Want to go camping near Greenville, SC with kids? When it comes to hitting the Great Outdoors with your kiddos for an unforgettable camping adventure, there are lots of wonderful options for you to consider! Our area abounds with family-friendly campgrounds from the primitive to the RV type. Travel a little further for more wilderness or sandy beaches. Read on to learn more about some of our readers’ favorite spots!
For even more outdoor adventure ideas see our page: Things to Do Outside
Campgrounds Close to Greenville, SC
Looking for a trial-run with those little ones? Want the comforts of being close to home? Or maybe you had a last-minute whim to pitch a tent? Here are some great spots that are less than an hour away. All of these campgrounds offer picnic tables, fire rings, showers and bathroom facilities unless otherwise noted.
We also have a full list of places to camp near Spartanburg, SC.
Paris Mountain State Park
Just ten minutes from Downtown, but a wilderness away, Paris Mountain State Park boasts a swimming hole, hiking, camping, mountain biking, a playground, and more. Camping is for tents and RVs, offering water and electric hook-ups. There are also primitive sites available along certain hiking trails.
Jones Gap State Park
Also just 45 minutes from downtown, Jones Gap State Park is a serene primitive camping mecca. Sites are easily accessible via a short hike and most border the beautiful Middle Saluda River. Not for the faint of heart, campers forgo bathrooms, tables, electricity, and water hook-ups for starry skies and the sounds of nature. Again this is not for drive-up camping; it is walk-in only.
Saluda Outdoor Center
The Saluda Outdoor Center is perfect if you’re looking for ‘glamping’. You can camp in a tiny home or one of their River Pods. And your kids will love tubing down the Saluda River!
Table Rock State Park
A 45-minute ride will get you basically Paris Mountain “On Steroids.” Offering many of the same amenities (swimming, camping, hiking, etc.) but with more breathtaking sights and waterfalls to boot, Table Rock State Park is fantastic! A short walk on a paved trail will take you to a waterfall cascading into a cool lagoon, perfect for little feet. Tents and RVs are welcome and include water and electric. Primitive camping is also available.
Travelers Rest / North Greenville KOA Holiday
If you’ve driven down Highway 25 just outside of Greenville, you’ve likely seen the KOA sign. KOA Holiday in Travelers Rest is a great camping location for family and friends. There are plenty of things to do and plenty of amenities, including Wi-Fi, 50 max amps, pool (open late May-early September), pavilion, cable TV, a dog park, and more. You’ll find RV sites and deluxe cabins with full bathrooms. There’s even a little brook that runs through the entire length of the park.
Camping in Upstate, SC and Western North Carolina
Traveling a little greater distance will change the scenery and things-to-do substantially. Check out these other awesome reader picks (arranged according to driving distance).
Lake Hartwell State Park
Lake Hartwell State Park is about 45 minutes away from Greenville. The camping area has easy access to the shoreline of Lake Hartwell, and all campsites are conveniently located near showers and bathrooms. Many of the sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.
South Cove County Park
South Cove County Park is about an hour away in Seneca. There are plenty of campsites, and almost half of them are waterfront. All sites have electrical hookups and water. There are also two bathhouses, playgrounds, a picnic area, a swim area, and a dump station.
High Falls County Park
Offering camping on gorgeous Lake Keowee, High Falls County Park is about an hour away. Water and electric hook-ups plus all that the incredible area has to offer.
Oconee State Park
Oconee State Park is in Mountain Rest, SC and has 139 standard campsites with water and electricity. Some sites even have sewer hookups. Every campsite is conveniently located near restrooms with hot showers.
Burrells Ford Campground
You won’t need reservations to tent camp at Burrells Ford Campground. But, don’t forget your hiking boots, because this campground is located nearby some of South Carolina’s most picturesque waterfall hikes.
Devil’s Fork State Park
Also only about an hour away, Devil’s Fork State Park is located on the shores of Lake Jocassee. This campground offers sites from primitive to RV with basic amenities and a pristine lake to enjoy.
Emberglow Outdoor Resort
More of a glamper than a camper? Kidding Around readers recommend Emberglow Outdoor Resort near Lake Lure. From vintage campers to tree houses to safari tents and camping pods, this is a unique location for you to spend time outdoors with your family.
Calhoun Falls State Park
Several of our readers love Calhoun Falls State Park. It’s just over an hour away from Greenville. With several campsites, picnic shelters, tennis courts, basketball courts, walking trail, and access to Lake Russell, this sounds like a camper’s dream.
Hester’s Bottoms
Hester’s Bottoms is a privately owned Savannah River campground with waterfront sites for tents and RVs and a super family-friendly vibe. Their sites are spacious, they have a private dock and boat ramp, swimming area, and they have holiday events.
Davidson River Campground
Located near Brevard, NC, Davidson River Campground offers camping with basic amenities along the Davidson River.
Mt. Pisgah Campground
Resting about an hour and a half away, the Mt. Pisgah Campground is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Canton, NC. This campground offers nearby panoramic views of rolling majesty and includes basic amenities.
Hamilton Branch State Park
Hamilton Branch State Park is another reader favorite. The park, located in Plum Branch, SC, is about 2 hours away from Greenville and sits on Lake Strom Thurmond. There’s a little beach you can enjoy and many campsites, several of which are waterfront.
Happy Holiday RV Village
Happy Holiday RV Village is located in Cherokee, NC, which is about 2 hours away. This campground can accommodate anything from tents to big rigs, and boasts Cherokee culture plus tons of great amenities.
Springmaid Mountain Campground
Near Spruce Pine, NC, Springmaid Mountain Campground is a little over 2 hours away and offers plenty of amenities (including horseback riding) in a mountain river setting.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Camping at the Tallulah Gorge State Park in North Georgia is a lot of fun since they have fantastic hiking trails right at the park and if you’re lucky and adventurous, you can score a permit to hike the bottom of the gorge. There’s a beach, hiking, bathhouses, and a playground. The sites are pretty close together but it’s in a great location and only 1.45 hours from Greenville.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resorts
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park offer three campgrounds within driving distance from Greenville. They are located in Cherokee, NC, Bostic, NC, and Tabor City, SC. These campgrounds offer full amenities and tons of planned activities for the kiddos.
Givhans Ferry State Park
Givhans Ferry State Park is just under 3 hours away and has several campsites. 25 of the sites are full service with water, sewer, and power, and many sites can accommodate 40′ RVs. Restrooms and hot showers are available.
Huntington Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC is just over 4 hours away and offers an all-in-one camping experience with a beach, abundant wildlife, a castle, a nature center, and several opportunities for learning and adventure. There are two campsites that accommodate both RVs, tents, and primitive tent sites. There are also bathrooms and fire pits.
Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park is just over 4 hours away and offers camping only 300 yards from the beach. Tents and RV’s welcome. Basic amenities are included along with the lure of the Atlantic.
Pirate Land Family Camping Resort
Another Myrtle Beach area campground, Pirate Land Family Camping Resort also offer beach-front sites and full hookups.
These are just some of the great campgrounds readers have suggested. There are TONS more to explore, so get camping and discover your family’s favorite spot!