Best Campgrounds near Summerton, SC

Camping options around Summerton, South Carolina center primarily on Lake Marion, one of the largest lakes in the state. Established campgrounds such as Taw Caw Campground and Marina, Palmetto Shores RV Resort, and Santee Lakes KOA provide various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the area are situated along the shoreline, offering direct water access for fishing, boating, and swimming. The Santee State Park, located approximately 5 miles northwest of Summerton, features two separate camping areas with both lakefront and wooded sites.

Year-round camping is available throughout the region due to the mild South Carolina climate, though summer months bring higher temperatures and increased humidity. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly for lakefront sites and holiday weekends. Facilities typically include electric and water hookups, with many offering full sewer connections for RVs. Bathroom facilities, showers, and dump stations are standard at the developed campgrounds. Lake Marion's extensive shoreline means many campsites offer direct water access, though sites vary in size and levelness. As one camper noted, "Worth the upgrade to lakefront sites. Beautiful sunset."

Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Summerton area, with several reviewers highlighting the fishing and boating opportunities. The Taw Caw Campground receives consistently positive feedback for its marina with boat ramp, fuel service, and fishing pier with cleaning station. Some campgrounds feature swimming areas and beaches for water recreation during warmer months. RV campers should be aware that site sizes and road conditions vary between facilities—some reviewers mention tight turns and difficulty navigating larger rigs in certain campgrounds. Several visitors commented on the friendly staff and amenities like onsite stores and food service. A reviewer wrote about Santee Lakes KOA: "They deliver firewood and pizza. The pizza was excellent. Customer service is outstanding!"

Best Camping Sites Near Summerton, South Carolina (71)

    1. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    9 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."

    2. Santee Lakes KOA

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    7 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."

    3. Poinsett State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Wedgefield, SC
    18 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."

    4. Palmetto Shores RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    7 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)."

    5. Taw Caw Campground and Marina

    3 Reviews
    Summerton, SC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-2171

    "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."

    "Taw Caw is our close to home Staycation favorite spot. If you want to camp close to the water Taw Caw offers several spots. Bring your boat, Kayak or canoe and beach it at your campsite."

    6. The Lakeshore Campground — Santee State Park

    3 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    9 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."

    7. Bells Marina & Resort

    5 Reviews
    Eutawville, SC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 492-7924

    $58 - $999 / night

    "This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable."

    "I am on the lake and get to kayak or fish whenever I want. Lastly, this is a historical site. It is located in Eutawville."

    8. RV's Acres (he's the dog)

    1 Review
    Summerton, SC
    9 miles
    +1 (803) 472-0400

    $10 / night

    "The last time I was here (4 days ago) 2 does & a fawn came lopping /walking through the property. There is a beautiful private pond on property and the owner does allow catch/release."

    9. Lake Marion Resort & Marina

    2 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 854-2136

    10. Outside Inn Campground

    6 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    19 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."

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Recent Reviews near Summerton, SC

381 Reviews of 71 Summerton Campgrounds


  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    One night stay

    I stayed at the site closest to the parking lot. It’s a quick walk. I only stayed one night so I didn’t bring everything to the site, but if I did, it would be nice to have a second person or a wagon. There’s a two-stall pit toilet in the parking lot and trash/recycling cans. Att signal was 1 bar, no signal problems. There is a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient. Just a couple minutes from Congaree national park. Bring bug spray!

  • Todd F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Edisto River Lodge

    Hidden Gem in Ridgeville

    This is an incredible hidden gem and I will be returning. Dustin is a great host. He met me when I pulled up and helped me back into my site. That was a little bit of a challenge but I made it. Site 2 has a great view of the pond, a gazebo, fire pit, lots of seating and nice picnic table. At night there is low-level lighting around the site that makes it beautiful. Now, let’s talk about the real surprise—the hot tub. What a find. After a busy Friday morning and then a drive out to Edisto River Lodge that hot tub was very welcome.

    The site is hardscaped (pavers) and easy to walk around. The gazebo and the fire pit were great places to hang out. The Wi-Fi was strong.

    There is a very nice bathroom with a washer-dryer (and even some soap). The shower is very private and outside.

    The electrical and power are on opposite site of what you would expect but I had no problem hooking up.

    Overall this is one of the nicest camp spots I’ve found in the past 10 years of camping. Highly recommended.

  • 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

  • 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!

  • 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 Summerton

Camping spots near Summerton, South Carolina cluster primarily around Lake Marion with water depths averaging 13 feet and covering over 110,000 acres. The region's peak camping season runs April through October with summer humidity levels regularly exceeding 80%. Wildlife viewing opportunities include white-tailed deer, armadillos, and bald eagles frequently spotted around lake campsites.

What to do

Fishing from shore: Cypress View Campground at Santee State Park offers an excellent fishing pier with cleaning station for catfish and bass. "Very nice campground. Has boat docks & launching ramp. Nice fishing pier. Clean bathrooms. Staff friendly and helpful. Seen several Deer, Armadillo and other wildlife," notes Alfred H.

Kayaking the lake: Lake Marion's expansive shoreline provides ample paddling opportunities from multiple access points. "This is a great campground for anyone who enjoys watersports. Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing," writes Jason F. about Cypress View Campground.

Hiking interconnected trails: The Poinsett State Park trail system offers varied terrain within 25 minutes of Summerton. "The hiking trails that we went on were good, but it was too warm to do a lot of hiking," reports Trina W. from Poinsett State Park Campground, which features trails that connect to Manchester State Forest.

Wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds report frequent wildlife sightings. "When I travel in my Class A RV to a new site finding good customer service is the most important factor. I have visited beautiful camp sites but had a horrible time because I was treated poorly. At Bells Marina and Resort, I am treated like family," notes Ronald C., who regularly sees wildlife while camping at Bells Marina & Resort.

What campers like

Lakefront accessibility: Many campers value direct water access above all other amenities. "Nice campground on the water. Worth the upgrade to the lake front sites," comments John K. about Santee Lakes KOA.

Strong cell reception: For those needing connectivity while camping, coverage varies by location. "Even with lots of people this park is quiet. Great ATT phone service. Big lake. I've seen better bath houses," says Nicholas L G. about Cypress View Campground.

Convenient boat facilities: Taw Caw Campground provides comprehensive boating amenities. "Great place to stay to fish boat or explore the lake. Bathroom were cleaned. There's a little store on site. Boat ramp fuel and marina on site. Fishing pier to fish off. Boat trailer storage is free," reports Briggs B. from Taw Caw Campground and Marina.

Fresh water swimming: During summer months, several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. "This was a timely escape for us just as COVID was spreading in the states. Unfortunately this prevented us from being able to rent kayaks. But the hiking was great! 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," shares Marissa H. about Poinsett State Park.

What you should know

Site sizes vary significantly: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. "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," warns Jason F. about Poinsett State Park Campground.

Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers fewer crowds and mild temperatures. "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore," notes Mary G. about The Lakeshore Campground.

Bathhouse conditions fluctuate: Facility maintenance varies between campgrounds and seasons. "I would describe the area as basically someone's very large backyard, where you can basically park your RV or pitch a tent pretty much anywhere you want, as long as you aren't pitching it on top of someone else's home for the night," explains Stuart K. about Bells Marina.

Insects can be problematic: Summer months bring increased bug activity. "First, in the parks defense, it was probably not the best idea to stay here during the summer time. July? Hottest month of the year? South Carolina? The bugs were massive. I probably could have been carried away by some of the horseflies I saw," cautions Matt G. about camping at Poinsett State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas near campsites. "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!" writes Jessie N. about Cypress View Campground.

Open play spaces: Look for campsites with adjacent field areas for children. "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. Shower and bathrooms were tidy and spacious too," notes Marissa H. about Poinsett State Park.

Kid-friendly beach areas: Outside Inn Campground offers a unique camping experience with farm animals. "Small RV park which also has a lot of animal's. There is a great trail walk and lots of animals bunnies, pigs, donkeys, chickens, goats and a guinea fowl!" shares Rosie G., highlighting activities that entertain children.

Trail difficulty considerations: When hiking with children, choose shorter routes. "I stayed at this park because the one in Congaree was full and I'm very glad I did! It took a good 45 minutes to get to Congaree but it was a pleasant drive. I walked on some of the trails in the campground but didn't touch most of them," writes Krista R. about Poinsett State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many waterfront sites require additional leveling equipment. "Sites were tight for a rig that big but we made it work. Our site was level, others were definitely not," reports Molly F. about Santee Lakes KOA.

Check-in procedures vary: Some campgrounds offer streamlined arrival processes. "We were impressed from our very first contact. They have a check in station at the gate so you don't even have to get out of your vehicle. Then they have people on golf carts take you to your site which is great! No need to drive around and find your spot," shares stefny A. about Santee Lakes KOA.

Electric hookup limitations: Verify amperage before booking if you have specific power needs. "Our camper is 29 ft, with no slide outs and just an awning. There was no way to extend our awning, because the trees were too close. A slide out wouldn't have been able to open out," explains Trina W. about Poinsett State Park.

Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "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. It would be difficult to pull off to let another vehicle pass without fear of ending up off the road or hitting a tree," cautions Jason F. about Poinsett State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Summerton, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Summerton, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 71 campgrounds and RV parks near Summerton, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Summerton, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Summerton, SC is Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 45 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Summerton, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Summerton, SC.