497 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Oconee State Park anchors the camping landscape around Tamassee, South Carolina, with a mix of RV and tent sites throughout the region. The area features multiple state parks within 15 miles including Devils Fork, Keowee-Toxaway, and Table Rock, providing options for tent camping, RV camping with hookups, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds offer lakefront access, particularly along Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. Most established campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups and water access, though the level of amenities varies considerably between primitive sites and fully-developed camping areas with sewer connections.
Developed campgrounds in the Tamassee area generally remain open year-round, though visitors should verify seasonal availability when planning trips during winter months. Most sites require reservations, with state park campgrounds often booking up weeks in advance during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. Terrain throughout the region presents challenges for larger RVs, as many sites feature uneven ground and limited level parking. Cell coverage varies significantly, with most campgrounds having limited or no reception in the more remote mountain areas. Bathroom facilities and shower access are available at most established campgrounds but may be limited during off-seasons. One visitor noted, "Bathrooms were a little neglected during the week until the park became loaded again."
State park cabin rentals provide alternative accommodation for those seeking more comfort while still experiencing the natural setting. These cabins typically include basic amenities and range from rustic to modern facilities. Several reviewers specifically mentioned cabin quality at Oconee State Park, with mixed experiences. "We stayed in cabin 12 which is an ADA cabin. Privacy, location, amenities were all top notch," noted one camper, while another mentioned issues with pests in cabin accommodations. Campsite privacy varies significantly across the region's campgrounds, with some offering secluded spots and others having more closely arranged sites. Many campers mention enjoying lakefront access, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails as primary attractions, with several noting the family-friendly atmosphere at Oconee State Park with its swimming areas and recreation facilities.
"The lake is amazing and it is called the Caribbean of South Carolina for a reason."
"There are few places in the southeast that are as beautiful as the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee!"
"This state park is located in a beautiful part of South Carolina. There are a range of fun hiking trails. The cabins are rustic, but with all the amenities you need for a trip to the mountains."
"We spent 2 nights in one of the cabins in this beautiful state park during a road trip through South Carolina. And let me say, 2 nights was not enough! The cabin itself was very well kept."
"Having lived in South Carolina most my life, I haven't seen it all.. but have seen a lot of it. Mile Creek Campground is a string of 3 islands connect by narrow straights and surrounded by water."
"We mainly confined our time to our site and Lake Keowee, so this review is only commenting on those observations and not other areas or accommodations within the park."
from $15 - $116 / night
Check Availability"There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee."
"Like most other campgrounds, the tent areas are right next to each other."
"A friend had recommended the Chattooga River Trail in South Carolina. After acquiring some extra gear for the kids, we headed up from Florida."
"Arrived to parking lot with bathroom (outhouse) with about a mile walk to campsites and river. We found semi secluded campsite beside the river equipped with firepit lantern post."
"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"
"We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."
"We stayed in one of the tent-only, walk-in sites. This was our first (and so far, only) walk-in tent camping experience as a family. I gotta say - there were challenges. "
from $20 - $255 / night
Check Availability"And the steps back up will challenge the most fit among us. But the views and experience is well worth the pain."
"Easy access to the North and south trail that leads you around/and down the gorge. Only complaint was campsites were not wide enough."
from $36 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Most, but not all, sites have lake views. During the time of our visit, only one area was open for camping (sites 25-58). "
"Very close to grocery store and dining. Fantastic water views and warm lake water. Boats in the distance, and we had our own private swimming spot with steps into the water."
from $36 - $76 / night
Check Availability"There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site. We very much enjoyed our stay and plan to return for a longer visit."
"Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground 😊 warning! Don’t feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything!"
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability
GuideSemi private campground, super clean bathrooms, cell signal is spotty and there are no trails or water nearby. So, some pluses and some minuses. Also, although our campsite was level (unlike some), it was quite muddy and the utility hookups and fire ring were on opposite sides of where they should be.
RangerThe campground is great, but it's adjacent to a road that can have some very loud vehicle traffic. I've seen cleaner restrooms, but I wouldn't call these bad.
If your campsite is not on the river you will have to skirt the sites that are to go down to the river. Water is available, but I only saw one campsite with electric hookup and it was at what I assume was the camp host whose camp site looked like he/she had moved in, complete with a carport for their two vehicles - I found it to be a bit obnoxious right on the river.
With all that said, I would stay there again.
RangerCampsite is near Helen, GA, but I would avoid going there unless you enjoy crowds. We were there on July 4 and it was a mob scene, so getting out into the national forest was a very pleasent experience!
Low Gap Road is paved most of the way to the campsite with only a short stretch of fairly well kept gravel. Once you hit the gravel there are two stream crossings before you get to the campsite. I wouldn't attempt crossing them in a low vehicle if the water is high.
There are well kept vault toilets at the campsite which is divided into two sections separated by Low Gap Creek which you have to ford in order to reach about half of the camp sites. There is a footbridge for accessing the toilets as they are on that side of the camp ground.
Low Gap Creek is beautiful and worth some time exploring.
ScoutAbsolutely zero provide or trees between sites. Might as well be in an RV lot. Reserved a site and immediately left after getting there.
ScoutTate Branch is gorgeous and has several riverside sites. Sites 5 and 7 are the best (IMO) and the whole campground is super shaded. Most of the fire pits have grates.
There are three pit toilets and a water pump. The forest service road to get to the campground is not bad and is super enjoyable as it runs along the river. We took our jeep AND our minivan and had zero issues. I also saw a UPS truck. Lots of people fishing and enjoying views along the road.
RangerWe just had to get out of the Florida heat that we call home for a bit and decided on Tallulah Gorge. We’d both been here before but never to camp. There is so much to do! The gorge itself honestly would take a couple of days to do the entire hike up and down. The interpretative center has some fascinating history of the area. We explored the area where the ‘old downtown’ once stood. All that is left is an old general store and a great sandwich shop (check out Tallulah 1882). We biked and hiked the old short line trail. Also found the time to have date night in Clayton where you’ll find a fantastic walkable downtown.
Starlink: No too much tree cover Cell (Verizon): 2 bars/5 with booster
ScoutJust what I needed to unwind. Large tent site with a shelter, picnic table and fire ring. Rhododendrons and trees surround the campground. Creek bubbling and birds singing. Quiet campers during our visit. Clean bath house.
ScoutThis was a nice campground. We were in spot 30 which was not a great spot as it was right next to the road and your awning/outdoor area faces the road. We were late to book and that was the last site available so we weren't surprised. There is a picnic table below that is more private and faces the lake, but we did not have the set up to be down there. The sites are spacious and give ample room between sites. The lake and lake access are great and there is a very nice walk/biking path that is 3.1 miles out and back that is very accessible throughout the campground. My biggest complaint is the bathroom. There is only one bathroom for the entire campground. The women's bathroom had 1 shower and 2 toilets. The toilets had issues with flushing. They were clean, but could use some maintenance. It was also a pretty busy campground. Lots of coming and going and lots of noise coming off the lake.
ScoutSites nice. I was on B loop. Bathrooms dirty. Water would not turn off. A shower not working.
Camping spots near Tamassee, South Carolina sit within the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. The region experiences frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms, particularly from June through August. Most campgrounds offer partial to full shade from mature hardwoods that provide natural cooling during hot summer months.
Waterfall hiking trails: Several campgrounds near Tamassee offer access to waterfall hikes within short driving distance. At Keowee-Toxaway State Park, campers can enjoy "parts of the trail feature waterfalls and overlooks onto the lake which is a great photo opportunity." One visitor noted that Twin Falls is "well worth the trip, an easy drive and hike in to this spectacular waterfall."
Trout fishing: The Chattooga River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities near Burrells Ford. "Good amount of camping with a short hike in. Sites are right on the Chatooga River. This river is stocked with trout. Fishing license is required but both SC and GA are acceptable as the river is the state line," explains one camper. The Walhalla Fish Hatchery is nearby and worth a visit.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes offer swimming, kayaking and boating. At Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell, "the lake isn't the cleanest but it's great for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding." Many campgrounds have rental options - "There is a place to rent kayaks and canoes within the campground," noted one Devils Fork visitor.
Privacy levels: Campsite seclusion varies significantly across the region. At Mile Creek County Park, "sites are open and unlevel but most were a good size" while at Burrells Ford, campers appreciate that "sites are right on the Chatooga River" with good privacy. One camper highlighted that at Keowee-Toxaway, "the sites are out on a point on Lake Keowee. It doesn't feel truly wild (you can see houses and a golf course across the lake), but the sunsets and sunrises are beautiful."
Evening views: Many campers note the quality of nighttime vistas. "We get the same site every time and are always happy staying there," shared one Twin Lakes visitor. At Black Rock Mountain, one camper noted, "Beautiful view of Clayton at night. We were the only ones there and it was very peaceful." The elevated position of many campgrounds provides exceptional stargazing when skies are clear.
Tent-specific areas: Some campgrounds separate tent and RV camping. At Black Rock Mountain State Park, "Lots of hiking trails, 11 miles or so. Great spot for tent camping down below from the RV spots which is nice." This separation creates different camping experiences within the same park. Another visitor noted, "The pad was in great shape, flat, clean and plenty large enough for our 9-person tent and all our gear."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance planning, especially during peak seasons. For Mile Creek, "We booked our trip in February so we got all the spots we wanted." At Devils Fork, one camper advised simply to "Reserve well in advance." Some campgrounds have specific annual availability windows - Black Rock Mountain State Park is open from "March 16 to December 17."
Terrain challenges: The mountainous landscape creates uneven campsites at many locations. At Tallulah Gorge State Park, "Sites are gravel with table, grill, water, and electric. Campground is very hilly." A Table Rock visitor mentioned, "Parts of the trail feature waterfalls and overlooks onto the lake which is a great photo opportunity."
Wildlife concerns: Several campgrounds have bear activity. One Keowee-Toxaway camper mentioned "You could also access these sites by hiking if you chose... The site overlooked the water and had a good amount of privacy/space from the other campers." At Black Rock Mountain, "Bear boxes at each campsite" are provided for food storage. Smaller wildlife can also be an issue - campers should secure food properly regardless of campground.
Swimming spots: Multiple lakefront campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. At South Cove County Park, "If you don't have access from your site, there is a really nice sandy beach area for swimming." One camper noted, "Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground," highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. A South Cove visitor mentioned, "There are several large play areas in walking distance." Similarly, at Mile Creek, families can enjoy "playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and picnic tables." The recreational facilities provide options for children during downtime between activities.
Educational opportunities: The region offers numerous learning experiences for children. Near Burrells Ford, "the Walhalla Fish Hatchery" provides educational tours that kids enjoy. At Tallulah Gorge, "There is a fabulous museum/welcome center here with some history and facts about the park." This allows families to incorporate learning into their camping trip.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Table Rock, "Sites are a little small, and close together, but the sunrise from your tent/site is totally worth it." South Cove visitors noted "Beautiful tiered campsites" that may require leveling blocks. One camper mentioned specifically that "the road is a steep grade up to the campground" at Black Rock Mountain.
Hookup availability: Electric and water access varies across campgrounds. At Twin Lakes, "The water and electric hookups worked perfectly" while Mile Creek offers "Sites have fire ring and picnic table, most sites are shaded." Some locations like Black Rock Mountain offer "power and water (and free cable if you're so inclined to hook up to watch TV)."
Size limitations: Larger RVs face challenges at several campgrounds. At Black Rock Mountain, "Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites" while at Keowee-Toxaway, one camper noted it is a "Nice campground with a small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric." Advanced research on specific site dimensions is essential for RV campers in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Tamassee, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 497 campgrounds and RV parks near Tamassee, SC and 53 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tamassee, SC is Devils Fork State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 53 free dispersed camping spots near Tamassee, SC.
What parks are near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Tamassee, SC that allow camping, notably Hartwell Lake and Nantahala National Forest.
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