S
Sherri B.
Guide
GuideOutside Inn Campground
Fabulous farm
Close to I95 & I26. Great stopover when passing through. Family owned farm and campground combined. Easy check in. Clean and private bathhouse.
Camping near St. Matthews, SC
79 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds near St. Matthews, South Carolina include established sites and primitive camping areas across several parks and mixed-use recreation zones. The region includes Congaree National Park's Longleaf Campground, offering primitive tent camping with walk-in sites, while Poinsett State Park provides developed camping with tent, RV, and cabin options. Santee State Park features both Cypress View Campground and The Lakeshore Campground, both offering lakefront sites with multiple accommodation types. Several privately operated campgrounds like Sweetwater Lake Campground and Palmetto Shores RV Resort provide additional options with various amenities and waterfront locations.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally with summer being the peak visitation period when reservations are strongly recommended. Many sites throughout the region feature water and electric hookups, though primitive sites in Congaree National Park lack these amenities. "There is no running water or electric. Take the 2-mile hike and head to Longleaf sites. It's only $5!" noted one camper about Congaree. Flooding can affect trail and campsite accessibility, particularly at Congaree National Park where water levels fluctuate considerably. Most campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, but visitors should verify seasonal closures or restrictions before traveling. Cell service is generally available at developed campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas like Congaree.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the area, with lakefront sites at Santee State Park and Sweetwater Lake Campground frequently mentioned. Campers report high satisfaction with the boardwalk trails at Congaree National Park, which provide unique opportunities to experience the park's swampy ecosystem. "The boardwalk provides a unique experience!" shared one visitor about Congaree. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant throughout the region's camping areas, with birds, reptiles, and amphibians commonly spotted. During late May to early June, synchronous fireflies at Congaree National Park create a spectacular natural light show that draws many visitors. Temperature and humidity levels can be extreme during summer months, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping.
Best Campgrounds near St. Matthews (79)
1. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park
"Having been on the road for about three months before coming to Congaree, we were happy to arrive to such a quiet and tucked-away campground."
"We were at site 7, it took about 250 steps from the parking lot to our site. All sites have lots of shade. The campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night."
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability2. Poinsett State Park Campground
"It looks nothing like South Carolina as you enter the gates. After half a dozen ups and downs and right turns you find yourself in a clearing and a large parking lot, a lake and a ranger station."
"We recently visited South Carolina and after spending the weekend visiting nearby Congaree National Park, we opted to stay at Poinsett State Park for 4 nights in our Mercedes Sprinter campervan."
3. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park
"There were not too many people camping during our visit, but it could be that not many people want to stand the South Carolina heat! Either way, it made the visit quiet."
"We were at site 46, which is near the entrance and the camp host. Short walk to the bathhouse directly behind."
4. Sweetwater Lake Campground
"Sweetwater Lake Campground is a small RV campground. There is electric and water hookup and a dump station. Lots are decent size and fairly level on grass or gravel."
"They allowed me to pitch my tent close to the lake, far away from the RVs."
5. Santee Lakes KOA
"This 25 acre campground is tucked in on the North side of Lake Marion in SC. Great staff friendly and helpful. I'll will be back"
"This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets."
6. Outside Inn Campground
"This was our second visit to Outside Inn Campground and both times we stayed in the camper they offer as a rental."
"Unbelievable place to stay—from getting to feed the animals, the walking trails, the playground, Outside Inn is family friendly and our kids always have a blast!"
from $42 - $70 / night
Check Availability7. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground
"The site was level with a gravel drive and parking area. Lots of pines all around but the site was clear enough for easy parking. No sewer hookups."
"The park is in Columbia SC, and is a great choice for families who may want to do things outside the park. The park is super close to the Riverbanks Zoo."
8. The Lakeshore Campground — Santee State Park
"It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site."
"Peaceful, quiet place remarkably close to I-95."
9. Palmetto Shores RV Resort
"Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed (and drank)."
from $48 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort
"Great location! This RV Resort has great amenities and staff along with their location! Awesome gym and club house plus beautiful pool! Staff are very friendly and welcoming! Check them out!"
Drive Time
- 40 min from Columbia, SC
- 45 min from Sumter, SC
- 1 hr 10 min from Charleston, SC
- 1 hr 20 min from Florence, SC
Recent Camping Photos near St. Matthews, SC
116 Photos of 79 St. Matthews Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sweetwater Lake Campground
Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park
Elliott's Landing and Campground
Poinsett State Park Campground
Cypress View Campground — Santee State Parkc
Outside Inn Campgroundt
The Lakeshore Campground — Santee State ParkK
Palmetto Shores RV Resort
Santee Lakes KOA
River Bottom Farms Family CampgroundC
Sesquicentennial State Park CampgroundD
Crunchy Acresj
Recent Reviews near St. Matthews, SC
427 Reviews of 79 St. Matthews Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendTaylor's Landing
Off The Beaten Path
You’ll find this hidden campground VERY far off the beaten trail (and trust me, this trail is as beaten up a road as you’ll find just about anywhere in South Carolina, so you'll want to drive down the lane here SLOW) on the easternmost side of Lake Marion off Ferguson Landing in southeastern part of the great Palmetto State. Given its direct access to Lake Marion, the place gets high marks for its location, but lower marks for overall upkeep and the basic downtrodden nature of the place. You’ll be impressed by the shallow water access and boat launch here, where you’ll have to maneuver around scores of submerged Cypress trees, which makes for quite the enchanting entry to Lake Marion, which if you weren’t aware, offers up 315 miles of shoreline, spans 110,000 square acres or 174 square miles and is the largest lake in South Carolina.
That said, IMHO Taylor’s Landing could use a serious bit of refurbishment and grooming, including the grounds themselves, which were quite overgrown when we stopped by. There is a general store of sorts on-site that sells sundries, ice and most camping needs as well as providing propane tanks for sale. Overall, this place is built more for the RV’ing crowd, although they do offer a few places for tent campers, but don’t offer much in terms of amenities. There was a communal dog area that was pretty worn down right near the area designated for tent camping, which given that most of the dog owners didn’t take their dogs for a walk, the smell emanating from this area was enough for us to decide not to camp here for the night. The entire CG is wide open without any benefit of shade or privacy between sites, although the perimeter has a nice treeline.
Insider’s tip? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a history buff, then you’ll be lured nearby to discover the Sunken Ghost Town of Ferguson, which was once a Congaree Indian Village, which we could access with our kayaks to explore; (2) There is a sandy beachhead that you’ll discover on one of the few trails you’ll come across here at Taylor’s Landing; (3) From an entertainment standpoint, this CG does offer up some interesting creative options during different times of the year – when we were there during the latter part of October, they offered up a ‘Trail of Terror’ for Halloween; (4) If you want to get your hike on, right nearby is Santee Cooper Nature Trail, which makes for some relative easy-to-modest hiking; (5) There’s nothing out in these parts, so if you want to grab a bite to eat, you’ll need to head back to Eutawville where there’s a few mom & pop joints like Tricia’s Café, Sweatman’s BBQ and Casters at Bells; (6) The fishing dock here is solid and offers great opportunity to reel in largemouth bass, catfish, striped bass, crappie and panfish like bluegill; and (7) The best asset here at Taylor's Landing is the fairly EZ to access boat launch that will have you in Lake Marion in no time flat, whether you have a motorized boat or a simple kayak or canoe.
Overall, Taylor's Landing could be a nice place, just in dire need of some upgrades and overall maintenance.
Happy Camping!
- sstephen H.
ScoutWeston Lake Recreation Area
Fort Jackson, SC
This is a restricted use Army Travel Camp managed through MWR. It is open only to those holding military ID cards.
Thomas B.
RangerBlack Pearl Farms
Pleasant Farm Stay
Mike was proactive wirg communication and extremely easy to work with. Clear instructions and a unique assortment of goodies in the farm store. We enjoyed exploring the land too!
RennScoutTaw Caw Campground and Marina
Great getaway on the lake
This is a great location, tucked away beautiful serene views and pretty well maintained. Bath house is clean with clean showers. It seems like most of the occupants are long term and everyone including the staff is very friendly. The waters are great for boating, fishing, and swimming. Tons of beautiful birds in this area. The site i got does not have sewage hookup but they can come by and pump out your tanks upon request.
GREGG H.ScoutOutside Inn Campground
Excellent stop for overnight
Staff very friendly. Clean bathroom and showers. Farm animals around property and free eggs when available.
Wendi R.ScoutBroad River Campgound
Things you should know
When I moved here in October 2025 Tom and Jen were helpful. The lot however hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. The dead leaves and pine needles were at least 2 inches thick and I was left to clean them by myself. The amenities are far below substandard and barely work. If you need to shower at the office pray the hot water is working before going. It doesn’t work more than it works. There are always campground wide water and electric issues. The mail carrier delivers all mail to the office and they distribute to mailboxes when they feel like it unless Jen has something against you then she brags to other people in the campground how she is shredding your mail. I moved out in July 2026 and had paid my rent a week early but found a place to move the day after paying and they refused to reimburse the rent. They also raised the 6 times as well as forced all residents to pay for WiFi that was very inadequate to watch tv with so you pay for their WiFi as well as a second WiFi that actually works. I am not telling you to not move or camp here just want you to be informed of what you’ll be dealing with.
Gail G.GuideSantee Lakes KOA
quick stopover
Check in was easy, folks friendly. Water pressure to RV was weak, not sure we had 50 amp electric voltage, cause our battery level was down to 1/3 in am. It was very hot, ran two AC’s, and have electric fridge. Still trying to figure out why, when plugged into power, our battery level is lower then when we plugged into pole.
Lauren M.GuideBarnwell State Park Campground
Quiet and Enjoyable
Nice sites. Clean bathhouse. Great areas for biking or walking. Was able to find some fishing but main pond has been lowered.
Guide to St. Matthews
Camping sites near St. Matthews, South Carolina offer varied terrain spanning from pine forests to lakefront settings within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions favorable for tent camping. Many campsites throughout the area maintain open status year-round, though seasonal flooding can impact accessibility, particularly in low-lying areas.
What to do
Hiking trails at Poinsett State Park: Multiple trails suitable for various skill levels with unique terrain features. At Poinsett State Park Campground, visitors find opportunities for both hiking and mountain biking. "The hiking trails are very nice. The camp sites were on the smaller side but opened up to a large field area where the kids and dog could run around and play," noted one camper. The park's location in the sandhills creates distinctive trail conditions compared to other regional parks.
Fishing opportunities: Several waterfront camping locations offer bank fishing access without requiring boat launch. "We had an awesome view from our campsite of Santee Lake," reported one visitor at Palmetto Shores RV Resort. Fishing from the shoreline proves especially productive during early morning or evening hours when temperatures are cooler.
Swimming access: Multiple lakefront camping areas feature designated swimming zones, though availability varies by season. "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," mentioned one camper about The Lakeshore Campground. Swimming areas typically operate from April through September, weather permitting.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Sites situated along Lake Marion provide direct water access and scenic views. At The Lakeshore Campground, campers appreciate the spacious waterfront locations. "Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs!" one reviewer stated. Waterfront sites typically fill quickly during peak season, particularly those offering flat terrain and shade.
Spacious, level sites: Several campgrounds in the area feature well-designed camping pads with adequate spacing. "Our full hook-up site was almost perfectly level with a fire ring and picnic table. We stayed in a back-in site, which we were grateful for since they are all in the shade," reported a visitor at Outside Inn Campground. Sites at this facility include amenities designed for longer stays.
Wildlife observation: Multiple locations offer opportunities to view wildlife in natural settings. "We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night," noted a visitor at Longleaf Campground. Wildlife viewing proves most productive during early morning hours or around dusk.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Heavy rain can significantly affect camping conditions, particularly at lower elevation sites. "The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning," reported one camper at Longleaf Campground. Sites situated on higher ground typically drain better after rainfall events.
Campground access considerations: Road conditions vary significantly among camping areas. "The park road is very narrow and uneven with lots of large pot holes. The road to the campground is a little better, but also very narrow," explained one visitor about Poinsett State Park. Larger RVs and trailers may encounter challenges on narrower access roads.
Bathhouse conditions: Facility maintenance levels vary considerably between campgrounds. "The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there," noted a camper at Longleaf Campground. More developed campgrounds typically offer better bathroom facilities than primitive areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Santee Lakes KOA, "Great playground along the shore" was highlighted by one visitor. These amenities provide convenient recreation options directly within camping areas.
Bug prevention: Insect protection is essential, particularly during warmer months. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in and prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go! The heat in June is also pretty bad," warned one camper about Longleaf Campground. Bug spray with DEET provides the most effective protection against biting insects.
Swimming conditions: Beach areas offer water access but have varying conditions. "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," noted a visitor about The Lakeshore Campground. Swimming areas at more developed campgrounds typically receive more regular maintenance.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Choose locations carefully if traveling with larger vehicles. "Long RVs and trailers may have trouble with the trees and turns of the campground," advised one RVer about Poinsett State Park. Many established campgrounds provide site dimensions online to assist with planning.
Utilities and hookups: Water quality and electrical service reliability vary across campgrounds. "Hookups are convenient, and work well," reported a visitor at Santee Lakes KOA. Full-hookup sites typically command higher fees but offer greater convenience for extended stays.
Level sites: Ground conditions impact setup time and comfort. "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not," noted one RVer at Santee Lakes KOA. Bringing leveling blocks or stabilizers proves helpful at many area campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near St. Matthews, SC?
Which is the most popular campground near St. Matthews, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Matthews, SC is Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
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