Best Campgrounds near Santee, SC

Camping near Santee, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to all types of campers.

What to do:

• Fishing and Water Activities: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One visitor at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park mentioned, "This campground has a beautiful lake with a boat dock." You can also rent paddle boats and kayaks at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, where another camper noted, "There’s a small lake that rents paddle boats and kayaks."
• Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails around the campgrounds. A reviewer at Poinsett State Park Campground 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." Just be prepared for some bugs!
• Wildlife Watching: Campers at Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park have enjoyed spotting wildlife. One camper said, "You can see your neighbor, but a decent amount of space in between and not many campers overall."

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Colleton State Park Campground remarked, "Bathrooms are cleaned regularly and showers are HOT!"
• Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Lake Aire RV Park said, "Great host, very helpful."
• Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness of the sites. A guest at Santee Lakes KOA noted, "We were on C5 which was a very large pull through and relatively level."

What you should know:

• Mosquitoes and Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the warmer months. A camper at Poinsett State Park Campground warned, "There were lots of mosquitos, ants, bugs etc."
• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have fewer amenities than others. A visitor at Charleston KOA mentioned, "It has the least amenities out of all the KOAs we have been to."
• Noise Levels: Depending on the location, some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA noted, "The park is a little noisy with planes and faint traffic but not too bad."

Tips for camping with families:

• Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and water activities. A reviewer at Santee Lakes KOA mentioned, "Nice pool, pet friendly."
• Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to give kids room to play. A camper at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park said, "Sites were spaced reasonably far apart."
• Plan for Bugs: Bring bug spray and nets to keep the little ones comfortable. A visitor at Poinsett State Park Campground advised, "The bugs love it!"

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Levels: Make sure to choose a level site for easier setup. A camper at Lake Aire RV Park noted, "Power was stable and water pressure was good."
• Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds can have narrow roads. A visitor at Santee Lakes KOA mentioned, "Roads are very tight!"
• Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. A camper at Colleton State Park Campground said, "Every site is now full hook up."

Camping around Santee, SC, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to pack accordingly and enjoy the great outdoors!