Best Tent Camping near Belton, SC
Tent campgrounds in the Belton area of South Carolina provide a mix of primitive and established options for outdoor enthusiasts. Jones Gap State Park Campground, located about 45 miles north of Belton, offers secluded walk-in tent sites along the Middle Saluda River with private spots spaced approximately a quarter-mile apart. For those seeking a truly primitive experience, the Pine Point Primitive Campground at Table Rock State Park provides tent-only sites accessible via a half-mile hiking trail.
Most tent camping areas in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. The walk-in sites at Jones Gap include fire rings and tent pads but no picnic tables, requiring visitors to pack in all necessary gear. Pine Point Primitive Campground offers flat tent pads, picnic tables, and fire pits, though campers should bring their own water as the nearest source is almost a half mile away. According to one visitor, "It is a great campground if you want to get away from it all, but remember, you do have to pack everything in and pack everything out." Many sites in the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area lack developed facilities entirely, making them suitable for experienced backcountry campers.
The tent camping experience near Belton offers notable seclusion and natural immersion. Sites at Jones Gap provide the sensation of having "the mountain to yourself" with placement along rushing creeks that provide ambient sounds throughout the night. A camper noted that "Jones Gap gives you the feeling of really being deep in the Appalachians. The rushing river and dense foliage with tons of mountain laurel makes the air seem so fresh." Many tent sites in the region connect directly to extensive trail networks, with Rainbow Falls accessible from Jones Gap Trail and multiple waterfall viewing opportunities throughout the Jocassee Gorges area. Tree cover at most sites provides good shade during summer months, though July temperatures can still be challenging without electric fans or other cooling options.