Cabin camping near Belton, South Carolina offers options on Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee, both within 30 minutes of town. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing nights. Most state park cabins stay open year-round while county park facilities may have seasonal closures between November and March.
What to do
Hiking at Table Rock State Park: Trail options range from the easy 1.9-mile Lakeside Trail to the strenuous 7-mile round trip Table Rock Trail with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. "The Table Rock trail is a must if you are nearby! It is pretty strenuous especially if you have health issues but is well worth the trek to the top," notes one visitor who recommends allowing plenty of time to complete the trail, especially in winter when ice can be expected.
Kayaking on Lake Jocassee: Access the clear waters directly from Devils Fork State Park Campground where cabin options include lakefront views. "This is a wonderful spot to access the absolutely gorgeous Lake Jocassee. There are some fantastic places to swim connected to the campground," says one camper who found the park ideal for water activities.
Swimming and fishing: Most cabin rentals provide lake access with designated swimming areas. At Lake Hartwell State Park Campground, cabins 1 and 2 offer "great view and gentle slope to a nice beach" according to a recent visitor. The park also maintains fishing piers and boat ramps for anglers seeking bass, crappie, or catfish.
What campers like
Cabin privacy levels: At Mile Creek County Park, cabins constructed in 2018 feature strategic placement for views without sacrificing privacy. "Each campsite has wonderful views of the water. There is a playground by the entrance and near the farthest campsites as well," mentions one camper who found the accommodations well-designed.
Lakefront access: Many campers praise the direct water access from cabin sites. One Tugaloo State Park visitor reports, "Most campsites have views of the lake and access directly to the stoney beaches. Lots of mature trees make shade an easily accessible feature." This Georgia park sits on Lake Hartwell just across the state line from Belton.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent positive reviews across most parks. A Paris Mountain State Park Campground visitor noted, "The bathrooms were definitely older, but very clean," while also appreciating the "quiet and well shaded" nature of the campground.
What you should know
Accessibility considerations: Cabin designs vary significantly in terms of accessibility. At Tugaloo State Park, cabins 1-10 have fewer stairs, making them better options for visitors with mobility limitations. Conversely, at Paris Mountain, the designated ADA site has been described as "extremely dangerous" with one visitor reporting, "this ADA site was so unsafe. I fell twice getting out of our RV, because the site was more mountainous than the mountains!"
Seasonal rental patterns: Summer weekends book 3-6 months in advance at most parks. Weekday availability remains better even during peak season. Winter rentals typically require less advance planning except during holiday periods.
Budget options: For travelers seeking economical alternatives to full cabins, Anderson-Lake Hartwell KOA offers camping cabins without bathrooms at lower rates. A visitor described it as "a quiet place, easy to find and close enough to the little town," making it suitable for short stays.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabins based on proximity to play facilities. One Mile Creek visitor reported, "We had 5 spots in a cul-de-sac surrounded by the lake on all sides. Bath houses were conveniently located. Lots of hills so it was a little hard for the little kids to get around on bikes."
Water safety preparation: Lake swimming areas often have rocky bottoms rather than sand. "You need water shoes for swimming in the lake as it is rocky, but it has a perfect shallow end for little ones and very deep for kayaking," advises a Mile Creek visitor who brought children ranging from 5 to 14 years old.
Activity planning: Many parks schedule ranger-led programs during summer months. A Table Rock State Park Campground visitor mentioned, "I stayed here over New Year's and did a ranger-led First Day Hike," demonstrating that structured activities occur year-round.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Parks built on hillsides present leveling difficulties. A Paris Mountain visitor cautioned, "Liked the campground. No amenities per day except bathroom/showers. Nice large sites but very unlevel due to mountain side. Would not stay again because we were so unlevel our refrigerator wouldn't work."
Access road limitations: Several parks have narrow entry roads. One Paris Mountain visitor noted, "The road through the park back to the campground is pretty narrow at some points - we don't know how we would have managed if we had met another RV!" They successfully navigated with a 31' Class A but heard reports of larger trailers having difficulties.
Utility connections: Water pressure and electrical reliability vary between parks. At Lake Hartwell State Park, a camper reported, "The water pressure was just to our liking!" while noting the absence of sewer hookups at individual sites but convenient dump stations in each loop.
