USDA Forest Service · South Carolina
Whetstone Horse Camp
USDA Forest Service · South Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 18
- Hookups
- 18 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,732 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- WHETSTONE (NFSR 721) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
- Nearest town
- MOUNTAIN REST
- Address
- 112 ANDREW PICKENS CIRCLE, MOUNTAIN REST, SC, 29664
- Phone
- 864-638-9568
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Horse Camping, Horseback Riding
18 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 30° | 15° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 55° | 36° | 25° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| March | 62° | 43° | 24° | 76° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 49° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 59° | 45° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 66° | 53° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 69° | 63° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 69° | 63° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 80° | 65° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 69° | 50° | 36° | 84° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 59° | 42° | 26° | 75° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 51° | 34° | 20° | 63° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Willis Knob Horse Camp · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 8 sites
- Long Bottom Ford Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Grapevine Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Sarah's Creek Campground (Clayton, GA) · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 22 sites
- Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in South Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.