beginning of the trail with a big gravel parking lot

Sitemain

Month of VisitJuly

Ron K.

Traveler

Reviewed Jan. 15, 2022

Alston Campground

This place is nice and quiet. Except for being snuggled up to a train track. Twice in the night the train came through. But we laughed, it was like being a kid where you could hear the train off in the distance and would ride your bike to go watch it pass. Nice experience, beautiful trailhead, lots and lots of bikepackers. It’s so cool to have somewhere like this in our own backyard. Definitely Recommend!

SiteSite #5

Month of VisitDecember

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Alston Trailhead from Unknown Campground?

Alston Trailhead is accessible via a gravel parking lot that accommodates various vehicles. The trailhead is clearly marked with signage and is easy to access from nearby roads. For specific directions from your location, it's best to use a GPS or mapping application. The trailhead features a large parking area where visitors can leave vehicles while exploring the area or camping at the available sites.

Is Unknown Campground close to Alston, SC?

Alston Trailhead is located in the Alston area of South Carolina. The trailhead serves as an access point to the Palmetto Trail and offers camping opportunities in a natural setting. While the exact proximity to Alston town center isn't specified, the area is rural and quiet, characterized by natural beauty with train tracks nearby.

What hiking opportunities are available on the Palmetto Trail near Unknown Campground?

The Palmetto Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities directly accessible from Alston Trailhead. Visitors can enjoy lovely morning walks on well-maintained paths through scenic natural areas. The trail provides beautiful scenery and a peaceful outdoor experience. The trailhead serves as a gateway to longer hikes on the Palmetto Trail system, making it ideal for both day hikes and as a starting point for more extended backpacking adventures.

What is there to see at Alston Park near Unknown Campground?

At Alston Trailhead, visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery in a quiet, peaceful setting. The area features several camping spots with fire pits and picnic tables nestled among trees. There are both parking lot areas and walk-in campsites available in the wooded sections. Nature enthusiasts might hear coyotes howling at night, adding to the wilderness experience. The area's natural beauty makes it a perfect spot for outdoor recreation, though be aware that trains occasionally pass nearby.

Keep Exploring

View Photos

Alston Trailhead

Do you own or manage this property?

Description

Location

Directions

Coordinates

Connectivity

Detours Nearby

Drive Time

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

FREE established camping

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

Contact

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Reviews

4.5

Nice free spot

Amazing site, minus the train

Stay at TrailHead

Amazing camp site

Alston Campground

How do I get to Alston Trailhead from Unknown Campground?

Is Unknown Campground close to Alston, SC?

What hiking opportunities are available on the Palmetto Trail near Unknown Campground?

What is there to see at Alston Park near Unknown Campground?