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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
