The Manning area of South Carolina sits at an elevation of around 200 feet in the coastal plain region. Campers will find relatively flat, wooded terrain with access to lakes Marion and Moultrie, which together form the Santee Cooper Lakes system spanning over 170,000 acres. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making year-round camping possible at most locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie offer excellent fishing conditions, particularly for striped bass, channel catfish, and bream. Hill's Landing & RV Park sits perfectly between both lakes on a tributary called Diversion Canal. "Located about 1.5 hour northwest of Charleston, you will find complete respite from the bustling developed world out here in these parts where there's plenty of hiking, fishing and boating to be had," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: The Palmetto Trail passes within 5 miles of Johnston Landing Campground and features remarkable views of sunken giant Cypress trees. "One of the best hikes in all of South Carolina– the Palmetto Trial is just about 5 miles away, but is definitely worth the hike as here you'll be able to witness first hand the sunken giant Cypress trees, amazing bird watching (Ospreys and Herons in particular)," reports a camper.
Wildlife viewing: The rural setting provides opportunities to spot native wildlife. At RV's Acres, visitors might see deer wandering through the property. "The last time I was here (4 days ago) 2 does & a fawn came lopping/walking through the property," mentions one reviewer.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Many campgrounds in the area offer lakeside sites with direct water access. At Johnston Landing Campground & Cabins, campers appreciate the waterfront location. "Once you successfully navigate all of the backroads past Lake Marion and directly on the shores of Lake Moultrie, you'll eventually find a small nook in the road where you'll discover Johnston Landing," writes one camper.
Rental equipment: Several campgrounds provide boat rentals for visitors who don't bring their own. "If you are coming to these parts, be sure to bring a floating vessel of any type– fishing boat, kayak, canoe or whatever will stay afloat– but if not, no worries, the good people here at Johnston Landing have you covered as they offer a paddle boat, kayaks and a row boat for rent," notes a reviewer.
Well-maintained facilities: Many rv sites near Manning, South Carolina receive positive feedback about cleanliness and upkeep. "Very nice campground. Has boat docks & launching ramp. Nice fishing pier. Clean bathrooms. Staff friendly and helpful. Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife I will stay here again," writes a visitor to Cypress View Campground.
What you should know
Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Black Pearl Farms, visitors should be prepared for rustic conditions. "Black Pearl Farms fit most of our expectations. However, I did make some poor assumptions regarding the information. We were in spot 3 which had 'access to power and water'. Which was true, but not what I assumed. The site was a few yards away from a wash area to get water from and there was a 12 volt power cord outside to plug into," reports one camper.
Reservation types: Some campgrounds only accept monthly reservations. Cedar Cross RV Campground operates on a monthly rental system. "I sent an email checking on one night availability and the response from Erin was 'We only do monthly rentals,'" notes one potential visitor.
Cell service: Coverage varies throughout the area, particularly at locations farther from Interstate 95. When camping at Black Pearl Farms, be aware that navigation systems might not provide accurate directions. "CAUTION: The directions provided by The Dyrt to this location are incorrect. It is not located on Sand Hill. So please use Google Maps to find the location or you will be down a long dirt road with no place to turn around," warns one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. Palmetto Shores RV Resort provides multiple recreation options. "We had a nice views of the water. They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place," notes one visitor.
Swimming areas: Families can enjoy designated swimming areas at several campgrounds around Manning, South Carolina. "We ventured down to the lake swimming area," mentions one visitor to Santee Lakes KOA, though they caution about boat traffic near swimming areas during busy periods.
Pet-friendly sites: Most campgrounds welcome pets but have specific rules. "We both really enjoyed our stay. The dogs loved the dog park and I appreciated having bags to pick up after them," writes a visitor to Palmetto Shores RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through access: Many RV sites near Manning offer easy access for larger vehicles. "Newly graded pull-through spots and a very easy paved boat landing to maneuver around," notes a visitor to Hill's Landing RV Park.
Camp store conveniences: Several campgrounds provide on-site stores with camping essentials. Hill's Landing RV Park offers "a general store where they sell bait & tackle, gas, ice, snacks, sundries and all the other basics you would expect."
Hookup options: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. "The site was 30 amp, no sewer. I backed in the way I was told to and realized our water and electric were on the curb side," reported one RVer about their experience at a local campground.
Site selection: When booking at Santee Lakes KOA, waterfront sites offer the best views but may present challenges for larger RVs. "Nice campground on the water. Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites," advises one camper, while another notes, "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."
