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Santee State Park houses upscale glamping accommodations in its Cypress View Campground, where lakeside glamping sites provide direct access to Lake Marion. Unlike standard campsites, these glamping units feature comfortable sleeping arrangements with proper beds, climate control through electrical hookups, and convenient access to clean shower facilities. The spacious sites offer waterfront views with both privacy and comfort, while maintaining proximity to park amenities. The eco-friendly setting provides an immersive natural experience without sacrificing modern conveniences. Nearby, Palmetto Shores RV Resort also offers premium glamping accommodations with full hookups and resort-style amenities. According to one camper, "The park is located down a long, wooded road on the edge of a beautiful lake. Campsites are adequately spaced apart giving a fair amount of privacy."
Visitors exploring the Lake Marion shoreline from their glamping accommodations enjoy excellent fishing opportunities, with the lake known for impressive catfish. Walking paths connect the glamping areas to boat launches, fishing piers, and picnic shelters. The park maintains several hiking trails where guests frequently encounter wildlife including turtles, waterfowl, and even alligators. Geocaching enthusiasts discover numerous hidden caches throughout the park grounds, creating an engaging treasure hunt experience. A recent visitor mentioned, "There are hiking trails between the two campgrounds with TONS of geocaching! I wish I had more time to explore and find them all." Safari tents and other glamping accommodations typically require reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months when water activities are most popular.
"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."
"Our only complaint was lots of smoke from campfires and grills. Would stay again."
"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"
"Very nice concrete pads; large sites with fire pit, grill, and picnic table. Gravel roads have washed out areas but not terrible. Very open and quiet. Several long-term residents."
from $33 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets."
"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."
"Must have access to Shaw afb to stay. 20 per night. No long term prices. No stay limit."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs."
"Peaceful, quiet place remarkably close to I-95."
"Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed (and drank)."
"We had trash pickup and sites were easily navigable. Big park with a nice views of the water. They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place. Would stay again."
from $48 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Great little park about 20 minute drive from Florence. Clean bathrooms. My dog was a bit confused by seeing horses for the first time. Super friendly staff."
"Bath house were clean and well maintained. Enjoyed my stay."
"I'm excited to welcome your friendly host, John. John has opened his 19 acre family farm up to visitors. Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits!"
from $65 - $95 / night
Check Availability"This is a unique experience for those looking to camp a little higher off the ground and enjoy the huge deck looking out into the forest. "
"The hosts were very welcoming and friendly. There are lots of fishing and kayaking opportinities. We highly recommend it as a place to visit any time of the year."
from $50 - $250 / night
Check Availability
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt! I'm excited to welcome your friendly host, John. John has opened his 19 acre family farm up to visitors. Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits! Rent go-carts or sit around the campfire with some s'mores. Give them some love and leave your review here!
LegendWe 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.
RangerI 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 are completed. The receptionist said they’ve been working on it for maybe 4 years. Hopefully it’ll be completed sooner than later. The grounds could be kept up a little better as could the restrooms/bath houses but I imagine they lost some revenue due to the lake being closed for dam repairs.
There isn’t any concerns getting back here, the biggest rigs will not have any problems. All sites are large concrete pads, FHU. Most sites are spaced very well, some better than others but you won’t be on top of anyone whichever site you’re at. They have a large concrete patio area, nearly the size of the pad itself with a picnic table and fire pit/grill and stand alone grill.
Verizon cell coverage is adequate. I had 2 bars and LTE, sometimes 5G. Not like being in the city but sufficient. No wifi.
There are cabins and tent sites as well. This isn’t a large campground but there were still a few open spaces.
There will be various bugle calls throughout, morning, day and night. You may hear firing range training going on in the distance. You should expect this and it should not be seen as negative, you’re on a military campground.
Current RV site price a night is $35, if you have a National park pass it’s $32.50. Despite the lake being off limits right now I will still come back. Once it’s opened back up I’m sure it will be more busy, right now it’s very peaceful.
TravelerWe stopped heading south and north along I-95 to and from Florida. Very easy off and on I-95. Plenty of available spaces in off-season. The campground is small and quiet. Camp Host was very helpful. Sites were spaced reasonably far apart but there is no privacy between. Not all sites have a water view, but most appeared fairly level. Not all sites have sewer access. Our only complaint was lots of smoke from campfires and grills. Would stay again.
GuideVery nice concrete pads; large sites with fire pit, grill, and picnic table. Gravel roads have washed out areas but not terrible. Very open and quiet. Several long-term residents.
GuideThere 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!
GuideThis was the maiden voyage of my parents 22ft airstream! They originally booked a site far away from the water in the back of Lakeshore Campground but were able to move thanks to a helpful person at the park! My husband, kids and I came along and brought our tent. It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped with those 4 stars because its not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out.
The good: Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs! The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs. The bathrooms were well kept, and cleaned every morning while we were there. Our neighbors were super friendly and helpful with all the camper questions we had!
Lakeshore is also right next to a public (within the park) boat ramp so if you have a boat, its super convenient to bring along and put in. The electricity and water hookups worked well and the dumping station was actually pretty clean (for a dumping station).
We had super easy access to the lake for putting in the SUP and paddling around! The view of sunset on the lake is absolutely breathtaking!
The bad: Our first night, a group of campers were very loud and rowdy until 12am. Then after the rowdiness calmed, their TVS were set on like the loudest kid show until 3am!! These were not campers that were close to us either so it had to be pretty darn loud for those that were next to this group. They also do not lock up the campground at night so we had late night fishing visitors that walked by our campsite at 2am waking us up because they were loudly dragging their cooler down the dirt road. They were apparently not staying at the campground either which was a little annoying that anyone can just come in when they please. Needless to say, if you're looking for a quiet place to enjoy the lake this might not be it.
The trash was another big negative. Our campsite was littered with cigarette butts and having young kids it was a little frustrating since they pick up everything! My 3yo wanted to pick up the trash on the little beach area one afternoon so we did, then the next morning it was littered with fresh beer cans again. I wouldn't even let them walk near the beach next to the boat ramp (public access) because it was covered in trash and fish carcasses. It is unfortunate that people treat such a beautiful landmark with such disregard to throw trash everywhere and ruin it for others. If BOTH the campers/visitors and park staff would put forth a greater effort to combat the litter issue it could be a 5 star park!!
LegendI hardly ever give five stars to a campground. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 9 because of the background road noise from the highway, but my wife and I had such a great experience. It was everything we wanted… and needed.
Lakeshore Campground is one of TWO campgrounds at Santee State Park, and they are very different from each other. Lakeshore has dirt paths and sandy sites. I realize some people had rather have paved roads and RV sites with hard surfaces, but I prefer a more natural site. The spaces are large and fairly level. Although there may be some roots onsite, they were not really a problem. I don’t remember there being lantern hangers, but there were picnic tables and fire pits. We stayed in Santee for four days, so we were able to relax without feeling as if we were rushing, which reflects the whole essence of Lakeshore Campground. We booked for two nights, but we loved it so much we booked two more nights. Unfortunately, we had to move to another site in order to stay longer.
Our first site was a little closer to the bath house, and we stayed in a teardrop camper. Knowing what I know now, I would do a little more research to see if I could get closer to the lake next time, although most of the sites between us and the lake are reserved for tents only. Still, the lake was visible from our campsite.
The main reason people visit here is the lake, whether they want to fish for huge catfish or just want to boat on the water. Within the park, there are several “fishing holes” to explore and several trails as well. When hiking the trails, however, you have to constantly be on the lookout for alligators. We came across one on one of our hikes, and it was huge. I guess it was probably at least ten feet long if not longer. We also came across turtles, ducks, and other animals. Although I didn’t have any luck while fishing, it didn’t matter. I just enjoyed wetting a hook.
The bath house has tiled floors, and it had hot showers. For a state park, it had above average facilities. Would I recommend this campground? Absolutely!!!!
GuideThis is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets. The staff is friendly, the wifi adequate, and 24 channels of OTH HD TV for those times when the weather does not cooperate. There is a pizza oven on site and you can get it delivered by golf cart to your camp. This KOA not only has a pool, but a lakeside beach as well. This is a nice family destination.
Santee State Park offers tent and RV camping across multiple campgrounds with 158 standard sites featuring water and electrical hookups. Sites range from $21 to $40 per night, with premium waterfront locations commanding higher rates. Unlike the glamping options, these standard sites require campers to bring their own equipment while providing basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. The park's shoreline campgrounds feature multiple bath houses with hot showers and flush toilets spaced conveniently throughout camping areas. During summer months, weekend reservations typically need to be secured 2-3 months in advance, while weekday availability remains more flexible even during peak season.
Fishing opportunities: At Rocks Pond Campground & Marina, anglers can access Lake Marion directly from dedicated fishing piers or boat launches. "This RV park is massive and has immediate access to water for your boat, kayak or canoe... they also have basic toiletries and sundries in case you forgot something behind," notes one visitor. The campground provides fishing areas for all skill levels, including a dedicated pond just for children.
Geocaching adventures: While exploring the area, many campers enjoy hunting for geocaches along trails and shorelines. Multiple caches are hidden throughout the region, creating an engaging treasure hunt experience for visitors of all ages. Some caches require short hikes while others are accessible from main camping areas.
Horse trail riding: Lee State Park Campground offers equestrian facilities and dedicated horse trails for riders. "There are horse trails and stables if you ride horses," explains a regular visitor. The park maintains well-marked bridle paths through forests and fields, though campers should note that "if you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flyes. they were swarms of them."
Spacious waterfront sites: The Lakeshore Campground receives praise for its generous lakefront campsites. "This was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped... because its not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out," shares a family camper. Sites offer direct water access for launching paddle boards and kayaks.
On-site conveniences: Campers appreciate when parks offer unexpected services. At Santee Lakes KOA, "They deliver firewood and pizza. The pizza was excellent," reports one camper. Another mentions, "Ordered pizza and had it delivered to the campsite! Nice touch!" These small conveniences enhance the camping experience, especially after long days outdoors.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites around Gadsden provide chances to see native wildlife. One camper at Lee State Park notes they "Loved seeing the horses around the campsites." Others report spotting deer, armadillos, and various bird species throughout the region's parks.
Variable bathhouse conditions: Bathroom facilities quality varies significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Palmetto Shores RV Resort noted, "Such a beautiful location but price doesn't match the upkeep. If you pay resort style prices (in which you do) you shouldn't have to work on shower heads in the bath house… Shouldn't be grime and rust built up in the stalls and shower."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant noise issues. At Rocks Pond, a camper advises to "bring earplugs - it can get somewhat noisy at night." Similarly, at The Lakeshore Campground, a reviewer reported, "Our first night, a group of campers were very loud and rowdy until 12am. Then after the rowdiness calmed, their TVS were set on like the loudest kid show until 3am!!"
Booking timing: For yurt camping near Gadsden, South Carolina, reservations should be made well in advance, especially for weekend stays. During peak summer months (June-August), waterfront sites and specialty accommodations like yurts often book 3-4 months ahead.
Kid-friendly water access: The Lakeshore Campground provides safe swimming areas for young children. "The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs," reports a family camper.
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. At Santee Lakes KOA, one visitor mentioned their "Nice campground on the water. Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites." Another specifically noted they had a "beautiful lake front site. Right by the playground. Really nice facilities."
Educational farm experiences: For a unique alternative to traditional camping or yurt stays near Gadsden, South Carolina, Crunchy Acres offers a 19-acre family farm experience. Visitors can "Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits! Rent go-carts or sit around the campfire with some s'mores."
Site leveling challenges: RVers should be prepared for uneven sites at some parks. A visitor to Santee Lakes KOA noted, "Nice camping site off of I-95... The camping sites are nice, and some are level." Another camper mentioned, "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not."
Seasonal considerations: For those bringing larger rigs, some parks are more accommodating during off-peak seasons. One winter visitor to Santee State Park commented, "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore."
Trash services: Some campgrounds provide convenient trash pickup. A camper at Santee Lakes KOA appreciated that "Our trash was picked up every morning. Campsite, pool and laundry area was kept clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gadsden, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gadsden, SC is Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Gadsden, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Gadsden, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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