Glamping near Warrenville, South Carolina offers access to the 70,000-acre J. Strom Thurmond Lake with over 1,000 miles of shoreline. The area sits within the Savannah River Basin at approximately 330 feet elevation, with summer temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Water levels at Thurmond Lake fluctuate seasonally, sometimes dropping significantly by late summer, affecting shore access at certain sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: J. Strom Thurmond Lake provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and striped bass. "We launched our kayak from campsite. Nice beach area as well. Great family campground!" notes a visitor to Raysville Campground.
Trail exploration: Several parks offer hiking trails through pine forests with lake views. "We hiked the Rock Dam Trail. This trail was supposed to involve several water crossings, but when I was here in September, the water level was extremely low and nothing was flowing beyond a trickle," reports a camper from Mistletoe State Park Campground.
Historical sites: The area contains significant historical landmarks. "This is the site of a lesser known confederate civil war prison. There was some archeological work going on when we were there," notes a visitor to Magnolia Springs State Park.
Water recreation: The lake offers numerous water activities beyond swimming. "Lake activities form the centerpiece... waterfront sites allow guests to launch kayaks and canoes directly from their accommodation area," with a camper reporting "Love the big selection of waterfront sites" at Mistletoe State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds feature well-separated camping areas. "The sites were nice, large, most waterfront, with power and water. Definitely a spot I will go back to," says a reviewer about Winfield - J Strom Thurmond Lake.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife. "The spring is very pretty, with turtles and fish swimming under the bridges of the walkway, and there were lots of alligators along the stream," describes a camper at Magnolia Springs State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "Bathhouse is clean and well stocked with toilet paper. There are no paper towels or a air blower for washing your hands," notes a camper at Hickory Knob State Park Resort.
Convenient amenities: Some locations offer unexpected services. "Park had a great store selling souvenirs, ice, firewood, worms for fishing. Campground staff and host were very friendly," reports a camper at Mistletoe State Park.
What you should know
Insect preparedness: Bugs can be prevalent in certain areas. "All of these sites are in the forest and I'm sure it is quite buggy almost always, so be prepared with thermacells, bug nets, etc," advises a visitor to Mistletoe State Park about backcountry sites.
Water level fluctuations: Lake water levels change significantly through the season. "If the water is low like it was when I was here, the lake water was not accessible - you'd have to trudge through 50 fifty feet of mud to get to it," warns a hiker at Mistletoe State Park.
Limited nearby services: Many glamping locations are isolated from towns. "Not much around outside park. There was a dollar general about 12 miles away for supplies," notes a reviewer from Mistletoe State Park, while another from Hickory Knob State Park Resort adds it's "Tucked away from main roads and a solid 20 minute drive from the nearest traces of civilization."
Site selection considerations: Not all sites offer the same level of privacy or accessibility. "Because the water level was high the streams are really flowing and possibly near waist level to hike through at some points," a camper mentions about Mistletoe State Park backcountry sites.
Tips for camping with families
Rentals for kids: Some parks offer equipment that enhances family experiences. "We had cabin 5 and walked to the water. Free fishing pole for kids," mentions a visitor to Mistletoe State Park.
Farm animal interactions: For a unique glamping experience beyond standard camping, visit Crunchy Acres. "Come meet their chickens, goats, pigs, turkey, and rabbits! Rent go-carts or sit around the campfire with some s'mores," shares a reviewer.
Swimming access: Beach areas provide safe swimming for children. "The kiddos enjoyed playing putt putt, the playground and the beach area. There is also plenty of history to see, experience and learn about," writes a camper at Elijah Clark State Park.
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities enrich family glamping trips. "We participated in a hike with the park manager where she told us about the animals in the park and even let us feel grey fox and beaver pelts. We saw vultures and an armadillo. That finished with hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows!" shares a visitor about Magnolia Springs State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some areas require careful navigation. "Some sites are challenging to back into but worth the effort," notes a visitor to Hickory Knob.
Utility connection issues: Hookup placement affects setup efficiency. "Electric posts are new but have a meter right below plugs, so surge suppressor gets to hang sideways," observes an RVer at Plum Branch RV Park.
Site selection for larger rigs: The campgrounds vary in accommodating different RV sizes. "The 70-90 loop looked the best with water views and shade and most were pull through," recommends a camper at Mistletoe State Park.
Cell service information: Connectivity varies significantly by carrier. "I was right under a WiFi antennae, and managed a 4.5meg download and 4.48 upload. Cricket: 7.98dn, 0.84up, ATT: 27.69, 0.3 up, Visible: 7.2dn, 1.2up, Verizon: 44.9dn, 1.88 up, T-mobile mifi: no 4g nor 5G service," details a visitor to Plum Branch RV Park.
