Cleveland, South Carolina sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing access to numerous camping areas within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park offers 20 sites directly in Cleveland with full hookups, while nearby Jones Gap State Park features primitive tent camping along the Middle Saluda River. The region encompasses both established campgrounds with amenities and backcountry sites requiring short hikes. Table Rock State Park, approximately 10 miles northwest, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodation options with varying levels of amenities throughout the year.
Camping permits and reservations are essential for most locations in the area, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. Jones Gap State Park requires advance bookings for its limited trailside tent sites, which are spaced approximately a quarter mile apart for privacy. Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though services may be reduced in winter months. The terrain varies significantly, with primitive sites often situated along rivers and streams requiring short hikes from parking areas. Cell service is limited throughout the mountain region, especially in wilderness areas and deep valleys. As one camper noted about Jones Gap, "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."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Cleveland area, with numerous reviews highlighting the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park. Campers consistently mention the soothing sounds of rushing water and opportunities for wading, fishing, and cooling off during summer months. Trailside camping provides quick access to the extensive network of hiking paths throughout the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, connecting to popular destinations like Rainbow Falls. Privacy varies by campground, with Jones Gap offering more secluded sites while Solitude Pointe provides a balance of convenience and natural surroundings. According to reviews, Solitude Pointe features "paved, very wooded and private sites with umbrellas with the picnic tables" and is noted for being a "quiet campground run by friendly people."
"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"
$37 - $84 / night
"Gravel campsite with paved entrances, 30/50 electric, and picnic table. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. Ranger station nearby. Brevard just outside gate."
"It's located right at the entrance to the forest, close to amenities such as Walmart supercenter, gas stations, breweries, restaurants, a great BBQ place and an ice cream joint."
$100 / night
"Though $38 a night and more than the other state parks surrounding south Carolina such as NC, AL, GA, MS. Bathroom was clean and showers were nice. Level campspots!"
"I stayed at Trailside Camp Site #2, which is one of their remote, primitive sites at the North Lake and all I can say is wow."
"This campground has 19 trail side sites that are all great and not far from the Middle Saluda River which runs through the middle of the park."
"I used site 7 because an oncoming storm made me bug out of my trailside plans. Gorgeous site, a bit chilly by the river but beautiful and close enough to still use the park bathrooms!"
"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."
"Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."
$38 - $48 / night
"A swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room. Only bad thing is the bad house are probably the worst I have ever used."
"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!"
$30 - $70 / night
"Close to Caesars Head and Table Rock. Full hookups, and the staff helps you back in and level up. Great service. Short drive to grocery and fresh produce stands."
"The pull through sites at the entrance to the campground are just fine with everything you need. The campsites at the top of the hill are awesome!!"
"Easy in/out and close to Greenville, Paris Mountain, Travelers Rest, Swamp Rabbit Trail etc."
"Campground is easy to get to and tucked into the woods."
$37 - $135 / night
"We stayed in site 50 in the Lakeside Loop - it had more privacy than a lot of the other sites, and was right next to a trail leading down to the Homestead trail that goes around the lake."
"Lake Powhatan Campground, Asheville, NC Tucked quietly away only 10 miles southwest of Asheville, Lake Powhatan Campground(within Pisgah National Forest) is a popular but peaceful campground. "
TravelerWe really liked this campground. Sites were pretty well spread out, it was quiet, there were lots of trails to take our dogs on. We saw lots of mountain bikers, must be biking paradise too!
TravelerThe site was level, trails to hike, clean park but a little pricey.
TravelerCamped in f150 with RTT, stayed at site 13 with plenty of room for any overlanding or tent campers. Sites 1-5 fairly close in section 1. Sites 6-13 good for tent or overlanding, sites 14-21 are clumped together at the end for tent/overlanding rig/campers. Small creek crossing, but very easy to cross. We saw a few trailer campers, nothing over 20 feet, and there was plenty of room, but the road is rough coming in, so doable if you’re brave.
Road is marked well off the main road, but is narrow with few pull off opportunities for passing. 1 mile of blacktop with 1* mile of hard pack gravel.
Single vault bathrooms and bear trash cans are at sites 1-5 and another at site 14-21, 5-10 minute walk either way from middle campsites.
Fire rings and picnic tables, well marked sites.
Site 22 is the last site we could find before crossing a more cumbersome creek crossing, just above sites 17-21. Creek accessible from most every campsite, with a few of the sites on the other side of ride (see rec.gov for waterfront specific sites)
Busy road for motorcycles/off road vehicles, but overall peaceful.
Reservations required, no service until almost back to town, so reserve ahead before heading to camp. Cash/envelope/paper tag system no longer present (seems to be the new norm)
GuideThe park is in a great location near Greenville and it's beautiful, but there are things to consider. It's a small campground with just a few sites. Many of which are not even close to level and they're all fairly small. In addition, the road is narrow and winding, so overall it's not the best choice for .medium to large rvs. The bathroom/ shower was clean but the stall door locks are both broken so the doors don't close. The staff is very nice and it's very peaceful. It's a great park for tent camping or small rvs like teardrops. There aren't many camping options near Greenville. I hope the state invests in upgrades for this valuable park.
ScoutThe camp host was unprofessional, rude, and threatened to call the sheriffs department because he said we were talking too loud. We were not loud and are filing a complaint. We have been coming here for years but will not pay to be treated this way.
ScoutBig Rig friendly. Clean well managed
TravelerFour sites, only one will take a small camper under 18 feet. Tent sites in need of maintenance..
ScoutI love the views and the lakefront everything about this place is worth going to
ScoutStayed for a night very quiet and peaceful in December!
Cleveland, South Carolina serves as a gateway to Upstate South Carolina's mountain terrain, sitting at 1,000 feet elevation where the Blue Ridge Mountains begin their rise from the Piedmont. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-55°F while summer sees 65-85°F with moderate humidity. The area provides distinct camping seasons with spring wildflowers, summer swimming opportunities, fall color viewing, and winter hiking when crowds thin considerably.
Waterfall hunting: 5-mile radius. Jones Gap State Park contains multiple accessible waterfalls including Rainbow Falls (100-foot drop) requiring a 2.5-mile moderate hike. "The rushing river and dense foliage with tons of mountain laurel makes the air seem so fresh. I love just coming here and hiking upstream and playing in the river," notes one Jones Gap camper.
Lake activities: 30-minute drive. Devils Fork State Park Campground provides access to Lake Jocassee with exceptional water clarity. "This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It isn't as busy as the Smokies and I find myself more at rest here. In the park, you can swim, hike, camp, fish and kayak," reports a visitor.
Mountain biking: Technical trails. The region offers numerous mountain biking opportunities for various skill levels. One camper at Davidson River Campground noted that "located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures... if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground."
Privacy between sites: Varying levels. The camping experience near Cleveland offers different privacy options. At Black Forest Family Camping Resort, "sites are wooded and spaced far enough apart that you barely see or hear neighbors," according to one reviewer.
Creek and river sounds: Natural white noise. Many campers appreciate waterside sites. At Jones Gap, site 10 "sits about 50 yards up the hill from the main river running through the valley. The river is a great soundtrack for a nights sleep," one camper mentions.
Off-season experience: Fewer crowds. Table Rock State Park Campground offers year-round camping with distinct seasonal advantages. A winter visitor notes, "I stayed here over New Year's and did a ranger-led First Day Hike." Another adds, "The campground is peaceful and lots of hiking trails all over."
Campsite leveling challenges: Bring blocks. Several campgrounds in the mountain region feature sloped sites. At Paris Mountain State Park Campground, a camper notes "nice large sites but very unlevel due to mountain side. Would not stay again because we were so unlevel our refrigerator wouldn't work."
Reservation timing: Book early. Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in peak seasons. For Lake Powhatan, a ranger mentioned "they'd been completely full since June," according to one visitor.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings. Mountain weather can change rapidly. "It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn't a muddy mess which is always a plus," reported a Black Forest camper, highlighting the importance of proper site drainage and setup.
Swimming options: Lake and stream. Orchard Lake Campground received praise for child-friendly water activities: "We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved," wrote one parent.
Rainy day options: Indoor activities. Wet weather doesn't mean boredom. "When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside," noted a family at Orchard Lake Campground.
Playground access: Energy outlets. Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "My kids, ages 12, 11 and 8 didn't want to leave! Thanks for having a great spot for my family to make some wonderful memories!" wrote one Orchard Lake camper.
Site navigation: Assistance available. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park offers practical help with challenging sites. "It is on a steep hill, but the camp hosts escort you to the site and help navigate your camper in if needed. We are new to camping so this was helpful," explains a recent visitor.
Surface types: Consider preferences. Different campgrounds feature varying site surfaces. Solitude Pointe has "level cement pads which makes set up easy," while a Black Forest visitor noted their "sites are all gravel" which can affect setup and comfort.
Utilities and amenities: Verify before booking. Water pressure varies between campgrounds. One camper reported at Black Forest: "The water pressure was not satisfactory and we couldn't take showers in our camper," highlighting the importance of checking specific utility details when planning an RV stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland?
Several campgrounds are located within driving distance of Pretty Place Chapel (Fred W. Symmes Chapel) in Cleveland, SC. Solitude Pointe Cabins & RV Park in Cleveland offers the closest accommodations with drive-in access and full hookups. For those willing to travel a bit further, Table Rock State Park Campground provides a beautiful mountain setting with cabins and traditional campsites about 30 minutes away, perfect for hikers who want to explore the surrounding trails after visiting the chapel.
What amenities are available at campgrounds near Cleveland?
Campgrounds near Cleveland offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Paris Mountain State Park Campground provides clean bathrooms, nice showers, level campsites, and sometimes free firewood with donations. Willow Valley RV Resort features 80 graveled sites easy to back into, a playground, basketball court, swimming pool, multiple bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Many area campgrounds also offer electric and water hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, with some providing lake access for water activities.
When is the best season to camp near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland?
The best season to camp near Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland is late spring through early fall (May-October) when weather conditions are most favorable. Mount Pisgah Campground in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains offers spectacular experiences during this time, especially for fall color. Oconee State Park Campground is another excellent option with year-round accessibility, though peak beauty occurs in summer and fall. Fall brings spectacular foliage, comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, while summer offers warmer temperatures ideal for water activities in the area's lakes and rivers.
Keep Exploring
