RV campgrounds near Elgin, South Carolina typically offer year-round access due to the region's mild climate, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Located in the central part of the state, Elgin sits at approximately 350 feet above sea level with gently rolling terrain. Most RV parks in this area are within 30-45 minutes of downtown Columbia, providing a balance of rural setting with access to urban amenities.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Wateree: Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina provides direct lake access for anglers. "The beach area is super nice to spend a day on the water with your family," notes Jake, who appreciated the convenient water access.
Trail hiking near campsites: Explore the extensive trail systems behind Broad River Campground. One camper discovered "a bunch of trails behind the campground... it was really pretty back there and we explored and found a lot of beautiful little places back there."
Paddling and boating: Several parks offer water recreation options. "Sesquicentennial State Park Campground has a small lake for paddle boating and fishing," explains Stanton L., who visits frequently throughout the year.
Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. Ruth J. enjoys "doing the trails and spotting dear [sic]" at Sesquicentennial State Park, which maintains natural habitat despite being close to urban areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards are important to campers. "Bathrooms were very clean" at Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina, according to Jake, who also mentioned reliable WiFi service.
Spacious sites: Site size varies significantly between parks. "Beautiful large sites with pool, pickle ball courts, full gym, large clubhouse with meeting room" is how Bill M. describes Big Rig Friendly RV Resort, highlighting its generous spacing.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful setting of parks in this region. Will J. spent two months at Broad River Campground and described it as "Mellow... The vibe is residential/family oriented... Felt reserved."
Security features: Some RV parks provide extra security measures. Charles F. noted that Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina "has a security gate to keep passers by out" which contributed to his positive experience.
What you should know
Varying site conditions: Terrain can differ significantly between campgrounds and sites. "Most sites are pretty close together and some are a little on top of each other," explains Anna about one area of Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Distance from amenities: Some parks are relatively isolated. Kim S. notes that Broad River Campground is "pretty far from restaurants, grocery stores, etc so plan accordingly."
Monthly stay options: Several parks offer extended-stay arrangements. "Call for prices, mine is below $400 a month" shares Troy P. about his permanent spot at Magnolia Campground RV Park, which includes "50 AMP Hookups, City Water, Gray/Black Dump at each site, Cable TV, Internet."
Bathroom access limitations: Check facility availability before booking. "Bathrooms were closed to overnight guests" experienced Kim S. during her stay at Broad River Campground, though she found the full hookups easy to access.
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas: Several parks offer child-friendly water features. Ruth J. mentions that Sesquicentennial State Park has "a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also."
Playground access: Palmetto Shores RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities. Douglas T. noted "They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place."
Group camping potential: Some parks accommodate youth groups. CeCelia L. reports, "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" at Sesquicentennial State Park.
Dog-friendly areas: Many campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. "The dogs loved the dog park and I appreciated having bags to pick up after them," shares Douglas T. about Palmetto Shores RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some sites. Erin M. notes the "Dirt roads lead up to loop 2" at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, which can present challenges for larger rigs.
Site selection advice: Some campgrounds allow you to select specific sites. Lisa E. at Big Rig Friendly RV Resort appreciated that "We were able to reserve online and even pick our camping spot. It has full hookups and we were able to find the spot easily even in the dark."
Cellular connectivity: Signal strength varies by location and carrier. Erin M. reports "T-Mobile 3 bars 5g over 300mbps, ATT 2 bars 5G over 300mbps" at Sesquicentennial State Park, though also notes "Starlink - forget it. Too many trees."
Ownership transitions: Some parks are undergoing improvements. Charles F. observed that at Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina, "The owners are trying hard to improve the park," noting they added amenities like "a nice deck near the boat ramp and have a little bar in the office."
