Campgrounds in the Manning, South Carolina area feature extensive water access with multiple sites directly on Lake Marion. Most facilities remain open year-round, with water levels in Lake Marion fluctuating seasonally which affects shoreline camping conditions. Many campgrounds offer varying site sizes, from spacious waterfront spots to more densely packed interior locations.
What to do
Fishing access points: Taw Caw Campground and Marina provides excellent shoreline fishing opportunities with dedicated cleaning stations. "Great place to stay to fish boat or explore the lake. Bathroom were cleaned. There's a little store on site. Boat ramp fuel and marina on site. Fishing pier to fish off," notes a camper at Taw Caw Campground and Marina.
Boating and water sports: Multiple campsites near Manning offer boat launch access for various water activities. "This is a great campground for anyone who enjoys watersports. Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing," explains a visitor at Cypress View Campground.
Nature trails: Several campgrounds maintain hiking paths through pine forests and along lakeshores. "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!" mentions a camper about their experience at Cypress View Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Sites with direct lake access receive consistently high ratings. "We were at Site J and I which continues to be a favorite. The only drawback is the proximity to the fishing dock and cleaning station," notes one regular visitor to Taw Caw Campground and Marina.
Winter camping options: Off-season camping offers a quieter experience with greater site availability. "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore," shares a winter camper at Cypress View Campground.
On-site amenities: Many campers appreciate convenience services at Santee Lakes KOA. "They deliver firewood and pizza. The pizza was excellent. Customer service is outstanding! My dogs are loving it!" reports a satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and cleanliness of bathhouses differs significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms nasty. Rough roads. Nice lake," notes one camper at Cypress View Campground, while others report well-maintained facilities at Palmetto Shores RV Resort: "The sites are large and far enough apart; but be mindful of the site you pick!"
Site privacy considerations: Some campgrounds feature tightly-packed sites, especially during peak season. "They pack you in this campground, but it was pretty nice, with some great views. They had a little shop and a pizza place coming soon," explains a visitor to Santee Lakes KOA.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "It's not easy to get in here with anything bigger than a full size pickup. The park road is very narrow and uneven with lots of large pot holes," warns a camper at Poinsett State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's facilities. "Right by the playground. Really nice facilities," notes a family staying at Santee Lakes KOA, while another mentions "the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at [the beach area] and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs" at The Lakeshore Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local animals. "Very nice campground. Has boat docks & launching ramp. Nice fishing pier. Clean bathrooms. Staff friendly and helpful. Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife," reports a visitor to Cypress View Campground.
Spacious sites for group camping: Some locations provide extra room for families. "It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped because its not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out," explains a family camping at The Lakeshore Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: Choose sites based on rig size and needs. "Nice camping site off of I-95. I stayed one night each, going south and on the return trip north. The first site they tried to put me in was a 'premium' site overlooking the lake. Beautiful site, but not nearly big enough for my 37' travel trailer," explains an RVer at Santee Lakes KOA.
Hookup availability: Water and electric services vary between campgrounds. "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not," notes an RV camper with a 37-foot trailer at Santee Lakes KOA.
Seasonal considerations: Water activities make summer camping popular despite heat. "We stay here for 4th of July weekend and can only describe the experience as a free for all. With camper literally on top of each other and spreading into the next camp site," cautions a summer visitor to Santee Lakes KOA.
