Best Campgrounds near Lexington, SC

Camping options near Lexington, South Carolina include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and settings. Dreher Island State Park Campground on Lake Murray provides lakeside camping with tent and RV sites approximately 20 miles northwest of Lexington. Edmund RV Park offers sites closer to town, while Sesquicentennial State Park Campground provides camping opportunities about 25 miles northeast in Columbia. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Woodsmoke Family Campground also offering cabin rentals.

Access to campgrounds in the area remains consistent year-round, with most sites open throughout all seasons. Summer months typically see higher occupancy rates, particularly at waterfront locations. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays at popular parks like Dreher Island. "Dreher Island 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!" Many campgrounds provide electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary by location. Weather conditions remain relatively mild through winter, making year-round camping viable, though summer humidity and insects can be challenging.

Lakefront camping represents a significant draw for the region, particularly at Dreher Island State Park on Lake Murray. The 50,000-acre lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and paddling. Several campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, though privacy between campsites can be limited at some locations. Congaree National Park, located about 30 miles southeast of Lexington, offers a different camping experience with more primitive facilities but unique natural surroundings in its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Tent campers should note that some campgrounds in the region have limited grass or soil sites, with several reviews mentioning gravel or paved pads that may be less comfortable for tent setup.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lexington, South Carolina (72)

    1. Dreher Island State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 364-4152

    "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!"

    "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, where my daughter"

    2. 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."

    3. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    10 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!"

    4. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    28 Reviews
    Gadsden, SC
    24 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."

    5. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    10 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 ."

    6. Woodsmoke Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 781-3451

    7. Edmund RV Park

    1 Review
    Pelion, SC
    9 miles
    +1 (803) 955-4010

    8. Broad River Campgound

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 749-9100

    "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."

    9. Magnolia Campground RV Park

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

    $30 / night

    10. Kaleidoscope Farm

    1 Review
    Irmo, SC
    13 miles
    +1 (803) 414-9966

    $25 - $30 / night

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Recent Reviews near Lexington, SC

324 Reviews of 72 Lexington Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Eden in Lancaster SC

    4.5 STARS Peaceful area.

    This is a nice place to stay for a peaceful and quiet getaway. It’s a good place to relax. The owner is very nice and accommodating to your needs. You’re about 10 minutes away from the town of Lancaster, South Carolina.

  • Bobbie S.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Pine Acres Campground and RV Park

    Not a bad stay.

    Spent three weeks here for my husband's work. Many full time renter's. My neighbors were wonderful people. The office manager, Tammy, was absolutely amazing! There was no openings at any campground in the area and she was able to work it out for us to be able to move in. They are working on adding a lower area for more sites. Sadly, there are no trees down there. The current sites are pretty close together. I would not be able to open my awning all the way if I wanted to. This is a great spot for someone here working and needs a place. Not really a family vacation spot. It is quite busy within the park, people coming and going a lot. It's off a very busy road, noise pollution is a factor. I came to the conclusion that the owner is pretty focused on adding the new sites (makes sense, that's how you afford upgrades). That being said, fixing VERY large potholes seems like something you could easily keep up with. You are able to receive mail here. They have a bathhouse/bathrooms, laundry room and dumpsters.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Keith K.
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Chester State Park Campground

    Small clean campground

    Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course.

  • Kennon H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Aiken State Park Campground

    Storm damage is apparent

    Rv spots are nice. Primitive camping site show almost no use. RV bathrooms were older and clean. Hurricane damage is every where. Only one hiking trail is open. Keep an eye out for broken limbs on windy days. Many family’s were camping here with young kids.

  • Kennon H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 13, 2025

    Poinsett State Park Campground

    March mid week

    So far we have enjoyed our stay. The sites all look clean, as well as the facilities. All other guests are very quiet. The hiking/biking trails are fun too.

  • Andrea E.
    Feb. 6, 2025

    Eden in Lancaster SC

    A peaceful retreat

    Eden is a great weekend escape from city life! A place to recharge and unplug from everyday life. 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.


Guide to Lexington

Camping near Lexington, 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.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating on the lakes. At Dreher Island State Park Campground, one visitor said, "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 mentioned, "There are plenty of hiking trails and a beautiful lake right in front of the visitor center."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Hamilton Branch State Park Campground enjoy spotting local wildlife. One reviewer noted, "The area across the road from the site is undeveloped and recently cleared for forest maintenance but still looks nice."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. A visitor at Lake Greenwood State Park Campground said, "Beautiful site right on Lake. Plenty of places to walk. Beautiful scenery."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Lake Wateree State Park Campground mentioned, "The nicest shower house I have ever seen. This is the standard we base all other campgrounds."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park said, "Camp Host was very helpful."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Santee Lakes KOA said, "Every site was just dirt and there was not much shade at our site."
  • Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks if your site is sloped. A visitor at Lake Greenwood State Park Campground mentioned, "It is steep so big plenty of blocks!"
  • Water and Power: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Hamilton Branch State Park Campground noted, "The shade provided by the trees was a welcome respite from the summer heat."

Camping around Lexington, SC, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lexington, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lexington, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Lexington, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Lexington, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lexington, SC is Dreher Island State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 47 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lexington, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Lexington, SC.