Camping opportunities near Dillon, South Carolina are concentrated within a 30-mile radius, primarily in neighboring North Carolina. The region features coastal plain topography with sandy soil and mixed pine forests. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, with summer highs routinely exceeding 90°F and high humidity levels that impact camping comfort from June through September.
What to do
River access for paddling: Both Princess Ann and Chalk Banks access points at Lumber River State Park offer convenient water entry for kayaking. "Good spot for camping or hiking or kayaking you can do it all," notes Donald C. about Princess Ann — Lumber River State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations along the Lumber River provide access for anglers seeking various freshwater species. A camper at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park mentions, "Easy parking nice boat ramp for the kayaks," making it convenient for fishing trips.
Wildlife observation: The forested areas support diverse bird populations. "We slept in hammocks and were awoken at dawn by a cacophony of juvenile barred owls directly above us," shares Courtney B. about their Princess Ann experience.
Night sky viewing: The relative distance from urban centers creates opportunities for stargazing. "You can see tons of stars here at night, it is amazing! It's lovely to sit by the water and look at the night sky," reports Jennifer H. about Princess Ann camping.
What campers like
Abundant privacy: The tent sites offer significant distance between neighboring campers. "These campsites are in a beautiful pine woods forest. Many sites have a pretty mossy pathway near the tent platform," explains Joe L. about Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park.
Natural swimming areas: The Lumber River provides cooling opportunities during warm months. "The river is nice to swim in after a hot summer's day, although the bottom is quite squishy," notes Courtney B. about Princess Ann.
Group camping options: Larger parties can reserve dedicated areas. "The group site is huge. The whole park is very clean and spacious," reports Tammie S. about Chalk Banks.
Low visitor density: Most campgrounds in the region rarely reach capacity. "The campground ranger said they only fill up on the 4th of July," shares Joe L. about his Chalk Banks experience.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Facilities are basic throughout the region. "This is a no frills campground, and we knew that going in. There is one vault toilet and one water source," explains Jay B. about camping at Chalk Banks.
Gate closure times: Certain campgrounds restrict after-hours access. "Once we arrived, the ranger came by and greeted us and gave us the code for the front gate since it is locked from 8 pm to 8 am," notes Cody T. about Sandhills Campground B.
Vehicle clearance requirements: Some locations require appropriate transportation. "Make sure you have 4 wheel drive or a vehicle with good clearance, as it's all dirt roads in and around and leading to here," advises Marvin D. about Sandhills Campground B.
Limited supplies nearby: No camp stores exist within immediate proximity. "There is no park store or anything, so bring what you need. After many stops, we found the one place in town that sold firewood, it's the speedway gas station," shares Jay B.
Tips for camping with families
Buddy camping setup: Look for adjacent sites when traveling with multiple families. "Sites 7 & 8 would be perfect for two families to camp together, because they'd have the whole trail area to themselves," suggests Courtney B. about Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge.
Educational opportunities: School groups can access specialized camping options. "For the purpose of environmental education programs and research activity, school groups and youth groups are welcome to visit the preserve for ranger led programs and can stay overnight at special rustic group campsites," explains Janet R. about Carolina Sandhills.
Noise considerations: Natural sounds can impact light sleepers. "There's a lot of owls here at night. If you are a light sleeper you may want to consider ear plugs. It's lovely, but the owls do get kind of rowdy at points making a racket," advises Jennifer H.
Swimming safety: River conditions vary seasonally. "The river is about half a mile from the campground and has a put in for kayaks," notes Cody T., something families should consider when planning water activities.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: RV-specific areas are designated at select campgrounds. "The right hand side of the campground is set up for RV's (pull through sites). The left hand side is for tent camping," explains Marvin D. about Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park.
Hookup specifications: Electrical connections are available at certain locations. "One of the campsites has a hammock stand. The group site is huge," mentions Tammie S., though she doesn't specifically address the RV amenities that are listed as available.
Cell service reliability: Digital connectivity remains functional despite the remote setting. "Good phone service for AT&T and Verizon. I would definitely camp here again!" reports Cody T. about Chalk Banks, an important consideration for RVers needing connectivity.
