Brick House Campground in Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests offers primitive camping about 5 miles off Interstate 26 in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation and experiences hot, humid summers with mild winters. Camping spots are spaced along gravel roads with particularly high usage during fall and winter hunting seasons when larger rigs become common.
What to do
Hiking on nearby trails: Site 16 at Brick House Campground connects directly to a 9.8-mile loop trail for day hiking. "Spent new years at site 16 and it was a little damp due to a heavy rain but a great site. Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail," notes Jacob L.
Disc golf: Chester State Park Campground features a championship disc golf course along with waterfront activities. "Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course," reports Keith K.
Water recreation: Boating and swimming options abound at several area lakes. "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," writes Myron C. about Chester State Park.
What campers like
Affordable camping options: The $5 nightly fee at Brick House Campground makes it attractive for budget-conscious travelers. "Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. 5.00 to me is great for the peace and quiet," shares Michael W.
Privacy between sites: The spacing between campsites provides good separation from neighbors. "The only amenity is pit toilets. No water, no electric. Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Stayed two nights with three other campers and never heard a sound except for nature," says Karen F.
Clean facilities: Lake Greenwood State Park Campground maintains well-kept facilities despite heavy use. "Paved campsites. Clean bath houses. Nice shores, not too rocky. No red clay," notes Jessica P.
What you should know
No drinking water available: Primitive horse campgrounds near Cross Anchor, South Carolina require you bring your own water supplies. "This campground is run by the state and reservations have to be made through rec.gov. However, there is no running water. The closest water is 5 or 6 miles in either direction, so pack plenty," advises richardhoerz.
Road conditions: Access roads can be rough with potential hazards. "Beware of the giant pothole when turning off the 66 onto the Brickhouse Road. We hit it and it jarred the trailer so much it broke our back window," warns Lisa M.
Seasonal considerations: Kings Mountain State Park experiences significant crowding on weekends and holidays. "It gets jam packed on the weekend. Staff isn't terribly friendly. Lots of big group tent campers. Lots to do in the area," reports Candy H.
Tips for camping with families
Look for level sites: Many campgrounds in this region have uneven terrain. "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways," Richard E. observes about Kings Mountain.
Consider weather impacts: Summer heat and rain can affect your camping experience significantly. "Since South Carolina is hot during this time of year, I was a bit uncomfortable, especially since I was on a slope," shares Myron C. about Woods Ferry Campground, another equestrian-friendly option.
Check for activities: Some parks offer family-friendly amenities. "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," recommends Myron C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose your site carefully based on your rig size. "Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV," notes Richard E.
Limited hookups: Most equestrian campgrounds near Cross Anchor provide minimal RV amenities. "Very well taken care of campground. Vault toilet was clean. There are a couple pull-through spots. We were the only campers there," reports Allyse about Brick House Campground.
Supply planning: The remote location requires self-sufficiency. "Nearest town was Whitmire about 7 miles away. Minimal facilities. Clinton and Newberry are both about 15 miles away and they both have plenty of shopping facilities," advises Lisa M., highlighting the importance of bringing necessary supplies.
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