Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Jackson, SC has a lot to offer. Jackson is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Jackson, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
This recreation area is part of J. Strom Thurmond Lake
This recreation area is part of J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Petersburg Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, just four miles from the Thurmond Dam and Visitor Center and 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia. The 70,000 acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline provide excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Hikers have access to many miles of trails in the immediate area. The 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park, are both nearby. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Hikers have access to many miles of trails in the immediate area. The 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park, are both nearby. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.
Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.
$50 / night
Set along the South Edisto River, Aiken State Park is a haven for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
A scenic 1.7-mile canoe and kayak trail winds its way down the south fork of the Edisto River, attracting paddlers from across the region.
Aiken State Park has a history as notable as its natural beauty. During the Great Depression, the park was built by two Civilian Conservation Corps companies, one of which was an African-American detachment of the C.C.C. Their work has withstood the test of time and can still be seen in some of the remaining structures and interpretive signage.
$28 - $32 / night
Made in the Shade RV Park and Campground is a beautiful 38-acre park in Waynesboro, GA. Our RV park is nestled amongst shady oak trees and away from the crowds. We love to serve leisure RVers/Campers as well as anyone needing to be near Augusta, Georgia and Waynesboro, Georgia. Residents and visitors love that Made in the Shade RV Park offers full hookups, WiFi throughout the park, air-conditioned on-site laundry, showers and bathrooms, and a gated pet park. To keep your stay comfortable, we offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates, and we have no monthly moving requirement. Call us and reserve your stay now.
$35 / night
Modoc Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only five miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam. Camping at Modoc is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation. The 70,000+ acre lake and 1,000+ miles of shoreline are prime for activities that facilitate such opportunities such as boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, bird watching, and so much more of course!
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers great conditions for exciting activities such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming. When recreating at Thurmond Lake, we hope to give our visitors opportunities to bond, appreciate nature, relive stress, improve skills, and improve physical fitness.
Water/ Land: Modoc Campground is on the shoreline of the J Strom Thurmond Lake that is over 70,000 acres, and surrounded with a mix of pine and hardwood trees which offer shade and visual interest. Wildlife: Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys, and whitetail deer. Weather/ Climate: Average temperatures during the camping season starts out at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and peaks in July at 91 degrees Fahrenheit. May receives the least amount of rainfall on average, but increased rainfall for June, July, and August.
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.
$32 / night
Petersburg Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, just four miles from the Thurmond Dam and Visitor Center and 25 miles from Augusta, Georgia. The 70,000 acre lake and its 1,000+ miles of shoreline provide excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Hikers have access to many miles of trails in the immediate area. The 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park, are both nearby. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers endless boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming opportunities. Hikers have access to many miles of trails in the immediate area. The 1.8-mile Lake Springs Loop and the 27-mile Bartram Trail, which meanders along the scenic shoreline and through Wildwood Park, are both nearby. Shorter sections can be hiked from several intersecting trailheads.
Hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters characterize this heavily wooded area on the shore of Thurmond Lake. A mixed pine and hardwood forest covers the site, providing summer shade and fall color. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting, and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.
$50 / night
Set along the South Edisto River, Aiken State Park is a haven for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
A scenic 1.7-mile canoe and kayak trail winds its way down the south fork of the Edisto River, attracting paddlers from across the region.
Aiken State Park has a history as notable as its natural beauty. During the Great Depression, the park was built by two Civilian Conservation Corps companies, one of which was an African-American detachment of the C.C.C. Their work has withstood the test of time and can still be seen in some of the remaining structures and interpretive signage.
$28 - $32 / night
Made in the Shade RV Park and Campground is a beautiful 38-acre park in Waynesboro, GA. Our RV park is nestled amongst shady oak trees and away from the crowds. We love to serve leisure RVers/Campers as well as anyone needing to be near Augusta, Georgia and Waynesboro, Georgia. Residents and visitors love that Made in the Shade RV Park offers full hookups, WiFi throughout the park, air-conditioned on-site laundry, showers and bathrooms, and a gated pet park. To keep your stay comfortable, we offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates, and we have no monthly moving requirement. Call us and reserve your stay now.
Modoc Campground is located on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, only five miles away from the Lake Thurmond Visitor Center and Dam. Camping at Modoc is ripe with many different opportunities for relaxation, skill-building, family bonding, and nature appreciation. The 70,000+ acre lake and 1,000+ miles of shoreline are prime for activities that facilitate such opportunities such as boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, bird watching, and so much more of course!
Thurmond Lake provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and water sports in the southeastern United States. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. The large lake offers great conditions for exciting activities such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming. When recreating at Thurmond Lake, we hope to give our visitors opportunities to bond, appreciate nature, relive stress, improve skills, and improve physical fitness.
Water/ Land: Modoc Campground is on the shoreline of the J Strom Thurmond Lake that is over 70,000 acres, and surrounded with a mix of pine and hardwood trees which offer shade and visual interest. Wildlife: Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Visitors regularly see southern bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical birds, wild turkeys, and whitetail deer. Weather/ Climate: Average temperatures during the camping season starts out at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and peaks in July at 91 degrees Fahrenheit. May receives the least amount of rainfall on average, but increased rainfall for June, July, and August.
Numerous parks and recreation areas lie around Thurmond Lake, providing additional boating, swimming, hunting and hiking opportunities. Nearby cities house museums, art galleries, zoos, restaurants, and shopping areas. The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Golf Tournament annually the first week of April.
$32 / night
Scout
The location is beautiful, however, it is not open to the public. You must be past or present military to book. Also, you must reserve with the SC National Guard.
Guide
We called with very short notice looking for an overnight site. Though the campground was booked, the owners so graciously allowed us to park in the overflow parking which included water & electric. We even arrived at 10pm, and they were waiting at the gate for us! We were so pleased with the owner’s generosity and hospitality. We will definitely be back to take advantage of the swimming pond, paddle boats, fishing & playground!
Traveler
4 families in 4 campers on a first time visit. Great place! If you want to come for solitude then the “sights”provide that for sure. Park staff very helpful and friendly. Definitely a do over. Only downside was we didn’t realize water level was down. Didn’t affect the views but trodding the mud to get to the water made kayaking a little challenging.
Scout
Customer service when open in the off season!
Friendly, accommodating, very responsive.
TravelerThe site is right on the lake with a wide trail leading directly to the water. The water was low during our trip so the immediate shoreline was a bit squishy going through the damp clay. I’d recommend water shoes. The shade provided by the trees was a welcome respite from the summer heat. It also provided ample privacy from neighbors on either side. Neighboring sites are spread out nicely. The area across the road from the site is undeveloped and recently cleared for forest maintenance but still looks nice. This campground loop is very quiet.
Traveler
We did not end up with a great site. It was on the water but the view was not great. I feel ridiculous saying that there were too many trees but they were all along the edge and completely blocked the view of the lake. The sites were pretty close together, even the ones across the water. We were in a little cove and we could hear everyone's conversations. We could hear the people on both sides as well as the people across the water. There was also a lot of poison ivy. It's still a beautiful lake and they had nice swimming beaches. The Bartram Trail runs through this campground as well.
Traveler
We loved this campground. I think most all of the sites are waterfront. They are also very spaced out.
Ranger
Gorgeous lake with no sign of civilization across from the campground. We swam right from our site and loved it. The sites are enormous, private, and provide panoramic lake views. Ours was perfect. Nice beach, playground, and everything well kept. I would imagine that on weekends the boat traffic might be slightly loud but on this Monday it was so peaceful and quiet. The site has a fire ring with grill, a standing grill, a picnic table, and a prep table. Again, the site is enormous. Great value at $32!!!
ScoutI spent a great couple of days here mid-week in mid-June. There was one other occupied campsite (out of 9) the first night and I had the whole place to myself the second. No showers, no wi-fi or cell sevice, no dump station, no electricity, and a common water spigot-just what I wanted. No reservations either.
There were people who came to fish in the pond (more of a pond than a lake) and I had a nice swim.. There are two trails. A short one (about a mile) around the pond and a longer 5.6 mile loop. Great trail.
Be sure to check the website for problems beforehand. The water was out when I was there (actually it was restored just as I pulled out!!!).
So all in all, I great place if you want a rough campsite with few others around.
Guide
Stayed for 2 nights in Site #3. Was called prior to arrival regarding checking in. Missed "closing time" but went to site and checked in next morning. The Park fee is not included in the camping fee with is a bit of a pain, but I actually received a partial refund since the Senior rate was not included in my reservation.
Plenty of well marked trails to hike, a nice lake, beautiful spring, and if you are interested a thorough Museum about the Civil war prison camp that was located on the grounds. (Note: there is no swimming at the spring)
Sites are level with good power and water. I felt they were a bit close, but we are not campground people. #3 seemed one of the most private, even though right across from the Hosts and near the Bathhouse. The Bathhouse was very clean and new.
LegendOne of the nicer ACOE Campgrounds we’ve visited. Friends stayed here over the winter months and picked a couple nice sites for a future stay. Easy access in and out, back-in site was very large with lake views while keeping us in mostly shade. As with all campgrounds, some sites are better than others. But, wouldn’t complain about any if just staying a few nights.
Scout
This campground was quiet and tranquil. Large oaks and mature trees. Camping paradise. Immaculate grounds and facilities. Water, electric and gray water dumps at each site. Washers and dryers. Gravel sites, but it’s a place I hate to leave. Pet friendly and great staff. Nice playground and horseshoes area as well!
Scout
Fifteen fish and whose counting? Not to mention the 'BIG ONE' that got away on our last day!!! (According to my Sweetie...Lol!) Lincolnton, Georgia is the place to 'BEE' for a quiet and intimate getaway, encompassing relaxation and fun! Lakefront Hotel! One of the best birthday celebrations ever!!!
Thank you Jana for all the special consideration and your generosity! We will definitely be seeing you again soon!
Sonya and Clarence (Sweetie)
GuideNeeded a quick stop and contacted them last minute. They had a pull thru spot and were great at accommodating us. Shower, bathroom and laundry. Wow!
Scout
Wonderful experience. Most every site on the water. Many pull through sites.
Traveler
We were able to park our 44 ft. Fifth wheel with ease with little assistance from a park host. The only reason why I didn't give a 5 star was because we were very close to neighbors. They were all in a row so if you open your curtains others can see you. Full hookups.
Traveler
I called to make a reservation and was told he was out of Business.
Scout
Very flat wide open lot within minutes to the Aiken horse park and downtown. My only recommendation is to have it better marked so guests know exactly where it is upon arrival. Maybe a tiny little sign?
RangerThis place has everything, even cheap laundry! 2-3 bars Verizon service, pretty quiet in February.
GuideThis site was absolutely perfect for our first trip out in our new camper. Our dog also loved the water! Bathrooms and showers are clean and easily accessible. Several fishing spots and places to launch kayaks and three boat ramps. Sites are clean and well maintained. The fishing is AMAZING! 20 palm sized shell cracker on the first day!
Scout
Great little spot. The Owners are very nice and friendly. Great dog park and boat ramp. Wifi is exceptional. Lots of land to roam around on.
TravelerStayed at this campground for a few days in Jan of 24. Very quiet and the owner is very friendly and accomodating. There is a free boat ramp into Coleman Lake for registered guests. There is a newly renovated laundry facility. its only $2.50 a load. My amputee wife loved that she could fit her wheelchair in the shower. There is also a restaurant and bar on property open on the weekends. There are trails all over for atv/utv's. There is also an outdoor bar for rent for big gatherings. We came here for one night and ended up staying for weeks. Would definitely return.
GuideNice day camping but site B is our least favorite out of all the backcountry sites.
Scout
Staff was superb with a last minute booking. We arrived after closing but they saw us coming in and checked that we were good. That was SO nice when coming in the dark and dog tired. Sites are large, well spaced and on the lake. Wi-Fi not bad, campground less than 10 minutes off interstate yet super quiet, no road noise. I’d post pictures but every time I try I get kicked out and half to start over.
LegendPetersburg - J Strom Thurmond Lake Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Overall Rating: 4.5
Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Heavy, going into Thanksgiving weekend.
Site Privacy: All sites are set back from campground loop road
Site Spacing: Tremendous
Site surface: Gravel.
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet.
Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: No reason.
Electric Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Dump Station: Ues
Potable Water Available: At site.
Bathroom: Flush toilets
Showers: Yes. Single curtain separation.
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars
Setting: Most sites are lakeside sites.
Weather: Rain, partial sun
Bugs: No bites.
Host: Yes
Rig size: Large rigs okay
Sites: Most and maybe all sites have water views. Site 6 has a great view. Other sites have great views as well. Site 28 has a tremendous view.
TravelerCampsite 17 is beautiful. The water is great. We kayaked and hiked. We camp here often. It is clean and everyone was friendly
ScoutHad a great time. Beautiful views from campsite, clean bathroom, loved the General store. Will go back
Camping near Jackson, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the local lakes. At Mistletoe State Park Campground, one visitor said, “The fishing is AMAZING! 20 palm-sized shell cracker on the first day!” This park is known for its waterfront sites, making it a great spot for anglers.
Kayaking and Canoeing: If you love being on the water, Dreher Island State Park Campground is perfect. A reviewer 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: For those who enjoy hiking, Hamilton Branch State Park Campground offers trails with beautiful views. A camper noted, “The site is right on the lake with a wide trail leading directly to the water.”
Camping around Jackson, South Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Make sure to check out these campgrounds for a great outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Jackson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jackson, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 70 campgrounds and RV parks near Jackson, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Jackson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jackson, SC is Mistletoe State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 66 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jackson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Jackson, SC.
What parks are near Jackson, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Jackson, SC that allow camping, notably J. Strom Thurmond Lake and Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests.
