Bells Marina & Resort
Loving the Gators
It's been an amazing trip. Got to see a alligator for the first time in my life. It was awesome. The staff was awesome,had a great time enjoying the beauty of nature
The Santee Cooper Lakes region surrounding Eutawville, South Carolina features numerous lakeside camping options centered around Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. Bells Marina & Resort in Eutawville and Rocks Pond Campground & Marina provide direct lake access with boat ramps and fishing amenities. Within a short drive, Santee State Park offers two distinct camping areas: Cypress View Campground and The Lakeshore Campground, both providing water and electric hookups with spacious sites for tents and RVs. Most campgrounds in this area cater to fishing enthusiasts with boat launches, tackle shops, and marina services. The majority of sites support RVs with full hookups, while tent camping is available at select locations with varying levels of shade and proximity to water.
Summer heat and humidity significantly impact the camping experience in this region, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. According to one camper at Santee State Park, "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!" Insects can be problematic, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, with several reviewers recommending bug spray as essential equipment. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, with fall and spring offering more moderate temperatures. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during peak fishing seasons and summer holidays. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage at larger, more developed campgrounds and spotty reception at more remote sites.
Lakefront access represents the primary draw for most campers in the Eutawville area. A visitor to Bells Marina noted, "I am on the lake and get to kayak or fish whenever I want." Many campgrounds feature boat rentals for those without their own watercraft. Fishing for catfish, particularly in Lake Marion, attracts many visitors, with several campgrounds offering fish cleaning stations and tackle shops. Privacy between sites varies considerably, with one reviewer of Santee State Park observing, "The foliage isn't terribly dense at the campground, so you'll basically be seeing all of your neighbors for as far as the eye can see." Noise levels can fluctuate, especially at campgrounds that don't restrict after-hours access, with some visitors reporting late-night activity from fishing parties.
"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."
"We were at site 46, which is near the entrance and the camp host. Short walk to the bathhouse directly behind."
"This 25 acre campground is tucked in on the North side of Lake Marion in SC. Great staff friendly and helpful. I'll will be back"
"This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets."
$75 - $999 / night
"I am on the lake and get to kayak or fish whenever I want. Lastly, this is a historical site. It is located in Eutawville."
"This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable."
$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)."
"My experience with Taylor's Landing was just when the doctor ordered it was everything that I needed quiet great fishing all around I highly recommend it"
$40 - $60 / night
"This was our second visit to Outside Inn Campground and both times we stayed in the camper they offer as a rental."
"Unbelievable place to stay—from getting to feed the animals, the walking trails, the playground, Outside Inn is family friendly and our kids always have a blast!"
"It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site."
"Peaceful, quiet place remarkably close to I-95."
"The only drawback is the proximity to the fishing dock and cleaning station. The traffic is heavy at times with multiple golf carts invading your site. The other drawback is the noise at night."
"Taw Caw is our close to home Staycation favorite spot. If you want to camp close to the water Taw Caw offers several spots. Bring your boat, Kayak or canoe and beach it at your campsite."
"Super friendly staff, great location, waterfront camping and I can bring my boat. We had a great time. The problem is all the annual residents don’t follow their own rules."
"Several businesses nearby usually have workers who lunch there regularly. There is a boat launch, and bait and tackle shop adjacent to the restaurant."











It's been an amazing trip. Got to see a alligator for the first time in my life. It was awesome. The staff was awesome,had a great time enjoying the beauty of nature
Great spot. Beautiful views. Lots of shade. Spot 57 would be hard to park in with a trailer due to having to climb the embankment a bit.
There are actually TWO bases here - the air base and the weapons station. We stayed at the air base but also visited the weapons station for some recreation.
Air base: close to downtown Charleston; great price for the amenities provided ($45 per night for full hookups - electric, water, and sewer); power/water pedestal was nice; shower and laundry facilities on site; all sites fairly level and mostly shady; playground, sand volleyball, golf, and indoor climbing wall within walking distance; beautiful trees, etc. All the normal base amenities, including bowling alley (check out galactic bowling if you have kids).
Staff was helpful. Camp host was… vigilant, but not super considerate with his leaf blowing pollen plumes around breakfasters.
Did not have pool. Fine.
DOES NOT HAVE FIRE RINGS. Or a grill. That was a disappointment. You can BRING a fire ring. But of course no open burning.
Also, the sites are a smidge close together. But not overly so. Ask for a perimeter site and not a middle pull through if you're looking for a little extra green space between. (Not sure if they'll honor that or not.)
The weapons station also has an RV park. (Forgot to look and see if they have fire rings.) If you are a trail runner or hiker or similar, this is the one you want to go to. There's an excellent trail system right off the RV park. The air base did not. They have plenty of sidewalks to run but no trails. However, if you're there to see Charleston, you want to stay at the air base. The weapons station is further away from downtown.
As other reviewers have said, these options are both on military bases and require an ID to access.
Clear signage indicating NO overnight parking allowed. Good spot for free day parking.
We arrived after hours and the ease of arrival and the spot we chose were amazing. We wish we had more time to spend with yall.
We stayed here for a week to attend a wedding. The place was well kept, nice and clean. Lots of walking areas and pet spots.
Super close to everything you could ever need, but deep enough into the woods to feel that break away from the noise of the road.
The couple who owns this place are so kind and welcoming! We were having trouble with our trailer and our rv leading up to getting here and while we were here and they were so calm and helpful! We got to pet a mule and watch one of the horses and a donkey graze right outside our rv! Then, the owner took is around to see the other farm animals and we bought soap made by a local dairy farm wrapped in wool from the alpacas we met. What a great experience! I cannot recommend this place enough! 🫏💜
We stayed here during the week for spring break with our son and our two dogs. Both campgrounds was full but thankfully we booked ahead! So definitely make reservations if it’s busy season. Our spot was PRIME view of the lake and the sites are separated apart enough. Hot showers! And great areas to walk around the campground and to the water.
I picked up a lot of trash by the water(the lake is busy for fishing) so do your part and pick up too. Definitely coming back. Pick site 34 if you can!
My son and I have a small business and we stayed there for 2 months because we were working in a nearby town. It seemed okay at first. I got there and the coffee pot was full of old coffee and mold. There was sticky dirt and trash under the beds and around the beds and under the nightstands. If you're staying in the cabins or what they call the sweet You might want to take pictures of everything and document everything that is screwed up in there before you even stay because they will try to blame you for it. My son and I do not drink or party we were there for work. There was a outlet behind the headboard in the headboard was just hanging on the wall My son accessed the outlet in order to charge his laptop and phone and remove the headboard which just hangs and forgot to put it back They claim that we broke that and the box springs. The box spring was already broke when we got there. The heat in the back room of the suite was broke I had to bring my own heater. I paid $5,000 for 2 months and we came back for one more day and the lady, or general manager, called me absolutely hostile and irate about the headboard We explained to her that it just hangs on the wall she lied and said we broke it. My mistake was not documenting everything and taking photos in order to show them that it was all messed up when we got there. So if you do decide to stay at this dump hole I would certainly take pictures and document anything that's wrong prior to your stay and make sure that they are fully aware of all of the broken things in there which are numerous. The fridge is a mini fridge and the ice builds up on it to where you can't even use the little freezer thing in it. It's in a nice beautiful location. I thought it was going to be okay for the first two months we were okay with it. We're not the kind of people that complain or bitch or moan about things so I didn't bring any of the mini discrepancies to their attention I thought they didn't they already knew since the pricing was so cheap. I I assumed for that price they were aware of how messed up the place was. There's a restaurant on site. The food is disgusting. Fried garbage basically. They're always out of menu items. If you're waiting for a drink refill or to have your food served you're going to be waiting for a while because the waitresses are always outside smoking cigarettes goofing off. The food is stored in a dirty room underneath the restaurant and I saw mice and roaches running in and out of there. It's a great place if you're an alcoholic and like to drink I guess. It's in a great location. The camp store is only open whenever the general manager feels like it seems like there's hours on the door but they're closed about 85% of the time. I was extremely disappointed when they called me up and treated me like absolute trash. The lady was irate for no reason. We didn't break the box springs we didn't break anything we were staying there one night after we already stayed there for 2 months and we didn't have a problem and now all of a sudden we came back a week later and they're trying to say we broke stuff and told us we can't stay there anymore which really bothered me because I was very respectful and we didn't complain about all the messed up things. People are up late partying all through the weekend so if you're there to work it's not a really good place. Your parking in a mud hole too All in all I'd say avoid this place. There are much better places to stay on lake Marion Mill Creek campground is a garbage dump as far as I'm concerned
The Santee Cooper Lakes region near Eutawville, South Carolina sits at approximately 75 feet above sea level in the Upper Coastal Plain. The area averages 48 inches of rainfall annually, creating optimal conditions for the diverse aquatic ecosystems supporting the region's renowned fishing opportunities. Water levels in Lakes Marion and Moultrie fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping conditions and boat launch accessibility.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cypress View Campground at Santee State Park offers excellent spots for observing native wildlife. "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!" notes Jessie N. The park's location provides opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, various bird species, and occasional armadillos.
Hiking the nature trails: Multiple interconnected trails at Santee State Park provide easy walking routes suitable for all ages. "Some fun but easy hiking trails link the two campgrounds in a loop. Very pet friendly," explains Jason F. Most trails are relatively flat with minimal elevation change, making them accessible for families.
Night fishing excursions: Dedicated anglers can enjoy 24-hour fishing access at Taw Caw Campground and Marina, with specialized amenities for after-dark fishing. "Great place to stay to fish boat or explore the lake. Bathroom were cleaned. There's a little store on site. Boat ramp fuel and marina on site," reports Briggs B. Night fishing for catfish is particularly productive during summer months.
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping offers a completely different experience with significantly fewer crowds. "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore," shares Mary G. from Cypress View Campground. December through February typically sees temperatures ranging from 30-60°F.
Lakefront camping access: Santee Lakes KOA offers premium waterfront sites with direct views. "Nice campground on the water. Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites," confirms John K. Lakefront sites typically cost $10-20 more per night but provide unobstructed water access.
Convenient pizza delivery: Several campgrounds offer on-site food service delivered directly to your campsite. "They deliver firewood and pizza. The pizza was excellent. Customer service is outstanding!" reports stefny A. about Santee Lakes KOA. Most campground restaurants operate from 11am to 8pm, with delivery service ending by 7pm.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds, with some needing updates. "I've seen better bath houses," notes Nicholas L G. about Santee State Park, while another camper at Palmetto Shores RV Resort mentioned, "Such a beautiful location but price doesn't match the upkeep... Shouldn't be grime and rust built up in the stalls and shower."
Noise levels fluctuate: Traffic noise can impact some campgrounds, particularly those near highways. "This park is really nice and clean! You can tell that it is well taken care of. The sites are large and far enough a part; but be mindful of the site you pick! Our sites were right next to the highway," warns Claire O. about Palmetto Shores RV Resort.
Crowding during peak seasons: Many campgrounds become extremely busy during peak fishing times. "Even with lots of people this park is quiet," notes Nicholas L G. about Cypress View Campground, while another camper observed, "Apparently all the fishermen drag their families in along with their boats. While they're fishing, Mom and the kids are left in the campground."
Farm animal experiences: Outside Inn Campground offers unique interactions with farm animals. "Small RV park which also has a lot of animal's. There is a great trail walk and lots of animals bunnies, pigs, donkeys, chickens, goats and a guinea fowl!" reports Rosie G. Children can feed animals with vegetables and fruits brought from home.
Family-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas with gentle shorelines. "This is a great campground for anyone who enjoys watersports. Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing," shares Jason F. about Cypress View Campground. Beach areas typically open from 8am to sunset.
Movie nights: Some campgrounds organize regular entertainment for families. Outside Inn Campground hosts "weekly movie nights and a couple of corn hole boards," according to Joy K., providing structured activities for children when not engaged in water sports.
Check-in efficiency: Bells Marina & Resort offers streamlined arrival procedures. "Our road stop off I-95 at Bells Marina was an absolute gem! The newly paved, smooth road leading to the campsite—conveniently accessible from I-95—made our arrival effortless and stress-free," shares Jud & Dao Y. Most campgrounds allow check-in between 1pm and 6pm.
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not," reports Molly F. about Santee Lakes KOA. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for larger rigs.
Daily trash collection: Several campgrounds offer conveniences like morning trash pickup. "Our trash was picked up every morning. Campsite, pool and laundry area was kept clean," notes Georgia R. about Santee Lakes KOA, a welcome service during humid summer months when trash can attract pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Eutawville, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Eutawville, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near Eutawville, SC and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Eutawville, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Eutawville, SC is Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Eutawville, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Eutawville, SC.
Keep Exploring