Tent camping near Taylors, South Carolina offers primitive backcountry experiences within the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. The elevation in this region ranges from approximately 1,000 to 3,000 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between valley campsites and ridge locations. Most primitive sites in the area require campers to carry in all necessary supplies, with many campgrounds maintaining strict "pack-in, pack-out" waste policies throughout the year.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: The Middle Saluda River watershed contains numerous accessible waterfalls within hiking distance of campsites. At Jones Gap State Park Campground, campers can hike directly from their sites to cascades. One visitor explains, "We did a short day hike to check out the camp sites and look at the waterfalls...The trails and the park are so very well kept up!"
River activities: Many campsites provide direct water access for cooling off during summer months. The cold, clear waters offer natural relief from heat. A camper at Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area notes, "Clean and clear water like we haven't experienced before. Beautiful water falls! Also Nicely taken care of facilities!"
Rock hopping: Several riverside campsites feature large boulder formations perfect for scrambling. One Jones Gap visitor mentioned, "Spot is right on the river and a great place to catch some sun on the rocks or rock hop."
What campers like
Secluded spacing: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many sites in the Taylors area provide significant distance between campers. At Pine Point Primitive Campground, "The best part about this campground is that it is away from the sounds of traffic, and your nearest neighbor, if you have one, will be a tent camper about 200 feet away."
River soundscapes: The ambient noise of moving water creates natural white noise for sleeping. A Jones Gap camper appreciated that "The river is a great soundtrack for a night's sleep."
Flat tent pads: Despite mountainous terrain, many sites feature carefully leveled tent platforms. One Pine Point visitor noted, "Best of all the remote sites had FLAT tent pads, which always make for a better night sleep!"
Clean facilities: Though primitive, the maintained bathrooms receive positive mentions. A Jones Gap camper found "Restrooms are clean and well stocked. No trash cans in park; you're expected to LNT your trash out."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly during peak seasons (April-October). A visitor to Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping suggests, "I strongly suggest wearing waterproof hiking boots/trail runners as there is lots of water on the trail and because the Dismal Trail is a steep climb to the lookout."
Pack-in necessities: Most primitive sites have no running water. At Pine Point, "it is advisable to take your own water since the nearest water is almost a half mile away."
Toilet locations: Bathroom facilities can be distant from some sites. A Pine Point camper warns, "There is one pit toilet for this campground, and from my site, it is almost a half mile away. That means that if you have to go in the middle of the night, take a strong flashlight with you since there are NO artificial lights at this campground."
Trail visibility: Some sites lack privacy from passing hikers. One Jones Gap visitor observed, "It is of note that the trail is right by the river, so you will see people walk by and there isn't any real greenery to block that, even in summer."
Tips for camping with families
Closest walk-in options: Some sites require shorter hikes, making them better for children. At Wilderness Cove Campground, "The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean."
Toddler-friendly sites: Certain locations accommodate very young children. One Jones Gap visitor shared, "Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area. We were able to hike in a ton of gear (coolers, dog bed, etc (with a little work and a few trips) and it was worth it for the seclusiveness. Having both toddler and dog we knew we couldn't go far but this still felt like we were in the middle of nowhere."
Beginner-friendly backpacking: For first family backpacking trips, shorter trails help build confidence. A Jocassee Gorges camper recommends, "This small primitive campsite is located near the NC side of Jocassee...This is a great campsite for 1st time backpackers."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas near Taylors cannot accommodate large recreational vehicles. At Asbury Hills Summer Camps, the primarily tent-focused camping area has "lots of features to this camp and the surrounding trails such as waterfalls, rock outcroppings, cable crossings, and access to Caesar's Head trails."
Road conditions: Unpaved access roads may challenge RVs with low clearance. A Wilderness Cove camper noted, "The drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property, but that's just a heads-up, not a complaint."
