Best Tent Camping near Taylors, SC

Tent campers in the Taylors, South Carolina region find diverse options within nearby state parks and wilderness areas. Jones Gap State Park Campground offers secluded walk-in tent sites along Middle Saluda River, with site #8 positioned closest to the parking area. Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping at Caesars Head State Park provides primitive tent camping with permit requirements, while Pine Point Primitive Campground at Table Rock State Park features tent pads and picnic tables accessible via a half-mile hike.

The tent sites near Taylors typically feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Many primitive areas provide fire rings and designated tent pads but lack electrical hookups or running water. Jones Gap features walk-in sites spaced approximately a quarter mile apart, creating a sense of backcountry solitude while still offering access to facilities. Most tent campgrounds require reservations, with sites filling quickly during peak seasons. Vault toilets are available at most established campgrounds, though Pine Point campers should note the toilet facility may be up to half a mile from some sites. Several areas implement bear-aware protocols with food storage systems.

Areas farther from the parking lots provide deeper seclusion for tent campers. The Mountain Bridge Wilderness trails connect multiple tent camping areas, allowing backpackers to create multi-day loop trips between designated sites. Pine Point's proximity to Table Rock Lake offers water views from secluded tent sites with short trails leading to the shoreline. One visitor noted, "The tent sites are close to the lake, and the site I chose has a short trail down to it through the woods." Many campsites feature lantern poles and fire pits while maintaining a natural setting. Jones Gap campers particularly appreciate the flat tent pads and riverside locations, with one camper commenting that "each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself."

Best Tent Sites Near Taylors, South Carolina (36)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Taylors, SC

1161 Reviews of 36 Taylors Campgrounds


  • Courtney B.
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Devils Fork State Park Campground

    Loved it so much, we've planned another trip there!

    We had a wonderful time camping at Devil's Fork State Park. Our group took up rustic tent sites T1, T3, and T5. On the map, these sites seem not ideal, as they are not on the water. However, they are more isolated, more wooded (plenty of trees for hammocking), and seemingly larger than the other tent sites. They are a short walk from the tent-camper parking area, a short walk from the two water spigots in the parking area, and a short walk from the restrooms. The bonus is that, behind sites T1 and T3, is a jumping rock into a gorgeous cove of Lake Jocassee with beautiful blue-green water. It's a great place to enjoy kayaks, rafts, and other inflatables. 

    While site T13 books up quick because of its waterfront location on the point, the walk from the parking lot is no joke. 

    Notes about the rustic tent sites: They have been recently renovated. Each has a picnic table and a fire ring. Only 1 vehicle is allowed to park, per site, unless you pay for the extra vehicle and park in the overflow lot. There is no electricity, and two water spigots located in the parking area. The entire camping area (25 tent sites and 59 RV sites) share 2 restrooms (which were muddy and gross while we were there). No generators are allowed in the tent area. We did have a bear visit us multiple times in one night, putting teeth puncture marks in our cooler. And if the bear don't get ya, the raccoons will!

  • J
    Jul. 19, 2016

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Cabins without the amenities

    These cabins may not be for everyone. They are pretty bare bones. The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one. Outside, there is a a picnic table and a fire ring for each cabin. I think the mattresses are hard, so I usually bring a sleeping bag to pad it. So it can be seen as a step up from tent camping for people who don't like that kind of roughing it.

    There is a heated swimming pool and they do lots of things for kids like ice cream socials. They have a little shop in case you forget some necessities.

    This campground is close to Dupont Forest, with lots of mountain biking, hiking, and waterfalls. For $50 a night, it's a pretty good deal.

  • S
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    Great, quiet campground with clean restrooms and hot showers

    We took our 5 and 3 year old sons camping here this past weekend and had a great time.

    Site: Our site was on the Hard Times loop which offered huge, flat gravel pads (our site was an RV site but also perfect for tent camping since it's pea gravel and not paved). If you have a 6-person or larger tent, opt for a gravel RV site, as you'll get tons more room than the "tent-only" sites which have the tent pad surrounded with railroad ties.

    Facilities: Powhatan really takes care of their facilities. Restrooms were cleaned multiple times per day and the showers are clean and the water was actually hot - awesome after a day of hiking before jumping in the sleeping bag. Gate house sells ice and firewood too.

    Activities: Tons of trails within Bent Creek but are mainly geared towards mountain bikers. Had to be on constant alert with my kids and dog, as the bikers absolutely bomb down these trails. Similar to hiking in Dupont but with a heavier concentration of mountain bikers. This was the only downside of camping here but there are some great hiking-only trails off the BRP just 30 min away. I wish the trail system worked its way through the campgrounds, as we had to walk a ways down the main paved road to access any trailheads.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 23, 2022

    Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    Shade, Shade and more Shade!

    PROS 

    Discounted camp fee with senior pass 

    Reserved 169 days prior to arriving 

    Friendly and helpful gate attendant 

    Nearly 100% shade at each site 

    Excellent dark sky viewing 

    Private sites with large space along with vegetation between sites 

    Very quiet 

    Asphalt parking pad surrounded with bean size gravel 

    Concrete picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    2 hook lantern pole 

    Electric at water connection for heated water hose connection 

    Recycle bins in campground loop 

    Trash dumpsters immediately out of campground loop 

    Firewood for sale but gate attendant told us to buy at Ingles (grocery store) where it is $3 bundle cheaper and we did! 

    Next to North Carolina Arboretum 

    Close to Asheville Outlet Mall and Camping World 

    CONS 

    3 bear sitings a day prior to our arrival in campground, according to gate attendant 

    No overnight gate closure even tho RULES proved at check-in stated gates closed at 10pm, but no open hours in RULES

     Lakeview site 38 not level 

    Up hill sewer connection at Lakeview site 38 

    Fire ring not cleared of ash upon our arrival 

    Non-moveable concrete picnic table and beyond camper awning 

    2 toilets and 2 showers for entire Lakeview Loop (21 campsites). There were lines! 

    Low hanging tree branches over roadways and roadside tree branches over roadways so it was a maneuvering obstacle challenge to not scrape camper roof and sides Campground roads narrow with tight curves along with roadway asphalt dropped off to steep shoulders; could be challenging to novice rig drivers (as we witnessed that more than once) 

    Two-and- a-half-mile drive on a twisty hilly road through residential neighborhood to get to the campground 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Coneross Park Campground

    Lakeside campground

    This campground is huge. A lot of the campsites are close together, but we snagged a site along the west side of the campground, where there’s a little more privacy and seclusion.

    Being right on the water was amazing, the water was so warm and being able to swim from your site is pretty cool. This site had some stairs leading from the parking spot to the site, then slopes down to the lake.

    Dogs need to always be on leash and there’s no alcohol allowed, which is a bit of a bummer.

    Spigots and bathhouse was convenient, except no soap by the sinks.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    State Park with Beautiful Views

    Table Rock State Park is a large park with at least three“campgrounds.” One is a primitive campground, and one is a traditional campground. I did not get to explore the third campground, but I believe it is a traditional campground as well. The site I stayed at, site 56, was level, except for the approach; however, the pad was rough gravel. I put down two tarps under my tent to help eliminate the roughness inside the tent. The site was shaded and wasn’t too close to my camping neighbors, but the biggest problem was dealing with the ants—big black ants, small black ants, and other tiny ants. There was no lantern pole, but there was a fire pit and a picnic table. The bath house was only a short walking distance away. There is no lack of things to do, and the trail system is extraordinary. The main attraction, I would guess, is Table Rock Mountain, but there are other things to do. There is a swimming beach and a diving platform. Beside the beach are picnic tables, including a picnic shelter with a standing grill. The visitors center/store was well stocked with souvenirs and supplies, and there is a laundry next to it. Sometime during the night when I had to go to the restroom, I discovered that there was not water. The next morning, I turned on the faucet at my campsite, and it sputtered out brown water at first and then it came out clear. I said that to say this. There was a problem and they dealt with it quickly. That impressed me. The heat and humidity was almost unbearable, but nothing can be done about that during the summer. If you camp in a tent during the summer, make sure to take and extension cord and a fan. Overall, this is a great place to camp during vacation, but the cost is a little more than I expected to pay for a tent site. Costwise, I’m not sure I would want to pay that much for camping for a whole week. It rivals the national campground franchises. However, if cost doesn’t concern you, it really is a good place to camp.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Burrells Ford

    Nice Place to Get Away from the Crowds

    To get to this campground, 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. When I first arrived, I was a little disappointed that the pit toilet was not open(I think perhaps due to the pandemic). The hike to the campsites is an easy, slightly downhill roadbed. When I went, it was the perfect time for the black-eyed susans to bloom, so it was a pretty hike. 

    This is a primitive campground, so there is no electricity, drinking water, or sewer hookups. However, it is peaceful, and if you want to get away from the conglomeration of RVs and tent campers, this is great. 

    When I got to my campsite, I was surprised to find a nice large picnic table and lantern pole. Most hike-in sites don’t have these amenities. There was also a hanging system for food since this place is in bear country. The thing I did not like was the gravel pad. It is a good thing I had a freestanding tent that didn’t require tent stakes. The site was really a good one with trees all around and the sounds of the creek, which is a tributary of the Chatooga River. 

    I was the only camper, which from what I understand is unusual. This is partly because school had started and it was during the week. This made it easy to gather firewood, but the wood was wet because of the recent rains. Fortunately, I had a little alcohol stove to cook my meals. 

    The reasons people come to this campground are because of access to water for fishing, the solitude, and King Creek waterfall. The trail to the waterfall is over a half mile (my estimation), and you have to cross a log footbridge. There was a huge downed tree that you also have to cross, but you have to be careful since the log was slimy. 

    Overall, this is a pretty good place to camp, but you can’t just run to your car if you forget something. Well, I guess you could, but it would be a third of a mile slightly uphill. All of your private hygiene has to be done backcountry also, which is not a problem if you are accustomed to backpacking.

  • Emily S.
    Nov. 27, 2017

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    Primitive Camping

    Table Rock is one of the largest state parks in the state of SC and has a TON to offer in terms of hiking. We stayed in the primitive hike in tent only camp sites, not the "regular" campground. The hike in was relatively easy. Sites are VERY close together, so don't plan on much privacy. Tent pads and picnic tables are provided and were clean.

  • W
    Aug. 15, 2018

    Pisgah National Forest Kuykendall Group Campground

    Great place for a group of up to 60 friends to camp!

    Large clearing in the forest for setting up tents or trailers. There is a short creek crossing: 4-WD or high clearance is suggested, but several in our group made it across in minivans & sedans (water was low). Large fire ring between 4 picnic tables, 2 composting toilets, 1 bear box, & a hand-cranked well pump. Trail from near privy goes to small waterfall & pool upstream of camp.

    Even after setting tents up for 40 people, we still had plenty of room for kids to play soccer, etc. in the field between. Watch out for ruts & valleys in the field. I’d suggest camping on the upper hill for least amount of rain run off, or along the treeline near the water pump for morning shade. Easy access to other trails & waterfalls in the area. We immediately reserved for next year!


Guide to Taylors

Tent camping near Taylors, South Carolina offers primitive backcountry experiences within the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. The elevation in this region ranges from approximately 1,000 to 3,000 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between valley campsites and ridge locations. Most primitive sites in the area require campers to carry in all necessary supplies, with many campgrounds maintaining strict "pack-in, pack-out" waste policies throughout the year.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: The Middle Saluda River watershed contains numerous accessible waterfalls within hiking distance of campsites. At Jones Gap State Park Campground, campers can hike directly from their sites to cascades. One visitor explains, "We did a short day hike to check out the camp sites and look at the waterfalls...The trails and the park are so very well kept up!"

River activities: Many campsites provide direct water access for cooling off during summer months. The cold, clear waters offer natural relief from heat. A camper at Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area notes, "Clean and clear water like we haven't experienced before. Beautiful water falls! Also Nicely taken care of facilities!"

Rock hopping: Several riverside campsites feature large boulder formations perfect for scrambling. One Jones Gap visitor mentioned, "Spot is right on the river and a great place to catch some sun on the rocks or rock hop."

What campers like

Secluded spacing: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many sites in the Taylors area provide significant distance between campers. At Pine Point Primitive Campground, "The best part about this campground is that it is away from the sounds of traffic, and your nearest neighbor, if you have one, will be a tent camper about 200 feet away."

River soundscapes: The ambient noise of moving water creates natural white noise for sleeping. A Jones Gap camper appreciated that "The river is a great soundtrack for a night's sleep."

Flat tent pads: Despite mountainous terrain, many sites feature carefully leveled tent platforms. One Pine Point visitor noted, "Best of all the remote sites had FLAT tent pads, which always make for a better night sleep!"

Clean facilities: Though primitive, the maintained bathrooms receive positive mentions. A Jones Gap camper found "Restrooms are clean and well stocked. No trash cans in park; you're expected to LNT your trash out."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly during peak seasons (April-October). A visitor to Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping suggests, "I strongly suggest wearing waterproof hiking boots/trail runners as there is lots of water on the trail and because the Dismal Trail is a steep climb to the lookout."

Pack-in necessities: Most primitive sites have no running water. At Pine Point, "it is advisable to take your own water since the nearest water is almost a half mile away."

Toilet locations: Bathroom facilities can be distant from some sites. A Pine Point camper warns, "There is one pit toilet for this campground, and from my site, it is almost a half mile away. That means that if you have to go in the middle of the night, take a strong flashlight with you since there are NO artificial lights at this campground."

Trail visibility: Some sites lack privacy from passing hikers. One Jones Gap visitor observed, "It is of note that the trail is right by the river, so you will see people walk by and there isn't any real greenery to block that, even in summer."

Tips for camping with families

Closest walk-in options: Some sites require shorter hikes, making them better for children. At Wilderness Cove Campground, "The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean."

Toddler-friendly sites: Certain locations accommodate very young children. One Jones Gap visitor shared, "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."

Beginner-friendly backpacking: For first family backpacking trips, shorter trails help build confidence. A Jocassee Gorges camper recommends, "This small primitive campsite is located near the NC side of Jocassee...This is a great campsite for 1st time backpackers."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas near Taylors cannot accommodate large recreational vehicles. At Asbury Hills Summer Camps, the primarily tent-focused camping area has "lots of features to this camp and the surrounding trails such as waterfalls, rock outcroppings, cable crossings, and access to Caesar's Head trails."

Road conditions: Unpaved access roads may challenge RVs with low clearance. A Wilderness Cove camper noted, "The drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property, but that's just a heads-up, not a complaint."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Taylors, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Taylors, SC is Jones Gap State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Taylors, SC?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Taylors, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.