Alston Trailhead
It was very nice! My fiance and I and our kitty stopped for the night, had burgers and went on a little hike in the morning with a gorgeous view. It’s very quiet, well kept. Has 2 porta-potty’s as well. Would definitely come back.
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Woodsmoke Family Campground near Chapin accommodates pet owners with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas where dogs are welcome. The campground maintains clean, wooded surroundings with fire pits positioned at each site, though some reviewers note these are placed close to neighboring campsites. Most sites at this family-oriented property appear to be occupied by long-term or permanent residents, creating a residential atmosphere. The property offers water, sewer, power, and WiFi connections for campers, making it suitable for overnight stays while traveling through the area.
Alston Trailhead provides free camping with pets alongside the Palmetto Trail, featuring several designated camp areas with fire pits and picnic tables. The primitive camping area includes walk-in sites nestled among trees just behind the trailhead signs, with a large gravel parking lot available for vehicles. While the location offers peaceful surroundings where visitors can hear coyotes howling at night, campers should be prepared for train noise as the tracks run close to the camping area with trains passing multiple times nightly. The setting attracts many bikepackers exploring the trail system, with no bathroom facilities available at this natural, undeveloped location.
"My bf and I rented a camper cabin-electricity, heat, air, bunkbeds + full bed…secluded from the rest of the park, located on its own loop, separate showers(2) + 3 stalls + changing room in the public restrooms"
"To begin with, Dreher sets amongst a number of islands in the midst of one of South Carolina’s most pristine and largest (50,000 acres) natural waterparks – Lake Murray."
Available this weekend
"Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees."
"There are train tracks right next to the site, and trains do pass by, so expect some noise."
"They have an open area in a field and then a few sites more spread out with some trees scattered around. We got one of the spread out sites and quite liked our spot."
"Very quiet park, bathrooms were closed to overnight guests so didn't get to see them. Full hook ups(including sewer) which were easy to access."
from $50 - $250 / night
"Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."
"Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"
from $5 / night
from $75 - $700 / night
"This place was well thought out when it was being built, lots of space, great level sites, nice dog park. Fitness center and laundry are new and nice."
"Great location! This RV Resort has great amenities and staff along with their location! Awesome gym and club house plus beautiful pool! Staff are very friendly and welcoming! Check them out!"
"You can paddle out to the main lake from this location. Quiet setting. Give them a try and leave them some love!"
from $20 - $40 / night
"This RV Resort has the largest sites around and also great amenities including pool, 4 pickle ball courts, clubhouse with large meeting room, full gym and very nice bathrooms ."
"Bsths with showers, playground, dog park and more."
It was very nice! My fiance and I and our kitty stopped for the night, had burgers and went on a little hike in the morning with a gorgeous view. It’s very quiet, well kept. Has 2 porta-potty’s as well. Would definitely come back.
Great camping ground, perfect for a last minute night with my four legged friend! Very nice welcome center, trails and facilities.
What a lovely little find! We spent the night at Enoree River Vineyards & Winery and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Arriving in our RV was a bit of a squeeze navigating the trees near the entrance, but we managed to get through without any problems.
Once settled, we headed inside for a wine tasting, and that’s where the experience really shone. Kelly looked after us and was absolutely delightful—friendly, welcoming, and a pleasure to chat with. She made the tasting even more enjoyable.
The wines were excellent, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we couldn’t resist leaving with three bottles!
A fantastic place to spend the night, unwind, and enjoy some delicious local wine. We’d happily visit again and would definitely recommend it!
This is a restricted use Army Travel Camp managed through MWR. It is open only to those holding military ID cards.
I had avoided KOA in the past as I heard not great things about it, but I have to rethink my position after this visit. The staff really seemed to care about the facilities and take great care of them.!
When I moved here in October 2025 Tom and Jen were helpful. The lot however hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. The dead leaves and pine needles were at least 2 inches thick and I was left to clean them by myself. The amenities are far below substandard and barely work. If you need to shower at the office pray the hot water is working before going. It doesn’t work more than it works. There are always campground wide water and electric issues. The mail carrier delivers all mail to the office and they distribute to mailboxes when they feel like it unless Jen has something against you then she brags to other people in the campground how she is shredding your mail. I moved out in July 2026 and had paid my rent a week early but found a place to move the day after paying and they refused to reimburse the rent. They also raised the 6 times as well as forced all residents to pay for WiFi that was very inadequate to watch tv with so you pay for their WiFi as well as a second WiFi that actually works. I am not telling you to not move or camp here just want you to be informed of what you’ll be dealing with.
I have stayed at brickhouse multiple times, and will stay again in the future. It’s always quiet, and relaxing! No potable water, so make sure you bring plenty with you, no bath houses, only privy toilets.
I stayed for weeks in May 2026. The campground is easy to get to, with the non-seasonal sites convenient to the restroom, which is a well maintained vault toilet. The water spigot is there too. The wooded sites are pleasantly separate and equipped with only a fire ring, so bring any tables and chairs you may need. I had Verizon and had barely any connection at all. Starlink worked ok. Solar power is in short supply due to trees.
Fantastic campground. This campground has made many recent improvements. It comes with full hook up and Wi-Fi. The campground is pet friendly and they have laundry room rooms and bathrooms on site friendly staff.
Alston Trailhead offers free camping spaces that welcome pets alongside the Palmetto Trail. The primitive campground features multiple walk-in tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables in a wooded setting. Woodsmoke Family Campground and Broad River Campground also accommodate pets with full hookup options for RVs and tent campers. Leashed pets are permitted throughout these campgrounds, though visitors should note the close proximity of sites at Woodsmoke where fire pits are extremely close to neighboring campsites. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort provides spacious, level sites for pets along with a designated dog park. The train tracks near Alston Trailhead create occasional noise disruptions, with trains passing through multiple times during the night.
Dog owners frequently utilize the extensive trail system behind Broad River Campground for pet exercise, with many campers not realizing the scope of these hiking opportunities. Prices Bridge Glampsite offers a unique pet-friendly elevated camping experience with their treehouse-style accommodations overlooking the forest. The surrounding areas provide access to water activities where pets can cool off during warmer months. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground permits pets on trails but requires them to remain leashed at all times. Most campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring waste cleanup, though specific amenities like pet washing stations are limited. The bath houses at some locations like Saluda River Resort may need updating but provide adequate facilities for overnight stays with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chapin, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chapin, SC is Dreher Island State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chapin, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near Chapin, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring