Sesquicentennial State Park offers diverse options for tent and RV camping within 20 miles of Elgin, South Carolina. The park sits at 250 feet elevation in the Sandhills region and features a 30-acre lake surrounded by mixed pine and hardwood forest. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-60°F while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Poinsett State Park provides excellent mountain biking opportunities with interconnected trail systems. "I prefer to stay at Poinsett State Park in the fall, winter, or spring as it is located in the sandhills and it can be pretty hot and buggy in the summer," notes Jodi B. about Poinsett State Park Campground.
Kayaking on lily-covered waters: The lake at Sesquicentennial provides peaceful paddling experiences with unique vegetation. "I love the bike and hiking trails. Very nice area to kayak in, I love all the Lilly pads," shares Tara M. about Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Swimming for children: Several parks offer designated swimming areas for families. "There is a really lovely strip of shaded picnic tables where we spent the hottest hours of the day. The water is pretty shallow, so the littlest ones had plenty of space to play and swim without us having to worry," reports Jen G. about Lake Wateree State Park.
What campers like
Spacious concrete pads: Military campgrounds provide well-maintained sites with ample room. "The campground was nice, the RV spaces had nice concrete pads and nice cabins. The roads had some serious potholes and the campground doesn't seem to be on a regular maintenance schedule but it was clean," notes Bonnie C. about Weston Lake Recreation Area.
Lake views: Campers appreciate sites that allow boat access directly from camping areas. "Good views and boat access. It is relatively small and reservations are difficult to get," explains Kevin B. about Lake Wateree State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings support diverse wildlife observation opportunities. "I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear. And there is a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also," mentions Ruth J. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between parks and carriers. "T-Mobile service doesn't work at all, but they have Wi-Fi hotspots for rent for $5 per day," reports Matt C. about Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area.
Distance from amenities: Some campgrounds require planning ahead for supplies. "Campground is pretty far from restaurants, grocery stores, etc so plan accordingly," advises Kim S. about Broad River Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to some parks may present challenges. "The state road getting back to this Park is pretty rough, but nothing that will break your rig on the way in," notes George P. about Poinsett State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Day activities for children: Parks offer various recreational options beyond camping. "We have been camping here for years and we love the camp ground. Bathrooms are all remodeled and super clean. The grounds are fairly flat so bike riding is great," shares Teresa G. about Lake Wateree State Park.
Group camping success: Some parks accommodate larger family groups effectively. "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" recounts CeCelia L. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Tent location considerations: For pet-friendly camping near Elgin, South Carolina, choosing the right tent area improves the experience. "The lakeside tent area provided beautiful scenery with access to restrooms and showers. It wasn't too crowded as it was military members only and you can't beat the price for a lakeside spot," explains Christopher B. about Wateree Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Some loops offer better spacing and shade than others. "We stayed in site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us," shares Ramona K. about Lake Wateree State Park.
Connectivity options: Working remotely requires planning for internet access. "Dirt roads lead up to loop 2 which is where I stayed. Everyone was very friendly. I would definitely stay here again. T-Mobile 3 bars 5g over 300mbps, ATT 2 bars 5G over 300mbps, Starlink - forget it. Too many trees :)" reports Erin M. about Sesquicentennial State Park.
Maneuvering limitations: Be aware of potential challenges for larger vehicles. "I think it was just our site. But the other sites were pretty narrow, as well. Otherwise, the campground was nice. Shaded, a large field for the children to run and play with their new-found friends," notes Trina W. about Poinsett State Park.
