2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent campsites near Anderson, South Carolina range from walk-in primitive sites along rivers to wooded tent-only campgrounds with fire rings and tent pads. Burrells Ford Campground provides tent camping along the Chattooga River with walk-in tent sites accessible via a short trail from the parking area. Jones Gap State Park Campground, located approximately 40 miles north of Anderson, features secluded tent-only sites with tent pads and fire rings along the Middle Saluda River.
Most tent camping areas require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Tent sites typically include fire rings and some have lantern posts, but amenities are minimal. At Burrells Ford, vault toilets are available at the parking area, but campers must walk approximately one-third to three-quarters of a mile to reach the riverside tent sites. Several campgrounds, including Grapevine and Denver Downs Farm, allow fires and permit pets, though water sources are limited or non-existent. One camper noted, "Sites were tree-filled and nice. Picnic tables and fire rings were at each site and sites were pretty well spread out."
The tent camping near Anderson offers solitude and natural settings, particularly at walk-in locations. Areas along the Chattooga River provide opportunities for fishing, with several tent sites positioned directly alongside the water. Primitive tent campgrounds in the region typically feature level tent pads in shaded areas, offering relief during hot summer months. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent campers appreciate the privacy: "Each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself." Many tent-only sites serve as excellent basecamps for day hikes to nearby waterfalls, including King Creek Falls accessible from Burrells Ford. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with temperatures occasionally dropping into the teens.
"Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything. Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe."
from $30 / night
"Very quiet, little to none road noise. Overnight allowed. Clean restrooms and refilling water bottle station. Little shade."
"Campground Review: In March 2017, our family of 6 went on our 1st overnight backpacking trip. A friend had recommended the Chattooga River Trail in South Carolina."
"Trail/Campground Review: The East Fork trail at the end of Burrells Ford is quite an easy trail! "
"Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area."
"Tent camping only. Nice, private walk-in sites. Creek runs through park. Definitely no call service. Only an emergency call box if anything goes on at night. It's a pack in pack out park."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when available"This small primitive campsite is located near the NC side of Jocassee."
"My only complaint was that the grounds could have been cleaner but I’m sure part of the blame is on the poor weathers we have been having for the past few weeks."
from $33 / night
"It is right next to the Chauga River, which makes it really nice for swimming and fishing. I actually saw some people cooking up fish in their campsite that they caught that day."
"Vault toilet was clean and maintained. Most campsites are River side"
"Trail to river is well maintained and about 1 mile. It is a steep climb out. Multiple options as it is dispersed, just note restrictions on distance from river and trail."
"Perfect weather. Met alot of interesting and hopefully new friends."
"Leave no trace!"
"Panther Creek was honestly my trip into the world of hiking and backpacking (aside from my military experience). But mice wife got me into hiking again and now we are backpacking a lot!"
from $4 / night
ScoutWhatever person or group of persons designed the campground were clueless as to how to develop a campground. Sites are packed in the most preposterous configuration to have tents, trailers motorhomes all jammed together nearly touching each other with zero privacy. Come for the hikes and views of the gorge but come with the lowest expectations for the campground and you’ll be fine
ScoutWalk to trail sites, clean bathrooms, sites close together…water and electric at site. Sites are sloped gravel.
LegendHickory Knob SP CG is tucked along the shores of Lake Thurmond in South Carolina’s rolling countryside, where the pine trees stand tall, the crickets sing backup, and life slows to a more reasonable pace. It’s the only South Carolina SP with a full resort feel – which means campers get the perks of a golf course, lodge, and restaurant nearby, without losing that back-to-nature atmosphere that makes pitching a tent or leveling out an RV worth the trouble. First impressions? Think peaceful lake views with just enough activity around to keep things lively but never hectic.
The campground itself offers a mix of RV and tent sites, with electric and water hookups for the comfort crowd and wooded, shaded spaces for the purists. Campsites are fairly roomy, with picnic tables, fire rings, and enough tree cover to keep your morning coffee shaded until you’re good and ready to face the day. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept ... nothing spa-like, but not the kind where you walk out wondering if you need a tetanus shot either. Navigation is straightforward, though larger rigs should take it slow on the curves. And here’s a bonus: campers can stroll over to the resort-style amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts and even the on-site restaurant if they’re tired of hot dogs and s’mores.
The surrounding fun is where Hickory Knob shines. Lake Thurmond offers ample space for boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming, with more shoreline than your GPS can keep track of. The park itself has miles of hiking and biking trails that snake through pine forest and offer glimpses of deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional heron. For the golfers in the crowd, the 18-hole course is the centerpiece here – where else can you balance your day between kayaking coves in the morning and working on your short game in the afternoon? The nearby town of McCormick provides groceries, a few dining options and that small-town charm that feels refreshingly unhurried.
Insider Tips: (1) The waterfront campsites are the gems with west-facing spots for those Technicolor sunsets (but you'll want to book early if you can, because everyone has the same idea, right?); (2) Don’t feel like cooking? Head on over to the Hickory Knob Lodge restaurant, which while nothing fancy, this joint has solid Southern comfort food that tastes even better after a day outdoors; (3) Kayakers should launch near the group lodge cove where it’s calmer water with prime birdwatching opportunities; (4) If you like a side of nostalgia with your dessert, swing by Michelle’s in McCormick for classic Southern diner plates and pie that’ll make you rethink diets; (5) Want a 'higher' perspective? Sites further inland sit at slightly higher elevation, meaning more shade, although fewer lake views, but less wind off the water, so choose based on your style of camping comfort.
Happy Camping!
TravelerWe camped next to the fishing pier, the site was a bit uneven and I had to do some creative engineering to get my 26' rig level. It has been very quiet during the week. By the way, we have great T-Mobile service.
ScoutThis camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
RangerThe campground is VERY remote with challenging access. We have a 4x4 pickup and still not sure how comfortable we would be attempting to take our 21' travel trailer to it.
I'll estimate that the access road is a very rough 4-5 miles and while it starts out as paved the road becomes packed dirt (red clay) and quickly narrows and winds through the hills at a sometimes steep incline. The opportunities to pull over should someone approach from the other direction are few and would mean a lengthy backup for someone. Not sure I would recommend the road in a passenger vehicle.
The campsites we visited were nice and well trimmed, many were creekfront and there were bear-proof trash receptacles and vault toilets. Each site also had a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.
During our visit it was peaceful and mostly empty.
RangerWe stayed on site #25 in early August but due to the elevation the weather was mild.
There were plenty of activities to keep us busy at the park and the staff was friendly and helpful.
One thing that surprised us and worth mentioning is that even though the park is massive, the campground appears to have been an afterthought as it, and the sites are generally very small. It would be nice to see them expand it and make the changes to increase the size of sites.
Also, as we have seen at other parks kids on e-bikes is becoming a real problem and safety concern. Young children, many not wearing helmets, continually racing around the campground with no regard for speed limits or traffic signs. It is a recipe for an injury or an unfortunate fatality.
Hopefully parks will begin addressing this issue.
TravelerOriginally intended to do some car camping after a day of hiking but I ended up reserving a camp site and grabbing a tent from a near by Walmart and I enjoyed every minute of it. This may not matter to most but it may matter to some...I am a black male and although I didn't see many people that looked like me, everyone was extremely friendly. Definitely got a lot more attention than I would have liked but at least I knew pple were looking out for me lol. Beautiful scenery, fun trails, fishing, a full outdoor experience.
ScoutWe absolutely loved our experience at Black Forest. The owners genuinely care about your stay. They were only about half full when we went so they suggested a couple different sites for us to be spaced out from other people for privacy. When we arrived at our site we called the desk and asked if we could actually move to the one right next to it and they said sure no problem. Even if you were right next to others there are trees for at least a visual barrier at most sites. And you are fully in the woods so it isn’t that RV park feel. The bathhouses are clean and well maintained. The store at the check-in has everything you may have forgotten and the prices are actually reasonable. This place is very close to the restaurants on cedar mountain, less than 10 minute drive to everything. This was our first trip with our new 29ft camper trailer and I was nervous about backing into the site, but the way they have them set up you have plenty of room so it’s easy. The internet was a little spotty so we weren’t able to work remotely as planned but for us it wasn’t a big deal and we had enough cell service to send texts here and there. I read that the pool is heated but it was pretty cold!! But the weather was very hot when we were here so we didn’t mind that at all, we loved the pool.
Tent camping near Anderson, South Carolina offers access to several wilderness areas within the Sumter National Forest and surrounding mountains. The region has an average summer temperature of 90°F and winter lows around 30°F, with the highest elevations reaching 3,500 feet. Camping opportunities range from riverside primitive sites to more established areas with fire rings and tent pads, often requiring a short hike from parking areas.
Trout fishing opportunities: The Chauga River at Grapevine offers excellent access for anglers. "Fantastic place within the forest along the Chauga River. Most campsites are River side," reports one camper. The area is known for catch-and-cook opportunities, with another visitor noting, "I actually saw some people cooking up fish in their campsite that they caught that day."
Waterfall hikes: Several trails lead to impressive cascades from camping areas. At Panther Creek Recreation Area, the main attraction is a 3.5-mile trail to a spectacular waterfall. "The waterfall is amazing with a large pool and nice sandy beach at its base. Perfect for swimming and cooling off after the hike or camping if you are lucky enough to snag it before someone else."
Swimming holes: Many campsites provide access to natural swimming areas. "We brought some great floaties and hung out in the water during the day," writes one Grapevine visitor. The Chauga River has several deeper sections perfect for cooling off during hot summer days.
Spacious, private sites: Many tent campers appreciate the solitude offered at Burrells Ford. One reviewer mentions, "Great for swimming and Hammocking!" The sites are well-spaced, with another camper noting, "I've been camping at Burrells Ford since I was a small child. During peak season (summer, Spring Break) it will be slightly crowded, but there's usually still room to camp and it doesn't normally get rowdy or loud."
Natural surroundings: The wilderness setting draws many repeat visitors. "I love camping here. Most sites are by the creek. And they are far enough away from each other you really feel at one with nature," says one Grapevine camper. The heavily forested camping areas provide good shade during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations. One camper at Panther Creek advises, "Be on the lookout for wildlife if you camp here. I have encountered deer, skunks, opossums, raccoons, bobcats, bears and a wide variety of snakes."
Site accessibility varies: Many camping areas require some effort to reach. At Burrells Ford, "You have to drive two and a half miles down a forest road, and then you hike about a third of a mile to the campsites. You have to backpack in and take everything you need. Make sure to take lots of water or a good water filter."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites have minimal amenities. "This is a farm and outdoor event center with a 140 acre field you can camp in... There are no defined campsites we could see. Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything," reports a camper at Denver Downs Farm.
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings heat and insects, while winter camping presents its own challenges. "Hot and Buggy... The key thing to take a look at if planning to camp around here is the weather and temperature cause it can get pretty hot, humid, and buggy in summer," cautions one Panther Creek visitor.
Easy access sites: For families with younger children, look for camping spots with shorter approaches. "Jones Gap gives you the feeling of really being deep in the Appalachians. The rushing river and dense foliage with tons of mountain laurel makes the air seem so fresh. Great camping spots, all are hike in. Not far, but not car camping at all," notes a visitor to Jones Gap State Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Seek out campsites with natural features that entertain children. "Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area. We were able to hike in a ton of gear (coolers, dog bed, etc (with a little work and a few trips) and it was worth it for the seclusiveness. Having both toddler and dog we knew we couldn't go far but this still felt like we were in the middle of nowhere."
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters and changing weather. "Enjoy but cover your tracks with leaves to avoid erosion. An early morning 1 mile hike to the falls was fun. Midweek is the best time," advises a Panther Creek camper who had a "late night bear visit so best to raise your food up a free hanging rope."
Road conditions: Access roads to many camping areas can be challenging for larger vehicles. At Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area, a camper warns, "Not big rig friendly. Lots of opportunities for kayaking, hiking. Not an easy place for first timers to get into. No swim access to the lake. Small campground loop."
Dispersed options: Some areas offer more open spaces suitable for various camping setups. "Very well maintained. We came here on Thanksgiving weekend because all other campgrounds were full. We were the only people here... Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe. A little highway noise, but not bad," reports a camper at Denver Downs Farm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Anderson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Anderson, SC is Denver Downs Farm with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Anderson, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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