Camping near Sumter, South Carolina offers diverse accommodation options across several state parks and private campgrounds within a 45-minute drive radius. The region's sandy soil and mixed pine-hardwood forests create a distinct camping environment typical of South Carolina's Midlands region. Summer temperatures often reach above 90°F while winter nights can drop to the 30s, affecting camping comfort and necessitating seasonal planning.
What to do
Hiking through diverse landscapes: Poinsett State Park Campground offers unique hiking experiences in an area where Midlands and Lowcountry ecosystems meet. "The hiking/biking trails are fun too," notes Kennon H., while another camper adds, "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."
Equestrian activities: Lee State Park Campground is known for its horse-friendly facilities. "Lots of trails and a pond for the kids to swim!" mentions Chris S. Another visitor observed, "There are horse trails and stables if you ride horses," though one camper warns, "If you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flies."
Water recreation: Lake access at Cypress View Campground provides swimming and boating opportunities. "Lake Marion is a great place for boating, kayaking, and fishing," explains one camper. Another visitor points out, "We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance standards at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground, with one visitor noting: "Clean bathhouse. Stand was unpacked but level! Staff were friendly and very welcoming." Another camper mentioned, "The park is clean, the tent pad is a good size, and the amazing aroma of pine is one of the natural highlights."
Secluded campsites: Despite varying site sizes, many parks offer secluded options. "We stayed here for our son's first birthday, in campsite 30! It was beautiful and we felt like we had plenty of privacy. Our site had a trail attached to the back of it which was really nice for hiking," shared an enthusiastic Poinsett State Park visitor.
Lake views: Taw Caw Campground and Marina offers premium waterfront camping: "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." However, another visitor cautions, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some parks require careful navigation. "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," warns a Poinsett State Park visitor. Similarly, at Weston Lake, a camper notes "Entrance road is really rough."
Seasonal considerations: Bug activity varies dramatically by season in the Sumter area. "I prefer to stay at Poinsett State Park in the fall, winter, or spring as it is located in the sandhills and it can be pretty hot and buggy in the summer," advises one experienced camper.
Site sizes: Santee Lakes KOA and other campgrounds have varying site dimensions. "Nice camping site off of I-95. The first site they tried to put me in was a 'premium' site overlooking the lake. Beautiful site, but not nearly big enough for my 37' travel trailer," shares one RVer. At Sesquicentennial, a visitor noted, "Campsites are pretty close together and some are a little on top of each other."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Santee Lakes KOA, one camper observed, "Nice dock for fishing. Great playground along the shore." This provides essential recreation space when not hiking or swimming.
Swimming options: Beyond lake swimming, some parks offer alternative water features. "The pool is crowded and murky, suggesting it could use a good cleaning," warns one KOA visitor, highlighting the importance of checking water conditions before promising kids a swim.
Open spaces for play: Look for campgrounds with communal fields. "The campground was nice, the RV spaces had nice concrete pads and nice cabins," notes a visitor to Weston Lake Recreation Area, while a Poinsett visitor appreciated that sites "opened up to a large field area where the kids and dog could run around and play."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When choosing pet friendly camping near Sumter, South Carolina, RV site selection matters. "Long RVs and trailers may have trouble with the trees and turns of the campground," cautions a Poinsett State Park visitor. Another camper at Sesquicentennial advises, "Really nice shaded campground and very reasonably priced."
Hookup placement: Check the positioning of utilities before selecting a site. One Weston Lake camper found, "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)."
Leveling challenges: Many Sumter area campgrounds have natural terrain variations. "The sites all look clean, as well as the facilities," notes a Poinsett visitor, while another camper at Lee State Park mentions, "Most of the sites are well kept, there was one or two that has big roots all over the site."
