If you’re planning a trip to South Carolina, it may not be to Clemson. You’re likely visiting Charleston, Columbia, or Spartanburg. These cities have excellent attractions to offer tourists.
However, don’t sleep on the smaller city of Clemson. Although most know it as the home of the Tigers, this city offers much more to make it worth spending a few days here.
We’re taking a look at the five best RV parks around the area so you can plan your visit today! Let’s get started.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Clemson, SC?
South Carolina generally experiences mild winters. Tourists can visit any time of the year. Occasionally, residents will see snow, but this isn’t often.
The summers are hot and humid, so you may want to avoid visiting then. The fall is a perfect season to enjoy college football games at Memorial Stadium, while you can experience local festivals and markets in the spring.
What Is Clemson, SC, Known For?
There is one thing people know Clemson, SC, for: college football. This small town in Pickens and Anderson counties has less than 18,000 residents but is close to the Greenville-Spartanburg metropolitan area.
On Saturdays during football season, the city comes alive with orange and purple flags, banners, streamers, and more to celebrate their Clemson Tigers.
Clemson, SC, is also on Lake Hartwell in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. From hiking and biking to boating and fishing, there are many ways to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
HOT TIP
If a football game in Clemson sounds up your alley, you’ll want to know these RV tailgating tips!
5 Best RV Parks Near Clemson, SC
You can’t go wrong with the location of any of these RV parks near Clemson, SC. Whether it’s on the shore of Lake Hartwell or Lake Keowee or at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s beauty in the landscape.
Depending on what you want to do during your stay, one of these may fit your travel itinerary better than the others. Let’s dive in!
Clemson RV Park at The Grove
Address: 150 Dalton Drive, Pendleton, SC 29670
Cost: from $39
About: All sites are full hookup, level, and 65 feet in length at Clemson RV Park at The Grove. Guests have access to a fishing pier and two ponds on the property.
They also have a swimming pool, a dog park, laundry facilities, and bathhouses. The park is only a short drive from Lake Hartwell, Fant’s Grove Trail Head, and Clemson University.
Clemson Hills RV Club
Address: 321 Lawrence Bridge Rd, Seneca, SC 29672
Cost: must call as rates vary
About: Sitting near Lake Keowee and the Keowee River, Clemson Hills RV Club is another campground near Clemson University. However, it also offers a beautiful view of the mountains. They’re constructing a new clubhouse and additional restaurants, and all sites are full hookups on paved slabs.
Twin Lakes
Address: 140 Winnebago Trail, Pendleton, SC 29670
Cost: from $26
About: Twin Lakes Recreation Area has 102 sites, two dump stations, five playgrounds, and a designated swim area on Lake Hartwell. The campground is only a few minutes from Clemson University.
Boating, water recreation, fishing, and hiking are everyday activities people enjoy here. The sites are partial hookups with electric and water.
Crooked Creek RV Park
Address: 777 Arvee Lane, West Union, SC 29696
Cost: from $35
About: At Crooked Creek RV Park, guests have access to bathhouses, a playground, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a marina and snack bar, 24/7 gas pumps, cable, and WiFi. Fire rings are available for a fee. There is also RV storage on-site.
Sitting on the banks of Lake Keowee, Crooked Creek RV Park provides full hookup sites in a beautiful location near Clemson University.
The Point RV
Address: 400 Ponderosa Point Road, Townville, SC 29689
Cost: from $50
About: Resting on Lake Hartwell, The Point RV is another excellent option for RVers who love the water. Waterfront sites are partial hookups with 30-amp electric and water; interior sites are a mix of 30-amp and 50-amp electric and water.
Some have sewer hookups, but a dump station is on the property. Anderson County is home to food trucks, farmers’ markets, museums, and more if you’re not interested in attending a football game at Clemson University.
Things to Do in Clemson, SC
One of the biggest reasons people come to Clemson, SC, is to tailgate and watch a football game. The Clemson Tigers have established themselves as one of the best college programs in the country. But even if sports don’t interest you, there are many other activities in the area.
Walk the Trails at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens
Directly on the campus of Clemson University, the South Carolina Botanical Gardens is 295 acres. Guests can participate in monthly First Friday Nature Walks for adults, various cultural and educational programs for children and families, and adult programs that focus on sustainable gardening and natural history.
The Children’s Garden is a unique natural play space, and the Natural Heritage Garden is the most extensive collection of native plants in the Southeast.
Attend a Game at Memorial Stadium
Your trip to Clemson, SC, will seem incomplete without attending a home football game at Memorial Stadium. The city and thousands of visitors will fill the parking lots and stadium seats to cheer on the Tigers.
Watch the players and coaches run down The Hill and rub Howard’s Rock for good luck. The stadium is the largest in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with seating for over 82,000 fans.
Step Back into the History of Clemson at Fort Hill Plantation
Fort Hill is an antebellum plantation that the owners willed to the state of South Carolina in 1888 to establish a public scientific and agricultural college. The John C. Calhoun House and libraries, or Fort Hill, is a National Historic Landmark. It is open for tours and public visitation.
Calhoun was the seventh Vice President of the United States. Although the plantation used to be extensive, the house is all that remains.
Enjoy the School Spirit at the Esso Club
The Esso Club is one of the best sports bars in the country. Almost every Clemson University student has visited it during their time at Clemson. On game days, it’s hard to find a seat.
In 1997, Sports Illustrated picked it as the #2 Must-See Sports Bar in the Nation. So if you can’t catch a game at Memorial Stadium, venture to the Esso Club for burgers, wings, and beer. Just make sure to arrive early!
Dig into Clemson at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, the Bob Campbell Geology Museum is free for visitors. You can see various geological and paleontological exhibits. More than 10,000 minerals, rocks, and fossils are on display from all over the world. They include local collections from South Carolina as well.
Permanent exhibits include a saber-tooth tiger, a complete skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and the largest display of fluorescent minerals in the southeastern United States. It’s worth visiting for a couple of hours during your time in Clemson, SC.
Is Clemson, SC Worth Visiting?
If you’re a college football fan, Clemson is a must-visit city. The tailgating atmosphere and game time hype are unlike anywhere else.
But even after the game ends and you’re celebrating a Tigers win, there’s more to do in Clemson, SC. From walking the trails to learning about history and geology, there’s something for everyone in this small, Southern city.
Enjoy Southern Hospitality While Visiting Clemson, SC
You’ll get your fill of Southern charm in Charleston or Savannah. However, you’ll also feel the hospitality and unique atmosphere of the South in Clemson, SC.
You’re much closer to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities. In addition, you’re near Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee, two fantastic fishing and boating locations in the South.
So the next time you plan a road trip through South Carolina, check out the city of Clemson. Spend a few days enjoying the view and the people. You’d best not wear any red on game day!
When will you start planning your trip to Clemson, SC?
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