7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Woods Ferry Campground in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests primarily serves equestrian campers with multiple sites featuring horse corrals. The campground is secluded and quiet, located off the beaten path in the national forest. Horseflies are common throughout the area, particularly after rainfall. The campground includes a separate section specifically designed for group horse camping with corrals at the campsites. Running water is available, though campers should be prepared for primitive conditions with only pit toilets and no showers. The terrain can be challenging for tent campers due to sloped sites, making the area better suited for those with RVs or travel trailers.
Brick House Campground offers 23 primitive sites that accommodate horses, with each site featuring a fire pit and picnic area. The campground connects to a 9.8-mile loop trail popular with equestrians that creates excellent mud puddles after rain. Horses and other pets are permitted throughout the camping area. The campground provides vault toilets but no water hookups, requiring equestrians to bring their own water supplies for themselves and their animals. Sites are spaced a good distance apart, creating a quiet atmosphere where campers hear only natural sounds. Site 16 offers convenient access to the hiking and horse trail, while site 4 should be avoided by tent campers due to numerous sweetgum balls that make the ground uncomfortable.
"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."
"Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $7 - $14 / night
Check Availability"When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped."
"Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated."
"There is a nice playground, hiking trails, a lake, canoe rental, and a trading post with some food, ice, camping supplies, firewood and souvenirs. There is also a separate Equestrian campground!"
"When not in the side, a short walk takes you to the Trading Post, a small store selling firewood ($7), ice, souvenirs, and sundries. Next to that is a large playground connected to a pavilion."
from $13 - $31 / night
Check Availability"The site was level with a gravel drive and parking area. Lots of pines all around but the site was clear enough for easy parking. No sewer hookups."
"The park is in Columbia SC, and is a great choice for families who may want to do things outside the park. The park is super close to the Riverbanks Zoo."
GuideBuilt to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of South Carolina in the 30’s . At one time on the furthest outskirts of Columbia SC. It is now firmly in the muddle of the Metro area. Plenty of trailer sites. Tent site and primitive camping. Has recreational areas. Restaurants and shopping nearby
LegendIt 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. Apparently, there had been a lot of rain recently, and the area showed it. Woods Ferry is a campground mainly for campers who have horses. There are corrals at many of the campsites, so there are also a lot of horseflies. Horseflies and the actual site itself are my two main concerns. Selecting my campsite was my mistake. It was sloped, but there are a few others that were not sloped. There is running water and a pit toilet. Otherwise, you will have to take everything else in that you need.
Since South Carolina is hot during this time of year, I was a bit uncomfortable, especially since I was on a slope.
There is a separate section for group camping. However, I think it caters to groups of horse campers, as there are corrals at the campsites.
Overall, it’s not too bad for those who camp in an RV or a travel trailer, but it’s not ideal for tent campers.
GuidePros The pond was beautiful, nice walking trail for beginners, would never consider this a hiking park. Location was close to Colombia and all it offers. Bathhouse was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Toilets were three flushers is you cared about the next guy.
Cons Guessing I may have had the worst site (41) but walking through there were others similar. Site 41 is a pull through lot which declines quickly upon entry and is marred by deep ra9n crevices. You then incline to the area you should probably land as there is an obvious flat spot. Unfortunately in you stop there, your camper door will open on the neighboring fire ring which is the only fire ring on the back side of the neighboring spot in in the fore ground of yours. Asinine. I had to manipulate my camper for an hour to a spot level enough yet not in my neighbor's fire and dealt with a large tree and had to tie back branches to extend my awning. Uggg
Effing covid. The state of South Carolina, the City of Columbia don't have mask mandates. But this state park requires a mask to pee in the urinal. The boss says the county still mandates it.
LegendI gave this campground four stars, but only for RVs and travel trailers. I would not give it four stars for tent campers. Tent campers would have a hard time finding a suitable site that would not be too rocky. When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped. With that said, it is a campground in a beautiful setting. The lake and the sitting area beside the lake are both beautiful. There is a paved walkway down to the lake to a sitting area and a dock. The bath house was air conditioned, almost too much. It is a shock to the system moving from the intense South Carolina heat into the bath house. However, it was a nice break from the heat. Be aware that when you take a shower, you may have to wait a few minutes for the hot water to start. When I first turned it on, I wondered if there was any hot water. Eventually it came, and it was HOT, so I had to adjust it quickly. Also, take your own hand soap with you. There are paper towels but no soap. There are several trails, and you can rent boats, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. There is also a disc golf course. If I had known beforehand, I would have taken my own discs. That’s my fault for not doing the research. My favorite part of this camping experience was waking up early in the morning and sitting by the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a photo of the ducks taking off and flying in a perfect v-formation, but it was so peaceful there. Overall, this is a great campground to get away from civilization.
GuideLake Greenwood State Park is a smaller state park in South Carolina. The lake is sizable, you can easily take your boat or jet skis, but at the same time the lake is suitable for canoes and kayaks as well. This weekend, we opted for the tubes as our means to relax on the lake, and we achieved that. The only issue we found was the size of the campground itself. The campsites are nearly on top of one another, but there are some beautiful spots right on the lake. Since they are so close, you can hear the neighbors at all hours, and there is hardly any privacy. One other issue was the sites themselves. Now, if you have an RV, it's no problem. But if you are into tent camping, like I am, you will have to pitch the tent on gravel or pavement. Not the easiest pitch. With that, though, it was still enjoyable and relaxing.
Gear Review – As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get to review and test products in the field. This weekend was the perfect weekend to test the Cotopaxi 35L Travel Duffel. Right out of the mail, I knew that it would be one bag that lasts for a super long time. It is extremely well made, and very versatile. The only thing I was concerned about when I opened it for the first time was the size. I didn't quite believe I could fit everything for the weekend inside. This was not the case this weekend, though. I even had enough room for the frisbee with all of my clothes, toiletries, and extra pair of shoes. Overall, it is an excellent weeken bag, in it for the long haul. Check it out here: https://www.cotopaxi.com/collections/chumpi/products/chumpi-35l-travel-duffel
LegendWe stayed here for three nights in space number 17. Surprisingly it was quite level. The whole time we were there there was only usually about three or four other campers in the 21 spaces. 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. This is totally dry camping and there are two sets of vault toilets. 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. Hikes in the forest noted several downed trees, most likely due to the hurricane that occurred last year. Some of the trails were impassable.
GuideThe only amenity is pit toilets. No water, no electric. Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed.
Stayed two nights with three other campers and never heard a sound except for nature. Would return again.
LegendThis is a very nice state park. The sites are well spaced and wooded. (If you think they are too close together you haven’t been to many private campgrounds). Our site was level and spacious, although some were not as level. Our first site had an awkward incline. The guy at the trading post said they were working on them. We were there mid-week and the campground was very quiet. The only noise was from crows and other birds, and acorns falling in the woods. There is electric (some 50 amp) and water but no sewer. There are 2 dump stations. Several bathrooms/showers are available. There is a nice playground, hiking trails, a lake, canoe rental, and a trading post with some food, ice, camping supplies, firewood and souvenirs. There is also a separate Equestrian campground! The stare park is adjacent to Kings Mountain National Battlefield Park, with Revolutionary War history and more hiking.
LegendThis is a remote campground in the national forest, and it is close to equestrian camping as well. With that said, there will be horseflies. However, it is a quiet campground. A big disadvantage, as far as I am concerned, is that it does not have water access. With that said, plan to dry camp and bring your own water. There is a pit toilet, so that is one good thing I can say about this campground.
Avoid campsite 4 if you are in a tent, unless you have a rake. There are a lot of sweetgum balls. Since I was there at the beginning of the week, there were only two or three other campers and they were in RVs.
Overall, it’s not bad for camping if you are prepared and know that you will need to take everything in, including water.
The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests near Whitmire, South Carolina offer several equestrian camping options within a 30-mile radius. Located in the Piedmont region at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet, this area experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. The region receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating seasonal variations in trail conditions that affect horse camping experiences.
Trail riding on the 9.8-mile loop: The Brick House Campground provides direct access to popular riding trails. "Spent new years at site 16 and it was a little damp due to a heavy rain but a great site. Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail," notes Jacob L.
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Several horse campgrounds near Whitmire, South Carolina are situated near water recreation areas. "The lake and the sitting area beside the lake are both beautiful. There is a paved walkway down to the lake to a sitting area and a dock," reports Myron C. about Chester State Park Campground.
Disc golf between trail rides: When taking a break from horseback riding, try the disc golf courses. "Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course," writes Keith K. about Chester State Park, adding activities beyond just equestrian options.
Budget-friendly options: Horse camping accommodations near Whitmire are relatively inexpensive. "It's $5 a night. It's also only a short drive from where we live in Spartanburg," shares richardhoerz about Brick House Campground.
Spacious sites: "Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed. Stayed two nights with three other campers and never heard a sound except for nature," says Karen F. about the spacing at Brick House Campground.
Ranger presence: Regular staff monitoring creates a secure environment at equestrian campgrounds. "This is a federal campsite. Rangers check the campsite every day and night. Great place to camp," reports Robert D. about his experience.
Water access limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Whitmire require bringing your own water. "There is no running water. The closest water is 5 or 6 miles in either direction, so pack plenty," warns richardhoerz about Brick House Campground.
Seasonal use patterns: Hunting season significantly changes the camping experience. "This time of year (hunting season) was full of bigger rigs and generators. The few spots that weren't taken when we first got here eventually got scooped up by about 20 Boy Scouts," reports Samantha S. about her fall visit to Kings Mountain.
Site selection importance: Picking the right site matters significantly at equestrian campgrounds. "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," Michael W. notes about Brick House Campground.
Insect preparation: Horsefly activity can be significant, especially after rain. "Apparently, there had been a lot of rain recently, and the area showed it... There are corrals at many of the campsites, so there are also a lot of horseflies," warns Myron C. about Woods Ferry Campground.
Water play options: Some locations offer swimming areas during summer months. "They have a small water play area for children. They have paddle boats also," shares Ruth J. about Sesquicentennial State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Equestrian campgrounds offer good wildlife spotting opportunities. "I enjoy doing the trails and spotting dear," adds Ruth J. about her experience at Sesquicentennial, making it appealing for families interested in nature observation.
Limited leveling: Many sites at horse campgrounds near Whitmire have leveling challenges. "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways," cautions Richard E. about Kings Mountain.
Arrival timing considerations: For equestrian campers with trailers, consider road width and traffic. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," advises Karen S.
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites for horse trailers. "There are several pull-through spots. We were the only campers there. $5 a spot," reports Allyse about Brick House Campground, making it convenient for those with larger equestrian rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Whitmire, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Whitmire, SC is Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Whitmire, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Whitmire, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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