Best Campgrounds near Gadsden, SC

Campgrounds in the Gadsden region of South Carolina provide access to both developed and primitive camping facilities throughout the area. Longleaf Campground in Congaree National Park offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including toilets and trash service, while Poinsett State Park Campground accommodates tents, RVs, and cabin camping with more extensive amenities including electric hookups, showers, and water. The area features a mix of state park facilities and commercial campgrounds, with some offering lakefront locations while others are situated in forested settings that showcase South Carolina's diverse landscapes.

Developed campgrounds in the region typically include a range of facilities from basic to full-service. Most state parks provide electrical and water hookups, with sites at Sesquicentennial State Park and Santee State Park featuring 30-amp connections for RVs alongside tent-friendly areas. A visitor noted, "This state park has a lot to offer from plenty of campsites with all of the traditional amenities, decent restroom facilities and excellent grounds running adjacent to Lake Marion that offers sweeping views of this incredibly beautiful, massive lake." Summer months bring significant heat and humidity, with many campers reporting high mosquito activity, particularly near water bodies. Several campgrounds implement seasonal closures or reduced services during winter months.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region, with lakes providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. Santee State Park features lakeside sites with boat access, while other campgrounds offer varying degrees of water proximity. Many mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, though amenities and site quality can differ substantially between locations. A camper observed, "There is very little privacy. You'll basically be seeing all of your neighbors for as far as the eye can see." During peak summer weekends, lakefront campsites typically fill first, with some visitors reporting noise issues at more popular locations. State park campgrounds generally maintain stricter quiet hours than private facilities, making them preferable for those seeking a more tranquil camping experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Gadsden, South Carolina (68)

    1. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    29 Reviews
    Gadsden, SC
    4 miles

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Having been on the road for about three months before coming to Congaree, we were happy to arrive to such a quiet and tucked-away campground."

    "We were at site 7, it took about 250 steps from the parking lot to our site. All sites have lots of shade. The campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night."

    2. Poinsett State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Wedgefield, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 494-8177

    "It looks nothing like South Carolina as you enter the gates. After half a dozen ups and downs and right turns you find yourself in a clearing and a large parking lot, a lake and a ranger station."

    "We recently visited South Carolina and after spending the weekend visiting nearby Congaree National Park, we opted to stay at Poinsett State Park for 4 nights in our Mercedes Sprinter campervan."

    3. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    State Park, SC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 788-2706

    "The site was level with a gravel drive and parking area. Lots of pines all around but the site was clear enough for easy parking. No sewer hookups."

    "The park is in Columbia SC, and is a great choice for families who may want to do things outside the park. The park is super close to the Riverbanks Zoo."

    4. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 854-2408

    "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."

    5. Weston Lake Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Columbia, SC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 751-5253

    $33 - $35 / night

    "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"

    6. Sweetwater Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    St. Matthews, SC
    17 miles
    +1 (803) 874-3547

    "Sweetwater Lake Campground is a small RV campground. There is electric and water hookup and a dump station. Lots are decent size and fairly level on grass or gravel."

    "They allowed me to pitch my tent close to the lake, far away from the RVs."

    7. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 708-5122

    "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!"

    8. Santee Lakes KOA

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-2262

    "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."

    9. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    18 miles

    "This RV Resort has the largest sites around and also great amenities including pool, 4 pickle ball courts, clubhouse with large meeting room, full gym and very nice bathrooms ."

    "Fuel, groceries, beverages, service stations hardware stores and mini malls are just a 10 min drive away and for those who want home delivery of groceries they are phone call away for a very nominal price"

    10. Magnolia Campground RV Park

    1 Review
    Cayce, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 465-1398

    $30 / night

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Recent Reviews near Gadsden, SC

373 Reviews of 68 Gadsden Campgrounds


  • Rocky The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    Home Away From Home

    We are newbies at this life and spent our first winter here. We are from Nova Scotia Canada and were just astonished at how everyone treated use like a long lost friend had returned home. The amenities were great and the temp was very comfortable. At the site we made a new friend the railway engineer who past by every day and whistled every time as we waved back. That was great as we only have one train for all of Canada (no joke). Our  pooch "Henry the Hound" also made friends and was a hit with everyone he met. We had thought about other resorts before we saw this one but being here once we have decided to make this our winter home from now on. Fuel, groceries, beverages, service stations hardware stores and mini malls are just a 10 min drive away and for those who want home delivery of groceries they are phone call away for a very nominal price. This is a must stay place.

    Rocky/Cathie

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Santee Lakes KOA

    Needs Work

    We stay here twice both times were just OK. The pool is crowded and murky, suggesting it good us a good cleaning. We stay for 4th of July weekend and can only describe the experience as a free for all. With camper literally on top of each other and spreading into the next camp site. Our neighbor’s site consisted of a RV, a large six-person tent and a pick-up truck tent parked half on our site. We ventured down to the lake swimming area and doing doughnuts near or on top of the swim boundary line most of the day. To recap– can’t swim in the dirty pool and can’t swim in the lake. In fairness the KOA as made some improvement since our stay but not enough for us to go back.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Well spaced sites with good amenities. Set in the woods, making it easy to forget you're in Columbia! Quiet, lots of birds in the spring. Easy drive to Congaree, which we highly recommend.

  • J
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Bells Marina & Resort

    Perfect stop on i95

    Our road stop off I-95 at Bells Marina was an absolute gem! This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable. The newly paved, smooth road leading to the campsite—conveniently accessible from I-95—made our arrival effortless and stress-free. The well-stocked on-site store was a lifesaver, with their phenomenal pizza being the perfect quick and delicious meal after a long drive. Anglers in our group raved about the new fish cleaning station, a fantastic addition for preparing fresh catches with ease. With Food Lion just a 10-minute drive away, grabbing extra supplies was a breeze. The quiet, picturesque setting provided a rejuvenating escape from the road. Bells Marina is a must-visit for anyone seeking a convenient and exceptional lakeside camping experience!

  • Kevan  R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Dreher Island State Park Campground

    Needs Maintenance!

    SC state parks must have shortage of $$ or employees. I know they upgraded to full hook up RV sites in the Fishermen camp recently, but maybe, a little thought could have gone into grading and leveling. SMH Also, it’s a Sunday and the grounds look like they haven’t been mowed in weeks. Camper across from us brought a lawn mower 🤷🏼‍♂️. See attached pics. Fire ring is 5’ from the camper. Positive - the lake view.

    2nd SC park this year - SC DNR, do better.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    Quiet, wildlife, pines

    After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less “party all night” and more “sleep and then explore the park during the day.) Exactly my kind of vibe!

    The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning. The tent pad stayed fully drained.

    The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night.

    The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there. I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn’t ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren’t open/staffed yet).

    We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found.

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Taw Caw Campground and Marina

    Another great stay

    Stayed for the Memorial Day weekend. As is usual it was a great stay. We were at Site J and I which continues to be a favorite. 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. During our stay there were young adults raising cane on the dock after 10pm. It’s not bad if you are in an RV, however if you are in a tent you will probably lose sleep.

  • Rosie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2025

    Outside Inn Campground

    Such a great place

    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! I would certainly come back. We stayed in a pull thru #16 which was level.


Guide to Gadsden

Camping near Gadsden, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Lake Murray is a great spot for fishing and boating. One visitor at Dreher Island State Park Campground mentioned, "We spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and enjoying one of the best lakes we’ve ever experienced."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Poinsett State Park Campground. A camper shared, "There are plenty of hiking trails and a beautiful lake right in front of the visitor center."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park, one reviewer noted, "Great for a day adventure, or exercise," highlighting the area's natural beauty and wildlife.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Wateree State Park Campground said, "The nicest shower house I have ever seen. This is the standard we base all other campgrounds."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the park rangers. One camper at Colleton State Park Campground remarked, "The rangers are very helpful and the camp host was terrific."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review for Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park highlighted, "Nice campground. Campground has hiking/biking trails. Lake views from our site."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Givhans Ferry State Park Campground, have limited amenities. A camper noted, "There is nothing to do at the park or anywhere close by."
  • Cell Service: Expect limited or no cell service in some areas. One visitor at Aiken State Park Campground mentioned, "Absolutely no cell service at campsite."
  • Privacy Concerns: Some sites can be close together, which might affect privacy. A camper at Santee Lakes KOA said, "Very crowded and was a one-night stop for many RVs!!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. At Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Cute park and splash pad."
  • Plan Activities: Bring along games and outdoor toys. A family at Dreher Island State Park Campground enjoyed watching kids swim and play, saying, "It seems that everyone had a kayak, a raft, a boat, or some kind of flotation device."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Cypress View Campground noted, "The campground is small and quiet," making it a perfect spot for family bonding.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lake Wateree State Park Campground said, "Site #1 on the lake. Level paved driveway lots of shade."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Santee Lakes KOA mentioned, "We did not even have to bring out our leveling blocks."
  • Plan for Tight Roads: Be cautious of tight roads in some campgrounds. A visitor at Givhans Ferry State Park Campground noted, "The sites are not level and the ground is almost sandy."

Camping around Gadsden, SC, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to family-friendly parks. Whether you're tent camping or RVing, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Gadsden, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gadsden, SC is Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.