Camping near Pelion, South Carolina offers access to diverse ecosystems including blackwater river systems, sandhills, and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 300-500 feet above sea level, providing moderate terrain that's accessible for most campers. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, with relatively mild winters that rarely see freezing conditions.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: River Bottom Farms Family Campground provides access to various waterways for kayaking and canoeing. A camper noted, "Nice, clean campsites. The bath house was very nice and kept up well. Plenty to do for people of all ages."
Wildlife observation: At Longleaf Campground in Congaree National Park, visitors can witness unique natural phenomena. One visitor shared, "We camped here to see the synchronous fireflies, and loved our stay! The group site was plenty big enough for all of the children, the hiking was excellent, and the fireflies were one of the most magical things I've ever seen!"
Hiking trails: Sesquicentennial State Park offers several miles of wooded paths. A regular visitor mentioned, "I camp at Sesqui very often. I live in downtown Columbia, so its only a short drive away. Love the bike and hiking trails. Very nice area to kayak in, I love all the Lilly pads."
What campers like
Pond fishing: Many campgrounds near Pelion feature stocked ponds. At Aiken State Park Campground, a visitor explained, "They offer primitive camping without any amenities these camp sites are more secluded and peaceful in my opinion its also near a large fishing pond and creek."
Secluded tent areas: Campers seeking privacy appreciate certain sites at Aiken State Park. One reviewer described, "We are tent campers and slept with no rain fly, looking at the stars and listening to coyotes howl at night."
Water recreation: Multiple locations offer swimming opportunities. A camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground shared, "My daughter and I, as well as the family who joined us, spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking and enjoying one of the best lakes we've ever experienced."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can impact camping experiences. One camper at Longleaf Campground reported, "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."
Wind conditions: Lake locations can experience significant wind. A Dreher Island camper warned, "One bit of warning would be that while the view is impeccable, the winds can be strong, and as we found out one hard, rainy and windy night, if you are camping here with a tent, you'll want to stake your abode down with as many lines as you quite possibly can."
Insect activity: Bugs are prevalent during warmer months. A Longleaf visitor advised, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: River Bottom Farms Family Campground offers organized events. A family noted, "Very family oriented campground! Always something to do with an activity list full of different things. Pool was very nice and never over crowded."
Wildlife education: Use camping trips as learning opportunities. At Sesquicentennial State Park, one parent shared, "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!"
Swimming options: Several campgrounds have designated swimming areas. An Aiken State Park visitor mentioned, "In the main park there is a few fishing ponds with the ability to rent Kayaks, a spring fed pond with a swimming area, hiking trails, playground and also bathrooms and picnic tables."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your RV size and needs. A Dreher Island camper shared, "Was scheduled for site #87 but being a recent widow and very limited experience parking I requested a change of site. Since it was early enough in the season and during the week they had one available. Site #1, we joked about it being a 'beginners' spot."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies widely. A reviewer at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground reported, "T-Mobile 3 bars 5g over 300mbps, ATT 2 bars 5G over 300mbps, Starlink - forget it. Too many trees."
RV park amenities: For those seeking more amenities, Big Rig Friendly RV Resort offers extensive facilities. A camper described, "Beautiful large sites with great amenities including pool, 4 pickle ball courts, clubhouse with large meeting room, full gym and very nice bathrooms. Full laundry and playground, dog park and more."
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