Lexington camping areas sit in central South Carolina's Midlands region, approximately 12 miles west of Columbia. Most campgrounds near Lexington SC maintain year-round access due to the mild climate, with average summer highs around 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 30°F. The area features a mix of lakefront and forest camping options within 30 minutes of town.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Murray: Dreher Island State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with multiple species available. "Very nice clean wooded campground," notes Barbara C., who found the lakeside access ideal for fishing trips.
Hiking forest trails: Sesquicentennial State Park Campground provides several hiking paths through wooded areas. "I love going to this campground, I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear. And there is a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also," shares Ruth J.
Paddling options: Explore the waterways at Dreher Island State Park Campground where the 50,000-acre lake provides calm waters. "Nice swimming and fishing lake. Nice views and waterfront lots," according to Jenny P.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby Congaree National Park from Longleaf Campground to see rare old-growth bottomland forest. "Pristine, but organized trails near the Consgree river and Swamp. Lots of wildlife and ancient trees on the trails," reports J Terrell M.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Big Rig Friendly RV Resort offers generously sized sites. "Beautiful large sites with great amenities including pool, 4 pickle ball courts, clubhouse with large meeting room, full gym and very nice bathrooms," writes Bill M.
Wildlife viewing: Nature enthusiasts appreciate the animal sightings at several local campgrounds. "We have stayed at this campground a couple times over the last 3 years. It is a fantastic place for families to go camping, you will see deer, you can go fishing, swimming hiking," notes Ruth J. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Evening ambiance: The synchronized fireflies at Congaree National Park create a special nighttime experience. "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," shares Veronica S.
Access to water: Campers consistently mention lake access as a highlight. "In my never-ending quest to discover the most perfect campground haven, after a rather intense amount of research, I landed on Dreher Island smack dab in the very center of South Carolina," writes Stuart K.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer brings heat and humidity, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures. "Great camping fire temps. Weather was rainy towards the end but enjoyed the stay. Our site #3 was a pull through," reports Chris C. at Dreher Island.
Seasonal flooding: Some campgrounds experience water issues during heavy rains. "After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. 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," notes Veronica S. at Longleaf.
Insects: Mosquitoes and other bugs can be problematic, particularly in warmer months. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in and prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go! The heat in June is also pretty bad," warns Jacinda S.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise disruptions. "Nice spot for overnight car camping. However, freight trains run along the nearby tracks about every 2hrs. So, if you're a light sleeper, you might want to look elsewhere," advises Nicholas at Alston Trailhead.
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas: Sesquicentennial State Park Campground offers kid-friendly water features. "Good camp for rv or tent camping. Plenty of trails, splash park for kids and a lake for boating and fishing," mentions Rick B.
Educational opportunities: Take children to ranger programs at state parks. "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" shares CeCelia L. about her experience at Sesquicentennial.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for younger campers. "This RV Resort has great amenities and staff along with their location! Awesome gym and club house plus beautiful pool!" notes Bill M. about Big Rig Friendly RV Resort.
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, Woodsmoke Family Campground offers cabin rentals alongside traditional camping sites. "Good location off I-26 and shopping nearby. Friendly staff," says Mark B.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campsites require significant leveling work. "To date, our most unlevel site we have found," reports Joe R. about Woodsmoke Family Campground.
Reservation timing: For popular campgrounds near Lexington SC, book well in advance. "We 'walked into' a spot on the lake the Monday before the Fourth of July. They had about ten sites open right on the lake," shares Jenny P. about her fortunate timing at Dreher Island.
Internet connectivity: Many campgrounds offer decent cell service. "T-Mobile 3 bars 5g over 300mbps, ATT 2 bars 5G over 300mbps, Starlink - forget it. Too many trees," reports Erin M. about connectivity at Sesquicentennial.
Long-term stays: Broad River Campground accommodates extended stays with monthly rates. "We'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," writes Will J.
