Lake Wateree State Park Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations on the shores of Lake Wateree with several lakefront sites that welcome leashed dogs. The campground features paved, spacious sites with fire pits, water, and electric hookups where campers can bring their pets. Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina allows pets throughout their two distinct camping areas—the heavily wooded Riverside section offering abundant shade and the newer Taylor Creek area with more open space ideal for dogs needing room to play. Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area accepts pets at both their RV sites and lakeside tent camping areas. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies and require owners to clean up after their pets. Bathrooms and shower facilities at these parks remain consistently clean according to visitor reports, making longer stays with pets comfortable. The campground store at Lake Wateree stays extremely well-stocked with pet supplies for campers who forget essentials.
Pet owners find numerous trails and shoreline areas for walking dogs around these campgrounds. Lake access points provide opportunities for dogs who enjoy swimming, though owners should check for specific dog swimming areas at each location. The campgrounds' picnic areas and fire pits accommodate evening relaxation with pets. Weather considerations include hot summer temperatures requiring extra water and shade for dogs, while mosquitoes can be problematic in wooded areas despite bug spray use. Sites with dense forest backing provide extra privacy for pet owners concerned about reactive dogs. Most locations maintain quiet hours beginning at 11 pm, helping manage barking issues. Andrew Jackson State Park and Sesquicentennial State Park offer additional pet-friendly options within reasonable driving distance, each with their own trail systems suitable for dog walking. The parks' relative isolation means campers should bring sufficient pet food and supplies as the nearest stores can be 25 minutes away.
"While there are a few hiking trails, if you don’t have a boat or canoe you will be missing out on most of the appeal of this park."
"We had site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us."
"Fishing is typically outstanding for bass, cats, crappie, and carp. Equestrian trails are everywhere and are good for hiking, a few trails are a bit rough for bicycles though"
"A few of the trails are right on the lake and the dogs love to hop in and cool off. I load up my kayak once a month or so and paddle around the lake for hours."
$40 - $50 / night
"This is a cool little spot not far from Charlotte NC which doesn't seem as busy as other nearby campgrounds. Staff are friendly."
"Nice, small, respectable campground close to Charlotte NC. Sites are paved, but dont expect completely level."
$45 - $55 / night
"This location has 2 RV lots. Riverside is heavily wooded which provides a ton of shade on the hot summer days."
"This is a park on the East side of Lake Wateree. Not far off l-77. Has what you need. Full hookups picnic table and a fire pit. The owners are trying hard to improve the park."
"The lakeside tent area provided beautiful scenery with access to restrooms and showers. It wasn’t too crowded as it was military members only and you can’t beat the price for a lakeside spot."
$40 - $110 / night
"There's alot to do here and tons of other outdoor activities within a few minutes' drive, and there's a guide book that lists it all."
"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."
"This is a unique opportunity in a unique location! Hiking, fishing, and boating are also available, in addition to wildlife watching and nature study."
"Super close to Lake Robinson."
"After you drive down a long sandy rutty road you come to the farm. A little oasis for the road weary. Mostly long term trailers are here but the do have tent camping."
$10 - $15 / night
"Far away from city lights so great for stargazing."
"There was some trash from previous campers littered around the site when we arrived. Please don’t be a litterbug!"
GuideBuilt to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of South Carolina in the 30’s . At one time on the furthest outskirts of Columbia SC. It is now firmly in the muddle of the Metro area. Plenty of trailer sites. Tent site and primitive camping. Has recreational areas. Restaurants and shopping nearby
GuideBusy park, but if you're visiting the Columbia area a fine place to stop. They have a dog park and our pup loved getting to run off leash. Campsites are pretty close together and some are a little on top of each other but we were in spot 79. It was a pull through and the living space was separated a bit more. It was across from the bathhouse which is quite convenient.
TravelerWe’ve stayed here two months and enjoyed it. They have an open area in a field and then a few sites more spread out with some trees scattered around. We got one of the spread out sites and quite liked our spot. The vibe is residential/family oriented. The park staff are friendly. Hookups are functional. Our spot provided enough area to let our dog have a good amount of space on the lead. Nice fire pit on our site as well. The only bathrooms and the laundry facilities are in the main office which can be a bit of a walk depending on where you are in the park. We have a bike so we enjoyed zipping around on that when we needed to get around the park. There’s a dog park that we used a lot and also there are a bunch of trails behind the campground. I don’t think a lot of people knew the scope of how extensive the trail system was - but it was really pretty back there and we explored and found a lot of beautiful little places back there. Check out the trails for sure. All in all a nice place. Felt safe. Felt reserved.
GuidePros The pond was beautiful, nice walking trail for beginners, would never consider this a hiking park. Location was close to Colombia and all it offers. Bathhouse was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Toilets were three flushers is you cared about the next guy.
Cons Guessing I may have had the worst site (41) but walking through there were others similar. Site 41 is a pull through lot which declines quickly upon entry and is marred by deep ra9n crevices. You then incline to the area you should probably land as there is an obvious flat spot. Unfortunately in you stop there, your camper door will open on the neighboring fire ring which is the only fire ring on the back side of the neighboring spot in in the fore ground of yours. Asinine. I had to manipulate my camper for an hour to a spot level enough yet not in my neighbor's fire and dealt with a large tree and had to tie back branches to extend my awning. Uggg
Effing covid. The state of South Carolina, the City of Columbia don't have mask mandates. But this state park requires a mask to pee in the urinal. The boss says the county still mandates it.
ScoutWe stayed at Standing Pines RV Park in Hartsville, South Carolina and were really impressed. This is a newer park, but you can tell the owners put a lot of care into the property. The grounds are clean, quiet, and surrounded by tall trees, which creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere while still being close to town. The sites are level, spacious, and easy to back into. Full hookups worked perfectly. Cell service was strong enough for remote work and streaming. The park roads are wide and well maintained, which makes everything simple when arriving or setting up. The overall vibe is calm, safe, and welcoming. The owners are helpful and available without being intrusive. It already feels like a comfortable home base and it is clear the park is being built the right way. If you are passing through Hartsville, working in the area, or looking for a quiet place to stay for a while, Standing Pines RV Park is a great choice. Very clean, very relaxing, and we will definitely return.
LegendI gave this campground four stars, but only for RVs and travel trailers. I would not give it four stars for tent campers. Tent campers would have a hard time finding a suitable site that would not be too rocky. When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped. With that said, it is a campground in a beautiful setting. The lake and the sitting area beside the lake are both beautiful. There is a paved walkway down to the lake to a sitting area and a dock. The bath house was air conditioned, almost too much. It is a shock to the system moving from the intense South Carolina heat into the bath house. However, it was a nice break from the heat. Be aware that when you take a shower, you may have to wait a few minutes for the hot water to start. When I first turned it on, I wondered if there was any hot water. Eventually it came, and it was HOT, so I had to adjust it quickly. Also, take your own hand soap with you. There are paper towels but no soap. There are several trails, and you can rent boats, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. There is also a disc golf course. If I had known beforehand, I would have taken my own discs. That’s my fault for not doing the research. My favorite part of this camping experience was waking up early in the morning and sitting by the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a photo of the ducks taking off and flying in a perfect v-formation, but it was so peaceful there. Overall, this is a great campground to get away from civilization.
GuideVery clean and well maintained campground! Great for long term camp sites! Very easy to deal with the workers as they are friendly and will take care of you! Pet friendly also. This is a great safe campground.
ScoutWe live close so this is usually our summer go to for an over night. we like to swim and fish. Ithas a nice playground for kids. it is pet friendly. I prefer to stay on the wooded side. We tent camp and like that every site has electric and water. The camp store doesn’t really have much so we bring everything with us. there is a nice gas station less than a mile away we get coffee from there in the mornings.
RangerAlways a great getaway from the bustle of city life. Day use area can be packed in the summer but they have plenty of rules to keep the park beautiful and orderly. The camping side has scattered tent and group sights with some large wooded RV sights and clean cabins. Bath house is very well kept too. Fishing is typically outstanding for bass, cats, crappie, and carp. Equestrian trails are everywhere and are good for hiking, a few trails are a bit rough for bicycles though
Lake Wateree dominates the camping landscape near Kershaw, South Carolina, with over 13,000 surface acres and 242 miles of shoreline providing diverse camping options. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where freezing temperatures are rare. Multiple campgrounds in this region offer paved sites with water and electric hookups positioned in varying degrees of shade.
Hiking trails for all abilities: Andrew Jackson State Park Campground offers several trail options around its small lake. "We looked at the museum and schoolhouse. The only downside is that you could hear the traffic at the campsites," notes Rachel R.
Kayaking on Lake Wateree: Bring your own or rent from nearby facilities. "We load up my kayak once a month or so and paddle around the lake for hours," shares Emily B. from Cane Creek Park, which offers similar water recreation opportunities.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes provide excellent fishing for multiple species. "We caught a ton of muscles and ate them. Several in our group enjoyed them very much," shares Jen G. who stayed at Lake Wateree State Park.
Free mini golf: Cane Creek Park offers complimentary putting. "The mini golf is free and a blast," according to Sarah B., who has visited multiple times with her family.
Shaded, private sites: Lake Wateree State Park Campground offers well-spaced sites with natural barriers. "Sites are very shady and every site is surrounded by trees, so you don't feel very close to the other campers," explains Harry H.
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses receive consistent maintenance. "Wow, this place is nice! The bathroom/Shower house is always clean! I love Wateree State Park," reports Melissa, highlighting a feature valued by many campers.
Well-stocked camp store: "The park is about 25 minutes from any stores, but they keep their shop extremely well stocked," notes Jen G., who appreciated this convenience during a summer stay with eight children.
Quiet evenings: Most parks maintain peace after dark. "Even with a packed campground for the holiday weekend it was relatively quiet especially by 11," shares Ramona K., who camped at Lake Wateree despite mosquito challenges.
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the area. "No WiFi until you're about 15 minutes from the park," warns one Lake Wateree State Park camper. Another notes, "No WiFi and rarely did we have cell service but that's not a bad thing!"
Distance from supplies: Stock up before arriving. "This campground tends to be booked solid on weekends so important to make reservations. Also not much for stores close by so pack well. Oh and no alcohol sales on Sunday's in the county," advises Ramona K.
Seasonal considerations: Humidity impacts comfort levels year-round. "Despite being there during the hottest part of the year, we stayed comfortable and had a great time," shares Jen G. about her Lake Wateree State Park experience with children.
Insects: Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area campers note: "The only real downside to this place is the tons of ants in the trees and areas on the ground. Makes using a hammock irritating at times."
Shallow swimming areas: Look for designated swimming zones for younger children. "The water is pretty shallow, so the littlest ones had plenty of space to play and swim without us having to worry," explains a Lake Wateree State Park camper.
Playground access: Several parks feature play equipment. "Playgrounds and soccer field (soccer balls provided)" mentions Helena B. about amenities at Lake Wateree State Park that kept children entertained.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The parks offer chances to spot native species. "I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear," shares Ruth J. from Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, which offers additional pet-friendly camping near Kershaw, South Carolina.
Holiday activities: "Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast," notes Sarah B. about Cane Creek Park's special programming during peak times.
Site selection for larger rigs: Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina offers two distinct camping areas. "This location has 2 RV lots. Riverside is heavily wooded which provides a ton of shade on the hot summer days. Taylor Creek is newer with less trees providing lots of open space and great for Solar regeneration," advises Chad L.
Wi-Fi availability: Quality varies between parks. "Also had better than average/strong Wi-Fi!" reports Charles F. about Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some sites. "Our site was very steep, so took a lot to get level, but it was ok," shares Rachel R. about her Andrew Jackson State Park experience.
Dump station timing: "Long line for dump station," warns Swain K. about Lake Wateree State Park, suggesting early departure to avoid delays when the campground is at capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kershaw, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kershaw, SC is Lake Wateree State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.
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