Camping near Columbia, South Carolina offers varied options for outdoor stays within reasonable driving distance of the city. The region features numerous lakes, rivers, and forested areas with elevations generally ranging from 100-350 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters remain mild enough for comfortable year-round camping at most locations.
What to Do
Fishing at Lake Marion: Santee State Park provides excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year. Alfred H. notes, "Very nice campground. Has boat docks & launching ramp. Nice fishing pier. Clean bathrooms. Staff friendly and helpful. Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife I will stay here again."
Disc golf at Chester: The championship disc golf course at Chester State Park offers a challenging course for players of all skill levels. Myron C. mentions, "There are several trails, and you can rent boats, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. There is also a disc golf course. If I had known beforehand, I would have taken my own discs."
Go-cart riding: Family-friendly activities include go-cart rides at Crunchy Acres, a 19-acre family farm campground. "Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits! Rent go-carts or sit around the campfire with some s'mores," shares Ashley F., highlighting the diverse activities available beyond standard camping.
What Campers Like
Lakefront views: Campers consistently praise the waterfront sites at Santee Lakes KOA, particularly at sunset. John K. notes, "Nice campground on the water. Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites," while Daniel S. adds, "Only could stay for one night. But had a beautiful lake front site. Right by the playground. Really nice facilities."
Equestrian facilities: Lee State Park stands out for its horse-friendly environment. Lauren V. comments, "Hosts were super nice, even when we got in late. Was wonderful to wake up and see the horses. Also dog friendly which is a plus." The park maintains dedicated equestrian facilities, though campers should prepare for flies during warmer months.
Convenient lake access: Direct water access makes many campsites particularly appealing. According to Katherine from The Lakeshore Campground, "We had super easy access to the lake for putting in the SUP and paddling around! The view of sunset on the lake is absolutely breathtaking!" Many sites offer the convenience of both drive-in and boat-in access.
What You Should Know
Seasonal crowds: During peak fishing seasons, some campgrounds become extremely busy. Ken W. from Santee State Park notes, "A beautiful location on the lake. All campsites can probably see the lake a little. Downside is that it's super crowded. Apparently all the fishermen drag their families in along with their boats."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Columbia, South Carolina, several campgrounds offer this accommodation type. Falcons Nest FamCamp provides yurts as an alternative to tent or RV camping, though military access is required. Jeff B. mentions, "Very nice campground. Lots of trees. Must have access to Shaw afb to stay."
Maintenance varies: Bathroom and facility conditions fluctuate between campgrounds. Nicholas L G. reports about Santee, "Even with lots of people this park is quiet. Great ATt phone service. Big lake. I've seen better bath houses." Some campgrounds have updated facilities while others require renovation.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife includes armadillos, deer, and occasionally alligators. Preparation for insect protection is essential, particularly during warmer months when mosquitoes can be problematic around the lakes.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature dedicated facilities for children. Jessie N. from Santee State Park shares, "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!"
Farm experiences: Animal encounters provide educational opportunities for children. Crunchy Acres offers interactions with farm animals including chickens, goats, pigs, turkeys and rabbits, creating memorable experiences beyond traditional camping activities.
Educational programming: Several state parks offer ranger-led programs for children. As Trina W. mentions about Lee State Park, "We tried out camper camping here, and it was great. The ranger is very friendly, and made the kids' visit even better!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should research site dimensions carefully. Ryan D. from Santee Lakes KOA advises, "The first site they tried to put me in was a 'premium' site overlooking the lake. Beautiful site, but not nearly big enough for my 37' travel trailer. They moved me immediately, and even refunded the difference of cost between the new site and original site."
Seasonal availability: Off-season camping offers more flexibility for extended stays. Alfred H. from The Lakeshore Campground notes, "You can only reserve a site for 14 days at a time. If you would like to stay longer you need to change sites. We were at campground in the off season and had no problems getting another site."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional preparation. Molly F. shares about Santee Lakes KOA, "We stayed at Santee Lake in a 37' travel trailer. Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not."
