Croft State Park Campground in Spartanburg spans 7,000 acres of rolling piedmont terrain with elevations ranging from 500 to 700 feet. The park's trail system covers more than 15 miles through mixed hardwood and pine forests. Winter overnight temperatures typically drop to the 30s while summer camping can see humidity levels above 80% with daytime highs in the 90s.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Several campgrounds near Spartanburg feature extensive trail systems for outdoor recreation. Paris Mountain State Park Campground offers a variety of trails with different difficulty levels. "Great trails and a near by lake for swimming and kayaking," notes Maddi P. For winter camping, Spacious Skies Peach Haven provides year-round access to outdoor activities. "Very few campers, but spacious sites. I collect local fallen tree limbs to burn. Lots of them around! Great hiking trails," reports Patrick L.
Water activities: Many campgrounds near Spartanburg feature lakes and streams for recreation. "Lake Craig offers fishing opportunities" at Croft State Park. At Paris Mountain, "the hiking trails are beautiful" with a lake for "swimming and kayaking." One camper mentions, "Saw some turtles while paddling, and there were frogs and lots of fireflies near our campsite."
Equestrian facilities: Kings Mountain State Park provides facilities for horse enthusiasts. "The park is geared towards horse back riding," notes Creighton C. The park's extensive trail system accommodates both hikers and riders, with well-marked paths. The park features "beautiful trails and lake" with most trails being "horse friendly" and "a large arena free to use."
What campers like
Creek access: At Croft State Park Campground, campers appreciate the trail access to water features. "We stayed at the upper campground (not the lakeside) close to the trail that takes you down to the creek for a swim," shares Sarah B. Another camper mentioned they "enjoyed the short hike to wade in the stream."
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers value the quiet environment at campgrounds near Spartanburg. At Pine Ridge Campground, the "relaxing and serene atmosphere" creates a peaceful camping experience. Eddie B. describes Croft State Park as "Quite, friendly, clean. Good bathroom." Kings Mountain offers a similar experience, with one reviewer noting it was "silent at night."
Well-maintained facilities: Pine Ridge Campground receives high marks for cleanliness and upkeep. "Bath house clean and laundry facility great," reports Erica C. Another camper adds, "Cleanest bathhouse I've ever seen and a great pool make this a great place to stay." The facilities at many Spartanburg area campgrounds are regularly praised for their maintenance and cleanliness.
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds in the Spartanburg region have uneven sites due to the hilly terrain. At Kings Mountain State Park, "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways." Paris Mountain has similar challenges, with reviews mentioning "Some site are very uneven."
Weather considerations: The Spartanburg area experiences significant seasonal changes. Summer camping often brings high humidity and temperatures. One camper at Paris Mountain noted "We enjoyed our stay at Croft in May of 2017 - it was pleasant" suggesting spring might offer more moderate conditions than summer months.
Reservation recommendations: Pet-friendly camping near Spartanburg, South Carolina can fill up quickly during peak seasons. At Iron City Campground, a camper shares, "We have already booked Labor Day 2022 and I am sure we will be adding many more 3-4 day weekends in the future." Planning ahead is especially important for holiday weekends and summer months when families with pets often visit.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds near Spartanburg offer specialized facilities for children. At Iron City Campground, families enjoy the "nice dog park, nice playground" and a "pool with barbecue grill and picnic benches." Another review mentions, "There are so many amenities here" including a "large clean new dog park" and "playground."
Activity planning: Pet-friendly camping near Spartanburg, South Carolina often includes organized events for families. Pine Ridge Campground offers "Lots of fantastic amenities" and "all the activities they plan for big holiday weekends." One camper shares, "Our family had a great time! Lots of stuff for the kids to do!"
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around Spartanburg provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Paris Mountain, campers report seeing "turtles while paddling, and there were frogs and lots of fireflies near our campsite." Kings Mountain has "very friendly squirrels" according to one reviewer, providing natural entertainment for children and pets.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads for larger vehicles. Paris Mountain State Park has a "road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy" making it challenging for bigger RVs. One camper notes, "We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction."
Hookup locations: RV campers should check hookup placements before setting up. Kings Mountain campers note that "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site" which can affect parking position. At Cunningham RV Park, "The sewer outlet at our site was placed in the back of our site and I needed a hose about 35' long to reach it."
Space considerations: RV sites vary significantly across pet-friendly campgrounds near Spartanburg. At Kings Mountain, sites are "listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV." In contrast, Spacious Skies Peach Haven offers what "looks like 90 foot sites. Motorhome fit on cement pad that had asphalt ramps."