Camping near Pinewood, South Carolina encompasses diverse options from lakeside sites to rural farmlands. Located in the middle of the Sandhills region at approximately 200 feet above sea level, the area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters that rarely dip below freezing. Seasonal considerations affect campsite selection, as summer campers often seek water access at Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie for relief from humidity.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Hill's Landing & RV Park, one visitor noted it's "highly recommend for fishing!" while another explained the campground is "located on a canal" connecting both lakes, making it "perfectly situated between the two."
Hiking the Palmetto Trail: Located about 5 miles from Johnston Landing, this trail offers impressive natural features. A reviewer at Johnston Landing Campground & Cabins mentioned, "One of the best hikes in all of South Carolina—the Palmetto Trial is just about 5 miles away, but is definitely worth the hike as here you'll be able to witness first hand the sunken giant Cypress trees, amazing bird watching (Ospreys and Herons in particular)."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas, though quality varies. A visitor to Santee Lakes KOA noted, "Great playground along the shore. If it wasn't near freezing, there was a nice spot for swimming."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The area provides opportunities to observe native animals. At Palmetto Shores RV Resort, a camper shared, "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."
Farm-based camping: For a different experience, some sites offer agricultural settings. At Black Pearl Farms, one reviewer simply stated, "Fresh blueberries!" while another noted it offers "Beautiful, well maintained site beside the Edisto river, just as advertised!"
Natural surroundings: State parks in the region maintain more natural settings than commercial RV parks. A visitor to Poinsett State Park Campground wrote, "We stayed here for our son's first birthday, in campsite 30! It was beautiful and we felt like we had plenty of privacy. Our site had a trail attached to the back of it which was really nice for hiking."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some parks have challenging access roads. One camper at Poinsett State Park Campground cautioned, "It's not easy to get in here with anything bigger than a full size pickup. The park road is very narrow and uneven with lots of large pot holes."
Cleanliness variations: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. A visitor noted of Cypress View Campground, "I've seen better bath houses," while another mentioned of Poinsett State Park, "On the topic of the bathroom, the toilets were CLEAN! And I mean we were there for 24 hours and the bathroom was cleaned at least twice."
Seasonal crowds: Summer months bring more visitors, particularly at lakefront sites. One camper observed of Cypress View Campground, "Downside is that it's super crowded. Apparently all the fishermen drag their families in along with their boats."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Santee Lakes KOA wrote, "Right by the playground. Really nice facilities," making it convenient for families with young children.
Field space: Some campgrounds include open areas for recreation. A reviewer at Poinsett State Park noted, "Shaded, a large field for the children to run and play with their new-found friends, and a nice recreational building available for campers to use, complete with games, books, tables, and electricity."
Swimming areas: Lake access provides cooling options during hot months. A camper at Cypress View Campground mentioned, "Nice park but gets super crowded. the sites we had you could definitely have more than 6 people to a site and many sites did just that. never far to a bathroom and easy access to the water."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many RV parks near Pinewood, South Carolina have space limitations. A reviewer at Big Rig Friendly RV Resort shared, "This place was well thought out when it was being built, lots of space, great level sites, nice dog park."
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, certain parks offer easier access. At RV's Acres, a camper noted, "Several 30amp sites with on-site water & plenty of space for more dispersed type off-grid camping."
Leveling challenges: Uneven sites can cause setup issues. A visitor to Poinsett State Park cautioned, "We camped here for Mother's Day weekend. Our camper is 29 ft, with no slide outs and just an awning. There was no way to extend our awning, because the trees were too close. A slide out wouldn't have been able to open out."
