Cleveland, South Carolina sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing access to numerous camping areas within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park offers 20 sites directly in Cleveland with full hookups, while nearby Jones Gap State Park features primitive tent camping along the Middle Saluda River. The region encompasses both established campgrounds with amenities and backcountry sites requiring short hikes. Table Rock State Park, approximately 10 miles northwest, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodation options with varying levels of amenities throughout the year.
Camping permits and reservations are essential for most locations in the area, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. Jones Gap State Park requires advance bookings for its limited trailside tent sites, which are spaced approximately a quarter mile apart for privacy. Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though services may be reduced in winter months. The terrain varies significantly, with primitive sites often situated along rivers and streams requiring short hikes from parking areas. Cell service is limited throughout the mountain region, especially in wilderness areas and deep valleys. As one camper noted about Jones Gap, "It sits about 50 yards up the hill from the main river running through the valley. The river is a great soundtrack for a night's sleep."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Cleveland area, with numerous reviews highlighting the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park. Campers consistently mention the soothing sounds of rushing water and opportunities for wading, fishing, and cooling off during summer months. Trailside camping provides quick access to the extensive network of hiking paths throughout the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, connecting to popular destinations like Rainbow Falls. Privacy varies by campground, with Jones Gap offering more secluded sites while Solitude Pointe provides a balance of convenience and natural surroundings. According to reviews, Solitude Pointe features "paved, very wooded and private sites with umbrellas with the picnic tables" and is noted for being a "quiet campground run by friendly people."
"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"
$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."
$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."
"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!"
"The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one."
"Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."
$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."
"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!"
$30 - $70 / night
"Close to Caesars Head and Table Rock. Full hookups, and the staff helps you back in and level up. Great service. Short drive to grocery and fresh produce stands."
"The pull through sites at the entrance to the campground are just fine with everything you need. The campsites at the top of the hill are awesome!!"
$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. "
"Easy in/out and close to Greenville, Paris Mountain, Travelers Rest, Swamp Rabbit Trail etc."
"Campground is easy to get to and tucked into the woods."
ScoutWe stayed for 1 night in campsite #1. The campground is small, quiet, and had a nice bathroom/shower set-up. I would recommend bringing your own firewood. They have wood to purchase but a few pieces in every bundle were punky and didn’t burn well.
ScoutHad the best time at this campground! got a spot by the creek and was able to just relax! our water ended up not working out in the rv but we were right across from the bathhouses and they were clean and the water was HOT! Definitely will be back!
ScoutEasy walk in from parking lot to meadow with free dispersed camping spots along the Sam Knob Trail
TravelerThe Van Hook Glade campground was very well maintained and offered an abundance of privacy and seclusion with close access to Highlands, showers, and a large public recreation area. The entire site was well kept and the camp hosts were diligent in their duties, while providing privacy. I stayed for two nights and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. We went the first week of May and were able to enjoy the campground practically alone.
GuideThe river nearby this campsite was absolutely unreal! Definitely made staying here worthwhile. Upon arrival, our site (02) has a tag with my name and our reserved days we are staying, and there was no need for us to check in. We reserved our site via recreation.gov, where it was $33, which is different than previous reviews but still very much worth it nonetheless. The campsites are snuggled in, but only in one line (only neighbors to your sides, not in front and behind you). Many small RVs and some tent campers too. Seemed to be a place well loved by families with its large picnic tables and shaded grassy areas. There were some educational signs around the area, including one about how the area can be prone to flash floods.
The river by the campground can be heard, but not seen from camp, but is a short walk down to the swimming area. The river was stunning and many folks were there enjoying it for the day & weekend. You can hear the river all night, with only accompanying vehicle noise from the main road next to the campground.
We were surprised to find the restroom facilities were not operational, and fallen into kinda rough shape but there was a portalet (portable toilet) available for the public visiting the swimming area and the campers staying overnight. Not the end of the world but something to keep in mind. Also, we had no signal in this area (which was a plus for us haha!), but there seemed to be a satellite nearby if needed. Overall, this little remote roadside & riverside site was well worth the adventure.
GuideFrom the lake, to the kind folks who ran the campground, Lake Powhatan was a delight. Closer to the city than we usually go for (~20 min from Asheville, NC), but still felt like true wilderness. All the campsites come equipped with a bear box for campers to use free of cost and the sites ask that you back in vehicles & rigs. We are in a small truck cap camper, so we had lots of room at this site. You can still see your neighbors, but are not on top of one another which is nice. There are also clean & convenient showers and restrooms at the sites (with hot water! Made us feel fancy! Haha). Speaking of convenient, they also have ice and firewood for sale on site when you arrive in case you forgot or needed something. Ice was $5 a small bag and firewood was $10 a bundle.
There is also nice hiking trails on site that we enjoyed, including a small dam and a small manmade waterfall on the other side. Trails wrap around to the lake’s little beach for visitors to swim (there isn’t always a lifeguard on duty, and wasn’t anyone swimming this trip due to it still being a little cool out). Listened to many birds throughout the trip and there wasn’t many bugs out this time of year. Great place for families to bring their kiddos, or for anyone looking to get away for a little bit. Definitely recommend checking it out.
ScoutGreat location. Right across the street from Pisgah Coffee Roasters, 10 minutes to downtown shops and restaurants, and minutes from the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and hiking trails. Sites are big enough for our 40 ft rig and suburban. Lots of space alongside the creek to spread out. Beautiful park. Will be back.
RangerThere are two campsites here seven and eight and there’s one across the road six I believe. They are very nice sites, but not a lot of room for parking. You could set up a number of small tents or a large tent on either site. There is a campfire ring and a creek that runs right alongside.
GuideSpent 3 nights in loop 1 #14. Site was smaller than expected but made it work. Campground is clean and well maintained, bathrooms clean with good water pressure and hot water. Rangers did the rounds every few hours in truck, but only in office 4-5 pm daily. Site held up well (no rivers) during thunderstorms.
Cleveland, South Carolina serves as a gateway to Upstate South Carolina's mountain terrain, sitting at 1,000 feet elevation where the Blue Ridge Mountains begin their rise from the Piedmont. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-55°F while summer sees 65-85°F with moderate humidity. The area provides distinct camping seasons with spring wildflowers, summer swimming opportunities, fall color viewing, and winter hiking when crowds thin considerably.
Waterfall hunting: 5-mile radius. Jones Gap State Park contains multiple accessible waterfalls including Rainbow Falls (100-foot drop) requiring a 2.5-mile moderate hike. "The rushing river and dense foliage with tons of mountain laurel makes the air seem so fresh. I love just coming here and hiking upstream and playing in the river," notes one Jones Gap camper.
Lake activities: 30-minute drive. Devils Fork State Park Campground provides access to Lake Jocassee with exceptional water clarity. "This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It isn't as busy as the Smokies and I find myself more at rest here. In the park, you can swim, hike, camp, fish and kayak," reports a visitor.
Mountain biking: Technical trails. The region offers numerous mountain biking opportunities for various skill levels. One camper at Davidson River Campground noted that "located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures... if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground."
Privacy between sites: Varying levels. The camping experience near Cleveland offers different privacy options. At Black Forest Family Camping Resort, "sites are wooded and spaced far enough apart that you barely see or hear neighbors," according to one reviewer.
Creek and river sounds: Natural white noise. Many campers appreciate waterside sites. At Jones Gap, site 10 "sits about 50 yards up the hill from the main river running through the valley. The river is a great soundtrack for a nights sleep," one camper mentions.
Off-season experience: Fewer crowds. Table Rock State Park Campground offers year-round camping with distinct seasonal advantages. A winter visitor notes, "I stayed here over New Year's and did a ranger-led First Day Hike." Another adds, "The campground is peaceful and lots of hiking trails all over."
Campsite leveling challenges: Bring blocks. Several campgrounds in the mountain region feature sloped sites. At Paris Mountain State Park Campground, a camper notes "nice large sites but very unlevel due to mountain side. Would not stay again because we were so unlevel our refrigerator wouldn't work."
Reservation timing: Book early. Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in peak seasons. For Lake Powhatan, a ranger mentioned "they'd been completely full since June," according to one visitor.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings. Mountain weather can change rapidly. "It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn't a muddy mess which is always a plus," reported a Black Forest camper, highlighting the importance of proper site drainage and setup.
Swimming options: Lake and stream. Orchard Lake Campground received praise for child-friendly water activities: "We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved," wrote one parent.
Rainy day options: Indoor activities. Wet weather doesn't mean boredom. "When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside," noted a family at Orchard Lake Campground.
Playground access: Energy outlets. Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "My kids, ages 12, 11 and 8 didn't want to leave! Thanks for having a great spot for my family to make some wonderful memories!" wrote one Orchard Lake camper.
Site navigation: Assistance available. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park offers practical help with challenging sites. "It is on a steep hill, but the camp hosts escort you to the site and help navigate your camper in if needed. We are new to camping so this was helpful," explains a recent visitor.
Surface types: Consider preferences. Different campgrounds feature varying site surfaces. Solitude Pointe has "level cement pads which makes set up easy," while a Black Forest visitor noted their "sites are all gravel" which can affect setup and comfort.
Utilities and amenities: Verify before booking. Water pressure varies between campgrounds. One camper reported at Black Forest: "The water pressure was not satisfactory and we couldn't take showers in our camper," highlighting the importance of checking specific utility details when planning an RV stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland?
Several campgrounds are located within driving distance of Pretty Place Chapel (Fred W. Symmes Chapel) in Cleveland, SC. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park in Cleveland offers the closest accommodations with drive-in access and full hookups. For those willing to travel a bit further, Table Rock State Park Campground provides a beautiful mountain setting with cabins and traditional campsites about 30 minutes away, perfect for hikers who want to explore the surrounding trails after visiting the chapel.
What amenities are available at campgrounds near Cleveland?
Campgrounds near Cleveland offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Paris Mountain State Park Campground provides clean bathrooms, nice showers, level campsites, and sometimes free firewood with donations. Willow Valley RV Resort features 80 graveled sites easy to back into, a playground, basketball court, swimming pool, multiple bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Many area campgrounds also offer electric and water hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, with some providing lake access for water activities.
When is the best season to camp near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland?
The best season to camp near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland is late spring through early fall (May-October) when weather conditions are most favorable. Mount Pisgah Campground in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains offers spectacular experiences during this time, especially for fall color. Oconee State Park Campground is another excellent option with year-round accessibility, though peak beauty occurs in summer and fall. Fall brings spectacular foliage, comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, while summer offers warmer temperatures ideal for water activities in the area's lakes and rivers.
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