Stay in a Tiny Home on a River: Saluda Outdoor Center Easley, SC

If a unique getaway or staycation is on your radar, Kristina stayed at a tiny house with Saluda Tiny on the Saluda River in Easley. It’s the perfect little overnight glamping trip to take a break from the world and she tells us all about it. Thank you to the Saluda Outdoor Center and Saluda Tiny for hosting us.

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Not going to lie – I’ve been dying to stay in a tiny house (and river pod) for a long time. Put it along the Saluda River not 25 minutes from my house and I’m in. I’ve watched too much HGTV and have this romantic notion of them, plus I just like the idea of being forced to not take much with me on a trip if the place I’m staying at is small.

I found just the place, just five miles from downtown Greenville, at Saluda Tiny situated right on the banks of the Saluda River.

These places would be great if you’re a couple looking for an overnight together or a smaller family wanting to kind of camp but with some amenities and that safety net of being close to home.

The tiny houses are stylish and comfortable and the best part is that during the summer on the weekends, you can tube along the river, which is mere steps away.

The Chestnut Tiny Home

We’ve stayed at Saluda Tiny twice and both tiny homes were awesome. The first one, the Chestnut, was the larger of the two: it had a kitchen, a full bathroom, a living area, two bedrooms (one with bunk beds), and one TV in the master bedroom and another in the main living space.

It has a coffee maker and all the comforts of home plus a porch, chairs, and a stunning view. The home was sparkling clean and even had some snacks, water, and coffee. I mean, what else do you need?

The design was conceived with the river in mind so all windows have beautiful views of the Saluda. I loved waking up to views of the water.

River view from Saluda Tiny home. — *View from the Saluda Tiny Home*

My kids really enjoyed the bunk beds and while the bedrooms are on opposite ends of the tiny house, I felt comfortable that if they needed anything, I’d hear them. We stayed there in late May so the water was great for tubing.

We brought our own tubes and did short runs from a spot under the nearest bridge back to in front of our tiny house at the take-out point. It was so peaceful and quiet. I recommend bringing your own life jackets if you’re going to do this just for safety’s sake.

Parking is right behind the house so you don’t need to carry your bags far. The tiny homes are somewhat close together but the Chestnut is the furthest from the others, around 50 feet.

The River Birch Tiny Home

Our second stay was at the River Birch, a super cute tiny home with one bedroom, a kitchen, full bathroom, porch, and living space. There are two televisions: one in the bedroom and the other in the living area. Everything is beautiful and comfortable and spacious.

The porch looks out right to the river and there are lights hung above. There’s a fire pit if you want to have s’mores or just sit outside at night. We saw some people fishing in the evening and I regretted not having brought our rods!

I really loved having my morning coffee on the porch and just enjoying the river. It was peaceful and relaxing.

Like the Chestnut home, parking is right behind the tiny house and everything you need for your stay is included, which is just so nice. The people who run the vacation homes are so kind and attentive. We needed a couple things during our stay and they immediately helped us out. Everyone was so nice and helpful.

All of the tiny homes have both AC and heat so you can stay any time of year. They have several other options, which you can see here.

River Pods

If you love camping but hate setting up a tent and would love to sleep comfortably, the River Pods along the Saluda at the Saluda Outdoor Center are for you. These are small camping cabins that are adorable. Can I say that about pods? I will because they are.

Saluda River Pod — *River Pod 1/Photo Credit:* VRBO

Book this River Pod: Saluda River

One is an A-frame beauty that has two twin beds and opens to a view of the river. All the pods have river views. The other pods also have twin beds and are on raised platforms overlooking the water.

You can have a tent if you like but these are pretty fun as they are. They all have fire pits and parking is just feet away from the pods. There are shower facilities on site as well. The pods are solar powered so you’ll be able to charge your phone or have a fan going.

Saluda Outdoor Center River Tubing

In the summer, expect the Saluda Outdoor Center to get busy, but I think that’s really part of the fun. The SOC is set up with community in mind. The brewery, 13 Stripes River Lodge, is open serves beer and food, plus there is a stage and wide open grassy space for games and relaxation.

13 Stripes at Saluda Outdoor Center — *13 Stripes Brewery at the SOC/Photo by Kristina Hernandez*

The SOC is ideal, in my opinion, for people who want to get away for a night or two but not drive several hours to do so. My kids and I really had a lot of fun during both our trips and took advantage of everything the SOC offered.

You can book a Friday and Saturday night, go tubing, get dinner at 13 Stripes or go to downtown Greenville, only a 10 minute drive, and be rested and recharged by the time you get back home on Sunday. Sometimes even a short break like that in nature and away from home can do wonders.