Whetstone Horse Camp
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests — riverside, hiking
Location: MOUNTAIN REST, SC, SC
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$30 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (55 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.The campground is open year-round and has 18 sites with parking spurs for horse trailers.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/whetstone-horse-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Whetstone Horse Camp offers over 30 miles of horseback riding trails along the Chattooga River with large sites and easy gravel road access. Google reviewers give it 4.9/5 stars, praising the location and trail quality for both horse camping and hiking.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Bobcat, Eastern Hognose Snake, and Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex documented in the area.
Insider tips for Whetstone Horse Camp: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Bring your own screens and cleaning supplies; reviewers noted vault toilet cleanliness issues. Sites are large and designed for horse camping with picket lines available. Use the parking loop across the road if day-hiking without camping.
Skip Whetstone Horse Camp if: You need hookups — no hookups available at most sites.. You prefer maintained flush toilets — only vault toilets on site.. You don't have a camp host available — no camp host on site..
Best time to visit Whetstone Horse Camp: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though federal campgrounds require early booking during peak seasons..
Nearby campgrounds: Willis Knob Horse Camp (LAKEMONT, GA), Sarah’S Creek Campground (Clayton, Ga) (Lakemont, GA), Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp (MOUNTAIN REST, SC), West Fork Campground (Clayton, Ga) (Lakemont, GA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Whetstone Horse Camp
Cell signal at Whetstone Horse Camp (MOUNTAIN REST, SC): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.The campground is open year-round and has 18 sites with parking spurs for horse trailers.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Bring your own screens and cleaning supplies; reviewers noted vault toilet cleanliness issues.
Sites are large and designed for horse camping with picket lines available.
Use the parking loop across the road if day-hiking without camping.
Campground operates year-round, though federal campgrounds require early booking during peak seasons.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Whetstone Horse Camp cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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