75 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Little Mountain, South Carolina centers around lake-based recreation, with several established campgrounds situated along Lake Murray's shoreline. Dreher Island State Park Campground, located on a 348-acre island in Lake Murray about 15 minutes from Little Mountain, serves as the area's premier camping destination. The park features tent sites, RV hookups, and camper cabins with lakefront views. Alston Trailhead offers free primitive camping with walk-in sites tucked behind the trailhead signs, providing access to the Palmetto Trail. The surrounding region includes Brick House Campground in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, offering a more rustic camping experience with basic amenities and hiking trails.
Most campgrounds in the Little Mountain area are open year-round, though summer brings hot, humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Mosquitoes are prevalent near the lakes during warmer months, particularly at dusk. According to reviews, strong winds can affect lakeside camping at Dreher Island, requiring extra tent stakes during storms. Winter camping is mild with occasional freezing temperatures. Reservations are recommended for Dreher Island State Park, especially for weekend stays during peak summer season (May through September). Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with the exception of some remote forest locations.
The camping options near Little Mountain cater to various preferences and needs. Dreher Island State Park provides water-based recreation with fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. As one camper noted, "Access to the lake was a breeze from the site; easy to walk in the water and to get kayaks in and out." RV campers will find full hookup sites at several campgrounds, while tent campers have dedicated platforms at Dreher Island with electric hookups. For those seeking more seclusion, Brick House Campground offers quieter surroundings. A visitor reported, "Spent New Years at site 16 and it was a little damp due to heavy rain but a great site. Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9-mile loop hiking trail."
"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."
"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."
from $50 - $250 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"You can paddle out to the main lake from this location. Quiet setting. Give them a try and leave them some love!"
from $20 - $40 / night
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability
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 Little Mountain, South Carolina primarily center around water-based recreation with forest alternatives also available. The area sits in the midlands region at around 682 feet elevation, where summer temperatures often reach the mid-90s with high humidity from June through August. Fall camping conditions typically feature mild temperatures in the 60-70°F range with lower humidity, making it the preferred season for many tent campers.
Hiking trails: The Palmetto Trail passes through Alston Trailhead, offering excellent day hiking opportunities. "Beautiful trailhead, lots and lots of bikepackers. It's so cool to have somewhere like this in our own backyard," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Lake Murray provides numerous swimming spots and boat launches. "Nice swimming and fishing lake. Nice views and waterfront lots," reports one camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can catch multiple species at Lake Greenwood. "The lake was beautiful and clear, the grounds and trails on the park were quaint and well kept," writes a visitor to Lake Greenwood State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Nature enthusiasts can spot deer and various bird species throughout the area. "I love going to this campground, I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear," mentions one camper about Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Privacy levels: Different campgrounds offer varying degrees of seclusion. At Brick House Campground, campers appreciate the isolation: "Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9-mile loop hiking trail."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Clean bathhouse. Stand was unpacked but level! Staff were friendly and very welcoming," reports a visitor to Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Budget options: Several locations offer affordable camping alternatives. "This is a great temporary stop. It has a pit toilet. This is a federal campsite. Rangers check the campsite every day and night," notes a camper at Brick House Campground, which costs $5 per night.
Lake access: Waterfront sites remain highly sought after. "Lakefront sites are well worth the extra cost. Campsites are a bit tight, but the lakefront sites have great views," comments a visitor to Lake Greenwood State Park Campground.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railway disruptions. At Alston Trailhead, a camper reports: "The only problem is the train. It woke us up at least 4 times last night. You can see the train from your campsite."
Site levelness: Prepare for potentially uneven terrain at certain campgrounds. One visitor to Woodsmoke Family Campground noted it was "To date, our most unlevel site we have found."
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring offer the most comfortable camping weather. Summer brings intense heat and humidity with temperatures regularly above 90°F, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing.
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies considerably between locations. "Very close to neighbor site, with fire pit being extremely close," reports a camper at Woodsmoke Family Campground.
Water play areas: Children enjoy designated swimming zones during summer months. At Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, "There is a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also."
Open recreation spaces: Some campgrounds feature fields for games and activities. One camper at Broad River Campgound mentions: "They have an open area in a field and then a few sites more spread out with some trees scattered around."
Dog-friendly options: Pets are welcome at most campgrounds, with some offering dedicated dog areas. "They have a dog park that we used a lot and also there are a bunch of trails behind the campground," notes a visitor to Broad River Campground.
Safety considerations: Most campgrounds are well-monitored. "The park staff are friendly. The vibe is residential/family oriented," reports a camper about Broad River Campground, adding "Felt safe. Felt reserved."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are available at multiple locations. At Dreher Island State Park Campground, campers note the "tent sites, RV sites. Clean bathhouses."
Reservation timing: Popular RV sites fill quickly during peak seasons. For weekends at Dreher Island, a reviewer points out it "Books up 13 months in advance holiday weekends."
Pull-through accessibility: Some campgrounds offer easier access for large rigs. "Our site #3 was a pull through. A little too close to main road (about 6') but that was the only issue," mentions a visitor to Dreher Island State Park Campground.
Overnight stops: Several campgrounds serve well for transit stays. "We were just traveling to Fl and needed someplace to spend the night without unhooking. The site was perfect and the campground was wooded and lovely. Easy in and out," reports a camper about Woodsmoke Family Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Little Mountain, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Little Mountain, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 75 campgrounds and RV parks near Little Mountain, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Little Mountain, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Little Mountain, SC is Dreher Island State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Little Mountain, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Little Mountain, SC.
Keep Exploring
