Camping sites near Blackville, South Carolina range from family-friendly state parks to rustic tent sites along waterways. The region sits in South Carolina's coastal plain at elevations generally below 400 feet, with mild winters and hot, humid summers that extend the camping season. Nighttime temperatures in summer typically remain above 70°F, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions with daytime highs in the 70-80°F range.
What to do
Kayaking at Aiken State Park: Rent kayaks for $5-20 per hour to explore the Edisto River with easy launch access. "We rented two paddle boats and had a blast (it was exhausting though). There is wifi at the office and meeting building, which came in handy for communication since cell service was spotty at best," notes a visitor at Barnwell State Park Campground.
Geocaching adventures: Search for at least 8 geocaches at Barnwell State Park while completing the self-led park BINGO activity. "The park is beautiful, but small. Has a really nice fishing pier and beautiful hike around the lake," according to one camper who visited in May.
Wildlife viewing: Observe deer, armadillos, and other wildlife at Cypress View Campground in nearby Santee State Park. One visitor reported, "This is a great campground for anyone who enjoys watersports. Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing... Very pet friendly."
Hiking trails: Explore the boardwalk trails at Congaree National Park approximately 45 minutes from Blackville. "On the path after crossing the road, we saw the synchronous fireflies! There were even a few at our site," shares a camper who stayed at Longleaf Campground.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Weekday camping at Barnwell offers significantly more solitude. "The park is clean and so are the bathrooms! The sites are spacious and if you get site 11 during the week, you might be the only ones in a large section of the camp."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds provide reliable fishing at Longleaf Campground and surrounding parks. "Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife. I will stay here again," mentions one visitor who appreciated the fishing pier.
Swimming areas: The spring-fed pond at Aiken State Park provides a designated swimming area during summer months. "There is a canoe/kayak launch close enough to walk to and we saw many people with kayaks and canoes. We are tent campers and slept with no rain fly, looking at the stars and listening to coyotes howl at night," reports a tent camper.
Boat rentals: Access affordable boat rentals at several state parks in the region. "They offer rentals for John boats, paddle boats, and kayaks for a very reasonable cost," notes one camper who found the pricing worthwhile despite the physical exertion.
What you should know
Gate closures: Parks implement night gate closures, requiring after-hours entry codes. "They do lock the gate at night, so if you are arriving late, call for the code to the lock on the gate. We made it before the gate closed, but the ranger did call us while on the road to see if we needed the code," advises a camper at Barnwell.
Limited office hours: Park offices maintain restricted daily hours, affecting check-in procedures. "The office is only open a couple hours a day, which was understandable but inconvenient," mentions one reviewer at Barnwell.
Campsite layouts: Site configurations vary widely across area campgrounds, some with challenging access. "Site 16 was awful to get into. Two trees are only about 10 feet apart and once you clear those you have to jackknife and nearly scrape your tow vehicle on a tree just to get close enough to the utility pedestals," explains a visitor to Barnwell State Park Campground.
Bug protection: Bring ample insect repellent, particularly during warm months when insects are prevalent. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in and prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go! The heat in June is also pretty bad," shares a camper from Longleaf Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Nearby dining options: Visit local restaurants for a break from camp cooking. "If you get a chance to go to nearby Blackville, make sure to dine at Miller's Bread-Basket, an Amish-Mennonite restaurant with a Southern touch," recommends a visitor who enjoyed Aiken State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Our family loves this campground! Lot for the kids to do! Had activities planned throughout our time there," shares a family who stayed at River Bottom Farms Family Campground.
Educational opportunities: Participate in ranger programs and self-directed activities suitable for children. "They have a tackle loaner program" and "a self-led park BINGO," notes a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere at Barnwell State Park.
Tent pad surfaces: Choose sites with sand-based tent pads for more comfortable tent camping. "The pad is mostly sand over clay, rather than gravel, which was great with the tent," mentions a tent camper who appreciated the ground composition.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check specific site information before booking to ensure your RV fits. "Be sure to read site info to be sure your rig fits," advises an RV camper who noted the careful navigation needed at some parks.
Road conditions: Access roads in some parks have potholes and tight turns. "The road going into the campground is horrible if you are towing a camper and full of potholes but is manageable," warns a visitor at Barnwell State Park.
Electric hookup variations: Sites offer different amperage options, from basic to full service. "We have a triple axl toy hauler and had more than enough space. The sites in the back, where we were, back up to a field with ponds and a trail," shares a camper who stayed at Sweetwater Lake Campground for three weeks in December.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites common in the area. "The site slopes by the utilities and I had to get onto 4 leveling blocks and was still slightly off kilter," reports an RVer who found site 16 particularly challenging at Barnwell.
