Glamping accommodations near Pineville, South Carolina sit on the shores of Lake Marion, the state's largest freshwater lake covering over 110,000 acres. Most sites are located within 30 miles of Pineville in neighboring Santee, where water levels fluctuate seasonally and summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. The marshy shoreline creates prime wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for bird watchers tracking the area's substantial osprey and eagle populations.
What to do
Fishing excursions: Lake Marion offers year-round fishing with notable bass, crappie, and catfish populations. At Santee State Park, anglers can access multiple fishing piers and boat launches. "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly," notes one visitor.
Kayak rentals: Several glamping properties provide on-site kayak rentals for exploring Lake Marion's cypress-lined coves. Rocks Pond Campground & Marina offers direct water access with their own boat launch. "This RV park is massive and has immediate access to water for your boat, kayak or canoe... they don't gauge you on the price of gasoline, which is nice for a change," according to one camper.
Hiking trails: The 2-mile nature trail at Santee State Park loops through oak forests connecting the two campgrounds. "Some fun but easy hiking trails link the two campgrounds in a loop. Very pet friendly," explains a reviewer who found the trails accessible for most ability levels.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Unlike some crowded campgrounds, several glamping options provide ample space between accommodations. The Lakeshore Campground offers "super spacious sites with more than enough room to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped... because it's not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out."
On-site dining: Many guests appreciate the convenience of food delivery to their glamping accommodations. "If you don't feel like cooking, order their awesome pizza, wings and they will deliver it to you by golf cart," shares a visitor at Santee Lakes KOA. The camp store also stocks essential supplies.
Check-in service: First-time glampers particularly value personalized arrival assistance. "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 which is great! No need to drive around and find your spot," explains one reviewer about their experience.
What you should know
Summer crowds: Peak summer months bring significant crowding to glamping sites. "We stay for 4th of July weekend and can only describe the experience as a free for all. With camper literally on top of each other and spreading into the next camp site," reports one KOA visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall provide optimal glamping conditions with fewer insects and moderate temperatures. Winter visitors to Palmetto Shores RV Resort note that "we both really enjoyed our stay. The dogs loved the dog park and I appreciated having bags to pick up after them... Just a very woodsy cozy place."
Maintenance variations: Quality of facilities varies significantly between locations and seasons. One guest observed, "Such a beautiful location but price doesn't match the upkeep. If you pay resort style prices (in which you do) you shouldn't have to work on shower heads in the bath house... Shouldn't be grime and rust built up in the stalls."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several sites offer designated children's swimming areas with gradual entry points. At Lakeshore Campground, "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."
Playground access: Most glamping locations near Pineville include playground equipment for children. Givhans Ferry State Park offers "several large fields to let the kids run wild" according to a visitor, making it suitable for families needing space for active children.
Evening activities: Plan for limited nighttime entertainment options. "We had a great time hiking and fishing," reports one Santee State Park visitor, suggesting families should bring their own evening entertainment such as board games or stargazing equipment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Lake views come at a premium but significantly enhance the experience. "Nice camping site off of I-95. I stayed one night each, going south and on the return trip north. The first site they tried to put me in was a 'premium' site overlooking the lake. Beautiful site, but not nearly big enough for my 37' travel trailer," notes a reviewer at Santee Lakes KOA.
Hookup variations: Not all glamping locations offer full hookups. One camper at James Island County Park advised, "We stayed during November and December... I really think they should give a discount during this time of year because of the inconvenience of having to deal with the traffic."
Leveling challenges: Many lakefront sites require additional leveling equipment. "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not," explains a visitor with a 37-foot travel trailer who still enjoyed the location despite these limitations.
