Best Campgrounds near St. Matthews, SC

St. Matthews is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Matthews, South Carolina (73)

    1. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    29 Reviews
    Gadsden, SC
    12 miles

    $15 - $25 / night

    "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."

    2. Poinsett State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Wedgefield, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 494-8177

    "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

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 854-2408

    "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

    6 Reviews
    St. Matthews, SC
    7 miles
    +1 (803) 874-3547

    "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

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-2262

    "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

    6 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 974-8585

    $40 - $60 / night

    "New hookups, easy access and being right next to the farm animals was very fun! The rooster was pretty expressive overnight too!"

    "There is a great trail walk and lots of animals bunnies, pigs, donkeys, chickens, goats and a guinea fowl! I would certainly come back. We stayed in a pull thru #16 which was level."

    7. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    State Park, SC
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 788-2706

    "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

    3 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 345-7275

    "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

    5 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-6336

    $48 - $55 / night

    "Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed (and drank)."

    10. Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Cayce, SC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 708-5122

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near St. Matthews, SC

391 Reviews of 73 St. Matthews Campgrounds


  • Rocky The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

    Home Away From Home

    We are newbies at this life and spent our first winter here. We are from Nova Scotia Canada and were just astonished at how everyone treated use like a long lost friend had returned home. The amenities were great and the temp was very comfortable. At the site we made a new friend the railway engineer who past by every day and whistled every time as we waved back. That was great as we only have one train for all of Canada (no joke). Our  pooch "Henry the Hound" also made friends and was a hit with everyone he met. We had thought about other resorts before we saw this one but being here once we have decided to make this our winter home from now on. Fuel, groceries, beverages, service stations hardware stores and mini malls are just a 10 min drive away and for those who want home delivery of groceries they are phone call away for a very nominal price. This is a must stay place.

    Rocky/Cathie

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Barnyard RV Park

    No animals at the Barnyard.

    This is a nice, clean, open campground and RV park. Sites are big enough for most RVs. Mostly level, Some have cement pads. 30/50 amp, full hookups. Some Shade. Showers and bathrooms were clean and very nice. Good water pressure. My wife in was disappointed there were no animals.

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Santee Lakes KOA

    Needs Work

    We stay here twice both times were just OK. The pool is crowded and murky, suggesting it good us a good cleaning. We stay for 4th of July weekend and can only describe the experience as a free for all. With camper literally on top of each other and spreading into the next camp site. Our neighbor’s site consisted of a RV, a large six-person tent and a pick-up truck tent parked half on our site. We ventured down to the lake swimming area and doing doughnuts near or on top of the swim boundary line most of the day. To recap– can’t swim in the dirty pool and can’t swim in the lake. In fairness the KOA as made some improvement since our stay but not enough for us to go back.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Well spaced sites with good amenities. Set in the woods, making it easy to forget you're in Columbia! Quiet, lots of birds in the spring. Easy drive to Congaree, which we highly recommend.

  • J
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Bells Marina & Resort

    Perfect stop on i95

    Our road stop off I-95 at Bells Marina was an absolute gem! This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable. The newly paved, smooth road leading to the campsite—conveniently accessible from I-95—made our arrival effortless and stress-free. The well-stocked on-site store was a lifesaver, with their phenomenal pizza being the perfect quick and delicious meal after a long drive. Anglers in our group raved about the new fish cleaning station, a fantastic addition for preparing fresh catches with ease. With Food Lion just a 10-minute drive away, grabbing extra supplies was a breeze. The quiet, picturesque setting provided a rejuvenating escape from the road. Bells Marina is a must-visit for anyone seeking a convenient and exceptional lakeside camping experience!

  • Kevan  R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Dreher Island State Park Campground

    Needs Maintenance!

    SC state parks must have shortage of $$ or employees. I know they upgraded to full hook up RV sites in the Fishermen camp recently, but maybe, a little thought could have gone into grading and leveling. SMH Also, it’s a Sunday and the grounds look like they haven’t been mowed in weeks. Camper across from us brought a lawn mower 🤷🏼‍♂️. See attached pics. Fire ring is 5’ from the camper. Positive - the lake view.

    2nd SC park this year - SC DNR, do better.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    Quiet, wildlife, pines

    After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less “party all night” and more “sleep and then explore the park during the day.) Exactly my kind of vibe!

    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. The tent pad stayed fully drained.

    The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night.

    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. I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn’t ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren’t open/staffed yet).

    We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found.

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Taw Caw Campground and Marina

    Another great stay

    Stayed for the Memorial Day weekend. As is usual it was a great stay. We were at Site J and I which continues to be a favorite. The only drawback is the proximity to the fishing dock and cleaning station. The traffic is heavy at times with multiple golf carts invading your site. The other drawback is the noise at night. During our stay there were young adults raising cane on the dock after 10pm. It’s not bad if you are in an RV, however if you are in a tent you will probably lose sleep.


Guide to St. Matthews

Camping near St. Matthews, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Lake Wateree State Park Campground, provide excellent fishing spots. One camper mentioned, "This is one of our favorite spots! We can boat, fish, ride our golf cart, hang out by the fire and just enjoy the moment."
  • Hiking: Trails are available at places like Poinsett State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The park was cute but a lot of mosquitos, ants, bugs etc. and an Air Force training area nearby graced us the sound of heavy artillery late at night."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park enjoy the natural beauty. One review noted, "Beautiful quiet place to camp, hike, or canoe/kayak."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Dreher Island State Park Campground are praised for their cleanliness. A camper remarked, "The bathroom facilities were just OK, but fairly clean and just a short hike from our campsite."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors appreciate the helpfulness of the staff. At Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park, one camper said, "Camp Host was very helpful. Sites were spaced reasonably far apart but there is no privacy between."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review for Lake Wateree State Park Campground stated, "The nicest shower house I have ever seen. This is the standard we base all other campgrounds."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Givhans Ferry State Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor mentioned, "There is chain link fence surrounding the park. The 'hiking trail' runs along the road and cars barrel down it."
  • Mosquitoes and Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Poinsett State Park Campground noted, "There were lots of mosquitos, ants, bugs etc."
  • Cell Service: Some areas have poor cell reception. A review for Givhans Ferry State Park Campground stated, "Definitely need to wear your bug repellent."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park. A camper shared, "There are a couple of hiking trails and a short nature trail, both accessible from the Islanders Camp Circle."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. One family at Dreher Island State Park Campground enjoyed, "We swam for an hour or two (ok, we just floated on our rafts!) and it was nice knowing that there are no alligators there."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A camper at Lake Wateree State Park Campground mentioned, "Plenty of fishing areas. Not much near the site for supplies so bring your supplies if possible."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Charleston KOA noted, "Had enough room to stay hooked up to 36' 5th wheel, plus park a car sideways in front of truck."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Colleton State Park Campground offer full hookups. A camper said, "Every site is now full hook up. The price to stay here is awesome too."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Charleston KOA mentioned, "The park is a little noisy with planes and faint traffic but not too bad."

Camping near St. Matthews, South Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

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 29 reviews.