RV Parks Near Greenville, SC: Is Carolina Camp Cedar Worth the Detour?
By the BlueSpot Guide Team, compiled from property details, South Carolina State Parks resources, and local trail and golf course information.
If you’re searching for RV parks near Greenville, SC, Carolina Camp Cedar in the Blue Ridge foothills is worth putting on the shortlist. Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pickens, South Carolina, it’s one of the newer names on the South Carolina camping scene, and it’s already carving out a distinct niche: a resort built around a working golf course rather than around it. Full-hookup RV sites and cabins sit steps from an 18-hole course and an on-site tavern, with Table Rock State Park, Lake Keowee, and downtown Greenville all within a short drive. The short answer to whether it’s worth the detour is yes, especially if golf, a resort pool, and easy access to the Upstate’s hiking and lake scene all sound appealing at once. Here’s what’s actually waiting for you when you pull in.
What Makes This Foothills Resort Different
Most RV resorts treat their amenities as add-ons. Carolina Camp Cedar was built the other way around: it shares its property with Pickens Golf Club, an 18-hole course with a full driving range and a new 9-hole Par 3 course, so guests can walk straight from their site to the first tee. Tavern 53 handles dinner and drinks on-site, which means a golf weekend or a lake day can end without anyone having to get back in the car. It’s a different pitch than most campgrounds near Greenville, SC make, and it’s the main reason this one is worth knowing about specifically.
Where to Stay: RV Sites & Cabin Rentals
Whether you’re rolling in with a rig or looking for a cabin to call home base for the weekend, there are two solid paths to a comfortable stay here.
1. Full-Hookup RV Sites Built for Big Rigs
The RV sites are built for comfort rather than just a place to park: 20-by-55-foot concrete pads, 30/50-amp service, full hookups with water and sewer, and each site comes with its own fire pit, outdoor grill, and picnic table. Big rigs shouldn’t have trouble here, and the concrete pads are a step up from the gravel or dirt pads a lot of newer parks still use.
2. Cabin Rentals from Cozy to Upscale
The property’s 12 cabins range from cozy to genuinely upscale, each one a comfortable landing spot to unwind after a day on the course or the water, all with a fully equipped kitchen, a Smart TV, and a covered porch made for slow mornings with coffee.
The Tannehill Cabin
Sleeps six with a private king bedroom, twin bunk beds, vaulted ceilings that let the morning light pour in, and a full washer and dryer, the kind of space where the whole family can spread out and actually unwind instead of tripping over each other.
The Gardenia Cabin
Takes a more open, studio-style approach with a king bed, a queen sleeper sofa, and lofted ceilings, well-suited to a couple’s weekend built around doing less, not more.
The Coldwater Cabin
Splits the difference with a private king bedroom and its own washer and dryer in a more traditional layout, a quiet, homey retreat to come back to after a round of golf or a day on the trail.
For anyone who falls for the pace out here, the property also offers park models available for monthly stays or ownership, for the kind of trip that’s hard to leave behind.
On-Site Amenities Worth Knowing About
Beyond a place to park or sleep, the property packs in enough extras that you might not need to leave it at all.
1. Tee Times at Pickens Golf Club
The 18-hole course sits directly next door, with foothills views and a pro shop stocked for last-minute gear or advice. The new 9-hole Par 3 course is a good option for a shorter round or for anyone still learning the game.
2. Dinner and Drinks at Tavern 53
The on-site restaurant and bar covers dinner and drinks without requiring a drive, serving local favorites in a casual, unhurried setting that fits the rest of the property’s pace.
If you want to venture off-property, a couple of local spots are worth the short trip: Pancho’s Grill in Pickens serves up solid Mexican food in a friendly, no-frills setting, and Iron Horse Steamers in nearby Easley is a good breakfast stop for bagel sandwiches, especially if it’s on the way to a morning on the Doodle Trail.
3. Resort-Style Pool & the Little Extras
A resort-style outdoor pool, a fenced dog park, golf cart rentals, laundry facilities, and a camp store round out the property. It’s a fuller amenity list than most RV parks in the area offer, closer to what you’d expect from a proper resort than a stopover campground.
Beyond the Resort: Exploring the Foothills
Step off the property and the Blue Ridge foothills open up, with hiking, biking, lake days, and small-town charm all within easy reach.
1. Hiking Table Rock State Park
About 20 minutes away, Table Rock State Park is the anchor outdoor destination in the area, with trails ranging from the easy, waterfall-studded Carrick Creek loop to the more demanding climb up Pinnacle Mountain. It’s one of the more popular hiking destinations in the Upstate, and it’s close enough to fold into a day that also includes golf back at the resort.
2. Biking or Walking the Doodle Trail
Running roughly 8 miles between downtown Pickens and Easley, the Doodle Trail is a paved rail-trail built on a decommissioned 19th-century rail line, now used for walking, biking, and running. It’s flat enough for most fitness levels and passes through farmland and small-town scenery rather than staying in the woods the whole way.
3. A Half-Day on Lake Keowee
For anyone who wants water instead of, or in addition to, trails, Lake Keowee sits close enough for a half-day trip, with fishing and boating as the main draws.
4. Small-Town Charm in Downtown Pickens, Plus Day Trips
Downtown Pickens is about 5 minutes away, small but walkable, and easy to fold into a slower afternoon; it’s the kind of stop covered in our roundup of historic towns near South Carolina campgrounds if small-town character is part of what you’re after. For a bigger day out, Greenville’s downtown restaurant and shopping scene is about 30 minutes out, and Clemson University is close enough that game-day trips are a realistic option during football season.
Is Carolina Camp Cedar Worth the Detour?
If you’re weighing it against the best RV parks in South Carolina generally, Carolina Camp Cedar earns its place less on having any single standout feature and more on the combination: full-hookup sites with real infrastructure, a genuine golf resort next door, and a home base close enough to Table Rock, the Doodle Trail, and Lake Keowee that you’re never more than a short drive from something worth doing. For golfers specifically, it’s hard to find a comparable setup among RV parks near Greenville, SC, and for anyone who isn’t picking up a club, the location alone still holds up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carolina Camp Cedar
A few quick answers before you book.
Where is Carolina Camp Cedar located?
Carolina Camp Cedar sits in Pickens, South Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 25 minutes from Clemson and a short drive from downtown Greenville.
Does Carolina Camp Cedar have golf on-site?
Yes. The resort shares its property with Pickens Golf Club, an 18-hole course with a driving range and a newer 9-hole Par 3 course, both accessible directly from the RV sites and cabins.
Are there full hookups for big rigs?
Yes. RV sites include 20-by-55-foot concrete pads with 30/50-amp service and full hookups for water and sewer, along with a private fire pit, outdoor grill, and picnic table at each site.
What’s nearby if I’m not staying for the golf?
Table Rock State Park, the Doodle Trail, and Lake Keowee are all within a short drive, along with downtown Pickens and day-trip access to Greenville and Clemson.
Is Carolina Camp Cedar good for guests without an RV?
Yes. The property’s 12 cabins range from cozy studio-style units to larger, six-person layouts, all with fully equipped kitchens, Smart TVs, and covered porches, and work well for couples, families, or small groups who want the resort experience without towing a rig.
Is Carolina Camp Cedar pet-friendly?
Yes. Cats and dogs are welcome, up to two pets per site, with a $25 pet fee, and the property has a fenced dog park on-site.
Plan Your Stay at Carolina Camp Cedar
Carolina Camp Cedar is one of the more distinctive stops in the Upstate, and BlueSpot Guide makes it easy to see exactly what’s on offer before you book. Ready to lock in a site or cabin? Book directly with Carolina Camp Cedar, or get in touch with BlueSpot Guide if you’ve got questions before your trip.