Best Glamping near Columbia, SC

Santee State Park features distinctive glamping accommodations for visitors seeking an elevated outdoor experience near Columbia, South Carolina. Just over an hour's drive from the city, the park houses unique accommodations including yurts and canvas glamping tents with proximity to Lake Marion. Prices Bridge Glampsite provides a more secluded experience with its treehouse-style accommodations that include comfortable furnishings, viewing decks, and toilets, while still maintaining a connection to nature. These elevated structures offer guests panoramic forest views, creating a tranquil setting for weekend getaways. Palmetto Shores RV Resort also features glamping accommodations with electric hookups, showers, and drinking water available. According to a camper, "This is a unique experience for those looking to camp a little higher off the ground and enjoy the huge deck looking out into the forest."

Outdoor activities complement these upscale accommodations, with Lake Marion providing opportunities for fishing, boating and kayaking. Many glamping sites in the region offer boat-in access alongside traditional drive-in entry, allowing guests to arrive by water or land. Hiking trails connect camping areas through wooded terrain where visitors might encounter local wildlife including deer, armadillos, and even alligators in some areas. Crunchy Acres, another glamping destination in the region, offers yurts alongside drinking water and shower facilities, providing a rustic yet comfortable outdoor experience. The proximity to small towns like Santee, Lancaster, and Bishopville offers additional dining and exploration options. One reviewer noted, "Eden is a great weekend escape from city life! A place to recharge and unplug from everyday life. There's a lot to do here and tons of other outdoor activities within a few minutes' drive."

Best Glamping Sites Near Columbia, South Carolina (10)

    1. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 854-2408

    "They have the usual amenities like fire pit, and picnic table with bench. Our was private, but the sites in the middle are not. The bathhouse was very clean with nice hot showers."

    "Our only complaint was lots of smoke from campfires and grills. Would stay again."

    2. Santee Lakes KOA

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-2262

    "This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets."

    "For our first time camping in our RV the staff was very friendly and helpful. The crew escorted us to our campsite, made sure we where happy. This was done with anyone who came in to camp."

    3. Falcons Nest FamCamp

    1 Review
    Sumter, SC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 895-0450

    $20 / night

    "Must have access to Shaw afb to stay. $20 per night. No long term prices. No stay limit."

    4. Lee State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bishopville, SC
    44 miles
    Website

    "Great little park about 20 minute drive from Florence. Clean bathrooms. My dog was a bit confused by seeing horses for the first time. Super friendly staff."

    "Bath house were clean and well maintained. Enjoyed my stay."

    5. Prices Bridge Glampsite

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

    $50 - $250 / night

    "This is a unique experience for those looking to camp a little higher off the ground and enjoy the huge deck looking out into the forest. "

    6. Palmetto Shores RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-6336

    $48 - $55 / night

    "Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed (and drank)."

    "We had trash pickup and sites were easily navigable. Big park with a nice views of the water. They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place. Would stay again."

    7. Eden in Lancaster SC

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, SC
    42 miles
    +1 (704) 701-8608

    $40 - $110 / night

    "You’re about 10 minutes away from the town of Lancaster, South Carolina."

    "There's alot to do here and tons of other outdoor activities within a few minutes' drive, and there's a guide book that lists it all."

    8. Chester State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chester, SC
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 385-2680

    "When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped."

    "Affordable, yet luxurious."

    9. The Lakeshore Campground — Santee State Park

    3 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 345-7275

    "The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs."

    "Peaceful, quiet place remarkably close to I-95."

    10. Crunchy Acres

    1 Review
    Blackville, SC
    42 miles

    $65 - $95 / night

    "I'm excited to welcome your friendly host, John. John has opened his 19 acre family farm up to visitors. Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 10 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Glamping Reviews near Columbia, SC

101 Reviews of 10 Columbia Campgrounds


  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Chester State Park Campground

    State Park with a Beautiful View of the Lake

    I gave this campground four stars, but only for RVs and travel trailers. I would not give it four stars for tent campers. Tent campers would have a hard time finding a suitable site that would not be too rocky. When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped. With that said, it is a campground in a beautiful setting. The lake and the sitting area beside the lake are both beautiful. There is a paved walkway down to the lake to a sitting area and a dock. The bath house was air conditioned, almost too much. It is a shock to the system moving from the intense South Carolina heat into the bath house. However, it was a nice break from the heat. Be aware that when you take a shower, you may have to wait a few minutes for the hot water to start. When I first turned it on, I wondered if there was any hot water. Eventually it came, and it was HOT, so I had to adjust it quickly. Also, take your own hand soap with you. There are paper towels but no soap. 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. That’s my fault for not doing the research. My favorite part of this camping experience was waking up early in the morning and sitting by the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a photo of the ducks taking off and flying in a perfect v-formation, but it was so peaceful there. Overall, this is a great campground to get away from civilization.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Crunchy Acres

    19 acre family farm with all the extras!

    Ashley here with The Dyrt! I'm excited to welcome your friendly host, John. John has opened his 19 acre family farm up to visitors. Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits! Rent go-carts or sit around the campfire with some s'mores. Give them some love and leave your review here!

  • Katrin M.
    Nov. 3, 2024

    Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    Big campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend with the pups. The state park has 2 different campgrounds. We decided for the Lakeshore one. It's pretty big with over 100 campsites. They have the usual amenities like fire pit, and picnic table with bench. Our was private, but the sites in the middle are not. The bathhouse was very clean with nice hot showers. The park has several trails, a visitor center, cabins on the water, at least 2 boat ramps with a bait shop. There are no trash cans near the campsites, there is one big dumpster at the entrance of the campground. It's about 1.30h to Folly Beach. We would definitely camp here again.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 13, 2024

    Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    Small and peaceful under the pines

    We stopped heading south and north along I-95 to and from Florida.  Very easy off and on I-95.  Plenty of available spaces in off-season.  The campground is small and quiet.  Camp Host was very helpful. Sites were spaced reasonably far apart but there is no privacy between.  Not all sites have a water view, but most appeared fairly level. Not all sites have sewer access.  Our only complaint was lots of smoke from campfires and grills. Would stay again.

  • 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.

  • Matt G.
    Jul. 9, 2016

    Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    Good Little State Park

    There are quite a variety of things to do at this state park, and the camp sites are spacious. There is a little store where you can buy any of the little things you may have forgotten. There were not too many people camping during our visit, but it could be that not many people want to stand the South Carolina heat! Either way, it made the visit quiet. There are also plenty of geocaches around, if you're into that. There are 2 places to shower in the campground, so I imagine that once it fills up, you may have to wait to shower. It was pretty clean and the water was clear, so I guess you could just go for a swim! I wish we had brought our tubes and some rope to float out on the water!

  • K
    Jul. 18, 2022

    The Lakeshore Campground — Santee State Park

    Spacious Campsites on Lake Marion

    This was the maiden voyage of my parents 22ft airstream! They originally booked a site far away from the water in the back of Lakeshore Campground but were able to move thanks to a helpful person at the park! My husband, kids and I came along and brought our tent. It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped with those 4 stars because its not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out. 

    The good: Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs! The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs. The bathrooms were well kept, and cleaned every morning while we were there. Our neighbors were super friendly and helpful with all the camper questions we had! 

    Lakeshore is also right next to a public (within the park)  boat ramp so if you have a boat, its super convenient to bring along and put in. The electricity and water hookups worked well and the dumping station was actually pretty clean (for a dumping station). 

    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! 

    The bad: Our first night, a group of campers were very loud and rowdy until 12am. Then after the rowdiness calmed, their TVS were set on like the loudest kid show until 3am!! These were not campers that were close to us either so it had to be pretty darn loud for those that were next to this group. They also do not lock up the campground at night so we had late night fishing visitors that walked by our campsite at 2am waking us up because they were loudly dragging their cooler down the dirt road. They were apparently not staying at the campground either which was a little annoying that anyone can just come in when they please.  Needless to say, if you're looking for a quiet place to enjoy the lake this might not be it. 

    The trash was another big negative. Our campsite was littered with cigarette butts  and having young kids it was a little frustrating since they pick up everything! My 3yo wanted to pick up the trash on the little beach area one afternoon so we did, then the next morning it was littered with fresh beer cans again. I wouldn't even let them walk near the beach next to the boat ramp (public access) because it was covered in trash and fish carcasses. It is unfortunate that people treat such a beautiful landmark with such disregard to throw trash everywhere and ruin it for others. If BOTH the campers/visitors and park staff would put forth a greater effort to combat the litter issue it could be a 5 star park!!

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    This campground can be for everybody, especially those who like the water.

    I hardly ever give five stars to a campground. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 9 because of the background road noise from the highway, but my wife and I had such a great experience. It was everything we wanted… and needed. 

    Lakeshore Campground is one of TWO campgrounds at Santee State Park, and they are very different from each other. Lakeshore has dirt paths and sandy sites. I realize some people had rather have paved roads and RV sites with hard surfaces, but I prefer a more natural site. The spaces are large and fairly level. Although there may be some roots onsite, they were not really a problem. I don’t remember there being lantern hangers, but there were picnic tables and fire pits. We stayed in Santee for four days, so we were able to relax without feeling as if we were rushing, which reflects the whole essence of Lakeshore Campground. We booked for two nights, but we loved it so much we booked two more nights. Unfortunately, we had to move to another site in order to stay longer. 

    Our first site was a little closer to the bath house, and we stayed in a teardrop camper. Knowing what I know now, I would do a little more research to see if I could get closer to the lake next time, although most of the sites between us and the lake are reserved for tents only. Still, the lake was visible from our campsite. 

    The main reason people visit here is the lake, whether they want to fish for huge catfish or just want to boat on the water. Within the park, there are several “fishing holes” to explore and several trails as well. When hiking the trails, however, you have to constantly be on the lookout for alligators. We came across one on one of our hikes, and it was huge. I guess it was probably at least ten feet long if not longer. We also came across turtles, ducks, and other animals. Although I didn’t have any luck while fishing, it didn’t matter. I just enjoyed wetting a hook. 

    The bath house has tiled floors, and it had hot showers. For a state park, it had above average facilities. Would I recommend this campground? Absolutely!!!!

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Santee Lakes KOA

    Beautiful lakeside camping.

    This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets. The staff is friendly, the wifi adequate, and 24 channels of OTH HD TV for those times when the weather does not cooperate. There is a pizza oven on site and you can get it delivered by golf cart to your camp. This KOA not only has a pool, but a lakeside beach as well. This is a nice family destination.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best glamping options in Columbia, SC?

The Columbia area offers several excellent glamping options for those seeking an elevated outdoor experience. Crunchy Acres stands out as a unique 19-acre family farm where you can enjoy comfortable accommodations while interacting with farm animals including chickens, goats, pigs, and rabbits. Activities include go-cart rentals and evening campfires with s'mores. For a peaceful retreat, Eden in Lancaster SC provides a quiet getaway with comfortable accommodations just 10 minutes from Lancaster. While not directly in Columbia, these locations are within reasonable driving distance and offer the upscale camping experience glampers seek.

What amenities are included in Columbia's glamping accommodations?

Glamping accommodations near Columbia typically include a range of comfort-enhancing amenities. At The Lakeshore Campground, you'll find spacious sites with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits, all with potential lake views. Many sites offer private settings, though centrally located spots may have less privacy. For those seeking more facilities, Chester State Park Campground provides additional amenities while catering primarily to RV travelers. Standard glamping amenities throughout the region typically include comfortable beds with linens, outdoor seating areas, fire pits, and access to clean restroom facilities. Many locations also offer WiFi, on-site dining options, and recreational activities like boating, fishing, and hiking trails.

How much does glamping cost in South Carolina?

Glamping prices in South Carolina typically range from $75 to $200+ per night, depending on the accommodation type and amenities offered. Santee Lakes KOA offers glamping options with water views and beautiful sunsets, with prices generally starting around $100 per night for basic glamping units. More luxurious options at Cypress View Campground can run $125-175 nightly, especially for premium waterfront locations. Prices often increase during peak season (summer and fall) and on weekends. Many locations offer weekday and off-season discounts that can reduce rates by 15-30%. Additional fees may apply for extra guests, pets, or special amenities.