Camping near Pomaria spans full-hookup RV sites, primitive tent camping, cabins, and glamping, with most options centered around lakes and national forest lands in central South Carolina. Dreher Island State Park, located on Lake Murray about 15 miles southwest of Pomaria, offers lakeside camping with both RV and tent sites, while Sumter National Forest's Brick House Campground provides more rustic experiences with hiking trails and basic amenities. The Newberry/I-26/Sumter NF KOA in nearby Kinards provides year-round family camping with amenities like a camp store and shower facilities.
Summer heat and humidity significantly impact camping comfort in this region, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Many campers report mosquitoes as a persistent challenge, particularly at lakeside sites. "Campsites are pretty close together but it's usually peaceful - lakeside sites, good fishing, but be prepared for the mosquitos!" notes one Dreher Island visitor. Most established campgrounds remain open year-round, though Woods Ferry Campground operates seasonally from April through October. Heavy rainfall can create muddy conditions at less developed sites, particularly in Sumter National Forest areas. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during summer months and holiday periods, as lakefront sites fill quickly.
Water-based recreation dominates the camping experience around Pomaria, with fishing, boating, and paddling opportunities available at most campgrounds. Lake Murray at Dreher Island spans 50,000 acres and offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, stripers, and crappie. Site selection varies considerably between campgrounds, with some locations better suited for RVs than tents. "If you are into tent camping, you will have to pitch the tent on gravel or pavement. Not the easiest pitch," reports one Lake Greenwood visitor. Campers frequently mention the quality of bathhouses as variable between locations, with state parks generally maintaining cleaner facilities. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and the region's famous synchronous fireflies, which can be spotted at certain times of year.
"This campground is a popular spot in South Carolina. Campsites are pretty close together but it's usually peaceful - lakeside sites, good fishing, but be prepared for the mosquitos!"
"I loved how Dreher Island State Park in South Carolina gave our family the best of both safety and fun, with shaded, roomy sites that included picnic tables, fire rings and well-kept bathhouses that made"
"Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees."
"There are train tracks right next to the site, and trains do pass by, so expect some noise."
$5 / night
"Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"
"Quick last minute camping trip we didn’t want to drive hours away from home. This was fairly close and one of the few places to all booked up for the weekend."
"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."
"Very quiet park, bathrooms were closed to overnight guests so didn't get to see them. Full hook ups(including sewer) which were easy to access."
"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."
"Supplies can be picked up roughly 15 to 30 minutes away from the campground."
"The campground is in a convenient location for exploring the national forest and spending time outdoors. I appreciated the level of care that went into keeping the facilities tidy and comfortable."
"It’s a primitive, tucked in the woods spot on the lake. The camp sites are wonderfully spaced out. We stayed in sites you had to park and walk to, but the walk was very short."
"This review is neither negative or positive. Just how it is, so you know before you go. The park is clean and nearly every camp spot is shaded. All roads and camp spots are paved and have fire pits."
ScoutFantastic campground. This campground has made many recent improvements. It comes with full hook up and Wi-Fi. The campground is pet friendly and they have laundry room rooms and bathrooms on site friendly staff.
ScoutMy son and I had an amazing experience. 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.
RangerA lot of the sites are situated for RVs. If you want to hammock camp, absolutely grab site T-15. It's spacious, private, and has a lot of water frontage. It's a terrible tent site but a perfect hammock site.
GuideThis is a great spot for a quick overnight or chill spot to camp in a pinch! Easy access, road not too bumpy or rough, very flat in parking lot for posting up. We arrived after dark and it was quite easy to navigate.
Although we didn’t stay to do the Palmetto trail hike, it was gorgeous and tranquil in the morning. Despite not having amenities, there were 2 clean port a potties right in the lot.
Overall was quiet however there were about 4 trains that rolled by in the evening (quite loud) but didn’t wake us up late at night or early in the morning. There are a lot of frogs as well but not so loud that it disturbed our slumber.
Cell service was good and had no problem texting or using internet.
Would definitely stay again!
ScoutI've been volunteering here since October 2025. Beautiful lake and beautiful campground. Nice selection of full service sites as well as non sewer sites. Also has primitive camping area for groups and individuals.
Sites in the main campground are small and close together to suit me
GuideWe stayed here for one night while traveling through the area, and it was a solid stop for a quick in-and-out stay. Check-in was easy, the sites were level, and hookups worked as expected. The park was quiet overnight, which made for a restful stop before getting back on the road.
TravelerStayed here overnight in a 2WD van in the middle of winter. Access was easy overall, though the road isn’t smooth and there’s a steep-ish incline up into the lot— still no problem in 2WD. The site itself is level with a good amount of space, easily fine for vans and tents. Probably not ideal for very large rigs. No one else stayed overnight when I was there, but people do come through during the day. Cell service was very limited, but Starlink worked great. There are train tracks right next to the site, and trains do pass by, so expect some noise. There are also blue flashing security towers around the area— not sure if there have been issues in the past, but I felt safe during my stay. Right next to a river, with porta-potties available and designated tent pads. Overall a solid primitive spot for a simple overnight or short stay, especially if you’re self-contained.
TravelerThe park is impeccable! This has set a new standard and all future state campgrounds across the USA will be compared to here. The bathrooms as well as the entire is exceptionally clean. Playgrounds and soccer field (soccer balls provided) Hiking/biking trails. Our camp hosts Kermit and Anita were phenomenal. If I had find one negative it would be the state is really proud of their firewood, I thought it was overpriced especially since I’m from out of state and was at their mercy.
ScoutI live 10 minutes from Sesqui and visit the dogpark daily. I stay in the campsite are in my 20ft Travel trailer 2 or 3 times a year. Staff is responsive to camper needs. Plenty of drive-through, front entry and back-in sites, all with power and water. Excellent shower and toi l et buildings. Privacy and low noise are consistent. Price is low for us seniors and disabled. Small lake for paddle boating and fishing.
Camping sites near Pomaria, South Carolina spread across the Piedmont region at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and pine stands surrounding the numerous waterways, with fall foliage typically peaking in late October to early November. Winter camping offers a quieter experience with average daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s°F, while spring brings wildflowers and more moderate conditions.
Paddling opportunities: Dreher Island State Park offers excellent kayaking and paddleboarding on Lake Murray's 50,000 acres. "My daughter and I, as well as the family who joined us, spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking and enjoying one of the best lakes we've ever experienced," reports one visitor.
Hiking trails: Explore the extensive trail system behind Broad River Campground. "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," notes a camper.
Wildlife viewing: The Sumter National Forest area offers excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "We love staying at this campground, you will see deer, you can go fishing, swimming hiking. It has a little something for everyone," shares a Dreher Island camper.
Lakefront camping: Lake Greenwood State Park offers prime waterfront sites. "Lakefront sites are well worth the extra cost. Campsites are a bit tight, but the lakefront sites have great views," notes one camper. Most sites are shaded and include fire pits.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value of Brick House Campground in Sumter National Forest. "Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have level gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars... 5.00 to me is great for the peace and quiet," one visitor shares.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the maintenance at area campgrounds. "Very quiet and very well maintained!! Clean and friendly people camping in the winter time," reports a Lake Greenwood State Park visitor, while another adds, "Paved campsites. Clean bath houses. Nice shores, not too rocky. No red clay."
Train noise: Some camping locations experience railroad disruption. At Alston Trailhead, "The only problem is the train. It woke us up at least 4 times last night. You can see the train from your campsite," warns one camper. Another notes, "This place is nice and quiet. Except for being snuggled up to a train track."
Site selection strategies: Tent campers should research site surfaces carefully. "If you are into tent camping, you will have to pitch the tent on gravel or pavement," notes one Lake Greenwood visitor. At Dreher Island, one camper recommends "T-4 through T-7, where there's 4 platforms perfectly set-up for large tents... and T-11 through T-14, which are nothing except 'pure tent camping bliss.'"
Weather precautions: Strong winds can affect lakeside campsites. "If you are camping here with a tent, you'll want to stake your abode down with as many lines as you quite possibly can. Ultimately, we tied our cabin tent down with more than 20 lines," advises a Dreher Island camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Sesquicentennial State Park offers excellent facilities for children. "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" reports one visitor. Another mentions "a splash park for kids and a lake for boating and fishing."
Camping education: The state parks offer excellent learning opportunities. "Lake Murray at Dreher Island spans 50,000 acres and offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, stripers, and crappie," notes one visitor. The park also offers "a tackle loaner program – that's right! You don't even have to bring your own fishing pole and gear."
Family-oriented campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "They have a play ground and basketball hoop for kids. A pool. All of the spots we saw have fire pits. There's a small zip line for kids," describes a visitor to Newberry/I-26/Sumter NF KOA.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds provide easier access than others. "We were just traveling to Florida and needed someplace to spend the night without unhooking. The site was perfect and the campground was wooded and lovely. Easy in and out," notes a Woodsmoke Family Campground visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for potentially uneven sites. "To date, our most unlevel site we have found," reports one RVer about Woodsmoke Family Campground. At Brick House Campground, however, a camper notes, "Easy access from I26... All have level gravel pads."
Seasonal planning: Year-round camping options exist but with varying conditions. "Summer stays booked. Books up 13 months in advance holiday weekends," warns a Lake Greenwood visitor. Winter camping offers less crowded conditions, with one visitor noting, "Very quiet and very well maintained!! Clean and friendly people camping in the winter time."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pomaria, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pomaria, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near Pomaria, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Pomaria, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pomaria, SC is Dreher Island State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pomaria, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Pomaria, SC.
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