RV sites near Seneca, South Carolina offer campers access to Lake Hartwell, one of the Southeast's largest and most popular recreational lakes with 962 miles of shoreline. Temperatures in this region range from average summer highs in the upper 80s to winter lows in the 30s, making year-round camping possible with proper preparation. Most campgrounds in this area feature gravel pads with varying degrees of levelness on terrain that can be challenging for larger rigs.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Hartwell: Lake access varies between campgrounds, with Big Water Marina & RV Park providing rentals and easy water entry. "We love this spot. Most of the camp spots are not shaded, but right on the water. Boat rentals are available as well as paddle boards and kayaks," notes camper Sarah P.
Explore Toccoa Falls: Located about 30 minutes from Seneca, these impressive 186-foot falls are accessible via a short paved pathway. Near Currahee RV Park, one visitor mentioned, "It's near enough to Toccoa for the restaurants and shops and the museum but it's far enough off the track so that there's no traffic noise or other annoyances."
Attend seasonal events: Many campgrounds host activities during peak seasons and holidays. At The Point at Lake Hartwell, "The 4th of July events was awesome and was a full day of contest and ended with a DJ kicking the tunes," according to Jay J.
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds offer individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. At Crooked Creek RV Park & Marina, campers appreciate the "Immaculate private bathrooms with sink, toilet & showers," as Kelly S. describes.
On-site marinas: Direct lake access with docking facilities is a major draw. "If you have a boat, it's convenient to be able to dock your boat at the on site marina. The store is handy for snacks or last minute necessities," reports Kimberly H. about Crooked Creek.
Creek-side sites: Many campers prefer spots along flowing water. At Currahee RV Park, one camper recommends, "get site 17 if you can. It's the most secluded spot and has river access and a balcony."
What you should know
Campsite levelness varies significantly: Many RV sites in this region require leveling equipment. One camper at Thousand Trails Carolina Landing noted, "Our site- A5- was super unlevel. I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling. That was a first for us, and hope we never have to do that again."
WiFi availability differs by location: Some campgrounds offer reliable internet while others have limited connectivity. "We are under a WiFi pole and have good signal and usable internet. It was actually worth paying for," reported Ian R. about Thousand Trails Carolina Landing.
Pool hours may be limited: Even during summer months, pool facilities often close earlier than expected. One camper mentioned, "Our hope was to spend some late afternoon time at the pool, but that didn't work out" when discovering a 4:30 pm closing time.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activity schedules: Holiday weekends often feature special programming. At Big Water Marina & RV Park, a camper shared, "There was a restaurant/bar, playground, Marina, stage with live bands. My kids had so much fun and can't wait to go camping here again."
Consider proximity to hiking trails: The region offers numerous family-friendly hiking options. Near Toccoa RV Park, one visitor spent "4 nights here for a family vacation. It unfortunately rained half the time but it was still an amazing trip. Clean nearby lake, perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating. Plus it's near the wonderful Toccoa waterfall."
Bring alternative recreation options: Weather can be unpredictable, so pack indoor games and activities. One camper recommended morning hikes: "We went early in the morning to beat any sort of hiking rush. We enjoyed being on the top of the mountain by ourselves, sipping coffee and hot chocolate."
Tips from RVers
Request specific site information: When booking RV sites near Seneca, ask about site dimensions, levelness, and utility placement. A camper at The Point at Lake Hartwell warned about logistics: "Not level sites. Mostly seasonal which is fine but not a great place or easy to get in/out of if transient."
Consider transportation within larger campgrounds: Some properties are spread out and hilly. "A golf cart is helpful to have, or bikes," suggests Kimberly H. about navigating Crooked Creek RV Park & Marina.
Verify campground amenities before arrival: On-site stores and facilities vary widely. "The biggest thing I do not like about this campground is that I felt as if the sites were squeezed in on top of each other," one camper noted, while another was surprised to find "NO camp store, which is again strange for such a large RV park."
