1 campground with availability next weekend
South Carolina's upstate region offers several tent camping options within 30 miles of Pelzer, including Jones Gap State Park Campground and Burrells Ford, which provide primitive tent sites in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Tent campsites near Pelzer range from walk-in sites requiring short hikes from parking areas to more accessible drive-in spots, with most offering greater seclusion than typical campgrounds. The tent-only areas typically sit along rivers and streams, providing both scenic views and natural water sources.
Tent campsites in this region generally feature bare-ground or gravel tent pads with minimal site improvements. Most locations have fire rings and designated areas for tents, though picnic tables are not guaranteed at all sites. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Burrells Ford, but many primitive sites require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles for waste disposal. One camper noted that "you have to backpack in and take everything you need. Make sure to take lots of water or a good water filter." Water access varies significantly by location, with some sites providing drinking water while others require filtering from streams or bringing all water supplies.
The tent camping near Pelzer emphasizes natural surroundings and seclusion. Most tent sites are situated near rivers like the Chattooga, providing ambient sounds and recreational opportunities. According to one visitor, "this is a beautiful place to camp, fish and hike! They have hike-in campsites in the park as well as the trail and even secluded drive-in campsites." Tree cover is abundant at most locations, offering shade during summer months. Walk-in tent sites at Jones Gap State Park are described as particularly private, with spots spaced about a quarter mile apart, creating a sense of having "the mountain to yourself." Many tent campsites serve as excellent basecamps for exploring the region's numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, with several parks featuring trail networks accessible directly from camping areas.
"Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything. Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe."
from $30 / night
"Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area."
"Tent camping only. Nice, private walk-in sites. Creek runs through park. Definitely no call service. Only an emergency call box if anything goes on at night. It's a pack in pack out park."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when available"Very quiet, little to none road noise. Overnight allowed. Clean restrooms and refilling water bottle station. Little shade."
from $20 - $25 / night
"Campground Review: In March 2017, our family of 6 went on our 1st overnight backpacking trip. A friend had recommended the Chattooga River Trail in South Carolina."
"Trail/Campground Review: The East Fork trail at the end of Burrells Ford is quite an easy trail! "
"This small primitive campsite is located near the NC side of Jocassee."
"My only complaint was that the grounds could have been cleaner but I’m sure part of the blame is on the poor weathers we have been having for the past few weeks."
"Pine Point Primitive Campground is found in SC and considered part of Table Rock State Park. A handful of sites are offered, each with a tent-pad, picnic table and firepit. "
from $20 / night
from $75 / night
"My friend and I hiked the Raven Cliff Falls loop trail a while back and have added it to our list of top 10 favorite trails."
"Wonderful trails with breath taking views and technical climbs plus discrete camping."
from $4 - $20 / night
TravelerWe were probably lucky, but we drove in on a Monday and found a nice site with the creek/stream burbling in the background. Yes, there is dirt entrance/road and traffic, but not much and way quieter than family campgrounds. This site is my perfect idea of an amazing free off grid camping spot.
GuideSites are not level. Thousand trails is currently not investing. Any money in improving the sites. Half of the sites in the park are going back to nature. The roads are falling apart and the inclines are not big rig friendly.
TravelerWe camped next to the fishing pier, the site was a bit uneven and I had to do some creative engineering to get my 26' rig level. It has been very quiet during the week. By the way, we have great T-Mobile service.
ScoutThis camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
RangerThe campground is VERY remote with challenging access. We have a 4x4 pickup and still not sure how comfortable we would be attempting to take our 21' travel trailer to it.
I'll estimate that the access road is a very rough 4-5 miles and while it starts out as paved the road becomes packed dirt (red clay) and quickly narrows and winds through the hills at a sometimes steep incline. The opportunities to pull over should someone approach from the other direction are few and would mean a lengthy backup for someone. Not sure I would recommend the road in a passenger vehicle.
The campsites we visited were nice and well trimmed, many were creekfront and there were bear-proof trash receptacles and vault toilets. Each site also had a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.
During our visit it was peaceful and mostly empty.
GuideI had avoided KOA in the past as I heard not great things about it, but I have to rethink my position after this visit. The staff really seemed to care about the facilities and take great care of them.!
ScoutWe absolutely loved our experience at Black Forest. The owners genuinely care about your stay. They were only about half full when we went so they suggested a couple different sites for us to be spaced out from other people for privacy. When we arrived at our site we called the desk and asked if we could actually move to the one right next to it and they said sure no problem. Even if you were right next to others there are trees for at least a visual barrier at most sites. And you are fully in the woods so it isn’t that RV park feel. The bathhouses are clean and well maintained. The store at the check-in has everything you may have forgotten and the prices are actually reasonable. This place is very close to the restaurants on cedar mountain, less than 10 minute drive to everything. This was our first trip with our new 29ft camper trailer and I was nervous about backing into the site, but the way they have them set up you have plenty of room so it’s easy. The internet was a little spotty so we weren’t able to work remotely as planned but for us it wasn’t a big deal and we had enough cell service to send texts here and there. I read that the pool is heated but it was pretty cold!! But the weather was very hot when we were here so we didn’t mind that at all, we loved the pool.
TravelerStayed here a few times at different sites and always love it! I tent camp, so can't speak to the cabins or RV sites. Never too busy when I've gone in May and August. Tent sites are right on the water, so it's easy to move between swimming and your site. Other campers have been friendly. Water spigots near the campsites that usually run clear, I've drank from them with no issue. If you're keen on an air mattress, you can usually find an empty RV site to plug in your pump and then just carry the inflated mattress to your site. No drive ups, though sites like T10-13 are pretty darn close to the parking. T1-2 are a bit further from their closest parking, but still not bad. 1/2 are a bit set off from the rest with a fairly steep drop off that overlooks the beach, so be careful! Small trail leads you down to the water. 9 and 10-13 are close together, with 9 a bit set apart. Can't speak to the other sites personally. Boats don't come too close to the swimming sections by the campsites which is nice. Good mix of sun and shade. Got absolutely poured on (even inside my tent) one trip and still had a great time, easy place to have fun. Nearest grocery store is pretty far, so make one trip for supplies on the way up and enjoy camping the rest of the time.
GuideThis is my favorite South Carolina Park. Most sites are waterfront. It's peaceful in the spring and beautiful in the fall. The pull-through sites are great for waking up to lake views and a sunrise or sunset over the lake
Tent camping near Pelzer, South Carolina offers primitive wilderness experiences in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet. The region features numerous watershed tributaries feeding into the Chattooga and Saluda Rivers, creating a network of camping opportunities with varying degrees of accessibility. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during daytime hours while dropping to the 60s at night, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons.
Fishing in pristine waters: Grapevine Campground sits along the Chauga River with excellent trout fishing opportunities. One camper noted, "It is free camping with trout fishing. Its nearby to a lot of great hikes, drives and whitewater rafting."
Waterfall hunting: The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area offers numerous cascades accessible from camping areas. A visitor to Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping shared, "My friend and I hiked the Raven Cliff Falls loop trail a while back and have added it to our list of top 10 favorite trails. I was really bummed about the removal of the cable crossing, but still loved the trail due to climbing ladders and walking along The Cathedral!"
Kayaking and boating: Lake Jocassee provides clear waters perfect for paddling. A visitor to Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area commented, "Clean and clear water like we haven't experienced before. Beautiful water falls! Also Nicely taken care of facilities!"
Spacious, secluded sites: Many primitive camping areas offer significant privacy between sites. At Grapevine Campground, campers appreciate that "they are far enough away from each other you really feel at one with nature."
Riverside camping: The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience. A visitor to Pine Point Primitive Campground mentioned, "The tent sites are close to the lake, and the site that I chose has a short trail down to it through the woods."
Flat tent pads: Despite the mountainous terrain, many sites feature level spots for comfortable sleeping. One camper at Pine Point Primitive Campground specifically noted they "had FLAT tent pads, which always make for a better night sleep!"
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. A Grapevine camper warned, "You have to drive 2.3 miles down a curvy, bumpy, hilly forest road. You could probably drive an RV or pull a travel trailer to this campground, but it is not recommended."
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites have minimal amenities. At Denver Downs Farm, one camper explained, "There are no defined campsites we could see. Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything."
Seasonal crowds: Popular areas can become congested during peak times. One visitor observed at Grapevine, "It does it pretty busy during the weekends, summertime, and holiday/long weekends."
Water filtration: Natural water sources require treatment. A camper at Burrells Ford advised, "You have to backpack in and take everything you need."
Short hike-in options: Some campgrounds offer beginner-friendly backpacking experiences. At Asbury Hills Summer Camps, a visitor noted, "This trail was lots of fun! My friend and I decided to go here on a whim and it didn't disappoint. There are lots of features to this camp and the surrounding trails such as waterfalls, rock outcroppings, cable crossings."
Educational opportunities: The area's diverse ecology provides natural learning experiences. Asbury Hills campers mentioned, "It is a Christian retreat that holds religious summer camps as well as boy/girl scouts retreats. As for hiking trails there's a few within the camp some including caves, waterfalls, and river cable crossings."
Nature loops: Shorter trails accommodate younger hikers. A Grapevine visitor shared, "Great hiking nearby! I always enjoy doing the nature loop. It is great for all ages. My favorite time of year to come is late spring/summer when all the flowers are in bloom."
Limited RV access: Most primitive camping areas near Pelzer aren't suitable for larger vehicles. At Denver Downs Farm, a visitor observed it was "Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe. A little highway noise, but not bad."
Alternative farm camping: Agricultural properties sometimes offer unique camping options. The same Denver Downs visitor described it as "a farm and outdoor event center with a 140 acre field you can camp in. Very well maintained. We came here on Thanksgiving weekend because all other campgrounds were full. We were the only people here."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts road conditions significantly. One camper at Grapevine noted, "Entrance road can get a bit slick after heavy rains," making access potentially challenging for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pelzer, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pelzer, SC is Denver Downs Farm with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Pelzer, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Pelzer, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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