Tent camping near White Stone, South Carolina offers numerous primitive camping options in both state parks and national forest land. The area sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 750 to 1,200 feet. Campsites typically feature dense hardwood forests with moderate humidity levels throughout spring and fall camping seasons. Water sources include several creeks and the Middle Saluda River that provide natural boundaries for many campsites.
What to do
Creek exploration and fishing: At Primitive Camping By the Creek, visitors can enjoy direct access to a small stream. According to one camper, "The creek is right beside the camp. Nice and secluded. Firewood was provided. The owner was super nice, even gave me a call when I was there to see how it was going."
Mountain hiking: For more adventurous campers, Crowders Mountain State Park Campground offers challenging trails just across the North Carolina border. A camper shared, "The hikes are pretty strenuous, but the views are well worth it. The people are friendly, and maps are easy to come by. The trails are easy to follow, but be sure to bring plenty of water."
Tubing and water activities: For summer visitors, local streams provide cooling relief. A camper at Wilderness Cove Campground noted, "Very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent. Nice clean bath house. Was able to access wifi near the tubing office."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Jones Gap State Park Campground, campers appreciate the significant distance between sites. One reviewer stated, "I've now camped at spots 3, 4, and 9. This is my favorite place to camp in the state. The spots are clean and well maintained. As you're in a state park, you have the added benefit of a fire ring and tent pad, but no picnic table. However, unlike other state park campgrounds, each spot is about a quarter mile from the next."
Stream sounds for sleeping: Many tent campers value the natural white noise. A camper at Jones Gap remarked, "It sits about 50 yards up the hill from the main river running through the valley. The river is a great soundtrack for a night's sleep."
Firewood availability: Sedalia Campground offers primitive camping with basic needs covered. A reviewer mentioned, "We like it. It's been quiet the times that we've been there. If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes. Just be aware that there are no picnic tables."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most state park campgrounds require advance booking, particularly on weekends. At Wilderness Cove Campground, prices are noted as "extremely reasonable" with their website being "very accurate" according to a camper review.
Trail difficulty levels: Access to some campsites requires moderate hiking ability. At Hippie Holler, a quieter experience awaits those willing to walk in. One camper noted, "I found my happy place here at Hippie Holler! No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely."
Toilet availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Sedalia Campground, a camper noted, "Nice, quiet campground. Has fire pit and access to running water. No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets. But very nice place to get away from stress of life."
Tips for camping with families
Choose drive-in sites for easier setup: When camping with children, consider accessibility. One camper shared about Primitive Camping By the Creek: "We decided to camp last minute on a road trip back from Mississippi. David was very accommodating and flexible about check in and even started a fire for us before we got there! The campsite was spacious for us to set up camp and keep the jeep nearby."
Pack for temperature fluctuations: The region experiences 30°F temperature swings between day and night in spring and fall. A camper at Wilderness Cove noted, "The bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean. Moving to the cottage was meant to be easier on my kid, but I didn't expect all the amenities."
Consider walk-in distance: At Crowders Mountain State Park Campground, a reviewer shared, "This was a pretty good place to camp. There is a hike to the campsite from the parking lot so we definitely got our workout in bringing our gear in. The hikes here are really awesome and the facilities are nice and clean!"
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping near White Stone caters to tent campers with few developed RV sites. Sedalia Campground offers some RV accommodation but with minimal hookups. A reviewer noted, "Overall, it is a great area for primitive camping and for dry camping if you are in a small RV."
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds are unpaved and potentially challenging for larger vehicles. A camper at Wilderness Cove Campground warned, "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."
Pack-in requirements: Even at campgrounds that accommodate RVs, services are limited. Sedalia Campground has running water but campers note it's best for self-contained units as there are "no picnic tables" and only basic vault toilets available.
