Cabins near State Park, South Carolina range from rustic accommodations to fully furnished units with modern amenities. The region sits at the transition zone between the Sandhills and Coastal Plain, creating diverse ecosystems within a relatively compact area. Winter temperatures typically remain mild, making cabin camping a year-round option with December through February offering less crowded conditions.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Poinsett State Park Campground offers excellent mountain biking opportunities, particularly during cooler months. As reviewer Jodi B. noted, "This is a good place to stay to mountain bike, there are two trails in Poinsett and Manchester State Forest is nearby."
Fishing on Lake Marion: Cypress View Campground at Santee State Park provides direct lake access for anglers. "Big lake. I've seen better bath houses," reports Nicholas L G., highlighting the campground's primary attraction.
Disc golf: Chester State Park Campground features a championship disc golf course along with lakeside recreation. A recent visitor commented, "Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course."
Water recreation: Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area offers various water equipment rentals, though currently some restrictions apply. A reviewer explained, "The only thing that has really changed is the dam is being worked on so you can only observe the lake, no swimming, boating, anything on the lake until repairs are completed."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several cabin locations offer good spacing between units. At Poinsett State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "We stayed here for our son's first birthday, in campsite 30! It was beautiful and we felt like we had plenty of privacy."
Clean facilities: Many visitors appreciate the regular maintenance of bathrooms at cabins throughout the region. A reviewer at Chester State Park Campground reported, "The bath house was air conditioned, almost too much. It is a shock to the system moving from the intense South Carolina heat into the bath house."
Military discounts: For qualified visitors, Weston Lake Recreation Area provides special rates for cabin stays. One camper noted, "Current RV site price a night is $35, if you have a National park pass it's $32.50. Despite the lake being off limits right now I will still come back."
Wildlife viewing: Cabins often provide opportunities to spot local fauna. A visitor to Wateree Military Recreation Area shared, "We would definitely go tent camping here again!" after enjoying the lakeside scenery.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat and insects can impact your cabin experience. One camper at Cedar Pond Campground mentioned, "Beautiful cedar trees and pond. Rustic with everything you need and nothing you don't."
Road conditions: Access to some cabin areas can be challenging. A visitor to Poinsett State Park warned, "It's not easy to get in here with anything bigger than a full size pickup. The park road is very narrow and uneven with lots of large pot holes."
Water status: Dam repairs at some lakes affect water recreation options. Thomas H. reported at Weston Lake, "The receptionist said they've been working on it for maybe 4 years. Hopefully it'll be completed sooner than later."
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking. Little Cedar Creek Campground offers full hookups for those needing more amenities, with a visitor simply calling it "Clean & Friendly."
Tips for camping with families
Hammock locations: Some cabin sites feature better tree arrangements for hammock enthusiasts. A Poinsett visitor advised, "For people that love hammocks, site 29 has a bunch of perfect hammock trees. If we go again we will try to stay in that spot!"
Playground access: Weston Lake Recreation Area offers recreational fields near cabin areas. A camper observed, "It has a large recreation area with about 20 or 30 RV spots," noting the additional amenities beyond just camping.
Indoor recreation spaces: During inclement weather, some parks provide community buildings. A Poinsett visitor appreciated "a nice recreational building available for campers to use, complete with games, books, tables, and electricity."
Swimming options: Certain parks offer designated swimming areas. Poinsett State Park Campground has limited swimming, as one camper noted, "You can swim in a 10' by 30' area of a pond that is questionable."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Woodsmoke Family Campground sites can present challenges for leveling. Joe R. reported, "To date, our most unlevel site we have found."
Hookup locations: At Weston Lake, hookup positioning may require additional equipment. One camper explained, "I was in a spot that had the Hookups at opposite end of concrete pad and opposite side. I ended up buying an additional 20 ft. of dumping tubing ($60)."
Road navigation: Narrow campground roads can make maneuvering difficult at some locations. At Poinsett, a visitor cautioned, "It would be difficult to pull off to let another vehicle pass without fear of ending up off the road or hitting a tree."
Long-term residents: Several cabin campgrounds have permanent or seasonal residents. A Woodsmoke Family Campground visitor observed, "Decent little place with what appears to be mostly full timers. It was quiet."
