Cindy W.
Scout
ScoutTugaloo State Park Campground
Awesome campground
Loved this campground... Extra clean facilities. The atmosphere here felt serene and calm. Thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing trip. Would recommend this place!
Best Campgrounds near Glendale, SC
The upstate region of South Carolina around Glendale offers mixed-use campgrounds within a short drive of urban centers and mountain recreation. Paris Mountain State Park, just 30 miles northwest of Glendale, provides tent, RV, and cabin options with well-maintained amenities. Table Rock State Park, another key camping area, features both developed sites and cabins within proximity to hiking trails and mountain views. Most campgrounds in this region maintain electrical hookups, picnic tables, and shower facilities, though primitive camping options can be found in the surrounding national forest lands.
Many state park campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer and fall foliage seasons. The region experiences moderate rainfall year-round with occasional winter ice at higher elevations. A review mentioned that "it's a county park and is well maintained. Bath houses are clean. With it having a public day use area with a nice boat dock, you can expect almost every morning @ 6am to hear the diehard fishing folks blasting out of the boat launch area." Cell service varies significantly by location, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to towns. Most camping areas impose stay limits between 7-14 days, and state parks typically prohibit alcohol consumption while private campgrounds may permit it.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Glendale region, with several campgrounds situated along lakes and rivers. Lake Hartwell State Park and Mile Creek County Park receive consistently high ratings for their water access and views. According to one visitor, "We enjoy privacy, lake access from our campsite, and spectacular sunset views over the lake." Campers should be aware that sites close to water features tend to fill quickly during warmer months. The proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains provides opportunities for both lakeside recreation and mountain hiking within short driving distances. While RV hookups are common at most established campgrounds, tent-only areas often provide more seclusion and natural settings for those seeking a more primitive camping experience.
Best Camping Sites Near Glendale, South Carolina (269)
1. Paris Mountain State Park Campground
39 ReviewsTaylors, SC9 milesWebsite+1 (864) 244-5565$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."
2. Table Rock State Park Campground
56 ReviewsSunset, SC22 milesWebsite+1 (864) 878-9813"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"
3. Springwood RV Park
3 ReviewsConestee, SC3 milesWebsite+1 (864) 277-97894. Golden Grove Farm and Brew
3 ReviewsPelzer, SC10 milesWebsite+1 (864) 356-1097$25 / night
"arrived around 2 - had live music at 7 so went to get drinks & dinner. had the MOST incredible time."
5. Devils Fork State Park Campground
52 ReviewsTamassee, SC33 milesWebsite+1 (864) 944-2639"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!"
6. Mile Creek County Park
27 ReviewsTamassee, SC27 milesWebsite+1 (864) 868-2196$15 - $116 / night
"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."
7. Davidson River Campground
82 ReviewsPisgah Forest, NC38 milesWebsite+1 (828) 785-5337$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."
8. Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell
29 ReviewsClemson, SC29 milesWebsite+1 (888) 893-0678$36 - $76 / night
"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."
9. Scuffle Town Usa RV Park
1 ReviewSimpsonville, SC11 milesWebsite+1 (864) 580-727510. Jones Gap State Park Campground
16 ReviewsCedar Mountain, NC24 milesWebsite"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!"
Recent Camping Photos near Glendale, SC
581 Photos of 269 Glendale Campgrounds
Bounding Around
Paris Mountain State Park Campground
Tearston B.
Golden Grove Farm and Brew
The Dyrt
WyldStay Greenville
Myron C.
Pine Point Primitive Campground — Table Rock State Park
Jennifer D.
Table Rock State Park Campground
Adam V.
Denver Downs Farm
Laura C.
Jones Gap State Park Campground
Nancy W.
Cunningham RV Park
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Tentrr @ Clemson Experimental Forest
kristine F.
Black Forest Family Camping Resort
The Dyrt
Pine Ridge Campground
Recent Reviews near Glendale, SC
1327 Reviews of 269 Glendale Campgrounds
Ruby C.
GuideSunburst Campground
Remote Roadside & River Campground
The 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.
- Ruby C.Guide
Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina
Cozy, Calm, & Clean - loved Lake Powhatan!
From 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.
- JJana P.Scout
Ecusta RV park
New, small and quiet. Great location. Close to downtown Brevard and Pisgah
Great 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.
Patricia I.
Rangerwash Creek dispersed campsite seven and eight
Dispersed camping Site seven and eight
There 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.
Carol J.GuideSadlers Creek State Park Campground
Beautiful setting
Spent 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.
Kevin Z.ScoutOconee State Park Campground
Oconee State Park weekend
This was our first time here. Overall not a bad state park cg but it could have been nicer. There was a lot of erosion which affected the roads(gravel)around the CG. Out site was gravel and not completely level but manageable. The restrooms on our loop were very clean and well kept. The showers lack hooks or a shelf to put your stuff on so that was a drag. The staff was very pleasant and helpful and the overall vibe was peaceful once quiet time arrived. Again, not a bad CG, I would visit it again.
- JJeff T.Scout
Paris Mountain State Park Campground
Nice park but needs some work to be great for RVs
This is a nice park, it does have a few blind curves that could be fixed and many of the sites aren’t level. The dump station is down this weekend, so a second dump station may be a good idea. It looks like people are having fun at the lake, and using the shelter beside it.
Alisha K.GuideLake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina
Clean, quiet, space between campsites
We really liked this campground. Sites were pretty well spread out, it was quiet, there were lots of trails to take our dogs on. We saw lots of mountain bikers, must be biking paradise too!
Guide to Glendale
The Upstate South Carolina region near Glendale sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet, creating varied camping terrain across forested hills and lake shores. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer brings humid conditions with daytime temperatures often exceeding 85°F. Most campgrounds in the region offer limited to no cell service in more remote areas, with service improving closer to Greenville and Clemson.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: At Jones Gap State Park Campground, trails accommodate various skill levels with access to waterfalls. "The trails and the park are so very well kept up! Was a beautiful day and hike," notes Melissa R. Sites are positioned along the Middle Saluda River, providing water access during hikes.
Mountain biking: Davidson River Campground in nearby Pisgah National Forest offers direct access to mountain biking trails. "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," writes Travis S. The campground serves as a popular base for mountain bikers.
Kayaking on Lake Jocassee: Water sports enthusiasts can rent kayaks at Devils Fork State Park. "There is a place to rent kayaks and canoes within the campground," mentions Danielle L. The lake features clear water suitable for paddling with minimal motorboat traffic in certain areas.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campers at Mile Creek County Park value the secluded lakefront sites. "Each campsite has wonderful views of the water. There is a playground by the entrance and near the farthest campsites as well," reports Jake S. Sites along Lake Keowee provide direct water access from many camping spots.
Heated bathhouses in cooler months: Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell maintains heated bathhouse facilities year-round. "The bathhouses were definitely older, but very clean," notes one visitor to the region. This feature proves particularly valuable during winter camping when temperatures drop below freezing at night.
Forest canopy for shade: Table Rock State Park Campground provides well-shaded sites. "The campground was quiet and well shaded. Some of the sites needed a little rehab and weren't very flat," reports Matt R. The shade helps moderate temperatures during hot summer months when humidity levels rise.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Paris Mountain State Park campsites require careful setup due to terrain. "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," warns Cindy R. Bringing leveling blocks is essential for most Glendale campground SC locations.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. "Book your trip a few months in advance, get a spot on the water. Sites are a little small, and close together, but the sunrise from your tent/site is totally worth it," advises Devin K. about Devils Fork State Park.
Weather variability: The region experiences sudden afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. "We stayed at Twin Lakes for the proximity to our hometown. The sites were immaculate, and more private/better shielded than other campgrounds. All we could have wished for was a breeze, it was stifling hot (95+)," notes Mariah M.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and beach access: Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell offers family-friendly amenities. "The swimming area was nice and the playgrounds were sadly closed but definitely would have been enjoyed by my kids! Overall it was quiet and relaxing," shares Mariah M. The designated swimming areas provide safer water entry points for children.
Short hike-in sites for beginners: Jones Gap State Park offers accessible primitive camping options. "This is a great campsite for 1st time backpackers. The site is approximately 1 mile from the state park office. The trail is moderately difficult with lots of rocks," explains Stacy B. about site #10.
Water shoes necessity: Lake access points often feature rocky shorelines rather than sandy beaches. "You need water shoes for swimming in the lake as it is rocky, but it has a perfect shallow end for little ones and very deep for kayaking and stuff like that," advises Kirsten J. about Mile Creek County Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Springwood RV Park offers pull-through sites for easier access. "Our pull-thru site was right next to the office and was very level. Our site had a picnic table. We had no issues with the water/electric/sewer," reports Becky P. The site provides full hookups for overnight stays.
Digital connectivity: Some campgrounds provide sufficient cellular reception for remote work. "Had 5G access entire time and easy to do business as digital nomads," notes Adam V. about Mile Creek Campground, though signal strength varies significantly by specific site location within the campground.
Slope challenges: Many campgrounds in the Glendale SC area feature terrain with significant grade changes. "This spot is the highest on the third 'island' out from the mainland. It has epic 360 views. But, a lot of tree canopy and it is dirt/gravel. While the spot is very level, be very weary that the drive up to this spot is steep and curved. We barely made clearance with a 23' trailer that has a lift kit on it," cautions Adam V. about site #49 at Mile Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glendale, SC?
What camping is available near Glendale, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glendale, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 269 campgrounds and RV parks near Glendale, SC and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glendale, SC?
Which is the most popular campground near Glendale, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glendale, SC is Paris Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glendale, SC?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glendale, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Glendale, SC.
What parks are near Glendale, SC?
What parks are near Glendale, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Glendale, SC that allow camping, notably Hartwell Lake and National Forests in North Carolina.
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