Table Rock State Park and Keowee-Toxaway State Park offer cabin camping options in the Blue Ridge Mountains region near Pickens, South Carolina. The elevation in this area ranges from 1,200 to over 3,400 feet at Table Rock Mountain's summit, creating diverse camping microclimates throughout the year. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 30s at night while summer days reach the high 80s with moderate humidity compared to lower-elevation areas.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Access multiple scenic waterfall hikes within short driving distance of Tallulah Gorge State Park. One visitor notes, "There is a fabulous museum/welcome center here with some history and facts about the park. Park is pretty busy. It was spring break when we went but it was not overwhelming."
Fishing in Lake Keowee: Cast a line in the clear waters at South Cove County Park where the fishing spots are accessible directly from many campsites. A camper shares, "Great campground with great hosts and great fishing. Beautiful lake with crystal clear water. Easy access."
Backcountry camping: Experience more secluded camping at Cherry Hill Campground with access to the Foothills Trail. "Winding Stairs trail connects to the campground and offers good hiking. Just across the street is the Big Bend trail which takes you to Big Bend falls on the Chattooga River," reports a frequent visitor.
What campers like
Private tent sites: Many sites at Gorges State Park offer excellent privacy among trees. "The park has a great visitors center, lots of trails for hiking and seeing waterfalls, campground is pristine, and non-tent sites have full hookups," writes one camper who visited in May 2023.
Community gatherings: Luxury glamping near Pickens, South Carolina often includes social aspects like at Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort where campers report, "Gatherings by the pavilion every night at 5. Great community feel. Lots to do in the area."
Pristine bathhouses: Clean facilities matter, especially at Oconee State Park where the bathrooms are well-maintained. A camper mentions, "Bathrooms were always clean and seem to have been recently redone. Sites were small but not overly so."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular glamping sites near Pickens require advance booking, especially at Tugaloo State Park where waterfront sites fill quickly. "It's very popular in summer and reservations are necessary. When we were there there was a heated dispute between two families over who had reserved a site!"
Electrical reliability: Some campgrounds experience occasional infrastructure issues. At Keowee-Toxaway, a camper reported, "Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours."
Road conditions: Access to some sites involves challenging roads. For Gorges State Park, a visitor warns, "The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down."
Tips for camping with families
Geese management: When camping with children at South Cove County Park, be aware of wildlife interactions. "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!"
Kid-friendly campsites: Table Rock offers family-oriented sites with good spacing. One camper notes, "Variety of campsites available to suit any camping style. Great for families, as there are drive up camp sites with fire pits and plenty of space, and spread out so it still feels like you have privacy."
Swimming opportunities: For summer family activities, Cherry Hill Campground provides creek access at multiple sites. "There's a creek that runs through the campground with many sites along its bank. My favorite site is #2."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: At Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort, RVers appreciate the well-maintained sites: "Beautiful park, lots of mature landscaping and large private, level sites."
Road navigation: For larger rigs heading to luxury glamping options near Pickens, South Carolina, be cautious of narrow roads. A 43-foot fifth-wheel owner at Tugaloo State Park stated, "Not big rig friendly. I have a 43ft 5th Wheel and it was very tight navigating through the park."
Site selection strategy: For tent sites with RV access, Cherry Hill requires planning. "Campsite I was at had a level tent pad, which was gravel. There was a picnic table and a freeze hydrant for water. Parking was about fifty feet away since I stayed at the tent site area."
