South Carolina's glamping scene extends beyond the established facilities at Cheraw and Santee State Parks. The Pee Dee region surrounding Salem offers additional outdoor accommodation options within the state's distinctive Carolina Bay ecosystem. Winter temperatures average 45-55°F, while summer can reach 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall ideal for glamping near Salem.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lakeshore Campground provides direct access to Lake Marion where visitors can fish from the shore or launch boats from the adjacent public ramp. "The central feature is the large lake that the campground is on, but also nice is the pretty forest of tall oaks and pine trees that makes up the rest of the park," notes camper Jorah.
Equestrian activities: Lee State Park maintains dedicated horse trails and stables for riders. "If you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flyes. they were swarms of them... trails were nice and lots to see," reports Swain K., highlighting both the appeal and challenges of the equestrian facilities.
Hiking trails: Multiple path networks wind through the region's forests with varying difficulty levels. "We had a great time hiking and fishing," states Robert M. about his experience at Santee State Park, which offers walking routes connecting campground areas with swimming beaches and lake views.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Santee Lakes KOA provides premium waterfront sites with direct lake access. "Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites," advises John K., while another visitor notes "We had an awesome view from our campsite of Santee Lake. We definitely will be coming back!"
Wildlife observation: The natural setting allows for animal sightings throughout the day. "Was wonderful to wake up and see the horses," reports Lauren V. at Lee State Park, while Alfred H. mentions seeing "several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife" during his stay at Cypress View Campground.
Service quality: Staff assistance receives consistent praise across multiple locations. "For our first time camping in our RV the staff was very friendly and helpful. The crew escorted us to our campsite, made sure we where happy," shares Georgia R. about Santee Lakes KOA, highlighting the assistance provided to new RVers.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "The bathrooms were well kept, and cleaned every morning while we were there," reports Katherine at Lakeshore Campground, while Jenny P. found "Bathrooms nasty" at Cypress View Campground, indicating inconsistent maintenance.
Seasonal considerations: Insect activity increases dramatically during warmer months, especially at Little Pee Dee State Park. "This is a quiet and clean campground on the banks of Lake Norton. Locals often come here for fishing and non-motorized boating," explains Courtney B., though several reviewers note significant mosquito presence during summer.
Access challenges: Some locations have difficult entry roads. "Road to campground is horrible! Very narrow, trees hanging over it, dirt, but huge holes! Obviously needs to be graded," warns Lauren W. about Little Pee Dee's access route, suggesting higher clearance vehicles may be necessary.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cheraw State Park provides play areas near the water. "There is a lake with a swimming area that was also well-maintained and clean, it has a boardwalk that goes around a large portion of the lake that connects the campground with the beach area," explains MaryAnn P., noting the convenience of connected recreation zones.
Water activities: Swimming areas with designated beaches provide safer alternatives to open water. "The lake is absolutely beautiful... Part of the lake is from the Carolina Bay, and the coloring of the water is gorgeous," reports Ashley W., though families should note that swimming is restricted to designated areas.
Noise considerations: Some locations experience significant after-hours activity. Katherine at Lakeshore Campground reports, "Our first night, a group of campers were very loud and rowdy until 12am. Then after the rowdiness calmed, their TVS were set on like the loudest kid show until 3am!!" suggesting families consider site placement carefully.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Sugarloaf Mountain, Jason F. advises, "We stayed in site 1B and had no issue finding a spot by the water in our 22' travel trailer. Sites are well dispersed and we only saw a few other campers all weekend." This indicates specific site numbers can significantly impact the glamping experience.
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections vary by location. "Sites have a fire ring/grate and a picnic table, but no trash cans, and you'll need to bring your trash to a large bin located at the edge of the campsites," notes Courtney B. about Little Pee Dee, highlighting the limited infrastructure at some locations.
Leveling requirements: Ground conditions affect setup ease. "Site 34, Outer loop. Water only. Bathroom clean, but Grade C," reports Lisa S. at Little Pee Dee, while Mitch M. found "Sites were gravel and level" at Lee State Park, demonstrating the terrain variability between glamping facilities close to Salem, South Carolina.
