Whetstone Horse Camp
Campground · South Carolina · 18 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Sumter National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 18
- Bookable sites
- up to 14
- People per site
- 18
- Accessible sites
- 1,684 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Whetstone Horse Camp is located in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in Oconee County in the western corner of South Carolina, about 13 miles northwest of Walhalla. The Chattooga River flows nearby. With over 30 miles of horseback riding trails, Whetstone serves as a base for those who like to ride and camp.Recreation
The Rocky Gap Trail on the South Carolina side of the river and the Willis Knob Horse Trail on the Georgia side provide excellent horseback riding and hiking opportunities. Visitors also enjoy exploring the nearby Chattooga River.Facilities
The campground is open year-round and has 18 sites with parking spurs for horse trailers. All of the 18 Sites are by reservation only.
Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Hitching racks are located throughout the facility.
Natural Features
The camp is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the Rocky Gap and Willis Knob Horse Trails.The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests encompass more than 629,000 acres in four districts throughout South Carolina, from the lowcountry Atlantic Coast to the western foothills along the Georgia border.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Walhalla is 13 miles away. The town holds an annual Oktoberfest celebration the third weekend of October.Stumphouse Tunnel, a 19-century uncompleted railroad tunnel, and Isaqueena Falls make for interesting visits. Both are located just 20 minutes from the camp.
The facts
- 18 bookable sites
- 18 accessible sites
- Up to 14 people per site
- Loops: WHHC
Site types
- 18 Equestrian Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.
18 campsites at Whetstone Horse Camp
Check-in 4:00 PM · Check-out 2:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 002 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 003 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 004 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 005 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 006 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 14 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 007 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 14 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 008 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 009 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 010 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 011 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 012 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 013 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 014 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 015 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 016 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 017 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 018 | WHHC | Equestrian Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
From Walhalla, go north 6 miles on State Highway 28. Turn left onto Whetstone Road. Go straight for about 5 miles. Continue straight at the four-way stop,
for another 1.5 miles. The pavement ends and gravel begins. A sign for Whetstone Horse Camp is about 3/4-mile down the gravel road. The camp is on the left.
34.86477, -83.22519 · 34°51'53.2"N 83°13'30.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 50°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50 | 54 | 61 | 70 | 76 | 82 | 85 | 84 | 79 | 70 | 61 | 53 |
| Low °F | 30 | 32 | 38 | 46 | 54 | 62 | 65 | 64 | 58 | 47 | 38 | 32 |
| Precip in | 5.9 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 6.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Whetstone Horse Camp
- Can you reserve a site at Whetstone Horse Camp?
- Yes, Whetstone Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Whetstone Horse Camp have?
- 18 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Whetstone Horse Camp?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Whetstone Horse Camp.
- Are campfires allowed at Whetstone Horse Camp?
- Campfires are allowed at Whetstone Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Whetstone Horse Camp
- Willis Knob Horse Camp 2.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sarah's Creek Campground (Clayton, GA) 4.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Fork Campground (Clayton, GA) 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Twin Lakes Day Use Area 8.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cherry Hill Campground 9.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Van Hook Glade 14.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cliffside Lake Shelters 14.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Andrew Pickens Ranger District 6.7 mi · Facility
- Burrells Ford 9.4 mi · Campground
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping 9.9 mi · Facility
- Chattooga River District 12.4 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 864-638-9568
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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