The start of Greer was just a simple station, Greer’s Station, which was built along the Richmond and Danville Air Line Railway, now known as the Norfolk Southern Railway. This railway connected Atlanta and Charlotte together in 1873. Shortly after the station was completed, the first post office was added to the depot. When the town became incorporated three years later, in 1876, it was originally named the Town of Greer’s. It took over a century for it to be named Greer, which it is known as today.
Throughout the years, in the downtown area near the depot and the station, merchants and blacksmiths would set themselves up along the main road. This general area would come to adopt the name of Greer Station and nowadays consists of about 12 square blocks of retail, dining, and other entertainment facilities. The area has more than 40 buildings on the National Historic Register.
Greer is home to the only BMW manufacturing facility in the United States. Located here is the Zentrum Museum, where you can learn about the manufacturing process and history of the brand and take tours of the plant. If you are more interested in the history of the city, you may want to check out the Heritage Museum, a museum located in a building that was once the city hall, which was once the post office, built in 1935.
Greer, while small, offers a combination of outdoor recreation, big-city amenities, and a comfortable, small-town atmosphere in its 20-square-mile area. It is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, allowing for plenty of scenery and places to stretch your legs before you get back on the road.
Campgrounds Near Greer, South Carolina
There are several different campgrounds nearby that are worth checking out. Located about 37 miles east is Spacious Skies Peach Haven Campground. It is big-rig friendly, offers both pull-through and back-in sites, and has 30-amp and 50-amp hookups.
Located about 23 miles southwest of Greer is Ivy Acres RV Park. This campground offers full hookups on every site. It is also big-rig friendly with pull-through sites. There are no shower, restroom, or laundry facilities available on-site; however, you will find Wi-Fi, a fishing pond, access to the community picnic shelter and fire pit, and three miles of hiking trails.
About 18 miles southwest of Greer is Springwood RV Park. This campground has several options available, including full hookups. There is also free Wi-Fi. There are extra-large RV sites available as well as some that are nature-facing. Some sites are pull-through and are up to 75 feet long for larger RVs. There is a laundry facility on-site as well as private showers and restrooms.
State Parks Near Greer, South Carolina
Paris Mountain State Park is only a short drive away, about 10 miles west of Greer. This mountain is what is known as a monadnock, that is, a mountain that rises over otherwise flat land. Not all RVs will be accommodated here as some RV sites go up to 35 feet while others only go up to 40 feet. There is a dump station on-site as well as restrooms and hot showers. Water and electricity are available. There are four lakes and a swimming area that are open during the summer months and hiking and biking trails close to the nearby city of Greenville.
Table Rock State Park is about 35 miles northwest of Greer. This park is named after the mountaintop that you can hike to the top of. If you would rather spend the night here, there are many campsites available for this. Some of the campsites here are able to accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. Each of the 94 sites has water and electrical hookups. There are also restrooms, hot showers, laundry, and a dump station available. Table Rock State Park offers two lakes, an old-fashioned swimming hole open during the summer, music on the mountaintop during the summer, and a hiking trail that takes you to the top of the famous Table Rock so that you can enjoy the view.
Sadlers Creek State Park is a bit more of a drive, located about 60 miles southwest, just toward the border of Georgia. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Sadlers Creek while relaxing at one of the 51 sites available for camping. Some of these sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. The campgrounds have access to restrooms, hot showers, and a dump station as well as electricity and water. In addition to being on the waterfront, Sadlers Creek State Park also offers a 100-foot fishing pier that extends into a deep water cove if you are interested in fishing in a new environment. There are boat ramps that access a 56,000-acre lake if you want to spend time on the water. If you would rather stay on land, there are 6 miles of biking and hiking trails and a short nature trail.
National Sites Near Greer, South Carolina
One of the most well-known national sites that you will come across is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches from the top of Virginia to just past Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you are interested in taking a trip across the whole parkway or you simply want to stop off at one of the major sites, it’s perfect for a long RV trip or is a scenic way to go from one park to the next.
If you are interested in the history of the land, Ninety Six National History Site may be the place to look. Not only is it a place where you can learn about the history of the land and fights between the Cherokee and the settlers, but settlements were formed and abandoned here. In addition to these losses, two Revolutionary War battles were fought on this spot, claiming even more lives. Walking around this park provides an interesting look into the past that not many other places can provide.
Another large, sprawling trail that you may be interested in taking an RV on is the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Spanning 330 miles and passing through four states, including South Carolina, this trail traces the same route used by the patriot militia during the Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Because the original route was done on foot, this campaign has a specialized Commemorative Motor Route that uses existing state highways, denoting the trail with a specific logo, making it the perfect trip to take in an RV.
National Forests Near Greer South Carolina
Sumter National Forest is located about 56 miles southeast of Greer. This forest has specific districts: the Andrew Pickens, the Enoree, and the Long Cane. In the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Cherry Hill Recreation Area and the Whetstone Horse Camp allow for RV camping. In the Enoree Ranger District, the Brick House Campground has select campsites that can accommodate an RV. As for what this forest offers, you can expect to find biking trails, rivers to boat and fish on, hiking near waterfalls, and similar activities.
The Pisgah National Forest is located almost directly north, about 96 miles away, over the border and into North Carolina. There are areas for RV camping in two districts. In the Appalachian Ranger District, there are three campgrounds that are accessible for primitive RV camping: the Black Mountain/South Toe River Area, Black Mountain Campground, and the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area. In the Grandfather Ranger District, there are also three campgrounds that are accessible for RV camping: Boone Fork Campground, Curtis Creek Campground, and the Mortimer Campground. In addition to being able to park your RV here, you will find that this forest is home to mile-high peaks, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
Cherokee National Forest is located about 108 miles northwest in Tennessee. There are quite a few RV-accessible campgrounds there, but there are only a few that provide electrical hookups, with most simply providing a level surface. The following campgrounds have electrical hookups: Rock Creek Recreation Area, Chilhowee Recreation Area, Parksville Lake Campground, and the Indian Boundary Recreation area. Once you have gotten your RV parked, you will find that this forest has opportunities for cycling, hiking, water activities, winter sports, nature viewing, hunting during the correct season, and scenic drives.