Table Rock State Park and Keowee-Toxaway State Park offer seasonal accessibility varying throughout the year. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet, the camping areas experience moderate temperature fluctuations between seasons. During summer months, temperatures often reach into the 90s while winter nights can drop below freezing, affecting water systems and trail conditions at some sites.
What to do
Mountain biking access points: Multiple access points connect directly to camping areas at Gorges State Park. "This park covers 7,000+ acres and hosts the start of the trail into Pisgah National Forest to the famous Rainbow Falls. Activities in the surrounding area include lots of waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, golf, shopping and dining in the Highlands," notes a reviewer.
Fishing at stocked locations: Lake Keowee offers year-round fishing with multiple species available. A camper at South Cove County Park called it a "great campground with great hosts and great fishing. Beautiful lake with crystal clear water. Easy access."
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more seclusion than glamping provides. "There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee. Although only one of them is considered on the shore, they are all within walking distance from the shore. But make sure to check the water level; I've had to help push boats back into the water a few times," advises a Keowee-Toxaway camper.
What campers like
Proximity to multiple recreation areas: Many glamping sites serve as ideal base camps. "Parts of the trail feature waterfalls and overlooks onto the lake which is a great photo opportunity. Apart from hiking in, there is a canoe/kayak ramp available about 1/2 mile to the campsites," notes a Keowee-Toxaway visitor.
Seasonal waterfall viewing: The area features dozens of accessible waterfalls. "The Table Rock trail is a must if you are nearby! It is pretty strenuous especially if you have health issues but is well worth the trek to the top. Just make sure that if you hike during the winter to give yourself plenty of time to finish the trail," advises a Table Rock State Park camper.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The forest setting provides wildlife viewing. "We saw deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and many salamanders. There are many waterfalls in the area and many places to hike," reports an Oconee State Park visitor.
What you should know
Limited cellular reception: Connectivity varies significantly between sites. A camper at Adventure Village reported: "We 'work from wheels' so some type of reliable internet is a must. Our entire business is online. Phones would show 1 bar 4G LTE, but we could not get anything data related to come through well. The good news here, is that we could make phone calls with good reception and reliability."
Seasonal road conditions: Some locations require advanced planning. "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," warns a Gorges State Park visitor.
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can change rapidly. "Make sure to check the water level; I've had to help push boats back into the water a few times and there has also been instances when our canoe floated off when the water rose," notes a Keowee-Toxaway camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly fishing areas: Multiple shoreline options exist for introducing children to fishing. At South Cove County Park, "there is a really nice sandy beach area for swimming. You can buy camp wood at a very reasonable price," reports a visitor.
Playground proximity: Several glamping sites feature nearby play areas. "There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site," notes a South Cove County Park camper.
Family-oriented campsites: Oconee State Park offers family-friendly configurations. A visitor described it as having "incredibly secluded and quiet" cabins, noting "we had a great place to hang hammocks near the fire pit and small trails behind the cabin to explore."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness considerations: Pay attention to site descriptions and terrain. At Cherry Hill Campground, "The campsite I was at had a level tent pad, which was gravel. There was a picnic table and a freeze hydrant for water. I checked the hydrant before deciding since the freeze hydrant on my last camping trip did not work."
Full hookup limitations: Not all sites offer complete RV services. "This is a decent campground with a small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric... well if the electric actually worked. Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours," reported a Keowee-Toxaway visitor.
Overnight access restrictions: Some glamping locations have entrance restrictions. At 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."
