Camping near Plum Branch, South Carolina offers visitors access to several lakefront campgrounds along J. Strom Thurmond Lake, a 71,000-acre reservoir with 1,200 miles of shoreline. Summer temperatures often reach the 90s with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing. The clay-rich soil in this region can become muddy after rain, affecting site conditions at primitive camping areas.
What to do
Fishing access: Hester's Bottoms Family Campground provides excellent lake access for anglers, with most sites positioned directly on the waterfront. "Almost all the sites are lake front. Great family environment and the staff working there are very friendly. The lake is a good size lake and you can see for miles across," notes camper Ross P.
Water recreation: Big Water Marina & RV Park offers boat rentals, paddleboards, and kayaks for exploring the lake. "We love this spot. Most of the camp spots are not shaded, but right on the water. Boat rentals are available as well as paddle boards and kayaks," shares Sarah P.
Walking trails: The area features several walking paths around campgrounds and along shorelines. At Pointes West Army Resort, the lakefront peninsula sites provide scenic walking opportunities. According to Jason L., "Sites L, M, and N are all on a little peninsula that sticks out into Clarks Hill Lake, and are our personal favorites!"
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers appreciate the privacy and lake views at Pointes West Army Resort, especially during off-peak seasons. "My wife and I have stayed here three times in both early spring and mid-autumn. Two of those times we had the place to ourselves," reports Jason L.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. Bobby J. shared about his stay: "We had stayed before. (We as in myself, my 2 year old little girl and our 2 dogs). Camp grounds weren't too terribly over crowded when we arrived."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Campsites often accommodate families with amenities geared toward different age groups. At Big Water Marina & RV Park, one camper noted, "This campground was fun. My family and I enjoyed camping on the beach here by the lake. The campground had a lot to offer. There was a restaurant/bar, playground, Marina, stage with live bands."
What you should know
Military access restrictions: Pointes West Army Resort is a military campground with potential access limitations. Rose S. simply states, "This is a military campground," which may affect reservation eligibility for non-military visitors.
Seasonal closures: Some camping areas close temporarily or have restricted access during certain times. Scott M. warns, "As of 3 August 2020, Primitive Camping and Semi-Hookup (Electric Only) Camping areas are closed at Pointes West. RV Camping is open, for local traffic only."
Pet restrictions: Campgrounds may have breed-specific pet policies. One Hester's Bottoms camper discovered this during their stay: "After being there for 3 days they then tell us our bully breed dogs are not allowed and we had to leave with no refund for our last night."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Big Water Marina & RV Park offers multiple activities beyond camping. One visitor explains, "My kids had so much fun and can't wait to go camping here again" due to amenities like "a restaurant/bar, playground, Marina, stage with live bands."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can arise quickly on the lake. Bobby J. mentions how this affected his July 4th stay: "Camp grounds weren't too terribly over crowded when we arrived. However, throughout the day people showed up by the carloads to just hang out and party. Luckily, a light rain brought that to an end."
Site selection for children: Choose sites with adequate space for play. At Hester's Bottoms, Brenda L. observes, "The campsites are all a good size and not right next to each other. A lot are tucked away off the road a little and most are right on the water."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity insights: For RV sites near Plum Branch, South Carolina, connectivity varies significantly. At Lake Thurmond RV Park (Plum Branch RV Park), Kevin H. provides detailed internet speed info: "I was right under a WiFi antennae, and managed a 4.5meg download and 4.48 upload. Cricket: 7.98dn, 0.84up; ATT: 27.69, 0.3 up; Visible: 7.2dn, 1.2up; Verizon: 44.9dn, 1.88 up; T-mobile mifi: no 4G nor 5G service."
Site surface considerations: RV pad construction varies among campgrounds. At Heritage RV Park, Andrew L. notes: "The pads for the back in smaller campers were sandy with a concrete pad next to it. The sand was impossible to keep out of the RV and we continuously had to sweep."
Rig size accommodations: Many RV sites can handle larger rigs, but proximity to neighbors varies. At Pointes West Army Resort, Judy W. mentions, "We were able to park our 44 ft. Fifth wheel with ease with little assistance from a park host. The only reason why I didn't give a 5 star was because we were very close to neighbors."
