3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Sesquicentennial State Park Campground offers pet-friendly accommodations for tent and RV campers near Elgin, with clean facilities and shaded sites. The park maintains multiple camping loops with varying levels of privacy, though sites in loop 2 provide more tree coverage and spacing between neighbors. Water and electric hookups are standard at most sites, though larger RVs may find some spots challenging due to uneven terrain and limited turning radius. Campers with pets particularly appreciate site 79, a pull-through option that provides more separation from neighboring campsites and convenient access to the bathhouse.
Lake Wateree State Park and Poinsett State Park campgrounds welcome pets with designated pet-friendly areas and accessible trails. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campgrounds, with several walking paths available for exercise. Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area offers pet-friendly cabins as an alternative to tent or RV camping, while Columbia Camden RV Park provides basic pet accommodations for travelers passing through the area. Campers report the campground bathrooms at Sesquicentennial are exceptionally clean and regularly maintained, with heated facilities during colder months providing additional comfort for visitors with pets.
"Lake views. Boat rental available. Summer time swim beach. Spacious sites. No laundry at campground. Closest is about 3 miles away. Entrance road is really rough."
"I was stationed at Jackson from’07-‘09 and the only thing that has really changed is the dam is being worked on so you can only observe the lake, no swimming, boating, anything on the lake until repairs"
from $33 - $35 / night
"The lakeside tent area provided beautiful scenery with access to restrooms and showers. It wasn’t too crowded as it was military members only and you can’t beat the price for a lakeside spot."
"My bf and I rented a camper cabin-electricity, heat, air, bunkbeds + full bed…secluded from the rest of the park, located on its own loop, separate showers(2) + 3 stalls + changing room in the public restrooms"
"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!"
Available this weekend
"This location has 2 RV lots. Riverside is heavily wooded which provides a ton of shade on the hot summer days."
"This is a park on the East side of Lake Wateree. Not far off l-77. Has what you need. Full hookups picnic table and a fire pit. The owners are trying hard to improve the park."
from $45 - $55 / night
"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."
"This place was well thought out when it was being built, lots of space, great level sites, nice dog park. Fitness center and laundry are new and nice."
"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!"
"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."
"Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Camp sites are mostly level and have water and a variety of electrical hookup options."
Available this weekend
"Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees."
"There are train tracks right next to the site, and trains do pass by, so expect some noise."
TravelerIt was very nice! My fiance and I and our kitty stopped for the night, had burgers and went on a little hike in the morning with a gorgeous view. It’s very quiet, well kept. Has 2 porta-potty’s as well. Would definitely come back.
TravelerGreat camping ground, perfect for a last minute night with my four legged friend! Very nice welcome center, trails and facilities.
RangerWhen I’m traveling through the area, I do my best to stay here. It is a peaceful and well kept campground. It is an adult and a kid friendly environment. It’s one of the few places you can feel safe. I highly recommend this place.
GuideWhat a lovely little find! We spent the night at Enoree River Vineyards & Winery and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Arriving in our RV was a bit of a squeeze navigating the trees near the entrance, but we managed to get through without any problems.
Once settled, we headed inside for a wine tasting, and that’s where the experience really shone. Kelly looked after us and was absolutely delightful—friendly, welcoming, and a pleasure to chat with. She made the tasting even more enjoyable.
The wines were excellent, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we couldn’t resist leaving with three bottles!
A fantastic place to spend the night, unwind, and enjoy some delicious local wine. We’d happily visit again and would definitely recommend it!
ScoutThis is a restricted use Army Travel Camp managed through MWR. It is open only to those holding military ID cards.
ScoutWhen I moved here in October 2025 Tom and Jen were helpful. The lot however hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. The dead leaves and pine needles were at least 2 inches thick and I was left to clean them by myself. The amenities are far below substandard and barely work. If you need to shower at the office pray the hot water is working before going. It doesn’t work more than it works. There are always campground wide water and electric issues. The mail carrier delivers all mail to the office and they distribute to mailboxes when they feel like it unless Jen has something against you then she brags to other people in the campground how she is shredding your mail. I moved out in July 2026 and had paid my rent a week early but found a place to move the day after paying and they refused to reimburse the rent. They also raised the 6 times as well as forced all residents to pay for WiFi that was very inadequate to watch tv with so you pay for their WiFi as well as a second WiFi that actually works. I am not telling you to not move or camp here just want you to be informed of what you’ll be dealing with.
GuideCheck in was easy, folks friendly. Water pressure to RV was weak, not sure we had 50 amp electric voltage, cause our battery level was down to 1/3 in am. It was very hot, ran two AC’s, and have electric fridge. Still trying to figure out why, when plugged into power, our battery level is lower then when we plugged into pole.
ScoutGreat service .Tent camp here every year .
GuideThis is a lovely park but construction in progress at campground during our stay so heavy equipment running during weekdays
Sesquicentennial State Park offers diverse options for tent and RV camping within 20 miles of Elgin, South Carolina. The park sits at 250 feet elevation in the Sandhills region and features a 30-acre lake surrounded by mixed pine and hardwood forest. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-60°F while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.
Mountain biking trails: Poinsett State Park provides excellent mountain biking opportunities with interconnected trail systems. "I prefer to stay at Poinsett State Park in the fall, winter, or spring as it is located in the sandhills and it can be pretty hot and buggy in the summer," notes Jodi B. about Poinsett State Park Campground.
Kayaking on lily-covered waters: The lake at Sesquicentennial provides peaceful paddling experiences with unique vegetation. "I love the bike and hiking trails. Very nice area to kayak in, I love all the Lilly pads," shares Tara M. about Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Swimming for children: Several parks offer designated swimming areas for families. "There is a really lovely strip of shaded picnic tables where we spent the hottest hours of the day. The water is pretty shallow, so the littlest ones had plenty of space to play and swim without us having to worry," reports Jen G. about Lake Wateree State Park.
Spacious concrete pads: Military campgrounds provide well-maintained sites with ample room. "The campground was nice, the RV spaces had nice concrete pads and nice cabins. The roads had some serious potholes and the campground doesn't seem to be on a regular maintenance schedule but it was clean," notes Bonnie C. about Weston Lake Recreation Area.
Lake views: Campers appreciate sites that allow boat access directly from camping areas. "Good views and boat access. It is relatively small and reservations are difficult to get," explains Kevin B. about Lake Wateree State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings support diverse wildlife observation opportunities. "I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear. And there is a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also," mentions Ruth J. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between parks and carriers. "T-Mobile service doesn't work at all, but they have Wi-Fi hotspots for rent for $5 per day," reports Matt C. about Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area.
Distance from amenities: Some campgrounds require planning ahead for supplies. "Campground is pretty far from restaurants, grocery stores, etc so plan accordingly," advises Kim S. about Broad River Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to some parks may present challenges. "The state road getting back to this Park is pretty rough, but nothing that will break your rig on the way in," notes George P. about Poinsett State Park.
Day activities for children: Parks offer various recreational options beyond camping. "We have been camping here for years and we love the camp ground. Bathrooms are all remodeled and super clean. The grounds are fairly flat so bike riding is great," shares Teresa G. about Lake Wateree State Park.
Group camping success: Some parks accommodate larger family groups effectively. "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" recounts CeCelia L. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Tent location considerations: For pet-friendly camping near Elgin, South Carolina, choosing the right tent area improves the experience. "The lakeside tent area provided beautiful scenery with access to restrooms and showers. It wasn't too crowded as it was military members only and you can't beat the price for a lakeside spot," explains Christopher B. about Wateree Recreation Area.
Site selection for privacy: Some loops offer better spacing and shade than others. "We stayed in site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us," shares Ramona K. about Lake Wateree State Park.
Connectivity options: Working remotely requires planning for internet access. "Dirt roads lead up to loop 2 which is where I stayed. Everyone was very friendly. I would definitely stay here again. T-Mobile 3 bars 5g over 300mbps, ATT 2 bars 5G over 300mbps, Starlink - forget it. Too many trees :)" reports Erin M. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Maneuvering limitations: Be aware of potential challenges for larger vehicles. "I think it was just our site. But the other sites were pretty narrow, as well. Otherwise, the campground was nice. Shaded, a large field for the children to run and play with their new-found friends," notes Trina W. about Poinsett State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elgin, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elgin, SC is Weston Lake Recreation Area with a 3.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elgin, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 45 dog-friendly camping locations near Elgin, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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