507 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Oconee State Park anchors the camping landscape around Tamassee, South Carolina, with a mix of RV and tent sites throughout the region. The area features multiple state parks within 15 miles including Devils Fork, Keowee-Toxaway, and Table Rock, providing options for tent camping, RV camping with hookups, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds offer lakefront access, particularly along Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. Most established campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups and water access, though the level of amenities varies considerably between primitive sites and fully-developed camping areas with sewer connections.
Developed campgrounds in the Tamassee area generally remain open year-round, though visitors should verify seasonal availability when planning trips during winter months. Most sites require reservations, with state park campgrounds often booking up weeks in advance during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. Terrain throughout the region presents challenges for larger RVs, as many sites feature uneven ground and limited level parking. Cell coverage varies significantly, with most campgrounds having limited or no reception in the more remote mountain areas. Bathroom facilities and shower access are available at most established campgrounds but may be limited during off-seasons. One visitor noted, "Bathrooms were a little neglected during the week until the park became loaded again."
State park cabin rentals provide alternative accommodation for those seeking more comfort while still experiencing the natural setting. These cabins typically include basic amenities and range from rustic to modern facilities. Several reviewers specifically mentioned cabin quality at Oconee State Park, with mixed experiences. "We stayed in cabin 12 which is an ADA cabin. Privacy, location, amenities were all top notch," noted one camper, while another mentioned issues with pests in cabin accommodations. Campsite privacy varies significantly across the region's campgrounds, with some offering secluded spots and others having more closely arranged sites. Many campers mention enjoying lakefront access, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails as primary attractions, with several noting the family-friendly atmosphere at Oconee State Park with its swimming areas and recreation facilities.
"The lake is amazing and it is called the Caribbean of South Carolina for a reason."
"There are few places in the southeast that are as beautiful as the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee!"
"This state park is located in a beautiful part of South Carolina. There are a range of fun hiking trails. The cabins are rustic, but with all the amenities you need for a trip to the mountains."
"We spent 2 nights in one of the cabins in this beautiful state park during a road trip through South Carolina. And let me say, 2 nights was not enough! The cabin itself was very well kept."
"Having lived in South Carolina most my life, I haven't seen it all.. but have seen a lot of it. Mile Creek Campground is a string of 3 islands connect by narrow straights and surrounded by water."
"We mainly confined our time to our site and Lake Keowee, so this review is only commenting on those observations and not other areas or accommodations within the park."
from $15 - $116 / night
Check Availability"There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee."
"The trail was relatively short, but the hills were bigger than expected. However, the payoff at the trailside campground is incredible. The sites are out on a point on Lake Keowee."
"A friend had recommended the Chattooga River Trail in South Carolina. After acquiring some extra gear for the kids, we headed up from Florida."
"Arrived to parking lot with bathroom (outhouse) with about a mile walk to campsites and river. We found semi secluded campsite beside the river equipped with firepit lantern post."
"The cabins have all of the amenities that you need for a week of hiking, biking, and exploring the South Carolina mountains. It's close to Caesar's Head or Dupont Forest."
"South Carolina SPs currently have a ban on bringing in firewood, forcing me to buy some at the camp store, leading to my only criticism: The wood was still very green and required significant work to get"
"We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."
"We stayed in one of the tent-only, walk-in sites. This was our first (and so far, only) walk-in tent camping experience as a family. I gotta say - there were challenges. "
from $20 - $255 / night
Check Availability"And the steps back up will challenge the most fit among us. But the views and experience is well worth the pain."
"Easy access to the North and south trail that leads you around/and down the gorge. Only complaint was campsites were not wide enough."
from $36 - $45 / night
Check Availability"There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site. We very much enjoyed our stay and plan to return for a longer visit."
"Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground 😊 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!"
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Most, but not all, sites have lake views. During the time of our visit, only one area was open for camping (sites 25-58). "
"Very close to grocery store and dining. Fantastic water views and warm lake water. Boats in the distance, and we had our own private swimming spot with steps into the water."
from $36 - $76 / night
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ScoutGreat spot to pull in last minute. There are multiple spots along this stretch of road. Would not recommend if you want to post up somewhere private, decent amount of traffic pulling through for a mountain road.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
ScoutHospitality and attention to detail can't be beat. Rates were very reasonable for the quality of facility and grounds.
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
TravelerStayed 1 week in site 12. Great small campground, clean and quiet. Jojo was a great host and 5pm happy hour gathering was fun. Will DEFINITELY return. Its a great spot for launching adventures.
ScoutThis park was built several years ago by Millenium Motorcoach Company, and is just an incredible place! The sites are all privately owned, and rentals are managed by the resort, for the owners and renters alike. We have travelled for many years in our motorcoach, and have enjoyed accommodations like this seldom. You just want to stay and never leave!
ScoutBathrooms are small and few. Interstate is close. Setting is beautiful and KOA is clean with friendly staff. Will stay again.
GuideThis is our first time coming here. We booked online, which was simple The campground is very well kept. The sites aren’t any closer together than your average campground. It seems to me that the owners are conscientious about keeping everyone spaced out so you don’t have anyone right on top of you. (The campground was not full during our visit) The only con to this place is you don’t get to pick your site. It’s assigned to you. I will said that I asked specifically for a shady spot & they obliged me. (Very nice owners) Not all of the sites are level but hey, that’s was risers are for 🤷🏻♀️ We didn’t have any issues after a couple of well placed risers. Even though the highway is close you don’t notice the traffic noise. It’s very quiet at night. When you arrive & get checked in, someone escorts you to your site & helps get you backed in. They will pick up, fill & return your propane tanks. You just have to leave your tank @ the edge of your camp site. If you leave your trash at the edge of your site they pick it up for you. They will also deliver firewood as well as a fire pit if you don’t have one.
ScoutThis is a simple campground but it's set in beautiful alpine forest in high elevation. It was the most quiet campground our family has been to. We camped late September and the daytime weather was gorgeous but it got very cold as soon as the sun went down. We loved our site in the tent only area. The camp host was so friendly.
Camping spots near Tamassee, South Carolina sit within the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. The region experiences frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms, particularly from June through August. Most campgrounds offer partial to full shade from mature hardwoods that provide natural cooling during hot summer months.
Waterfall hiking trails: Several campgrounds near Tamassee offer access to waterfall hikes within short driving distance. At Keowee-Toxaway State Park, campers can enjoy "parts of the trail feature waterfalls and overlooks onto the lake which is a great photo opportunity." One visitor noted that Twin Falls is "well worth the trip, an easy drive and hike in to this spectacular waterfall."
Trout fishing: The Chattooga River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities near Burrells Ford. "Good amount of camping with a short hike in. Sites are right on the Chatooga River. This river is stocked with trout. Fishing license is required but both SC and GA are acceptable as the river is the state line," explains one camper. The Walhalla Fish Hatchery is nearby and worth a visit.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes offer swimming, kayaking and boating. At Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell, "the lake isn't the cleanest but it's great for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding." Many campgrounds have rental options - "There is a place to rent kayaks and canoes within the campground," noted one Devils Fork visitor.
Privacy levels: Campsite seclusion varies significantly across the region. At Mile Creek County Park, "sites are open and unlevel but most were a good size" while at Burrells Ford, campers appreciate that "sites are right on the Chatooga River" with good privacy. One camper highlighted that at Keowee-Toxaway, "the sites are out on a point on Lake Keowee. It doesn't feel truly wild (you can see houses and a golf course across the lake), but the sunsets and sunrises are beautiful."
Evening views: Many campers note the quality of nighttime vistas. "We get the same site every time and are always happy staying there," shared one Twin Lakes visitor. At Black Rock Mountain, one camper noted, "Beautiful view of Clayton at night. We were the only ones there and it was very peaceful." The elevated position of many campgrounds provides exceptional stargazing when skies are clear.
Tent-specific areas: Some campgrounds separate tent and RV camping. At Black Rock Mountain State Park, "Lots of hiking trails, 11 miles or so. Great spot for tent camping down below from the RV spots which is nice." This separation creates different camping experiences within the same park. Another visitor noted, "The pad was in great shape, flat, clean and plenty large enough for our 9-person tent and all our gear."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance planning, especially during peak seasons. For Mile Creek, "We booked our trip in February so we got all the spots we wanted." At Devils Fork, one camper advised simply to "Reserve well in advance." Some campgrounds have specific annual availability windows - Black Rock Mountain State Park is open from "March 16 to December 17."
Terrain challenges: The mountainous landscape creates uneven campsites at many locations. At Tallulah Gorge State Park, "Sites are gravel with table, grill, water, and electric. Campground is very hilly." A Table Rock visitor mentioned, "Parts of the trail feature waterfalls and overlooks onto the lake which is a great photo opportunity."
Wildlife concerns: Several campgrounds have bear activity. One Keowee-Toxaway camper mentioned "You could also access these sites by hiking if you chose... The site overlooked the water and had a good amount of privacy/space from the other campers." At Black Rock Mountain, "Bear boxes at each campsite" are provided for food storage. Smaller wildlife can also be an issue - campers should secure food properly regardless of campground.
Swimming spots: Multiple lakefront campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. At South Cove County Park, "If you don't have access from your site, there is a really nice sandy beach area for swimming." One camper noted, "Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground," highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. A South Cove visitor mentioned, "There are several large play areas in walking distance." Similarly, at Mile Creek, families can enjoy "playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and picnic tables." The recreational facilities provide options for children during downtime between activities.
Educational opportunities: The region offers numerous learning experiences for children. Near Burrells Ford, "the Walhalla Fish Hatchery" provides educational tours that kids enjoy. At Tallulah Gorge, "There is a fabulous museum/welcome center here with some history and facts about the park." This allows families to incorporate learning into their camping trip.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Table Rock, "Sites are a little small, and close together, but the sunrise from your tent/site is totally worth it." South Cove visitors noted "Beautiful tiered campsites" that may require leveling blocks. One camper mentioned specifically that "the road is a steep grade up to the campground" at Black Rock Mountain.
Hookup availability: Electric and water access varies across campgrounds. At Twin Lakes, "The water and electric hookups worked perfectly" while Mile Creek offers "Sites have fire ring and picnic table, most sites are shaded." Some locations like Black Rock Mountain offer "power and water (and free cable if you're so inclined to hook up to watch TV)."
Size limitations: Larger RVs face challenges at several campgrounds. At Black Rock Mountain, "Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites" while at Keowee-Toxaway, one camper noted it is a "Nice campground with a small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric." Advanced research on specific site dimensions is essential for RV campers in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Tamassee, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 507 campgrounds and RV parks near Tamassee, SC and 54 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tamassee, SC is Devils Fork State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 54 free dispersed camping spots near Tamassee, SC.
What parks are near Tamassee, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Tamassee, SC that allow camping, notably Hartwell Lake and Nantahala National Forest.
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