Best Campgrounds near Beech Island, SC

Campgrounds near Beech Island, South Carolina cluster around Clarks Hill Lake (also called Lake Strom Thurmond), offering mixed-use camping options approximately 15 miles from downtown Beech Island. The area features several established facilities including Mistletoe State Park Campground and Hamilton Branch State Park Campground, with accommodations ranging from primitive tent sites to RV hookups, yurts, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region provide waterfront access, with many campsites positioned directly on the shoreline, creating opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating as primary activities.

Seasonal variations significantly affect the camping experience around Beech Island, with campgrounds operating year-round but experiencing different levels of crowding and amenity availability. "The sites are close together, which we certainly noticed during the July 4th holiday, but at times when it's not so crowded, I'm not sure it would matter," noted one camper about Baker Creek State Park. Road conditions throughout the area are generally good with paved access to most established campgrounds, though some primitive areas may require higher-clearance vehicles. Campsite reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer months and holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better connectivity at developed campgrounds and limited or no service at more remote primitive sites.

Water access emerges as the defining feature of camping areas near Beech Island, with most highly-rated sites offering direct lake frontage. Several visitors emphasized the privacy and seclusion available at certain waterfront locations. A reviewer described Hamilton Branch State Park as having "sites that are HUGE and very private. Just about every site is lakefront." Campers consistently highlight the opportunity for water recreation, with many sites featuring gentle slopes to the lake, small beaches, or docks. Many campgrounds in the area are managed by either state park systems or the Army Corps of Engineers, providing consistent maintenance and amenities like restrooms, showers, and dump stations. While waterfront sites receive the highest demand, travelers seeking more seclusion can find less crowded camping options by choosing weekday visits or exploring the more primitive camping areas around the lake's perimeter.

Best Camping Sites Near Beech Island, South Carolina (85)

    1. Mistletoe State Park Campground

    66 Reviews
    Appling, GA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 541-0321

    $12 - $175 / night

    "We camped in one of the tent only walk-in sites located on a peninsula jutting into the lake. We had a ton of stuff, not realizing it was an uphill and pretty long trek, but it was totally worth it."

    "My kids played in the lake and we used our kayak and paddleboards. The beach was nice as well. We drove about 20 minutes to South Carolina and the J. Strom Thurmond Dam."

    2. Carolina Hill Mobile Home and RV Park

    1 Review
    Beech Island, SC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 265-1300

    "If you walk around the park four times, you have walked a mile. Will try to remember to update this review when we leave. update Still love it here and would absolutely stay here again ❤️"

    3. Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake

    31 Reviews
    Modoc, SC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 541-9464

    $18 - $50 / night

    "There is water and electric at each site for those who are in a RV but the dump sites are pretty close by. We will definitely be back!"

    "Lakeside lot with incredible space. Dog friendly and they enjoyed being able to go for a swim right outside of the camper."

    4. Hamilton Branch State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    Modoc, SC
    29 miles
    Website

    "The downside to this design is that sites on the left side of the T shape, back in with the trailers camp side facing the road, not the lake."

    "We checked in on a Thursday evening from the drive from Florida. Campsite was chosen from a map, which seemed to have an upfront water access."

    5. Back to Nature Garden Center

    1 Review
    Augusta, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 833-5073

    $15 / night

    6. Heritage RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Woodland, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 863-3333

    "The park is close to I-20 and I-520 so there is easy on/off and it is a great place for an overnight if you are just traveling thru."

    "Right off the interstate with lots of stores nearby including Walmart and Camping world."

    7. Made in the Shade RV Park and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Jackson, SC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (762) 333-2901

    "The location was quiet and beautiful, surrounded by woods and fields."

    8. Karen's Escape

    1 Review
    Aiken, SC
    12 miles
    +1 (267) 629-9494

    $30 - $50 / night

    9. Aiken State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Windsor, SC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 649-2857

    $28 - $32 / night

    "Great walking areas."

    "There is a canoe/kayak launch close enough to walk to and we saw many people with kayaks and canoes."

    10. Diamond Lakes Regional Park Campground

    1 Review
    Augusta, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 796-5025

    $30 / night

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Recent Reviews near Beech Island, SC

373 Reviews of 85 Beech Island Campgrounds


  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Barnyard RV Park

    No animals at the Barnyard.

    This is a nice, clean, open campground and RV park. Sites are big enough for most RVs. Mostly level, Some have cement pads. 30/50 amp, full hookups. Some Shade. Showers and bathrooms were clean and very nice. Good water pressure. My wife in was disappointed there were no animals.

  • Bobbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Carolina Hill Mobile Home and RV Park

    Peaceful

    Traveling for my husband's work. Kimberly Clark is six minutes away. Moved in one day ago and I already know that I absolutely LOVE it here! Zero road noise, large sites, shade trees and laundry room. Robbie in the office is as sweet as can be. Met the owner this morning, very nice man. If you walk around the park four times, you have walked a mile. Will try to remember to update this review when we leave. update Still love it here and would absolutely stay here again ❤️

  • Bobbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Pine Acres Campground and RV Park

    Not a bad stay.

    Spent three weeks here for my husband's work. Many full time renter's. My neighbors were wonderful people. The office manager, Tammy, was absolutely amazing! There was no openings at any campground in the area and she was able to work it out for us to be able to move in. They are working on adding a lower area for more sites. Sadly, there are no trees down there. The current sites are pretty close together. I would not be able to open my awning all the way if I wanted to. This is a great spot for someone here working and needs a place. Not really a family vacation spot. It is quite busy within the park, people coming and going a lot. It's off a very busy road, noise pollution is a factor. I came to the conclusion that the owner is pretty focused on adding the new sites (makes sense, that's how you afford upgrades). That being said, fixing VERY large potholes seems like something you could easily keep up with. You are able to receive mail here. They have a bathhouse/bathrooms, laundry room and dumpsters.

  • Erica
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Yamassee Indian Reservation

    Home Sweet home

    Well I have stayed in Barnwell for 2 years and I love to be off grid! I like to think I was born in the wrong generation. I love the trails, the rivers, creeks,it's so peaceful and I wasn't bothered but a single soul! This reserve was a saving grace to me it was basically home

  • G F.
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Magnolia Springs State Park Campground

    Cute, well maintained

    Campground very well kept. Friendly staff. Not as small as pictures suggest. Sites nicely spread around so while there’s no vegetation in between, there’s privacy. Historic site and the spring are cute. Big gators. Only one site has water views, 16.

  • Eric Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Pine Hill Camp

    Nice quiet place

    Not a lot of level spots around but we found a spot that worked for our 37' fifth wheel with some leveling. Were also able to position for decent solar exposure. T-mobile was pretty much useless, AT&T provided a little bit of usable signal. Had it to ourselves for 3 days and the road going past was very quiet. Speaking of the road, it's a sandy dirt road with some soft spots so pay attention. Lovely quiet place to relax or work! We would come again.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Wildwood Park Columbia County Park

    Gorgeous !!

    This camp is absolutely gorgeous and the atmosphere is so serene and peaceful. My family and friends LOVE this place!

  • Kennon H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Aiken State Park Campground

    Storm damage is apparent

    Rv spots are nice. Primitive camping site show almost no use. RV bathrooms were older and clean. Hurricane damage is every where. Only one hiking trail is open. Keep an eye out for broken limbs on windy days. Many family’s were camping here with young kids.


Guide to Beech Island

Camping near Beech Island, South Carolina provides diverse options beyond the immediate lake region, with opportunities extending toward Augusta and Windsor. While Clarks Hill Lake dominates the area, smaller parks and specialized facilities provide alternatives within a 30-minute drive. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-60°F, making off-season camping viable when waterfront sites are less crowded.

What to do

Kayaking on the Edisto River: Access through Aiken State Park Campground, located about 25 miles northeast of Beech Island. "So worth the trip! Beautiful hour long paddle from Aiken St Park," reports one visitor who rated the experience highly for its accessibility.

Mountain biking on Bartram Trail: The trail runs directly through Petersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake, creating convenient access for campers. "Bartram Trail, terrific mountain for biking and hiking passes through the property," notes a reviewer who visited specifically for the trails.

Swimming in spring-fed waters: Aiken State Park features a natural swimming area distinct from the larger lake experiences. As one camper describes, "In the main park there is a few fishing ponds with the ability to rent Kayaks, a spring fed pond with a swimming area, hiking trails, playground and also bathrooms and picnic tables."

Geocaching adventures: Hamilton Branch State Park offers this modern treasure hunting activity among its amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Plenty of activities for kids and adults alike, including geocaching," making it an option for tech-savvy explorers who want more than water recreation.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Hamilton Branch State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site spacing and layout. "Sooooo many beautiful campsites to choose from! Lots of trees and spaced apart," shares a regular visitor who camps there nearly every other weekend during warm months.

Clean facilities: Petersburg Campground maintains well-kept amenities for visitors. "Sites and grounds are well kept. Bathhouses are well maintained," notes a repeat visitor who specifically highlighted the upkeep of public facilities as a standout feature.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Aiken State Park offers chances to observe native species in their natural habitats. "We are tent campers and slept with no rain fly, looking at the stars and listening to coyotes howl at night," describes a Labor Day weekend visitor, highlighting the natural immersion experience.

Direct water access: Mistletoe State Park Campground provides numerous sites with immediate lake access. "Love the big selection of waterfront sites," states a succinct five-star review that emphasizes the premium placed on direct lake frontage.

What you should know

Winter camping considerations: Petersburg Campground experiences variable maintenance quality depending on season. "What I noticed on my most recent trip is that the quality of maintenance has declined. The restrooms on our loop weren't really cleaned deeply over our 4 night stay," observed a fall visitor, suggesting off-season staffing differences.

Campsite selection matters: Mistletoe State Park offers diverse site types with significant differences. "This is a review of the four walk-in tent sites at Mistletoe State Park. I personally stayed in #4 and had a look at the others. The best site is definitely #2 -- feet from the water, spacious, suitable for more than one tent or hammock."

Fire restrictions vary: Heritage RV Park prohibits campfires entirely, while most state parks permit them. "Note that there are no fire pits and campfires allowed," warns a visitor, highlighting an important distinction from other area campgrounds that offer fire rings.

Bathroom availability varies: Smaller campgrounds often have limited facilities. At Aiken State Park, "it has one bathhouse with 2 showers and two toilets. it is not enough when it is full," according to a camper who found this challenging during busy periods.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Made in the Shade RV Park and Campground includes play facilities for children. "Nice playground and horseshoes area as well!" notes a recent visitor who appreciated the recreational options beyond standard camping amenities.

Water safety preparation: Lake access points often feature natural terrain challenges rather than developed beaches. At Hamilton Branch, one site required awareness that "the water was low during our trip so the immediate shoreline was a bit squishy going through the damp clay. I'd recommend water shoes."

Bug management essential: The dense forest environments create ideal conditions for insects. A visitor to Mistletoe's backcountry sites warned, "All of these sites are in the forest and I'm sure it is quite buggy almost always, so be prepared with thermacells, bug nets, etc."

Quiet environment expectations: Some campgrounds maintain particularly quiet atmospheres. One Aiken State Park visitor noted, "for a camp site that has every spot taken it is eerily quiet. We were terrified to make a sound. It would be perfect for just the two of us, however the silence made us uncomfortable."

Tips from RVers

Site surface considerations: Heritage RV Park has varied pad materials that affect the camping experience. "The pads for the back in smaller campers were sandy with a concrete pad next to it. The sand was impossible to keep out of the RV and we continuously had to sweep," explains a visitor with a specific practical challenge.

Internet connectivity: Made in the Shade RV Park offers reliable wireless service. "Wifi works well, I was able to stream netflix with it," reports a three-month resident, an important consideration for remote workers or those needing consistent communication.

Park navigation challenges: Carolina Hill Mobile Home and RV Park lacks clear signage for first-time visitors. "We drove all over the area looking for the office. There was a trailer that had a shower in one end and laundry in the other and a door marked private which 'May' have been the office but we'll never know."

Site measurement accuracy: Some campgrounds may overstate capacity. At Aiken State Park, a visitor noted, "We have a 32' RV and the site stated a max of 35' but there was a tent pad that would have interfered with us being level. We were allowed to switch with no issues."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Beech Island, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Beech Island, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 85 campgrounds and RV parks near Beech Island, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Beech Island, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Beech Island, SC is Mistletoe State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 66 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Beech Island, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Beech Island, SC.