Camping areas near Glendale, South Carolina lie within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet. This transitional zone between piedmont and mountains creates diverse terrain suitable for year-round camping with temperatures typically 5-10°F cooler than nearby urban areas. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide natural windbreaks for camping areas while allowing water access through numerous creek systems.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: The French Broad River region offers dedicated equestrian trails connecting to larger networks. At Bent River Equestrian, campers appreciate the horse-friendly setup. "Had a great time at this campground with two pups, both well-behaved and able to enjoy off-leash time with lots of space to run around. This is a horse farm so respecting their space was our first priority," notes Kim S.
Fishing in Lake Keowee: The crystal-clear waters of Lake Keowee provide excellent fishing opportunities within 30 minutes of Glendale. At South Cove County Park, campers find direct water access. Mike K. comments, "Great campground with great hosts and great fishing. Beautiful lake with crystal clear water. Easy access."
Waterfall hiking: Numerous waterfall trails range from easy walks to challenging hikes within 45 minutes of Glendale. Near Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area, Julie L. shares, "The hikes are amazing... It is beautiful because it is free and natural." Another camper describes finding "countless beautiful waterfalls and even some beach campsites where you can wake up to a waterfall right in front of you."
What campers like
Natural seclusion: The forested areas provide privacy even during busy weekends. At Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed, Nolan S. appreciates that "The campsites are very secluded and quiet." Angela M. adds, "I love Pisgah. It doesn't seem to matter what season... remote - you have to want to get up here but it's really easy to do once you drive it a few times."
Water proximity: Many sites offer direct water access, something many campers seek. At South Cove County Park, Kimberly W. notes the "Beautiful tiered campsites. In the last year there has been many upgrades to the existing sites." Amanda W. mentions, "The lake is great for swimming. The campground also offers paddle board and kayak rentals."
Well-maintained facilities: Even primitive sites often have basic amenities kept clean. Barry B. at Lake Greenwood State Park reports, "The park is clean and nearly every camp spot is shaded. All roads and camp spots are paved and have fire pits. Some have water and power (30 and 50 amp), some have sewer." Barry adds, "Restroom/bath houses are never far off, and were clean, with 2 shower stalls each."
What you should know
Bear activity: The region has active black bear populations requiring proper food storage. At Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area, Phoebe A. warns, "be aware that the bears here are extremely bad. I actually had an encounter with a very large bear who charged my group and destroyed a tent, and heard similar stories from other campers." Julie L. adds, "You will really need to pack a bear safe food container and absolutely store food using a bear line well away from camp."
Off-season benefits: Camping during shoulder seasons offers reduced rates and fewer crowds. Jonathan N. at North Mills River notes, "After November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11 (hard to beat)!" He adds, "The bathroom facilities may be limited in the off-season due to being unheated, but they were open during my stay."
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have limited or no cellular connectivity. Ashley S. notes about Oconee State Park, "The area very serene, quiet and pretty. Nice hiking area and swimming area. If you need to get ahold of someone though you'll have to drive 10 to 15 minutes into town." Dai C. confirms similar conditions at Upper Cove Creek: "Zero phone connection whatsoever (T Mobile 5g / LTE)."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Kid-friendly water access makes camping more enjoyable for families. Asia + Jalen B. recommend Lake Greenwood: "This was so cool! It's a primitive, tucked in the woods spot on the lake... Great fishing, beautiful view, and an exciting experience!" Frankie E. agrees: "My family loves this campground! It's clean and has a Great Lake to swim in."
Consider goose encounters: Some lakeside campgrounds have resident waterfowl that can create messes. At South Cove County Park, Roxy M. advises, "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! Including the picnic table!"
Check playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Kelli P. notes about South Cove: "We were impressed with the large number of pull through sites and the cleanliness of the campground... There are several large play areas in walking distance."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many horse campgrounds near Glendale, South Carolina have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. Constance O. notes about Oconee State Park Campground, "Campsites are often uneven with alot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV."
Gate closure times: Some parks restrict late-night entry that impacts RVers arriving after dark. Amanda W. warns about South Cove County Park: "The campground has a gate that gets locked at 10 pm. You can leave but you can't come back into the campground after the gate gets locked."
Winter camping options: Year-round availability exists at certain campgrounds. Julie T. reports about North Mills River, "We were the only campers there. It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful. Bathroom was clean. Site was clean. Only one side of campground is open in winter."
