Lee State Park Campground is the closest established camping area to Olanta, South Carolina, sitting approximately 15 miles away in neighboring Bishopville. The park features unique camping experiences with equestrian facilities where horses are visible throughout the campground. Most campsites at parks near Olanta have water and electric hookups, with some offering sewer connections for extended stays.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Little Pee Dee State Park Campground offers excellent fishing at Lake Norton. The lake is popular among locals who come for "fishing and non-motorized boating," according to one camper. The park is known for its unique ecosystem with "part of the lake from the Carolina Bay, and the coloring of the water is gorgeous."
Wildlife viewing: Lee State Park Campground provides opportunities to observe horses and various wildlife. "If you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flies. There were swarms of them," notes one visitor. Another camper mentioned they "loved seeing the horses around the campsites" as a unique feature of this park.
Hiking trails: Sugarloaf Mountain offers hiking with elevation changes uncommon in this region of South Carolina. One visitor described it as "a great place for quiet, no frills camping" with "beautiful views." The trails provide access to fishing ponds and rustic stone shelters built throughout the recreation area.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Cheraw State Park Campground receives high praise for its tranquility. "Small but really nice. A lot of sites right on the water. Lots of trees, really quiet," writes one camper. Another visitor noted it's "a nice relief in winter to see trees with leaves" when staying during off-season periods.
Access to water: Campers at The Lakeshore Campground appreciate the easy lake access. "The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs," explains one family. Sites near the water are "spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend which helped with the heat and bugs."
Clean facilities: Cypress View Campground at Santee State Park maintains well-kept bathrooms. Visitors note that "bathrooms are standard for SC parks, but they're worn-out" though regularly cleaned. The campground offers boat access and "a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly," according to one camper.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Cheraw State Park's camping season runs from May through November, making it unavailable for winter stays. One visitor noted the benefit of off-season camping: "Barely anyone here in December, so it feels so nice to be out of our house but not needing masks constantly. When it isn't off season they have cheap boat rentals."
Road conditions: Some parks have challenging access roads. A Little Pee Dee visitor warned: "Road to campground is horrible! Very narrow, trees hanging over it, dirt, but huge holes! Obviously needs to be graded." Another camper at Sugarloaf Mountain noted that "Site 7's entryway was washed out and had some large holes that would benefit from higher clearance and 4WD."
Insect activity: The presence of horses at Lee State Park creates unique pest conditions. "The only drawback would be this park is an equestrian park so you will most likely encounter flies during the warmer months," explains one reviewer. Another added that there were "horrific mosquitos (and we're from SC for a baseline)" during rainy periods.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Santee Lakes KOA offers numerous amenities for children beyond the glamping accommodations. "They have a pizza oven with golf cart delivery service to your site, a swimming pool, and a private lakeside beach area," notes one family. Another mentioned their kids loved "the playground along the shore."
Campground layout considerations: Choose sites carefully at The Lakeshore Campground if staying with children. A family reported: "Our campsite was littered with cigarette butts and having young kids it was a little frustrating since they pick up everything!" They recommended avoiding "the beach next to the boat ramp (public access) because it was covered in trash."
Noise levels: Expect varied noise levels depending on location and season. "Our first night, a group of campers were very loud and rowdy until 12am. Then after the rowdiness calmed, their TVs were set on like the loudest kid show until 3am!" reported one family staying at lakefront sites during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Palmetto Shores RV Resort, choose sites away from the highway. "Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed," notes one RVer. The resort offers "large sites with full hook-ups" and "lots of amenities on the premises, including a really good restaurant."
Leveling challenges: Little Pee Dee sites require preparation for loose surfaces. "Loose dirt but fairly level," reported one RV owner with a 38-foot coach. Another camper in a 22-foot travel trailer at Sugarloaf Mountain mentioned, "We had no issue finding a spot by the water" despite the primitive nature of the camping area.
Check-in procedures: Different campgrounds have varied check-in protocols. At The Lakeshore Campground, "Booking online was great. No checking in just go to site and all tags are waiting for you at site." Santee Lakes KOA provides escort service: "They have a check in station at the gate so you don't even have to get out of your vehicle. Then they have people on golf carts take you to your site."
Traveler
