Took my 24 yo son up to camp on the Chatooga River in upstate SC on the GA border. I am super busy right now and basically decided to go just because I don't know how many more chances I'll get to take my son camping (nothing bad, he's just starting off in his life and I'm 58, so you never know! I had a work associate die unexpectedly and that will sober you up, right away!).
SC doesn't have nearly the amount of mountains that NC does, but this was a gorgeous area. We camped in a free campsite at Burrells Ford campground. You had a solid quarter mile hike into the campground and only pit toilets, but those "obstacles" keep the Walmart "car" campers away (if you know, you know!). Once in, you have great access to the river and it's pretty well-stocked because the SC hatchery at Walhalla is just a few miles up river. The plus I hadn't really researched much is that the SC Foothills Trail passes through this area. The trails are extremely well marked and maintained (I've been on the AT in a couple spots and these trails were nicer and much better signage and markings). I met a pair of hikers who were visiting from KY and TN and they were hiking the full 76 miles from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. It also seems to have lots of campsites along the way. I also met a group of scouts who camped next to us Friday that were hiking a section. Several coyotes fired up Saturday night while we were around the campfire, and that was both spooky and cool. There were a few dogs in the campground, including my son's dog who was with us, that would get each other going, and I expected the coyotes to set them off and instead they were all spooked and quiet. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, hiker or fisher-person, you might want to consider a visit to this area. Lots of other stuff to see in this area: Lake Jocassee, near Helen GA, Wahalla Fish Hatchery, Cashiers NC, Brevard, and then Asheville and the BRP a little farther. Let me know if you want more info on any of these. I don't get there often enough, but have been around most of them.
SC doesn't have nearly the amount of mountains that NC does, but this was a gorgeous area. We camped in a free campsite at Burrells Ford campground. You had a solid quarter mile hike into the campground and only pit toilets, but those "obstacles" keep the Walmart "car" campers away (if you know, you know!). Once in, you have great access to the river and it's pretty well-stocked because the SC hatchery at Walhalla is just a few miles up river. The plus I hadn't really researched much is that the SC Foothills Trail passes through this area. The trails are extremely well marked and maintained (I've been on the AT in a couple spots and these trails were nicer and much better signage and markings). I met a pair of hikers who were visiting from KY and TN and they were hiking the full 76 miles from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. It also seems to have lots of campsites along the way. I also met a group of scouts who camped next to us Friday that were hiking a section. Several coyotes fired up Saturday night while we were around the campfire, and that was both spooky and cool. There were a few dogs in the campground, including my son's dog who was with us, that would get each other going, and I expected the coyotes to set them off and instead they were all spooked and quiet. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, hiker or fisher-person, you might want to consider a visit to this area. Lots of other stuff to see in this area: Lake Jocassee, near Helen GA, Wahalla Fish Hatchery, Cashiers NC, Brevard, and then Asheville and the BRP a little farther. Let me know if you want more info on any of these. I don't get there often enough, but have been around most of them.
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