Paddy's Creek — Lake James State Park
Beautiful area!
I love the Lake James area. Very clean facilities and they were even bringing in fresh sand for the beach in preparation for the tourist season.
The mountain landscape surrounding Landrum, South Carolina features several campgrounds that cater to various camping preferences within a short drive. Paris Mountain State Park Campground and Orchard Lake Campground provide developed sites for tent, RV, and cabin camping, while numerous private facilities in the area offer additional glamping and yurt accommodations. Most established campgrounds lie within 30 miles of Landrum, positioned along the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, giving campers access to both Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountain environments.
Campground accessibility varies significantly based on reservation requirements and seasonal demand. Full-service campgrounds like Orchard Lake and Emberglow Outdoor Resort typically require advance reservations, especially during the peak season from April through October when occupancy rates are highest. Many parks maintain year-round operations, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Smaller facilities like Wilderness Cove Campground provide tent-only areas with basic amenities alongside cabin rentals. Campers should verify water availability and shower access when booking as these amenities vary considerably between properties. A visitor noted, "Beautiful area the campground is in. The sites are very close together but the campground itself is spread out with a couple different loops so you don't feel like you're in a mega campground."
The mixed-use campgrounds in the region frequently receive positive feedback for their family-friendly amenities and water features. Several facilities maintain swimming areas, fishing ponds, and paddling opportunities that enhance the camping experience. Developed campgrounds like Paris Mountain State Park offer electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations for RVs, while maintaining natural settings with picnic tables and fire rings at most sites. Reviewers consistently mention the variety of activities available at campgrounds like Orchard Lake, which features paddle boats, kayaking, and a swimming lake with a slide. Campground options range from basic tent sites to luxury glamping accommodations, with Emberglow Outdoor Resort standing out for its diverse lodging styles including vintage RVs, camping pods, and tiny homes alongside traditional camping sites. Many properties maintain reliable WiFi coverage, which remains important for visitors needing to stay connected.
$38 - $48 / night
"A swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room. Only bad thing is the bad house are probably the worst I have ever used."
$100 / night
"Though $38 a night and more than the other state parks surrounding south Carolina such as NC, AL, GA, MS. Bathroom was clean and showers were nice. Level campspots!"
"I stayed at Trailside Camp Site #2, which is one of their remote, primitive sites at the North Lake and all I can say is wow."
$40 - $350 / night
"The tent sites are clustered together next to a stream in the woods, providing tons of shade on hot days. "
"The close proximity to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is an added bonus. The owners and staff were very friendly and helpful, but unobtrusive. I highly recommend Emberglow Campground."
$37 - $84 / night
"Gravel campsite with paved entrances, 30/50 electric, and picnic table. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. Ranger station nearby. Brevard just outside gate."
"It's located right at the entrance to the forest, close to amenities such as Walmart supercenter, gas stations, breweries, restaurants, a great BBQ place and an ice cream joint."
"The gravel at our site was painful for our dog’s feet and they had a hard time walking on it. The dog parks made up for this! There are multiple large dog parks located at the campground."
"This place was a 13 hour drive and so worth it. All of the cabins and trailers available to rent are so reasonably priced and have AC and fully fucntioning appliances."
"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"
$35 - $299 / night
"Was able to access wifi near the tubing office. Prices are extremely reasonable. Their website is very accurate. I will be staying here again next week."
"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"
"This campground has 19 trail side sites that are all great and not far from the Middle Saluda River which runs through the middle of the park."
"I used site 7 because an oncoming storm made me bug out of my trailside plans. Gorgeous site, a bit chilly by the river but beautiful and close enough to still use the park bathrooms!"
$37 - $135 / night
"We stayed in site 50 in the Lakeside Loop - it had more privacy than a lot of the other sites, and was right next to a trail leading down to the Homestead trail that goes around the lake."
"Lake Powhatan Campground, Asheville, NC Tucked quietly away only 10 miles southwest of Asheville, Lake Powhatan Campground(within Pisgah National Forest) is a popular but peaceful campground. "












I love the Lake James area. Very clean facilities and they were even bringing in fresh sand for the beach in preparation for the tourist season.
The park is in a great location near Greenville and it's beautiful, but there are things to consider. It's a small campground with just a few sites. Many of which are not even close to level and they're all fairly small. In addition, the road is narrow and winding, so overall it's not the best choice for .medium to large rvs. The bathroom/ shower was clean but the stall door locks are both broken so the doors don't close. The staff is very nice and it's very peaceful. It's a great park for tent camping or small rvs like teardrops. There aren't many camping options near Greenville. I hope the state invests in upgrades for this valuable park.
The camp host was unprofessional, rude, and threatened to call the sheriffs department because he said we were talking too loud. We were not loud and are filing a complaint. We have been coming here for years but will not pay to be treated this way.
I love the views and the lakefront everything about this place is worth going to
Stayed for a night very quiet and peaceful in December!
Lakewood RV Resort in Flat Rock, NC has changed over the years a lot.
This park has become completely unprofessional and extremely unfriendly.
Flooding has been a serious problem for over 10 years, and your stay could be at risk. Read the reviews and be very careful!
Located at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls Campground is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campground offers 81 campsites spread across two loops, with 27 reservable sites and 54 first-come, first-served sites. I would stay here again.
Check out our 360° Video of the campground so you can see all the sites and pick your favorite.
https://youtu.be/YSOMWS5qr64
This is my favorite campground on the blue ridge parkway. They have some sites that are spaced well so you are not right on top of each other. Check out the video tour of all the sites in 360° so you can really get a sense of campground and pick the best site for your trip.
https://youtu.be/pNhu7MaYH0A
Wonderful spot that we stopped and had lunch. Would have loved to stay if we had the time. Plenty of room for a good size group. I made a video https://youtu.be/zvTonq4LNYY
Camping sites near Landrum, South Carolina range from primitive tent areas to full-service RV parks within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The elevation in this transitional zone between Piedmont and mountains varies from about 1,000 to 3,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the seasons. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity compared to lower-elevation South Carolina locations.
Kayaking at Davidson River: Located about an hour from Landrum, Davidson River Campground offers excellent water recreation. "Great hiking trails and easy access campsites. Mountain lake was a little small for kayaking, but we had fun," notes Tye G., who gave the campground five stars.
Hiking wilderness trails: Take advantage of the remote backcountry camping at Jones Gap State Park Campground for access to exceptional trails. A camper reports, "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."
Swimming in natural settings: At Wilderness Cove Campground, visitors can enjoy cooling off during hot summer months. "Camped at Wilderness Cove in August 2020 for 2 nights. Very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent," shares a reviewer who appreciated the simple amenities.
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion at some parks. At Jones Gap State Park, one reviewer noted, "Unlike other state park campgrounds, each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself."
Dog-friendly accommodations: Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat caters specifically to canine companions. "We visited this park a few weeks ago and wished we could have stayed longer! It's a well-kept, clean park within approximately half an hour from Lake Lure. It is an adult only campground that is dog-centric," explains a satisfied visitor.
Riverfront locations: Several campgrounds offer sites directly on waterways. A guest at Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground shared, "Once you get set up at your waterfront site you can't help but be in awe of the rapids. We hung out all night enjoying its ambiance and the moonlight shines."
Site levelness challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain around Landrum have uneven sites. A camper at Paris Mountain State Park Campground reported, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area have limited winter operations. Table Rock State Park maintains year-round access, but visitors should expect reduced services during colder months.
Access constraints: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground, one reviewer warned, "Be alert to turn wide when turning into this campground. Very narrow bridge from the main road making it absolutely necessary to turn into the other lane for longer rigs."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Landrum, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Landrum, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 288 campgrounds and RV parks near Landrum, SC and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Landrum, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Landrum, SC is Orchard Lake Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Landrum, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Landrum, SC.
What parks are near Landrum, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Landrum, SC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.
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