Best Glamping near Gadsden, SC

There are quite a variety of things to do at this state park, and the camp sites are spacious. There is a little store where you can buy any of the little things you may have forgotten. 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. There are also plenty of geocaches around, if you're into that. There are 2 places to shower in the campground, so I imagine that once it fills up, you may have to wait to shower. It was pretty clean and the water was clear, so I guess you could just go for a swim! I wish we had brought our tubes and some rope to float out on the water!

Bathrooms nasty. Rough roads. Nice lake.

They have 2 different campgrounds one which has been updated. We have stayed here several times and have enjoyed it every time. They have a few trails to hike. Both campgrounds are on Lake Marion. There is a little BBQ restaurant called Lone Star right outside the park that is pretty good. Bathhouses are in decent shape.

Had a great time hiking and fishing

Nice campground. Campground has hiking/biking trails. Lake views from our site. Shower house was less than perfect, but adequate.

We were at site 46, which is near the entrance and the camp host. Short walk to the bathhouse directly behind. Site has good trees for a hammock and near a path down to the lake for fishing/picnic/swimming. Beware there is a sharp drop off across from the site, so make sure whoever is backing in has a spotter out front.

This campground sits on Lake Marion where there is awesome cat fishing. Fishing on Lake Marion you can fish in the stomp holes for bream, bass and catfish. The campground is clean, family oriented, there is part of the park where you could have family parties also there is boat launch areas and a fishing pier.

Well, last minute decision on a Friday in July. Should be hot, humid, mosquito-filled, but was breezy and with a water view! Site 115 in the tent area (tent or RV, but had a tent) was beautiful. Not full this weekend. I'd say the whole campground was 40% full, being the week after the 4th and all, but I'd highly recommend such a visit! The camp store, purportedly open until 5, was open until 7, perfect for smores fixings and breakfast, etc. And nice quite morning! Children are the future, but honestly a campsite where they aren't wailing before 7AM is a treasure and a rare find. Enjoy!

We have camped here twice for several days each time. There are 2 main areas, both are close to a large reservoir good for fishing, kayaking, SUPs, rudderless sailing. There are playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas, short hikes, and cabins for rent. Birdwatching hikes are available nearby at the Swamp Fox Nature Preserve that also offers historical and natural history information.The washrooms/showers are older, but cleaned daily. A camp store and information center are onsite.

My favorite activity was a guided kayak tour into an adjacent swamp. Birds, small mammals and alligators watch as the boats glide by. But make sure to go with a guide, especially if children will be on board.

Weather is changeable. The park is busy 3 seasons a year so make reservations early. Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy. Spring and fall are lovely times to visit.

We enjoyed our long stay at Santee. Spotted a gator on sinkhole trail. Took the fisheagle boat tour. Photos and details on the link.

https://imaginecamper.com/2019/04/13/santee-state-park-sc/

A beautiful location on the lake. All campsites can probably see the lake a little.

Downside is that it's super crowded. 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.

Amenities are standard for SC parks, but they're worn-out. Could definitely use a refresh.

We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!

Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore.

We usually go to Santee lakeshore campground - it’s very shady and next to the lake with lake access for swimming and kayaking - a few trails around the campground too (sinkhole) - beautiful sunsets - facilities are fine (normal state park standard) - we love it here (family with 2 kids)

We camped here over the weekend with the pups. The state park has 2 different campgrounds. We decided for the Lakeshore one. It's pretty big with over 100 campsites. They have the usual amenities like fire pit, and picnic table with bench. Our was private, but the sites in the middle are not. The bathhouse was very clean with nice hot showers. The park has several trails, a visitor center, cabins on the water, at least 2 boat ramps with a bait shop. There are no trash cans near the campsites, there is one big dumpster at the entrance of the campground. It's about 1.30h to Folly Beach. We would definitely camp here again.

Very nice campground. Has boat docks & launching ramp. Nice fishing pier. Clean bathrooms. Staff friendly and helpful. Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife I will stay here again.

We stayed in the southern campground, right across from the water. We needed a campsite that was inexpensive with good data connection for working. The site was clean. The cleanliness of the women’s bathroom by site 95 was split: the toilet side and sinks were VERY clean but the showers looked like they needed some grout mold control. The bathrooms never smelled like bleach but a cleaner I haven’t smelled before. So it’s possible the cleaner wasn’t a mold fighter. Also, the lake waterline/beaches were lined with small bits of trash so that kind of took away some of the magic of the park.

On the recreational side of things, there are hiking trails between the two campgrounds with TONS of geocaching! I wish I had more time to explore and find them all.

For those who work and travel like us, on Speedtest at 12pm on a Thursday–Verizon via iPhone 12: 14 mbps down and 2 mbps up with 41 ms ping; T-Mobile via Nighthawk MR1100: 22 mbps down and 2 mbps up with 96 ms ping.

Only my second time camping so I don’t have much comparison. However, the park and bathrooms were clean. The lake was beautiful and calming. I had a good time.

Beautiful tall trees. Lots of pollen so beware if you have allergies. We went in April.

Even with lots of people this park is quiet. Great ATt phone service. Big lake. I’ve seen better bath houses.

Camper Van Excellent Verizon coverage. Water and Electric. Site #100 (best lake front site in Eastern Loop). Direct access to Small beach for swimming from this campsite. Direct access to lake front trail. Bath house clean but grade C.

We stayed in the Lakeshore side, and after viewing the Cypress View campground, we made the right choice.

Cypress view is nice, and closer to the camp store, but is geared more toward RV campers, and we are tent campers.

The drive in is mostly paved. The road in is bumpy in spots, but easy to navigate in any vehicle.

The sites are spacious and not right on top of each other. Our site had a good view of the lake. We have Verizon, and had no issues with service here.

The town of Santee is close by, about 10-15 mins away. We did go into town to purchase firewood at the Santee General Store. A bundle was about $6, stored under cover, and dry.

Some of the neighbors were loud at the campground, but we consider this more of an inconvenience of rude people and not the parks fault. When camping at state parks, the noise levels are hit and miss depending on the people camping.

We would have given this park 5 ⭐️ if it weren’t for the bathrooms. They did have plenty of hot water, and were kept clean, they were just dated. Old facilities, no mirrors, etc. but clean.

There is a boat ramp close by and trails to explore, although we did neither. We just relaxed, enjoyed the weather, and decided we would definitely come back since it is only a little over an hour from our home.

Staff very helpful and accommodating.  Very clean camp grounds, good clean bathrooms.  Sites are randomly laid out and spaced well.  The camp grounds boarder the large man made lake.

Reasonably close to I95 and camp sites are $20/day.  If you do not want to camp, they have nice cabins for $30/day.  

they offer two camping areas, one near the camp store and office.  The other is a few miles away and isolated, where we stayed.

The grounds and facilities at Cypress View are in need of a refresh (no attempt to remove fall leaves, “tennis courts” a joke, playground covered with pine needles, fishing pier splintering, bathroom ceilings mildewed, etc.) but the location is superb. The lake is beautiful and is visible from many sites. Sites are spacious and well planned. No contact checkin was a bonus. Excellent place to roam and fish for a great price.

Quiet all week but got pretty full and loud on Friday night. Other campers were respectful.

Long story short: don’t expect much for amenities, but expect a great time!

This is one of the two campgrounds at Santee State Park, and it is as different from the other as night and day. Unlike the dirt roads at Lakeshore Campground(the other campground in the park) the roads in Cypress View are paved. The sites are gravel, and many of them are pull-through sites. Although tent camping is allowed in Cypress View, I would feel out of place since most of the campers are RVs. However, our teardrop camper fits right in. Cypress View is a much smaller campground than Lakeshore Campground, but the amenities are the same. Every campsite is a short walk from the lake, and the campground is closer to the store than Lakeshore Campground. Unlike Lakeshore Campground, Cypress View Campground’s sites are much closer together, so there is not as much privacy. The campground is quiet, other than the noise from the highway.   That may be one reason to be in an RV or a travel trailer--to cut out some of the noise at night.

Close to the campground, there is a tennis court, a boat launch, Fisheagle Tours, a picnic shelter, kayak rentals, hiking trails, and more. It is conveniently located to most of the state park’s attractions without having to drive so far. Cypress View Campground is also close to the main office and the boat dock. 

If you had rather stay in a cabin, there are cabin rentals on the water. They are accessed by way of a boardwalk across the water. The bath house is modern and has hot showers. It is centrally located so that it isn’t that far of a walk from any of the campsites. 

Overall, I do recommend this campground, especially if you are in a travel trailer or an RV. If you are tent camper, you would probably better enjoy being at the other campground in the park.

Stayed here for four nights! The first night was on a Saturday and it was really crowded. Sunday when everyone left we got to enjoy some stillness and quietness. We were at cypress view side, right near the water and trails. Good bike trails, but was a little disappointed at the area they say is for swimming. Great spot to do some fishing.

It was okay roots all in the site but a lot of shade