SC State Park Table Rock State Park

Even though we had been to all the state parks in the SC State Park system, Table Rock was the one we had not seen the campground at the park. When we were doing the the Ultimate Outsider challenge to go to all the parks, Table Rock was one of the early ones and we were camping at a nearby park that trip. We had started that challenge thinking we would never do it all, but that changed. Recently, we bought kayaks and went up to paddle on the lake at Table Rock (see pics) as it is not far from our house. When we got off the water and after a sandwich, we checked out the campground.

Table Rock State Park is one of the original ones in the SC State Park system as it was built by the CCC. It has a big trail network that connects to the Palmetto Trail & Foothills Trail. You can also hike to the top of Table Rock Mountain where you will have spectacular views of the Piedmont and the mountains. There are also some shorter trails. There are two lakes in the park. Lake Ooleney is by the park office and you can put your own kayak or canoe in it to paddle around. There are also 2 fishing piers, one by the boat ramp and the other one is by the park office. Lake Pinnacle has the day use area and is closer to the campgrounds. You can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle boat there. There is a Bluegrass performance at the Table Rock Lodge once a month from May to Dec. See website for schedule.

As for the campground it is split into two separate areas. The smaller White Oaks Campground is the one we will use when we go there. It has 25 sites and is not connected to the other loop. Bathhouse looks new and sites are pretty standard. They are mostly gravel with some concrete with a lantern post, fire ring with water/electricty at each site. There was a campground host on site.

The Mountain Laurel Campground is larger but as long as you were towards the back it would be a good experience. Sites are 1-8 are on the road that leads to campground. They are larger sites with bigger campers. You would have lots of road traffic on these. Sites 9-22 and sites 55 - 75 have been updated with new tables and the driveways redone. The sites are nice but crowded, especially if you are on the inside of the loop. Sites 23-53 would be where I camped. Most of the sites could not accommodate 5th Wheels and RVs and there is a sign warning large campers not to try it. The road would be tough for them too. Sites here were spaced out pretty good and drive through sites actually got you off the road pretty far. This part of the campground is the higher in elevation than the other loop.

This is along SC 11 and you are nearby to 5 other state parks and the Nine Times Preserve which is another great area for hiking. Weekends will be busy a lot of the year and summers too. Probably one best camped in during the week. For some who is a cyclist, this is a good home base for riding. Fishing too with 2 lakes here and you are close to a lot of other fishing opportunities in the area. The campground is not in the mountains, but at the base so it is the upper Piedmont so don't come here for cool mountain nights.

UPDATED-Nov 2022
Preferred campsites in the White Oaks Campground. 78 - pull through and next to the creek, 83 - big enough to park next to the camper & has nice view of the creek behind it, 84 - nice, 83 & 84 are real close together, 86 & 87 are good sites and close to bathhouse, 93 - pull through along creek, 94 nice site, 95 big site. All of those will have good shade


Table Rock | South Carolina Parks Official Site

 

Thanks for the review. We recently spent a week at Paris Mountain State Park and wanted to check Table Rock out but ran out of time. Love your state!

 

We've been to Paris, but have not camped there. We live over in Anderson so both of these are under an hour away.