Camping opportunities around Wedgefield, South Carolina include both state park and private campgrounds spread throughout the Sandhills region. The area sits at approximately 200 feet above sea level with a subtropical climate that brings hot, humid summers and mild winters. Cellular service varies throughout the region, with stronger signals available at newer private RV resorts compared to the more remote state park location.
What to do
Hiking trails: Poinsett State Park Campground offers multiple trail options for different skill levels. "Poinsett State Park has some of the best hiking and biking trails in the Palmetto State. You could spend multiple days camping here and have a chance to hike different trails every day," notes one visitor. Some trails were damaged during the 2015 flood and remain impassible.
Mountain biking: The sandhill terrain creates excellent mountain biking opportunities within the park. A camper mentions, "This is a good place to stay to mountain bike, there are two trails in Poinsett and Manchester State Forest is nearby." Most trails are best enjoyed during fall, winter, or spring when temperatures are moderate.
Swimming and fishing: A small designated swimming area is available in the park pond during summer months. "You can swim in a 10' by 30' area of a pond that is questionable. You can fish in that same pond," reports one camper. For better water access, Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina provides direct lake access where "the beach area is super nice to spend a day on the water with your family."
Congaree National Park access: Many campers use the Wedgefield area as a base camp for visiting nearby Congaree National Park. "I stayed at this park because the one in Congaree was full and I'm very glad I did! It took a good 45 minutes to get to Congaree but it was a pleasant drive," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Privacy and shade: Many campsites feature mature trees providing ample shade. "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," reports a family who visited Poinsett State Park.
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, bathroom cleanliness receives positive mentions. "On the topic of the bathroom, the toilets were CLEAN! And I mean we were there for 24 hours and the bathroom was cleaned at least twice." This attention to maintenance extends to the campground itself, which is described as "clean and well maintained."
Wildlife viewing: RV's Acres offers opportunities for wildlife sightings during your stay. One camper shared, "The last time I was here (4 days ago) 2 does & a fawn came lopping/walking through the property. There is a beautiful private pond on property and the owner does allow catch/release."
Hammock camping: For those who prefer hammock sleeping, certain sites offer ideal tree spacing. "For people that love hammocks, site 29 has a bunch of perfect hammock trees. If we go again we will try to stay in that spot!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. "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. It would be difficult to pull off to let another vehicle pass without fear of ending up off the road or hitting a tree."
Seasonal considerations: The climate significantly impacts camping comfort. "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 visitor.
Site sizing: Most established campsites accommodate small to medium-sized trailers and RVs. "Our camper is 29 ft, with no slide outs and just an awning. There was no way to extend our awning, because the trees were too close. A slide out wouldn't have been able to open out." For larger rigs, Big Rig Friendly RV Resort offers "great level sites, nice dog park. Fitness center and laundry are new and nice."
Insect activity: Bugs can be problematic, especially during summer. "The bugs were massive. I probably could have been carried away by some of the horseflies I saw," warns one summer visitor. Bringing insect repellent is essential from late spring through early fall.
Tips for camping with families
Field play areas: Poinsett State Park offers open space for children. "Shaded, a large field for the children to run and play with their new-found friends, and a nice recreational building available for campers to use, complete with games, books, tables, and electricity."
Recreation facilities: Palmetto Shores RV Resort provides multiple family-friendly amenities. "Palmetto shores has a nice outdoor activity area, a nice lake beach and a really nice pool and lazy River. We will be back, just next time we will pick different sites!" The resort also features a playground and game areas.
Dog-friendly options: Many sites welcome four-legged family members. "The dogs loved the dog park and I appreciated having bags to pick up after them. We had trash pickup and sites were easily navigable."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds are located near highways. "Our sites were right next to the highway, I will say though we did tune the noise out the longer we stayed (and drank)." Requesting sites further from main roads is recommended for families with light sleepers.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: When planning RV camping near Wedgefield, South Carolina, consider vehicle size carefully. "Long RVs and trailers may have trouble with the trees and turns of the campground," notes one RVer about Poinsett State Park. Sites with full hookups often accommodate smaller units better.
Leveling challenges: Terrain can make leveling difficult at some locations. "The sites are large, level and clean," reports a visitor to Big Rig Friendly RV Resort, which contrasts with the hillier terrain at other nearby campgrounds.
Utility reliability: Magnolia Campground RV Park offers consistent utilities with "50 AMP Hookups, City Water, Gray/Black Dump at each site, Cable TV, Internet" according to a long-term guest. For those requiring dependable connectivity for work, campgrounds closer to towns typically provide better service.
Reservation timing: Weekend availability becomes scarce during spring and fall seasons. "We found this campground while traveling through Columbia SC and made a late evening reservation. We were able to reserve online and even pick our camping spot," shares a visitor about their experience at one of the private RV resorts.
