83 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Newberry, South Carolina encompasses several established campgrounds along Lake Murray and within Sumter National Forest. Dreher Island State Park Campground, located on a scenic island in Lake Murray, provides lakeside sites for tents and RVs along with camper cabins for those seeking more shelter. The Newberry/I-26/Sumter NF KOA in Kinards offers family-friendly camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites approximately 15 miles northwest of Newberry. Brick House Campground in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests provides more primitive camping experiences with toilets but limited amenities. Several campgrounds in the area feature sites for both tent and RV camping, while a few locations like Prices Bridge Glampsite offer cabins and glamping accommodations.
Public lands and state parks in the region maintain varying amenities and reservation requirements. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though primitive sites with vault toilets can be found at locations like Brick House Campground. "Mostly a bourse trail but we knew that going into it. Which means you need to expect to get muddy as the bourses make excellent mud puddles," noted one camper about trails near Brick House Campground. Lake access points throughout the area provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming, particularly at Dreher Island and Lake Greenwood State Park. Summer temperatures typically remain hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms possible. Cell service varies significantly between developed campgrounds and more remote forest sites.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Newberry area, particularly at Dreher Island State Park. A camper shared, "The lake and the sitting area beside the lake are both beautiful. There is a paved walkway down to the lake to a sitting area and a dock." Campgrounds with lake access tend to book quickly during summer months and holiday weekends, often requiring reservations weeks or months in advance. Sites at Lake Greenwood State Park provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking and swimming, with campsites that range from lakeside to more wooded settings. While some campgrounds maintain shower facilities and electrical hookups, more remote forest service campgrounds offer a more rustic experience with basic amenities. Camping in the Sumter National Forest provides access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities in a more secluded setting than the popular state parks.
"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"
"Clinton and Newberry are both about 15 miles away and they both have plenty of shopping facilities."
"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"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"Supplies can be picked up roughly 15 to 30 minutes away from the campground."
"The campground is in a convenient location for exploring the national forest and spending time outdoors. I appreciated the level of care that went into keeping the facilities tidy and comfortable."
"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."
"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."
from $50 - $250 / night
Check Availability"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 $5 / 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 Newberry, South Carolina range from primitive forest campgrounds to developed lake-access facilities within the Sumter National Forest region. The area sits at elevations between 300-500 feet with rolling Piedmont terrain characterized by mixed hardwood forests and lake watersheds. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-95°F with high humidity, while winter camping offers milder 40-60°F daytime temperatures.
Hike the Palmetto Trail: The Alston Trailhead provides access to South Carolina's cross-state trail system. "We enjoyed this free trailhead parking. No bathroom, and the train only woke us up once in the night. Only one other van there with us, so very quiet and peaceful. Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning," notes a camper at Alston Trailhead.
Fish Lake Murray: The 50,000-acre lake offers excellent fishing opportunities. "Very nice clean wooded campground," mentions a visitor to Dreher Island State Park Campground. Another camper shared detailed fishing information: "Tons of shoreline for boat fishing opportunities and what you will normally catch will include: largemouth and stripers, catfish, bream, crappie and yellow perch."
Explore historic sites: The Ninety Six National Historic Site is worth visiting when camping in the area. "Great place to stay and visit. Be sure to check out the nearby town of Ninety Six and the Ninety Six National Historic Site," recommends a camper at Lake Greenwood State Park.
Affordable forest camping: Primitive sites in the national forest offer budget-friendly options. "This is a great temporary stop. I was there for two days. It has a pit toilet. This is a federal campsite. Rangers check the campsite every day and night. Great place to camp," says a visitor to Brick House Campground. Another camper noted the value: "$5 a spot. Very well taken care of campground. Vault toilet was clean."
Lakefront sites: Waterfront camping remains popular in the region. "Paved campsites. Clean bath houses. Nice shores, not too rocky. No red clay," states a reviewer at Lake Greenwood State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "My family loves this campground! It's clean and has a Great Lake to swim in."
Family-oriented facilities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families. "The owners and host are amazing at what they do! They've planned so much for this campground that our kids have had 5 days of things to do each day," shares a camper at Newberry/I-26/Sumter NF KOA. The campground features "a play ground and basketball hoop for kids. A pool. All of the spots we saw have fire pits. There's a small zip line for kids."
Train noise: Some camping areas experience railway disruptions. A camper at Alston Trailhead reported: "The only problem is the train. It woke us up at least 4 times last night. You can see the train from your campsite. Everything else was perfect for us though!"
Hunting season crowds: Forest service campgrounds become busier during hunting season. "This time of year (hunting season) was full of bigger rigs and generators. The few spots that weren't taken when we first got here eventually got scooped up by about 20 Boy Scouts," warns a camper about Brick House Campground.
Water access varies: Not all campgrounds provide reliable water sources. "The water is out so there isn't water other than that it's a great campsite. I like quiet spots and this is good for that," notes a visitor to Sumter National Forest Woods Ferry Campground. At Brick House Campground, "The closest water is 5 or 6 miles in either direction, so pack plenty."
Reserve lakefront sites early: Popular family spots book quickly. "Summer stays booked. Books up 13 months in advance holiday weekends. Tons to do and see for all ages Even on rainy days," advises a camper about Lake Greenwood State Park.
Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places with recreational facilities. "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. It has a little something for everyone," shares a visitor to Dreher Island.
Consider campgrounds with camp hosts: Staff presence enhances safety and service. At Newberry/I-26/Sumter NF KOA, "Office was very friendly. They take you to your site which we always so appreciate. Hookups are modern, nice dog park, propane tank for easy fill ups. Fresh donuts anytime, pizza and chicken wings (bone in and bone out) til 6."
Check site access carefully: Some campgrounds have tight turns. At Dreher Island, one camper noted their experience: "Our site #3 was a pull through. A little to close to main road (about 6') but that was the only issue otherwise not much to complain about."
Consider site spacing: Campgrounds vary in privacy between sites. "Campsites are a bit tight, but the lakefront sites have great views. Drivig through can be tricky due to the multitude of cars, trucks, boat trailers parked everywhere," reports a visitor to Lake Greenwood State Park.
Look for level sites: Forest service campgrounds may have uneven terrain. At Brick House Campground, a camper appreciated the "Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Newberry, SC?
Newberry, SC and the surrounding area offer several camping options. Dreher Island State Park Campground is a popular destination nearby with lakeside sites, good fishing opportunities, and peaceful surroundings. The park features camper cabins with electricity, heat, and air conditioning. Another option is Saluda River Resort near Silverstreet, which provides both drive-in and boat-in access for campers looking to enjoy water activities. Both locations are within a reasonable drive from Newberry and offer scenic outdoor experiences.
Is there a KOA campground in Newberry, South Carolina?
Yes, there is a KOA campground near Newberry. The Newberry / I-26 / Sumter NF KOA is located near Kinards, just a short drive from Newberry. This KOA offers drive-in access, reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for various camping setups. The campground's strategic location provides convenient access to Newberry's attractions while offering the consistent amenities and service standards that KOA campgrounds are known for.
What parks in Newberry, SC offer camping opportunities?
Newberry and the surrounding region offer several parks with camping facilities. Sumter National Forest Woods Ferry Campground is located near Carlisle and provides a more secluded camping experience. Chester State Park Campground is ideal for RV and trailer campers, though tent campers might find the terrain too rocky at some sites. For a more unique experience, Parsons Mountain Lake Campground offers camping beside a small lake with fishing opportunities and a designated swimming area, providing a well-rounded outdoor experience.
Are there RV parks with full hookups near Newberry, SC?
Yes, there are RV-friendly options near Newberry with full hookup amenities. Big Creek RV Park offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities to accommodate RVs. Lake Greenwood State Park Campground is another excellent option for RV camping with spacious sites near the water. The park is well-maintained and provides necessary facilities for comfortable RV stays, while also offering easy access to lake activities like boating, fishing, and swimming. Both locations are within a reasonable drive from Newberry.
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