9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Brick House Campground accommodates equestrians with designated campsites that permit horses throughout its primitive camping area in Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. Located about half a mile down a well-maintained gravel road off I-26 near Newberry, this campground offers 23 sites spaced at comfortable distances, each featuring a fire pit and picnicking area. The campground primarily serves horse owners using the adjacent trail system. Pit toilets are the only amenities provided, with no water or electric hookups available. The $5 nightly fee makes this an affordable option for horse campers seeking basic accommodations. Horseflies can be prevalent during warmer months, particularly after rainfall when the ground becomes muddy from horse traffic.
A 9.8-mile horse trail loop connects directly to the campground, allowing riders immediate access to forest trails without trailering. The trails show evidence of regular equestrian use with some muddy sections created by horse traffic, particularly after rain. Woods Ferry Campground, another horse-friendly option in the national forest, provides corrals at many campsites specifically designed for equestrians. Rangers check the campgrounds daily, ensuring rule compliance and camper safety. Visitors should bring all necessary supplies including water for themselves and their horses as the nearest water source is 5-6 miles away. During hunting season (fall through winter), the campground experiences higher occupancy with larger rigs and more visitors, while offering more solitude during off-peak times. The combination of affordable fees, horse-accessible trails, and basic amenities makes this area a practical choice for equestrians seeking simple forest camping.
"Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."
"Clinton and Newberry are both about 15 miles away and they both have plenty of shopping facilities."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped."
"Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated."
from $7 - $14 / night
Check Availability"Will try again in future as it keeps improving We just overnighted so did not use facilities nor do much in the surrounding areas."
"This campground is very quiet and right near the water. I enjoyed it and would stay again."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $525 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $50 / night
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GuideBuilt to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of South Carolina in the 30’s . At one time on the furthest outskirts of Columbia SC. It is now firmly in the muddle of the Metro area. Plenty of trailer sites. Tent site and primitive camping. Has recreational areas. Restaurants and shopping nearby
LegendIt was difficult for me to find Woods Ferry, but after talking with a park official, I finally got there. It is off the beaten path, so it is quiet. Apparently, there had been a lot of rain recently, and the area showed it. Woods Ferry is a campground mainly for campers who have horses. There are corrals at many of the campsites, so there are also a lot of horseflies. Horseflies and the actual site itself are my two main concerns. Selecting my campsite was my mistake. It was sloped, but there are a few others that were not sloped. There is running water and a pit toilet. Otherwise, you will have to take everything else in that you need.
Since South Carolina is hot during this time of year, I was a bit uncomfortable, especially since I was on a slope.
There is a separate section for group camping. However, I think it caters to groups of horse campers, as there are corrals at the campsites.
Overall, it’s not too bad for those who camp in an RV or a travel trailer, but it’s not ideal for tent campers.
GuidePros The pond was beautiful, nice walking trail for beginners, would never consider this a hiking park. Location was close to Colombia and all it offers. Bathhouse was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Toilets were three flushers is you cared about the next guy.
Cons Guessing I may have had the worst site (41) but walking through there were others similar. Site 41 is a pull through lot which declines quickly upon entry and is marred by deep ra9n crevices. You then incline to the area you should probably land as there is an obvious flat spot. Unfortunately in you stop there, your camper door will open on the neighboring fire ring which is the only fire ring on the back side of the neighboring spot in in the fore ground of yours. Asinine. I had to manipulate my camper for an hour to a spot level enough yet not in my neighbor's fire and dealt with a large tree and had to tie back branches to extend my awning. Uggg
Effing covid. The state of South Carolina, the City of Columbia don't have mask mandates. But this state park requires a mask to pee in the urinal. The boss says the county still mandates it.
LegendI gave this campground four stars, but only for RVs and travel trailers. I would not give it four stars for tent campers. Tent campers would have a hard time finding a suitable site that would not be too rocky. When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped. With that said, it is a campground in a beautiful setting. 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. The bath house was air conditioned, almost too much. It is a shock to the system moving from the intense South Carolina heat into the bath house. However, it was a nice break from the heat. Be aware that when you take a shower, you may have to wait a few minutes for the hot water to start. When I first turned it on, I wondered if there was any hot water. Eventually it came, and it was HOT, so I had to adjust it quickly. Also, take your own hand soap with you. There are paper towels but no soap. There are several trails, and you can rent boats, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. There is also a disc golf course. If I had known beforehand, I would have taken my own discs. That’s my fault for not doing the research. My favorite part of this camping experience was waking up early in the morning and sitting by the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a photo of the ducks taking off and flying in a perfect v-formation, but it was so peaceful there. Overall, this is a great campground to get away from civilization.
GuideLake Greenwood State Park is a smaller state park in South Carolina. The lake is sizable, you can easily take your boat or jet skis, but at the same time the lake is suitable for canoes and kayaks as well. This weekend, we opted for the tubes as our means to relax on the lake, and we achieved that. The only issue we found was the size of the campground itself. The campsites are nearly on top of one another, but there are some beautiful spots right on the lake. Since they are so close, you can hear the neighbors at all hours, and there is hardly any privacy. One other issue was the sites themselves. Now, if you have an RV, it's no problem. But if you are into tent camping, like I am, you will have to pitch the tent on gravel or pavement. Not the easiest pitch. With that, though, it was still enjoyable and relaxing.
Gear Review – As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get to review and test products in the field. This weekend was the perfect weekend to test the Cotopaxi 35L Travel Duffel. Right out of the mail, I knew that it would be one bag that lasts for a super long time. It is extremely well made, and very versatile. The only thing I was concerned about when I opened it for the first time was the size. I didn't quite believe I could fit everything for the weekend inside. This was not the case this weekend, though. I even had enough room for the frisbee with all of my clothes, toiletries, and extra pair of shoes. Overall, it is an excellent weeken bag, in it for the long haul. Check it out here: https://www.cotopaxi.com/collections/chumpi/products/chumpi-35l-travel-duffel
GuideThe only amenity is pit toilets. No water, no electric. Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed.
Stayed two nights with three other campers and never heard a sound except for nature. Would return again.
LegendWe stayed here for three nights in space number 17. Surprisingly it was quite level. The whole time we were there there was only usually about three or four other campers in the 21 spaces. Beware of the giant pothole when turning off the 66 onto the Brickhouse Road. We hit it and it jarred the trailer so much it broke our back window. This is totally dry camping and there are two sets of vault toilets. Nearest town was Whitmire about 7 miles away. Minimal facilities. Clinton and Newberry are both about 15 miles away and they both have plenty of shopping facilities. Hikes in the forest noted several downed trees, most likely due to the hurricane that occurred last year. Some of the trails were impassable.
LegendThis is a remote campground in the national forest, and it is close to equestrian camping as well. With that said, there will be horseflies. However, it is a quiet campground. A big disadvantage, as far as I am concerned, is that it does not have water access. With that said, plan to dry camp and bring your own water. There is a pit toilet, so that is one good thing I can say about this campground.
Avoid campsite 4 if you are in a tent, unless you have a rake. There are a lot of sweetgum balls. Since I was there at the beginning of the week, there were only two or three other campers and they were in RVs.
Overall, it’s not bad for camping if you are prepared and know that you will need to take everything in, including water.
TravelerCamp ground used by hunters alot. Horse trail and hinking here. Valt toilets
Equestrian camping near Newberry, South Carolina offers basic facilities in a forested setting at an affordable price point. The area sits within the Sumter National Forest at approximately 500 feet elevation with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Rainfall averages 45 inches annually, creating seasonal trail conditions that affect horse riding experiences from October through March when hunting seasons also impact campground occupancy.
Trail riding access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to forest trails without requiring horse trailering. Site 16 at Brick House Campground connects directly to a 9-mile loop trail as noted by camper Jacob L.: "Spent new years at site 16 and it was a little damp due to a heavy rain but a great site. Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail."
Disc golf: The championship disc golf course at Chester State Park Campground provides an alternative recreation option. Keith K. confirms: "Small clean campground... Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course."
Water activities: Paddling opportunities exist at several locations. Christopher B. reports from Chester State Park: "Beautiful state park campsite on the water. Clean. Newly renovated community areas. Great rentals and goods to purchase from the Ranger Station."
Affordability: The $5 nightly fee at several national forest campgrounds makes them budget-friendly options. Bill M. notes about Brick House Campground: "Affordable SC camping... Sites are large and spread out. No facilities except for very clean pit toilets. 5 mi off I26 makes it easily accessible."
Privacy: Many campsites offer good separation between sites. Karen F. reports: "The only amenity is pit toilets. No water, no electric. Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."
Natural setting: Forest and lake views provide peaceful surroundings. Myron C. appreciates the early morning tranquility at Chester State Park Campground: "My favorite part of this camping experience was waking up early in the morning and sitting by the lake... it was so peaceful there."
Limited amenities: Most equestrian campgrounds offer minimal facilities. One camper at Woods Ferry Campground notes: "There is running water and a pit toilet. Otherwise, you will have to take everything else in that you need."
Water access: Water sources may be distant from campsites. According to richardhoerz: "There is no running water. The closest water is 5 or 6 miles in either direction, so pack plenty."
Weather impacts: Recent rainfall affects trail and campsite conditions significantly. Myron C. observed at Woods Ferry: "Apparently, there had been a lot of rain recently, and the area showed it... It is a campground mainly for campers who have horses."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Newberry, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Newberry, SC is Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Newberry, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Newberry, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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