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The Sumter National Forest provides several mixed-use campgrounds near Whitmire, South Carolina, with varying amenities and settings. Brick House Campground offers primitive camping with fire rings and toilets but no drinking water, while Woods Ferry Campground caters to equestrian campers with horse corrals at many sites. Located approximately 25 miles southeast, Dreher Island State Park Campground sits on Lake Murray and accommodates tents, RVs, and cabin camping with lakefront views. The area balances developed campgrounds with more remote forest sites suitable for different camping styles.
Reservations are recommended for most established campgrounds in the region, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when Lake Murray attracts numerous visitors. The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests manage several campgrounds with varied amenities—some feature only vault toilets and limited services while others provide water hookups. Summer heat and humidity can be intense, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping. Access roads to primitive sites may become muddy after heavy rains, potentially requiring higher clearance vehicles. According to one visitor at Woods Ferry Campground, "It was difficult for me to find Woods Ferry, but after talking with a park official, I finally got there. It is off the beaten path, so it is quiet."
Waterfront camping areas receive consistently high ratings, particularly at Dreher Island State Park where nearly every campsite has either direct lake access or views. The lake serves as the primary attraction for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating. Campers report that sites can be close together in some developed campgrounds, though shaded locations help mitigate South Carolina's summer heat. Sites at Lake Greenwood State Park feature paved driveways with electrical and water hookups, appealing primarily to RV campers. One reviewer noted, "All roads and camp spots are paved and have fire pits. Some have water and power (30 and 50 amp), some have sewer." More primitive camping areas like Sedalia Campground offer quieter experiences but fewer amenities, with access to hiking trails and natural settings being the main draws.
"Nearest town was Whitmire about 7 miles away. Minimal facilities. Clinton and Newberry are both about 15 miles away and they both have plenty of shopping facilities."
"Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"I had avoided KOA in the past as I heard not great things about it, but I have to rethink my position after this visit."
"Supplies can be picked up roughly 15 to 30 minutes away from the campground."
"Has fire pit and access to running water . No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets . But very nice place to get away from stress of life . Definitely will be back"
"If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes. Just be aware that there are no picnic tables. Still it's cheap and close to where we live in Spartanburg."
"This campground is a popular spot in South Carolina. Campsites are pretty close together but it's usually peaceful - lakeside sites, good fishing, but be prepared for the mosquitos!"
"I loved how Dreher Island State Park in South Carolina gave our family the best of both safety and fun, with shaded, roomy sites that included picnic tables, fire rings and well-kept bathhouses that made"
from $5 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability"37 ft pull behind and we stayed at the upper campground (not the lakeside) close to the trail that takes you down to the creek for a swim."
"Head back to the end of the camping loop away from the office and find a trail that leads down to a nice swimming creek. Great place for exploring all over the park."
"Tucked away just outside the historic cut of Chester, SC this park has a lot to offer, hiking trails, exploring, fishing, kayaking its great. It's our favorite little get away."
"The lake from the campground has a fairly new access via a ADA compliant walkway with lighting leading to swings, benches and Adirondack chairs surrounding a rock fire pit."
"It’s a primitive, tucked in the woods spot on the lake. The camp sites are wonderfully spaced out. We stayed in sites you had to park and walk to, but the walk was very short."
"This review is neither negative or positive. Just how it is, so you know before you go. The park is clean and nearly every camp spot is shaded. All roads and camp spots are paved and have fire pits."
GuideI had avoided KOA in the past as I heard not great things about it, but I have to rethink my position after this visit. The staff really seemed to care about the facilities and take great care of them.!
GuideEasy access and nice pool as well as little camp store.
ScoutWhen I moved here in October 2025 Tom and Jen were helpful. The lot however hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. The dead leaves and pine needles were at least 2 inches thick and I was left to clean them by myself. The amenities are far below substandard and barely work. If you need to shower at the office pray the hot water is working before going. It doesn’t work more than it works. There are always campground wide water and electric issues. The mail carrier delivers all mail to the office and they distribute to mailboxes when they feel like it unless Jen has something against you then she brags to other people in the campground how she is shredding your mail. I moved out in July 2026 and had paid my rent a week early but found a place to move the day after paying and they refused to reimburse the rent. They also raised the 6 times as well as forced all residents to pay for WiFi that was very inadequate to watch tv with so you pay for their WiFi as well as a second WiFi that actually works. I am not telling you to not move or camp here just want you to be informed of what you’ll be dealing with.
ScoutI have stayed at brickhouse multiple times, and will stay again in the future. It’s always quiet, and relaxing! No potable water, so make sure you bring plenty with you, no bath houses, only privy toilets.
TravelerI stayed for weeks in May 2026. The campground is easy to get to, with the non-seasonal sites convenient to the restroom, which is a well maintained vault toilet. The water spigot is there too. The wooded sites are pleasantly separate and equipped with only a fire ring, so bring any tables and chairs you may need. I had Verizon and had barely any connection at all. Starlink worked ok. Solar power is in short supply due to trees.
ScoutWe stayed here because of the proximity to Charlotte. Big rig friendly and FHU. Only wish they had a swimming area!
ScoutMy son and I had an amazing experience. The hosts were very welcoming and friendly. There are lots of fishing and kayaking opportinities. We highly recommend it as a place to visit any time of the year.
RangerA lot of the sites are situated for RVs. If you want to hammock camp, absolutely grab site T-15. It's spacious, private, and has a lot of water frontage. It's a terrible tent site but a perfect hammock site.
GuideThis is a great spot for a quick overnight or chill spot to camp in a pinch! Easy access, road not too bumpy or rough, very flat in parking lot for posting up. We arrived after dark and it was quite easy to navigate.
Although we didn’t stay to do the Palmetto trail hike, it was gorgeous and tranquil in the morning. Despite not having amenities, there were 2 clean port a potties right in the lot.
Overall was quiet however there were about 4 trains that rolled by in the evening (quite loud) but didn’t wake us up late at night or early in the morning. There are a lot of frogs as well but not so loud that it disturbed our slumber.
Cell service was good and had no problem texting or using internet.
Would definitely stay again!
Near Whitmire, South Carolina, camping opportunities span across the Sumter National Forest's diverse 371,000-acre landscape. The area sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 400 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain suitable for various camping styles. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter lows typically drop to the mid-30s, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Hiking on the Palmetto Trail: Access multiple sections of South Carolina's cross-state trail system directly from several forest campgrounds. "Site 16 was a little damp due to heavy rain but a great site. Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail," notes Jacob L. from Brick House Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake access provides multiple fishing spots for various species. At Lake Greenwood State Park Campground, one camper observed, "The lake was beautiful and clear, the grounds and trails on the park were quaint and well kept, and the bathroom facilities were clean and inviting."
Disc golf: Several parks offer complete courses. "There is an amazing seating area near the fishing dock, with multiple hanging bench swings, communal fire pits and a great view of the lake. There was a nice trail around the lake, peddle boat rentals, and a world class frisbee golf course," reports David S. at Chester State Park.
Equestrian camping: Designated sites accommodate horse owners with special facilities. At Woods Ferry Campground, a visitor explained, "Woods Ferry is a campground mainly for campers who have horses. There are corrals at many of the campsites."
Budget-friendly options: Several national forest campgrounds offer economical camping within 20 miles of Whitmire. "Very well taken care of campground. Vault toilet was clean. There are a couple pull-through spots. We were the only campers there. $5 a spot," writes Allyse about Brick House Campground.
Waterfront access: Sites along Lake Murray and Lake Greenwood provide direct water activities. A visitor to Chester State Park Campground commented, "While some sites have wonderful views of the lake, these two sites had a nice grassy area, big enough for some corn hole, frisbee or some tag. It also had a few options for hammocks."
Clean facilities: Park maintenance receives consistently positive mentions. At Croft State Park Campground, one camper noted, "Compared to some other state parks in SC, this one was less crowded and more peaceful. It was silent at night. Nice hiking around lake, fishing, and boat rental. Saw some turtles while paddling, and there were frogs and lots of fireflies near our campsite."
Trail connectivity: Many campsites connect to wider trail networks. A camper at Sedalia Campground mentioned, "We like it. It's been quiet the times that we've been there. If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes."
Variable drinking water access: Not all campgrounds provide reliable water sources. One reviewer at Sedalia Campground stated, "We like it. It's been quiet the times that we've been there... Just be aware that there are no picnic tables."
Limited cellular reception: Coverage varies significantly across forest campgrounds. While no specific reviews mention this, gaps in service are common in rural forest areas.
Seasonal road conditions: Forest service roads may deteriorate after rain. A Brick House camper warned, "Beware of the giant pothole when turning off the 66 onto the Brickhouse Road. We hit it and it jarred the trailer so much it broke our back window."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others allow walk-ins. A camper at Brick House noted, "This campground is run by the state and reservations have to be made through rec.gov. Check with them or the local ranger before headed out. It can get tricky through hunting season versus non hunting season."
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated children's areas. At Newberry / I-26 / Sumter NF KOA, Logan S. shared, "The owners and host are amazing at what they do! They've planned so much for this campground that our kids have had 5 days of things to do each day."
Swimming spots: Identify lakes with designated swimming areas. A visitor at Croft State Park mentioned, "It had rained right before we arrived, and we got stuck in the mud trying to back-in our pop-up on a hill (lake campground #29). The campers all pitched in to pull us out."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular events. At Newberry KOA, Tim P. observed, "Great hosts, great wifi, pool, playground basketball, games and scavenger hunts. Big covered picnic area with Blackstone and fire ring. Decorated for Halloween."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to spot native species. A Croft State Park camper noted, "We enjoyed seeing the equestrian visitors too."
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven surfaces at some campgrounds. One RVer at Dreher Island State Park Campground shared this experience: "Was scheduled for site #87 but being a recent widow and very limited experience parking I requested a change of site... The camp host had to help guide me in around a tree that required me to fold in the passenger side mirror."
Road access information: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. Michael W. at Brick House Campground advised, "Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. Vault toilets clean and trash containers serviced. Within good driving distance to larger towns. Access for bigger rigs too."
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections vary by campground. At Lake Greenwood State Park, one camper clarified, "All roads and camp spots are paved and have fire pits. Some have water and power (30 and 50 amp), some have sewer."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Whitmire, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Whitmire, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 82 campgrounds and RV parks near Whitmire, SC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Whitmire, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Whitmire, SC is Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Whitmire, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Whitmire, SC.
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