Best Campgrounds near Clemson, SC

Near the college town of Clemson, South Carolina, you'll find several good camping spots within driving distance. Davidson River Campground has walking trails and mountain bike paths that start right from the camping area. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground sits near the impressive gorge with hiking trails that take you down to see the waterfalls. Devils Fork State Park Campground puts you close to Lake Jocassee where many campers spend their days fishing or taking boats out. All three campgrounds have clean bathrooms and showers, though some are more updated than others. The privacy between sites changes depending on which loop you choose - some have good tree coverage while others are more open. Most sites have trees for shade, which helps during South Carolina's hot summers. From these campgrounds, you can get back to Clemson pretty quickly if you want to catch a game or grab a meal in town. Many locals recommend camping in spring or fall when it's not too hot and the trees look great. The campgrounds around Clemson work well for quick weekend trips or longer stays, depending on what you're looking for.

Best Camping Sites Near Clemson, South Carolina (310)

    1. Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell

    29 Reviews
    Clemson, SC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 893-0678

    $36 - $76 / night

    "Well maintained campground with most sites situated within easy access to Lake Hartwell. A short drive to Clemson via country roads."

    "Our site(site 60) was right on the lake and absolutely beautiful."

    2. Mile Creek County Park

    26 Reviews
    Tamassee, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 868-2196

    $15 - $116 / night

    "Having lived in South Carolina most my life, I haven't seen it all.. but have seen a lot of it. Mile Creek Campground is a string of 3 islands connect by narrow straights and surrounded by water."

    "While the spot is very level, be very weary that the drive up to this spot is steep and curved, We barely made clearance with a 23' trailer that has a lift kit on it."

    3. Devils Fork State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Tamassee, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 944-2639

    "The lake is amazing and it is called the Caribbean of South Carolina for a reason."

    "There are few places in the southeast that are as beautiful as the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee!"

    4. Oconee Point

    13 Reviews
    Townville, SC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 893-0678

    $38 - $76 / night

    "Wow, Oconee Point in South Carolina is one of my favorite camping spots for me. I absolutely love this place, and have been coming here ever since I was little."

    "Open May through October, friendly staff,convenient to Clemson University"

    5. Coneross Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Townville, SC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 893-0678

    $26 - $76 / night

    "Lots of room for walking. Beautiful and peaceful trees on the lake."

    "Site was in a hill looking down at the lake. Large tent site that easily fit two 4 person tents as well as a picnic table and fire pit."

    6. Tugaloo State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Fair Play, SC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 356-4362

    $27 - $230 / night

    "This gem is on Georgia South Carolina line and off the beaten path. Your will feel like you hit pay dirt here.

    The park has a great feel and welcoming feel, excellent boat ramps and easy access."

    "On the Georgia side Tugaloo State Park is Located on Lake Hartwell on the Georgia/South Carolina state line.  "

    7. South Cove County Park

    12 Reviews
    Seneca, SC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 882-5250

    $25 - $60 / night

    "There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site. We very much enjoyed our stay and plan to return for a longer visit."

    "Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground 😊 warning! Don’t feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything!"

    8. Oconee State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Tamassee, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 638-5353

    "This state park is located in a beautiful part of South Carolina. There are a range of fun hiking trails. The cabins are rustic, but with all the amenities you need for a trip to the mountains."

    "We spent 2 nights in one of the cabins in this beautiful state park during a road trip through South Carolina. And let me say, 2 nights was not enough! The cabin itself was very well kept."

    9. Table Rock State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "The cabins have all of the amenities that you need for a week of hiking, biking, and exploring the South Carolina mountains. It's close to Caesar's Head or Dupont Forest."

    "South Carolina SPs currently have a ban on bringing in firewood, forcing me to buy some at the camp store, leading to my only criticism: The wood was still very green and required significant work to get"

    10. Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    25 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 868-2605

    $7 - $26 / night

    "Located in Sunset Sc, near Clemson and Easley, this park is one of our favorites off of the Cherokee foothills scenic Hwy 11."

    "I stayed here many times as a student at Clemson.  Only a 45 minute drive.  The cabins are amazing.  Very clean as well."

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Recent Reviews near Clemson, SC

1418 Reviews of 310 Clemson Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Mount Pisgah Campground

    October camping experience

    Well I checked when peak leaf season was supposed to occur and what to expect from temperatures. I also appreciate information from those that camped here. We were in site B26 interior of the loop. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get outside loop from the showers to the end. Interior from the showers to site 21 were okay. Ours on the other hand was one of the worst we’ve had. You had a steep 7 step down to picknick table and firepit. It was also in a low sumac shrub area that had a distinct smell. Campground was clean and facilities were well maintained. NPS staff were present despite the current shutdown in Washington! Limited cell service at the site. Best just up the parkway to the Mt. Pisgah picnic area parking lot.

    While we did hit peak color, I didn’t think that the cold front would be as intense. Temperature dropped below freezing and during the night it felt like gale force winds buffeting the GO. Definitely will pick a lower elevation for camping if it’s in October!

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Upper Cove Creek - UCC2 Dispersed

    Okay spot

    Avery Road was closed so we ended up here. Not a whole lot of sites in the forest here. This site was fine, nothing special, but nothing bad. There’s a shallow creek that runs next to this spot.

  • paul Z.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sadlers Creek State Park Campground

    Nice lake campground

    Awesome views over lake Hartwell. Nice sized sites, could be a little more level. Needed to slightly block up rear of out class A to get level. Stairs down to the water right next to our site so easy access to our canoe. We will camp here again. 50A power and water at site. Dump station near the exit. ATT phones worked well. Greenville TV stations OTA easily received. Awesome sunrises and sunsets

  • paul Z.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground

    Small and nice, Great place for quiet

    Large sites in a wooded area. Plenty of room with pull through and back in sites. Older campground but serene with great hiking trails and awesome scenery. We live very close to this park yet this was the first time camping here. This was the trial run for our latest rig so basically a shakedown cruise. The campsite was fairly level and with forest off the door side of the Camper. Only 30 A power here so we had to watch what we were running electrically. They did have 2 30A outlets but at this time we did not have the double 30 to 50 amp adapter. We will be staying here again whenever we want a quick weekend getaway.

  • Ethan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Tugaloo State Park Campground

    Extremely crowded

    This campground was not fully booked, yet most campsites were maxed out with people in each one so it felt extremely busy with lots of partying-like noise. Lots of vehicle/ golf cart/ sxs traffic throughout grounds and past our campsite at all hours. Only a few campsites offer a little bit of privacy, most have none. Lots of pictures that show waterfront property can be deceiving. Bathrooms were big and very clean, and all staff were friendly.

  • Tyler I.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Orchard Lake Campground

    Always Welcoming

    Owners are great and very helpful, sites are always clean and welcoming!

  • Jacquelyn I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Chattooga River Lodge and Campground

    Connect with nature

    This was my first stop traveling and my converted short bus. I have been here before so I felt super comfortable being here. But I have never can’t. I am at campsite six which is perfect for a smaller rig or take camping. It’s right along the creek and very private with a short walk to the bathhouse. Through a fun trail you can make it to the lodge. This campground is surrounded by many places to hike and scenic waterfalls. It’s a must stay. The owners Mat and Teresa are amazing.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • austin C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Great camping as of September 2025

    Very nice area to camp saw multiple sites throughout the road. Weather got a little cooler at night but the stars were a beauty to see. managed to fit 3 tents and 2 hammocks at the campsite near 34°50'26.3"N 83°40'44.6"W Wood was a little wet as it had rained 2 days prior so might be worth bringing your own.

    Also worth it if you're into astrophotography as all of tray mountain sits within the few dark areas within north Georgia.

    Did not see any signs of large predators but did see lots of spent 12GA shells and other casings.


Guide to Clemson

Camping near Clemson, South Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers love the hiking opportunities, especially at places like Davidson River Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles and wore out the dogs perfectly!"
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. At Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, a visitor shared, "The lake was beautiful, and there are plenty of smallmouth bass to be claimed as well!"
  • Swimming: Cool off in the water. Campers at Lake Powhatan enjoyed the lake beach, with one saying, "It’s the perfect size for kids."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground noted, "The bathrooms were kept clean and were in better conditions than other state parks we’ve visited."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers often mention the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Mount Pisgah Campground said, "The campground is VERY quiet and many of the spaces were rather private."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. A camper at Oconee State Park Campground remarked, "The staff is so kind, and the garbage pick-up twice a day is great!"

What you should know

  • Limited cell service: Be prepared for spotty reception. A visitor at Lake Powhatan mentioned, "We had very little cell service (Verizon)."
  • Tight campsites: Some campgrounds have close quarters. A camper at Oconee State Park Campground said, "These campsites are TIGHT! Be prepared."
  • Bear country: Keep food secure to avoid bear encounters. One camper at Mount Pisgah Campground shared, "I did have a bear walk through my camp my last night there while I was in bed."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas and playgrounds. At Devils Fork State Park Campground, a family enjoyed the "crystal clear water allowed us to look at the schools of fish swimming with us."
  • Plan for meals: Bring your own firewood and food. A camper at Table Rock State Park Campground noted, "Make sure to bring your own firewood."
  • Engage in nature: Encourage kids to explore the outdoors. A visitor at Tugaloo State Park Campground said, "The campground has awesome activities through the summer for the kids and for families."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. A camper at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground advised, "If you have a big RV it may be hard to get in and out of the park."
  • Use leveling blocks: Many sites can be uneven. A visitor at Mount Pisgah Campground mentioned, "Some sites are very uneven, resulting in some rather interesting on-the-fly engineering by other campers."
  • Plan for amenities: Not all sites have electric hookups. A camper at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground noted, "The campground is more small RV friendly due to narrow roads."

Camping near Clemson, South Carolina, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any state parks with camping available near Clemson?

Several excellent state parks with camping are within easy driving distance of Clemson. Lake Hartwell State Park Campground is conveniently located just off I-85 exit 1 in South Carolina, making it perfect for overnight stays. The park has year-round camping, though the waterfront sites are seasonal. Oconee State Park Campground offers a beautiful mountain setting with a range of hiking trails and rustic cabins with modern amenities. Other notable state parks in the region include Table Rock, Paris Mountain, and Calhoun Falls, all offering diverse camping experiences within 1-2 hours of Clemson.

Where are the best campgrounds near Clemson, SC?

The Clemson area boasts several top-rated campgrounds with unique features. Mile Creek County Park stands out with its exceptional setting on a string of three islands connected by narrow straights, offering stunning views of Lake Keowee and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Calhoun Falls State Park Campground features spacious lakeside campsites with privacy, direct lake access, and spectacular sunset views. For those willing to drive a bit further, Tugaloo State Park Campground on the Georgia-South Carolina line offers a secluded feel with comfortable, spacious sites surrounded by trees and nature.

What RV camping options exist around Clemson, South Carolina?

RV enthusiasts have several excellent options near Clemson. Tiger Stripes RV Campsites & Tailgate offers gated executive sites inside Clemson RV Park at the Grove, perfect for Clemson University visitors and tailgaters. Willow Valley RV Resort provides 80 graveled, easy-to-access sites with amenities including a playground, basketball court, pool, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. For county-operated options, South Cove County Park offers big-rig-friendly sites with full hookups. Most RV parks in the area provide good access to local attractions and outdoor activities.

What activities can you enjoy while camping near Lake Hartwell by Clemson?

Lake Hartwell offers abundant recreational opportunities for campers. Water activities dominate with excellent fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming access. Many campgrounds like Springfield - Hartwell Lake provide boat ramps and water access directly from campsites. Beyond water recreation, the area features numerous hiking trails through scenic woodlands and along shorelines. Paris Mountain State Park Campground, though not directly on Lake Hartwell, offers additional hiking options within driving distance. Wildlife viewing, photography, and mountain biking are popular activities. The proximity to Clemson University also provides opportunities to enjoy collegiate sporting events, campus tours, and cultural activities.