Airstream Basecamp: Camping at Devil's Fork State Park
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If you've never been to Lake Jocassee at Devil's Fork State Park, you're missing out. It's one of the only crystal clear lakes in South Carolina, and the hiking in the surrounding area is fabulous. Unfortunately, the campsites and the Villas tend to book up super quickly. The last time we went, we had to stay at the Oconee State Park cabins (which are fabulous), and I managed to discover canned wine and sprain an ankle at the same time, which I maintain is only by coincidence. I digress.
That gorgeous water at Lake Jocassee has been calling me ever since that summer, and it was time to make my triumphant return, even though it was quite literally freezing last weekend.
How was camping at Lake Jocassee in the winter? Was there anything to do?
Firstly, it was cold. Like, so cold our water hose froze, and we had to resuscitate it with a portable propane heater. (I warned you that we are but two millennial muppets masquerading as adventurous adults.) Fortunately, our Airstream Basecamp heats up in a jiffy, so we stayed pretty cozy between the camper and the campfire.
And yes, there is plenty to do! The hiking in the area is gorgeous, the lake is a fine spot for picnicking or snuggling with a loved one, and you can still go fishing or sightseeing. In a cruel twist of fate, I managed to sprain my ankle immediately on arrival yet AGAIN, so we kept it to short hikes this time since it was still tender.
If you don't have the All Trails App, I swear by it. It lets you locate hikes by their proximity to your location and filter by length, elevation, and difficulty. You can also download the map, record your route, and upload your photos.
We hit up the Twin Falls Lower Trail (0.7 miles up and back), which snakes along a beautiful river and ends at some awe-inspiring waterfalls (and a gazebo). We also went to Long Shoals Wayside Park, which I completely recommend if you're looking for a picnic spot, fishing, or splashing around in warmer weather. It's beautiful, and you can lounge or hike.
How are the campsites at Devil's Fork State Park?
Pretty darn dreamy, to be honest. The advantage of going in the winter is that you have views of the lake through the trees from the RV sites! There's also a staircase down to a beautiful beach and several paths that lead to really romantic overlooks for coffee in the morning. There's also a decent amount of space and a good number of trees between you and the neighbors, which is key for this hermit.
There are also power and water hookups and a reasonable bathhouse, and it's dog-friendly.
What was the best part of your trip?
I'm torn between coffee at the Lake Jocassee campsite beach, our afternoon on the banks of the Long Shoals Wayside Park, and our trip to the quirky yet charming Pumpkintown Mountain Opry (and you shall know it by its massive pumpkin-shaped roadside structure). Note: this trip occurred during COVID, so depending on when you're reading this, there may be many more exciting options open.
When we visited during the warmer months, I loved paddling around the lake, swimming, and watching my friends leap off the jumping rocks, but winter has its own special charms.
What were the gear MVPs of this trip?
Our new mattress pad was clutch. I got the best sleep! We also reoriented our sleeping arrangement so that our heads were toward the sink and our feet faced the back door, which made a huge difference.
The Blackstone Griddle was ahhhhhhmazing as well. Get you one. It made cooking a snap.
I personally am obsessed with my new waterproof, crush-proof, and drop-proof travel camera, a little Sony I like to call Barb, because it’s Barbie-sized.
Finally, those plastic suction cups are CLUTCH when you're dealing with limited space, and they don't tear up your camper. We used them for an artful arrangement of our party lights this time, but next time I'm using them for potholders and scarves. Logan also insists that his outdoor movie projector and screen were MVPs this trip, but he made me watch a Zac Efron movie, so I'm boycotting that one until we can watch something decent.
What did you bring that you didn't need?
Oh, yeah. Logan brought a folding table that was wonky and unnecessary, given the picnic table. It was also too cold to need the outdoor tent - there were no bugs to hide from, and when we were outside, we wanted to be by the fire.
What did you need that you didn't have?
Well, I for sure needed hiking boots with ankle support on this one. I wore my trail running shoes, and that didn't work out so well. We also needed more dish towels for drying the dishes (surface space and staying organized are critical in a camper) and more hooks.
I also really want to try putting some removable contact paper on the door since we're traveling with my needy dog, who likes to paw at the door when we leave him, and I don't want to impact the potential resale value. I'll report back on how well that protects the surface.
Additionally, we realized we want to explore more, so we signed up for a membership with Harvest Hosts, which lets you camp at farms, wineries, breweries, and local attractions.
What did you learn from this trip?
So many things! I think every time you get away from it all, you learn a lot about yourself and your travel companions. We have specialized in making the best of it this year, and this trip was no exception. Despite the cold, the pandemic, and my sprained ankle, we had an amazing time, and I can't wait to go back.
We also had quite an eye-opening epiphany about how much water we waste on a daily basis. When you're trying desperately to avoid dumping the tank, which is THE MOST DISGUSTING PART OF CAMPER LIFE THAT NO ONE TALKS ABOUT, you realize how inherently wasteful so many of your daily habits are. It's definitely curbing my water usage in day-to-day life.
You also become hyper-aware of how much trash you generate, when you're in a tiny space and not trying to attract bears, but more on that later.
Did you have any hiccups or things to troubleshoot?
Yup! Our fridge froze everything SOLID for some unknown reason, which was super exciting. I'll also mention that kombucha slushies are fire and need to be a thing, but I want credit for their accidental discovery. Oh, and as I said, the water hookup froze solid as well.
Where are you headed next?
Next up is our first Harvest Host stay at Sideways Farm & Brewery outside Asheville! They specialize in small-batch artisan ales, community outreach, and locally grown flowers, so this should be fun.
See ya on the road less traveled!
Reese
