Best Campgrounds near Chapin, SC

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Chapin. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Chapin is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Chapin, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Chapin, South Carolina (70)

    1. Dreher Island State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 364-4152

    "To begin with, Dreher sets amongst a number of islands in the midst of one of South Carolina’s most pristine and largest (50,000 acres) natural waterparks – Lake Murray."

    "This campground is a popular spot in South Carolina. Campsites are pretty close together but it's usually peaceful - lakeside sites, good fishing, but be prepared for the mosquitos!"

    2. Alston Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 771-0870

    "Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees."

    "But we laughed, it was like being a kid where you could hear the train off in the distance and would ride your bike to go watch it pass."

    3. Broad River Campgound

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 749-9100

    "They have an open area in a field and then a few sites more spread out with some trees scattered around. We got one of the spread out sites and quite liked our spot."

    "Very quiet park, bathrooms were closed to overnight guests so didn't get to see them. Full hook ups(including sewer) which were easy to access."

    4. Woodsmoke Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 781-3451

    5. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    State Park, SC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 788-2706

    "The site was level with a gravel drive and parking area. Lots of pines all around but the site was clear enough for easy parking. No sewer hookups."

    "The park is in Columbia SC, and is a great choice for families who may want to do things outside the park. The park is super close to the Riverbanks Zoo."

    6. Prices Bridge Glampsite

    1 Review
    Prosperity, SC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 422-5674

    $50 - $250 / night

    7. Kaleidoscope Farm

    1 Review
    Irmo, SC
    14 miles
    +1 (803) 414-9966

    $25 - $30 / night

    8. Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests

    16 Reviews
    Kinards, SC
    29 miles

    $5 - $150 / night

    "Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"

    "Quick last minute camping trip we didn’t want to drive hours away from home. This was fairly close and one of the few places to all booked up for the weekend."

    9. Dogwood Ridge

    Be the first to review!
    Chapin, SC
    2 miles
    +1 (803) 665-3333

    $75 - $700 / night

    10. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 708-5122

    "Great location! This RV Resort has great amenities and staff along with their location! Awesome gym and club house plus beautiful pool! Staff are very friendly and welcoming! Check them out!"

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Recent Reviews near Chapin, SC

283 Reviews of 70 Chapin Campgrounds


  • Rocky The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    Home Away From Home

    We are newbies at this life and spent our first winter here. We are from Nova Scotia Canada and were just astonished at how everyone treated use like a long lost friend had returned home. The amenities were great and the temp was very comfortable. At the site we made a new friend the railway engineer who past by every day and whistled every time as we waved back. That was great as we only have one train for all of Canada (no joke). Our  pooch "Henry the Hound" also made friends and was a hit with everyone he met. We had thought about other resorts before we saw this one but being here once we have decided to make this our winter home from now on. Fuel, groceries, beverages, service stations hardware stores and mini malls are just a 10 min drive away and for those who want home delivery of groceries they are phone call away for a very nominal price. This is a must stay place.

    Rocky/Cathie

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Eden in Lancaster SC

    4.5 STARS Peaceful area.

    This is a nice place to stay for a peaceful and quiet getaway. It’s a good place to relax. The owner is very nice and accommodating to your needs. You’re about 10 minutes away from the town of Lancaster, South Carolina.

  • Bobbie S.
    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.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Well spaced sites with good amenities. Set in the woods, making it easy to forget you're in Columbia! Quiet, lots of birds in the spring. Easy drive to Congaree, which we highly recommend.

  • Kevan  R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Dreher Island State Park Campground

    Needs Maintenance!

    SC state parks must have shortage of $$ or employees. I know they upgraded to full hook up RV sites in the Fishermen camp recently, but maybe, a little thought could have gone into grading and leveling. SMH Also, it’s a Sunday and the grounds look like they haven’t been mowed in weeks. Camper across from us brought a lawn mower 🤷🏼‍♂️. See attached pics. Fire ring is 5’ from the camper. Positive - the lake view.

    2nd SC park this year - SC DNR, do better.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    Quiet, wildlife, pines

    After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less “party all night” and more “sleep and then explore the park during the day.) Exactly my kind of vibe!

    The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning. The tent pad stayed fully drained.

    The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night.

    The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there. I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn’t ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren’t open/staffed yet).

    We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found.

  • Keith K.
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Chester State Park Campground

    Small clean campground

    Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course.

  • 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 Chapin

Camping near Chapin, South Carolina, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Dreher Island State Park Campground, provide excellent fishing opportunities. One camper mentioned, “We spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and enjoying one of the best lakes we’ve ever experienced.”
  • Hiking: Trails are abundant in the area. At Poinsett State Park Campground, a visitor noted, “There are plenty of hiking trails and a beautiful lake right in front of the visitor center.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Hamilton Branch State Park Campground enjoyed the natural surroundings, with one reviewer stating, “The shade provided by the trees was a welcome respite from the summer heat.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Lake Greenwood State Park Campground are praised for their cleanliness. A camper shared, “The restroom/bath houses are never far off, and we're clean, with 2 shower stalls each.”
  • Scenic Views: Many sites offer stunning views. One visitor at Dreher Island State Park Campground remarked, “Absolutely gorgeous sunrise, sunset, and when I was there the moon was full.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Cane Creek Park are known for their welcoming vibe. A reviewer noted, “I have been going to this campground since I was a kid. I always enjoy it.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park, have basic facilities. A camper mentioned, “No electricity, but there’s LTE connection. Also only one pit toilet for each gender and no running water at the site.”
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campers at Ebenezer Park Campground noted that it can get busy. One visitor said, “I thought it was very noisy and crowded.”
  • Steep Terrain: Some sites can be steep, which may be challenging for larger RVs. A camper at Croft State Park Campground mentioned, “The campground itself is great, it is steep so big plenty of blocks!”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Cane Creek Park, a reviewer said, “There are several playgrounds for kids to play, along with an open field by the lake.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A camper at Poinsett State Park Campground noted, “The staff were very friendly and answered all the questions that we had.”
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make a big difference. One camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground mentioned, “We swam for an hour or two (ok, we just floated on our rafts!) and it was nice knowing that there are no alligators there.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Andrew Jackson State Park Campground said, “The sites are not all level, so pay attention to the description on the park website.”
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some campgrounds have sloped sites, so bring leveling blocks. A camper at Croft State Park Campground noted, “Site #37 felt significantly sloped to me for our setup.”
  • Use the Dump Station: Make sure to utilize the dump station if available. A visitor at Hamilton Branch State Park Campground mentioned, “The bathroom / shower facilities were just OK, but fairly clean and just a short hike from our campsite.”

Camping near Chapin, South Carolina, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chapin located and how do I get there?

Chapin is located in the central region of South Carolina, approximately 20 miles northwest of Columbia, the state capital. The town sits on the northern shores of Lake Murray, making it a popular destination for water enthusiasts. To reach Chapin, take I-26 and exit onto US-76 or SC-48, following the signs to town. For campers, Sesquicentennial State Park Campground is conveniently situated on the outskirts of Columbia, about 30 minutes from Chapin. For those seeking a more secluded location, Eden in Lancaster SC offers a peaceful setting about an hour's drive northeast of Chapin.

What recreational activities can you do in Chapin?

Chapin offers excellent water-based recreation, particularly at Dreher Island State Park Campground which provides outstanding fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities on Lake Murray. The park is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and relaxing by the water. Beyond water activities, the Chapin area features hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife watching. For those seeking a more rustic experience, the old growth forests near Chapin provide peaceful surroundings for nature walks and bird watching. Local restaurants and shopping are readily available, making it easy to combine outdoor adventures with modern amenities.

What camping facilities are available at Chapin?

The Chapin area offers diverse camping options to suit various preferences. Lake Wateree State Park Campground provides well-maintained sites with electric and water hookups, clean restrooms, and shower facilities. For a more luxurious experience, Chester State Park Campground offers comfortable RV sites, though tent campers should note the rocky terrain at some sites. Most campgrounds in the region feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to recreational activities. Primitive camping is available at several locations for those seeking a more rustic experience, while camper cabins with electricity, heating, and air conditioning can be found at some parks for campers wanting additional comforts.

What is the best time of year to visit Chapin?

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are the ideal seasons to visit Chapin, offering pleasant temperatures perfect for outdoor activities. During these months, Lake Greenwood State Park Campground provides comfortable camping conditions with fewer crowds and moderate temperatures ideal for water activities. Summer (June-August) is popular but brings heat, humidity, and mosquitoes, particularly at Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park, where the old growth forest can be especially humid. Winter camping is possible with milder South Carolina temperatures, but be prepared for occasional cold snaps. Holiday weekends tend to be crowded year-round, so reservations are recommended during peak times.