Best Campgrounds near Winnsboro, SC

The Winnsboro, South Carolina area provides several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Lake Wateree State Park Campground and Broad River Campground. These developed campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. Lake Wateree State Park features full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, while also maintaining tent-friendly areas with more rustic appeal. Several locations offer cabin accommodations, including Woodsmoke Family Campground and Rosewood Farm and Agripark, providing alternatives for visitors seeking more structured shelter options.

Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect comfort and accessibility. Lake Wateree State Park maintains paved roads suitable for standard vehicles, while some of the more remote locations may require higher clearance during wet weather. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, making water access particularly valuable during these months. Winter camping offers milder conditions with occasional freezing temperatures. A visitor to Lake Wateree noted, "While there are a few hiking trails, if you don't have a boat or canoe you will be missing out on most of the appeal of this park."

Campers consistently rate lakeside locations higher than inland sites, with water access serving as a primary draw. Lake Wateree and Dreher Island State Parks receive particularly strong reviews for their water recreation opportunities. Several visitors mentioned the importance of selecting sites carefully, as quality can vary significantly even within the same campground. Tent campers should note that some primarily RV-oriented campgrounds offer limited flat, non-rocky tent sites. According to one review of Chester State Park, "Tent campers would have a hard time finding a suitable site that would not be too rocky." Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, though the quality of facilities varies. Visitors particularly appreciate campgrounds that balance natural settings with functional infrastructure, with shaded sites receiving consistently positive mentions in reviews.

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Best Camping Sites Near Winnsboro, South Carolina (65)

    1. Lake Wateree State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Great Falls, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 482-6401

    "While there are a few hiking trails, if you don’t have a boat or canoe you will be missing out on most of the appeal of this park."

    "We had site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us."

    2. Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    State Park, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 788-2706

    "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."

    3. Dreher Island State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 364-4152

    "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!"

    "In my never-ending quest to discover the most perfect campground haven, after a rather intense amount of research, I landed on Dreher Island smack dab in the very center of South Carolina, where my daughter"

    4. Broad River Campgound

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 749-9100

    "They have an open area in a field and then a few sites more spread out with some trees scattered around. We got one of the spread out sites and quite liked our spot."

    "Very quiet park, bathrooms were closed to overnight guests so didn't get to see them. Full hook ups(including sewer) which were easy to access."

    5. Rosewood Farm and Agripark

    1 Review
    Winnsboro, SC
    6 miles
    Website

    $80 / night

    "This super cute cabin is nestled beside a small pond at the bottom of a hill and surrounded by trees. Book your stay and leave them some love."

    6. Alston Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 771-0870

    "Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees."

    "But we laughed, it was like being a kid where you could hear the train off in the distance and would ride your bike to go watch it pass."

    7. Blythewood Acres

    1 Review
    Blythewood, SC
    13 miles
    +1 (803) 312-4381

    $45 - $55 / night

    8. Chester State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Chester, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 385-2680

    "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."

    9. Woodsmoke Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 781-3451

    10. Kaleidoscope Farm

    1 Review
    Irmo, SC
    15 miles
    +1 (803) 414-9966

    $25 - $30 / night

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Recent Reviews near Winnsboro, SC

353 Reviews of 65 Winnsboro Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Eden in Lancaster SC

    4.5 STARS Peaceful area.

    This is a nice place to stay for a peaceful and quiet getaway. It’s a good place to relax. The owner is very nice and accommodating to your needs. You’re about 10 minutes away from the town of Lancaster, South Carolina.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Well spaced sites with good amenities. Set in the woods, making it easy to forget you're in Columbia! Quiet, lots of birds in the spring. Easy drive to Congaree, which we highly recommend.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Always a great time when we go

    We have been here 3 times all for a week at a time and love it. Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there.

  • Kevan  R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Dreher Island State Park Campground

    Needs Maintenance!

    SC state parks must have shortage of $$ or employees. I know they upgraded to full hook up RV sites in the Fishermen camp recently, but maybe, a little thought could have gone into grading and leveling. SMH Also, it’s a Sunday and the grounds look like they haven’t been mowed in weeks. Camper across from us brought a lawn mower 🤷🏼‍♂️. See attached pics. Fire ring is 5’ from the camper. Positive - the lake view.

    2nd SC park this year - SC DNR, do better.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    Quiet, wildlife, pines

    After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less “party all night” and more “sleep and then explore the park during the day.) Exactly my kind of vibe!

    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. The tent pad stayed fully drained.

    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.

    The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there. I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn’t ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren’t open/staffed yet).

    We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found.

  • k
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Lekotawind

    This is a beautiful campground. It is well maintained and the staff are excellent to work with. Very clean.

  • D
    May. 8, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Cane Creek Campground 2025

    Nice campground. Got very busy on Friday through the weekend. Nice lake and hiking trails. Free putt-putt. Clean bathrooms and hot showers.

  • Keith K.
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Chester State Park Campground

    Small clean campground

    Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course.


Guide to Winnsboro

Camping near Winnsboro, South Carolina, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor lovers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Dreher Island State Park Campground, provide direct access to Lake Murray. One visitor noted, "We spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and enjoying one of the best lakes we’ve ever experienced."
  • Hiking: Trails are abundant in the area. A camper at Kings Mountain State Park mentioned, "Lovely shaded campground. Boat rentals at Lake York. National Military Battlefield nearby."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Poinsett State Park Campground enjoyed spotting wildlife. One reviewer shared, "We rented a paddleboat and got to see some wildlife on the water (cranes, turtles, and even a couple little gators)."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Andrew Jackson State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse is typical state park bathhouse. Things to do: very short hikes, fishing, kayaking."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful rangers. A camper at Iron City Campground, Inc. remarked, "Lisa is the best host."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park noted, "It’s a great location and very quiet. Walk-in campsites and pretty secluded."

What you should know:

  • Site Sizes Vary: Some campgrounds have smaller sites that may not be level. A camper at Kings Mountain State Park mentioned, "The campsites themselves are very unlevel and laid out very awkwardly."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A visitor at Croft State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse was conveniently located, and it was air-conditioned. There were hot showers, and when I say hot, I mean hot."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of local wildlife. A camper at Poinsett State Park Campground mentioned, "There were lots of mosquitoes, ants, bugs, etc."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Many campgrounds have playgrounds for kids. A camper at Iron City Campground, Inc. noted, "Fun for kids: pool with splash mushroom; playground."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for all ages. A visitor at Cane Creek Park said, "There are several playgrounds for kids to play, along with an open field by the lake."
  • Safety First: Choose campgrounds with good security. A camper at Cane Creek Park mentioned, "The park ranger regularly patrols, making it feel safe."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A visitor at Croft State Park Campground said, "Our site was very level and tucked back in the corner of the campground."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has electric hookups. A camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground appreciated, "Water and electric available and functioning on site."
  • Plan Ahead: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Andrew Jackson State Park Campground advised, "Need to plan ahead to get a site."

Camping near Winnsboro, South Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Winnsboro, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Winnsboro, SC is Lake Wateree State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.