Campgrounds near Orangeburg, South Carolina offer varied terrain from pine forests to lakeside settings with sites typically 20-30 feet apart. Most camping options cluster around Lake Marion with elevations averaging 100-150 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F during peak camping season while spring and fall provide milder weather with temperatures ranging from 60-80°F.
What to Do
Fishing at Lake Marion: Cypress View Campground at Santee State Park provides excellent fishing access with a dedicated fishing pier. "Loved to camp and fish here," notes Debbie S., while Robert M. mentions having "a great time hiking and fishing" at this established park.
Hiking forest trails: The trails at Poinsett State Park Campground offer varied terrain across multiple routes. Krista R. shares, "I walked on some of the trails in the campground but didn't touch most of them. I definitely need to come back with a bike!" The park serves as "a good base to visit Congaree National Park which is a little less than an hour away," according to George P.
Paddling excursions: The Edisto River at Black Pearl Farms provides direct water access for kayaking and canoeing. John B. describes it as a "Beautiful, well maintained site beside the Edisto river, just as advertised! Private, peaceful, just what we were looking for."
What Campers Like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The rescue donkeys at Sweetwater Lake Campground create unique animal encounters. Darla reports, "The best and most fun part about this campground are the rescue donkeys. Their shelter and grazing area is situated directly behind the camper row. You can hear them bray and they will come to you and let you pet them."
Family-friendly atmospheres: Outside Inn Campground maintains a farm setting with multiple animals. Lynn M. comments, "The owners (Chris& Clair), their daughters (Macy and Caroline), and the various animals were great!" Ed C. adds, "One of the main attractions are the animals: cows, ducks, chickens, goats, a donkey, turkeys and roosters."
Quiet, accessible locations: Many campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite proximity to major highways. Jorah notes that Lakeshore Campground provides a "Peaceful, quiet place remarkably close to I-95. The park feels remote, despite being nestled among foresty neighborhoods."
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: Summer heat affects camping comfort significantly. At Santee Lakes KOA, Ryan D. suggests, "Nice camping site off of I-95. I stayed one night each, going south and on the return trip north." Winter campers like Mary G. note that "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake."
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on shade and proximity to amenities. Ken W. observes that at Cypress View Campground, "All campsites can probably see the lake a little. Downside is that it's super crowded. Apparently all the fishermen drag their families in along with their boats."
Dog-friendly policies vary: Most campgrounds near Orangeburg welcome pets but have specific rules. Katherine from Lakeshore Campground shares, "Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs!" which benefits pet owners during hot weather.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: River Bottom Farms Family Campground offers multiple play areas for children. Laura F. reports it's "very family oriented campground! always something to do with an activity list full of different things. pool was very nice and never over crowded."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas ideal for children. Jessie N. from Santee State Park notes, "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!"
Off-season benefits: Visit during spring or fall for fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Nicholas L G. observed at Cypress View Campground that "Even with lots of people this park is quiet. Great ATt phone service. Big lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Full hookup sites are common but quality varies between campgrounds. At Sweetwater Lake Campground, a reviewer notes, "There is electric and water hookup and a dump station. Lots are decent size and fairly level on grass or gravel."
RV site access: Colleton State Park Campground offers RV sites with some limitations. Creighton C. advises, "There are about 25 sites and some are very small and very unlevel," which is important for larger rigs to consider.
Dog-friendly RV parks: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Orangeburg offer specific amenities for pets. Joy K. from Outside Inn Campground suggests, "Our full hook-up site was almost perfectly level with a fire ring and picnic table. We stayed in a back-in site, which we were grateful for since they are all in the shade," which creates comfortable conditions for pets.
