Lake Hartwell dominates the camping landscape near Pelzer, South Carolina, with its 962 miles of shoreline creating diverse waterfront camping opportunities. Campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 660-1,200 feet, with most featuring graveled pads and partial shade. The area receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush surroundings and occasional seasonal flooding that affects lower campsites.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Keowee: Several campsites near Pelzer provide direct lake access for paddling. Mile Creek County Park offers exceptional kayaking with mountain views. "Great hiking trails and easy access campsites. Mountain lake was a little small for kayaking, but we had fun," notes a visitor at Paris Mountain State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: The Clemson Experimental Forest features the Isaqueena Trail system 25 minutes from some lakeside campgrounds. "We learned this is some really amazing mountain biking 25 minutes away in the Clemson Experimental Forest... the Isaqueena Trail system. Ranges from easy/intermediate to advanced when you get to the lower waterfall area in the southern part of the forest," explains a camper at Mile Creek County Park.
Swimming in clear waters: Lake Keowee offers excellent swimming opportunities with clean, clear water. "The bathhouses are nice and have hot water and are heated. Everyone we have met has been very nice. Lots of family's and lots of people with fur babies," shares a visitor about Mile Creek County Park.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campsites near Pelzer feature direct water access. "Oconee Point is a Core of Engineers campground with HUGE sites and almost all are lake front. Super clean and peaceful. Three dump sites for RVs. Electricity and water at every site," says a camper at Oconee Point.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots. "We loved our stay at this campground. It was one that once we got settled we wished we were staying longer! The road through the park back to the campground is pretty narrow at some points," shares a visitor at Paris Mountain State Park Campground.
Local breweries with camping: For those seeking something different, Golden Grove Farm and Brew combines camping with craft beer. "Really cool spot to go camping. The brewery was awesome and they were very friendly. I'm definitely coming back here sometime 10/10," reports a camper at Golden Grove Farm and Brew.
What you should know
Uneven terrain at some sites: Several campgrounds in the mountainous areas have challenging 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 a camper at Paris Mountain State Park Campground.
Lake levels fluctuate: Water access can change throughout the season. "We stayed lakefront on hartwell. Had a very large point all to ourselves. The site was super clean, had a fire pit, grill, full service hook-up. Plenty of parking, and the site was situated in a dead end cul-de-sac," notes a visitor at Oconee Point.
Seasonal noise levels: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels during peak seasons. "This is a very popular destination. So, the campground was pretty loud and crowded at night until the lights out call. The lake views with the mountains in the background are perfect," shares a camper at Devils Fork State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shallow swimming areas: Some lakefront sites offer kid-friendly water access. "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 a camper at Mile Creek County Park.
Consider hilliness for biking: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for young cyclists. "Bath houses were conveniently located. Lots of hills so it was a little hard for the little kids to get around on bikes," notes a visitor at Mile Creek County Park.
Playgrounds and beach access: Several parks offer family-friendly amenities. "This is a beautiful park, with lots to do, and in close proximity to the endless supply of activities that can be found in the Greenville area," says a camper at Paris Mountain State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. "The road through the park back to the campground is pretty narrow at some points - we don't know how we would have managed if we had met another RV! We have a 31' Class A and we managed fine, but I did hear some people with larger trailers having a harder time," cautions a visitor at Paris Mountain State Park.
Site leveling concerns: Many campgrounds in this region require leveling blocks. "Most, but not all, sites have lake views. We picked site 42 out of a handful of available sites, all seemingly equal. Apon arrival we discovered sites 42 and 43 are very cozy with each other," shares an RVer at Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell.
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking. "I would recommend this park with the caveat of doing site research ahead of time," advises a Twin Lakes visitor who recommends checking the campground map before making reservations.
