Glamping in Pinopolis, South Carolina offers visitors convenient access to Lake Marion, the largest lake in the state covering over 110,000 acres with 315 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 75 feet above sea level with a subtropical climate featuring hot, humid summers and mild winters. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-60°F while summer temperatures can reach 90-95°F with high humidity levels.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Marion: Rocks Pond Campground provides direct lake access with dedicated boat launches. "This RV park is massive and has immediate access to water for your boat, kayak or canoe. Shortly after entering, you'll only need to continue due straight until you reach the double boat launch," notes camper Stuart K., who appreciated the convenient gas pump without price gouging.
Explore hiking trails: James Island County Park offers over 5 miles of paved paths through maritime forests. One visitor mentioned, "It has a fantastic dog park and several miles of paved walking/biking paths," while another noted, "We had great time with bike rentals and the outdoor adventure area." The trails provide shaded routes with minimal elevation change.
Fishing opportunities: Santee State Park's Cypress View Campground has dedicated fishing areas along Lake Marion. "This is a great campground for anyone who enjoys watersports. Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing," writes Jason F. The park provides designated fishing piers and multiple shoreline access points.
What campers like
Family-friendly amenities: James Island County Park receives high marks for its children's activities. Camper Greg S. shared, "Pretty fantastic place for families. Awesome trails, huge playground, water park, fishing, rock climbing walls, and very close to folly Beach, which is gorgeous." The park includes a splash zone waterpark and organized activities.
Spacious sites: The Lakeshore Campground offers roomy waterfront camping spots. Katherine notes, "Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs! The lake access had a beach area that the kids loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs."
Pet-friendly options: Several campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. At Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, Carlyne F. observed, "There's a beautiful lake that allows catch and release fishing. Some tent sites and cabin sites are right along the water and offer nice views. There's a one mile loop trail through the woods and along the lake. There are waste bags scattered throughout the park and a huge dog park."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer months bring heat, humidity, and mosquitoes to lakeside glamping sites. At Rocks Pond Campground, Stuart K. advises, "Best time of the year is Fall, Spring, and Winter," and suggests, "bring plenty of mosquito repellent (you're next to the water in the south, need I say more?)."
Limited cell service: Some glamping locations have connectivity challenges. At Givhans Ferry State Park, Deborah L. noted, "Nice campsite, full hookups, enjoyed the lightning bugs, great place to enjoy camping and getting away from electronics since no cell phone signal for T-Mobile and no wifi in campground."
Off-season benefits: Many glamping locations are less crowded during weekdays and non-summer months. Crystal C. reported about Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, "Camped at site 32 in mid-November and site and grounds were both beautiful and very well kept." Winter visits often mean fewer bugs and more availability.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront activities: Palmetto Shores RV Resort offers family-centered water amenities beyond just lake access. Claire O. mentioned, "Palmetto shores has a nice outdoor activity area, a nice lake beach and a really nice pool and lazy River." These features provide supervised swimming options when lake conditions aren't ideal.
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Santee Lakes KOA, Daniel S. shared, "Only could stay for one night. But had a beautiful lake front site. Right by the playground. Really nice facilities." This proximity allows parents to supervise from their glamping site.
Educational opportunities: Visit the nearby Sewee Visitor Center with children. A visitor to Buck Hall Recreation Area recommended, "The nearby Sewee Visitor Center has red wolves and is free to visit. They also have RV parking! We enjoyed this, but if you have kids I think it would be a must do! You can call ahead and find out when they will be feeding the wolves."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Buck Hall Recreation Area, RVers should prioritize location within the campground. Eric K. suggests, "Trailering your boat will force you to pay for an RV site," while Lisa M. notes, "All the spaces had water and electric. The showers were nice and tidy and the water pressure in the showers was great."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for potentially uneven sites at some locations. Molly F. observed at Santee Lakes KOA, "We stayed at Santee Lake in a 37' travel trailer. Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not."
Full hookup availability: At Santee State Park, John W. shared about Givhans Ferry, "This is a great park. 30 foot trailer backed in no issues with plenty of room to pull truck in beside rig. They have some full hookup sites which is what I got. Most have water and electricity." Always confirm hookup options when booking glamping in Pinopolis.
