Best Glamping near Sumter, SC

We camped here over the weekend with the pups. The state park has 2 different campgrounds. We decided for the Lakeshore one. It's pretty big with over 100 campsites. They have the usual amenities like fire pit, and picnic table with bench. Our was private, but the sites in the middle are not. The bathhouse was very clean with nice hot showers. The park has several trails, a visitor center, cabins on the water, at least 2 boat ramps with a bait shop. There are no trash cans near the campsites, there is one big dumpster at the entrance of the campground. It's about 1.30h to Folly Beach. We would definitely camp here again.

There are quite a variety of things to do at this state park, and the camp sites are spacious. There is a little store where you can buy any of the little things you may have forgotten. 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. There are also plenty of geocaches around, if you're into that. There are 2 places to shower in the campground, so I imagine that once it fills up, you may have to wait to shower. It was pretty clean and the water was clear, so I guess you could just go for a swim! I wish we had brought our tubes and some rope to float out on the water!

This was the maiden voyage of my parents 22ft airstream! They originally booked a site far away from the water in the back of Lakeshore Campground but were able to move thanks to a helpful person at the park! My husband, kids and I came along and brought our tent. It was a super spacious site with more than enough room for us to spread out and park our cars away from the site. This factor really helped with those 4 stars because its not often that you can get a lakefront view with lots of room to spread out. 

The good: Spacious, well wooded and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend with helped with the heat and bugs! The lake access had a beach area that the kids (3 and 1) loved to play at and there was no rocks around that area or dangerous drop offs. The bathrooms were well kept, and cleaned every morning while we were there. Our neighbors were super friendly and helpful with all the camper questions we had! 

Lakeshore is also right next to a public (within the park)  boat ramp so if you have a boat, its super convenient to bring along and put in. The electricity and water hookups worked well and the dumping station was actually pretty clean (for a dumping station). 

We had super easy access to the lake for putting in the SUP and paddling around! The view of sunset on the lake is absolutely breathtaking! 

The bad: 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!! These were not campers that were close to us either so it had to be pretty darn loud for those that were next to this group. They also do not lock up the campground at night so we had late night fishing visitors that walked by our campsite at 2am waking us up because they were loudly dragging their cooler down the dirt road. They were apparently not staying at the campground either which was a little annoying that anyone can just come in when they please.  Needless to say, if you're looking for a quiet place to enjoy the lake this might not be it. 

The trash was another big negative. Our campsite was littered with cigarette butts  and having young kids it was a little frustrating since they pick up everything! My 3yo wanted to pick up the trash on the little beach area one afternoon so we did, then the next morning it was littered with fresh beer cans again. I wouldn't even let them walk near the beach next to the boat ramp (public access) because it was covered in trash and fish carcasses. It is unfortunate that people treat such a beautiful landmark with such disregard to throw trash everywhere and ruin it for others. If BOTH the campers/visitors and park staff would put forth a greater effort to combat the litter issue it could be a 5 star park!!

I hardly ever give five stars to a campground. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 9 because of the background road noise from the highway, but my wife and I had such a great experience. It was everything we wanted… and needed. 

Lakeshore Campground is one of TWO campgrounds at Santee State Park, and they are very different from each other. Lakeshore has dirt paths and sandy sites. I realize some people had rather have paved roads and RV sites with hard surfaces, but I prefer a more natural site. The spaces are large and fairly level. Although there may be some roots onsite, they were not really a problem. I don’t remember there being lantern hangers, but there were picnic tables and fire pits. We stayed in Santee for four days, so we were able to relax without feeling as if we were rushing, which reflects the whole essence of Lakeshore Campground. We booked for two nights, but we loved it so much we booked two more nights. Unfortunately, we had to move to another site in order to stay longer. 

Our first site was a little closer to the bath house, and we stayed in a teardrop camper. Knowing what I know now, I would do a little more research to see if I could get closer to the lake next time, although most of the sites between us and the lake are reserved for tents only. Still, the lake was visible from our campsite. 

The main reason people visit here is the lake, whether they want to fish for huge catfish or just want to boat on the water. Within the park, there are several “fishing holes” to explore and several trails as well. When hiking the trails, however, you have to constantly be on the lookout for alligators. We came across one on one of our hikes, and it was huge. I guess it was probably at least ten feet long if not longer. We also came across turtles, ducks, and other animals. Although I didn’t have any luck while fishing, it didn’t matter. I just enjoyed wetting a hook. 

The bath house has tiled floors, and it had hot showers. For a state park, it had above average facilities. Would I recommend this campground? Absolutely!!!!

BE CAREFUL EROSION IS SEVERE IN SECTIONS OF THE PARK. We stayed here for a week to take care of some medical issues. VA healthcare is difficult on the road. Anyway the campground is ok, nothing amazing. The location is nice. They have a boat dock. Cabins and 2 RV camping areas. The bugs are plentiful. The shoreline is difficult to reach from the campground. I see the lots are mowed after the campers leave. The grass gets mowed and anything left on the ground gets chopped up, small trash included. When we arrived with our RV we were neve directed to check in. We found our site and on the pole was a small tag with our name and a checkout date. We have been here 5 of the 7 days and we have yet to see the camp host unless he IS the "Mad Mower" even so we didnt get as much as a wave. My wife did venture over to the restroom / showers and refuses to return. She said they were not clean and had bugs everywhere and it was disgusting.  I figured she was exaggerating so I checked the men's room. It really needs some help. I would be happy to spray down a bath house or 2 but since I haven't seen a camp host I will leave it be. It's amazing how much fellow campers will help out if they have the opportunity,  I was ready to help and even have everything needed to help out. Maybe I will see him this weekend before I get busy with other things. Anyways this came was not a bad experience so far but I think they really need some better hosts and maybe set up some kind of activities. They have nothing going on here other than the lake. UPDATE: Before we left our week stay in santee we were able to visit the other campground connect to the same park to get to this side you must turn right. They were collecting a $2 fee. At 1st everything seemed ok. Minor road damage, downed trees here and there, nothing that 2ould keepme away. It seemed like the permanent camps were here. Some of the camps appear to have been set up for a very long time. As we went back the roads got worse and worse. I would not take my rig into the back 2 loops without locking in 4 wheel drive and riding on the "grass" to go around. The road in the back has some major road erosion going on. I suggest you walk back before taking a rig of any size back there. With the leaves on the ground it does not look bad. I saw drops of at least 12" BE VERY CAREFUL, THE ROAD EROSION IS SEVERE.