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Best Campgrounds near Sumter, SC

324 Reviews

Several good camping spots surround Sumter, South Carolina, giving you different options depending on what you're looking for. Lake Wateree State Park Campground has sites right by the water, which works well if you want to fish or take a boat out. Poinsett State Park Campground is known for hiking trails that go through the woods. Reviews State Park is another solid choice with clean facilities and generally quiet surroundings. You'll need to make reservations at these parks, which becomes especially important during busy times of year. Check on fire rules before you go since they can change based on conditions. Some campsites at these parks give you more privacy than others - you'll find both tucked-away spots and more open areas. Getting to these campgrounds is straightforward with paved roads that take you right in. These parks work well for both quick weekend trips and longer stays.

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Best Camping Sites Near Sumter, South Carolina (63)

    1. Poinsett State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Wedgefield, SC
    12 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."

    2. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    27 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."

    3. Sharolyn Motel & Campground

    1 Review
    Sumter, SC
    4 miles
    +1 (803) 494-2626

    4. Falcons Nest FamCamp

    1 Review
    Sumter, SC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 895-0450

    $20 / night

    "Must have access to Shaw afb to stay. $20 per night. No long term prices. No stay limit."

    5. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    29 Reviews
    Gadsden, SC
    25 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."

    6. Santee Lakes KOA

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    29 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."

    7. Lee State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bishopville, SC
    23 miles
    Website

    "Great little park about 20 minute drive from Florence. Clean bathrooms. My dog was a bit confused by seeing horses for the first time. Super friendly staff."

    "Love seeing the horses around the campsites."

    8. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    State Park, SC
    32 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."

    9. Falcon Nest FamCamp Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Sumter, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 895-0450

    $10 - $25 / night

    10. Little Cedar Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Camden, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 309-1973
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Recent Camping Photos near Sumter, SC

95 Photos of 63 Sumter Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sumter, SC

324 Reviews of 63 Sumter Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Rosie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2025

    Outside Inn Campground

    Such a great place

    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! I would certainly come back. We stayed in a pull thru #16 which was level.

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2025

    Taw Caw Campground and Marina

    LAKE LIFE CAMPING

    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. Not all sites are water front so reserve them while they last. Great Marina with Ramp, Fuel and boat slips. Outstanding opportunity to fish from the fishing pier that includes a cleaning station. The camp store offers live bait and limited tackle. The restrooms are clean and well equipped.

  • A
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Standing Pines RV Resort & Campground

    Brand new and family friendly

    The owners sell this place! Amy and Craig incredibly friendly and hospitable hosts. We started this Campground with Big Dreams, and I really hope they are able to accomplish them all! The dump trucks and heavy equipment just pulled out a couple weeks ago, so the campground looks like a construction zone a little bit still. However, brought three kids with me and we have had a blast! The outdoor showers are Anything But Ordinary! I've had to tell my youngest son that he's had too many showers in a day!

Guide to Sumter

Camping near Sumter, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Lake Wateree State Park Campground, provide excellent fishing spots. One visitor mentioned, "Great park with waterfront sites. Plenty of fishing areas."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails at Poinsett State Park Campground. A camper shared, "The park was cute but a lot of mosquitoes, 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 spotting various wildlife. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful quiet place to camp, hike, or canoe/kayak."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Cheraw State Park Campground. A visitor said, "This may be the best campground I have visited. Very quiet and the views are amazing!"
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms. A camper at Colleton State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms are cleaned regularly and showers are HOT!"
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Dreher Island State Park Campground said, "The rangers were very friendly and made their regular rounds."

What you should know:

  • Seasonal Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Lee State Park Campground warned, "Lots of sand and gnats and deerflies too."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have extensive amenities. A camper at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park noted, "Not all sites have sewer access."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Santee Lakes KOA mentioned, "Stay was nice. Very crowded and was a one-night stop for many RVs!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One camper at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground said, "Has a splash pad and kayak rentals."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A 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 the kids. A camper at Lake Wateree State Park Campground mentioned, "The staff and everyone around were super nice."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park advised, "Some sites are difficult to back in due to trees."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Santee Lakes KOA noted, "We did not even have to bring out our leveling blocks, the auto leveler was able to handle it well."
  • Plan for Limited Shade: Many sites are open with little shade. A visitor at Cheraw State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are somewhat close together, but it's not a huge deal."

Camping around Sumter, SC, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free or low-cost camping options near Sumter, SC?

Budget-conscious campers near Sumter should consider Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park, which offers sites for only $5 per night. This quiet, tucked-away campground is surrounded by the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park, providing an affordable natural escape. Another economical option is Lynches River County Park, which offers tent camping at reasonable rates and includes amenities like a splash pad and outdoor activities, making it a great value for families traveling on a budget.

What are the best campgrounds in Sumter, SC?

For top camping options near Sumter, Poinsett State Park Campground is a standout choice with its unique terrain that 'looks nothing like South Carolina.' The park offers multiple hiking and mountain biking trails, beautiful scenery, and well-maintained facilities. Another excellent option is Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area and FamCamp, which provides convenient accommodations for those wanting to explore the Sumter area. Both campgrounds offer a mix of natural beauty and accessibility that make them popular choices for visitors to the region.

How far are Sumter campgrounds from nearby attractions and parks?

Sesquicentennial State Park Campground is strategically located on the outskirts of Columbia, about 45 minutes from Sumter, offering easy access to metropolitan attractions, restaurants, and shopping. The park itself features recreational areas and walking trails. For those looking to explore natural attractions, Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park is approximately an hour from Sumter and provides access to Lake Marion. The campground offers spacious sites and a variety of activities, making it an excellent base for exploring the Santee Cooper Lakes region and its abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.

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