Best Campgrounds in South Carolina: 2026 Guide

South Carolina splits into two camping worlds connected by a rolling Piedmont. The upstate mountains near the Georgia border hold the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River and a chain of massive lakes — Hartwell, Thurmond, and Keowee — with forested campgrounds on wooded peninsulas. The Lowcountry coast offers an entirely different experience: Intracoastal Waterway camping, longleaf pine forests, and barrier island access in the Francis Marion National Forest. For a small state, South Carolina packs in surprising camping range.

Why South Carolina Stands Out

The lake system is the upstate's anchor. J. Strom Thurmond Lake alone has over 1,200 miles of shoreline with multiple Corps campgrounds. The Chattooga River — where Deliverance was filmed — offers Class III-IV whitewater beside campgrounds in the Sumter National Forest. On the coast, the Francis Marion National Forest spreads across 260,000 acres of Lowcountry pine and hardwood, with campgrounds like Buck Hall sitting right on the Intracoastal Waterway within reach of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Congaree National Park near Columbia protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Buck Hall Recreation Area

On the Intracoastal Waterway near Huger in the Francis Marion National Forest, Buck Hall offers premier Lowcountry camping with access to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and coastal kayaking.

Cherry Hill Campground

Near the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River at Mountain Rest, with miles of hiking trails and forest camping in the upstate mountains — open April through October.

Bussey Point Campground

At the entrance of the 2,545-acre Bussey Point wilderness recreation area on J. Strom Thurmond Lake near Clarks Hill — a relaxing peninsula setting surrounded by lake water.

Modoc

On J. Strom Thurmond Lake near Modoc, just five miles from the visitor center and dam. Ripe with camping, fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities on the large border lake.

Coneross Park

A heavily wooded 136-acre site of mixed hardwoods and pines near Townville, offering camping and boat launching facilities on one of the upstate's scenic lakes.

Longleaf Campground

In Congaree National Park near Hopkins, set in a mixed pine and hardwood upland forest just off the park entrance road — your basecamp for exploring the old-growth floodplain.

Twin Lakes

A 152-acre recreation area near Pendleton with dense pine and hardwood overstory, offering camping and lake access in the scenic South Carolina upstate.

Woods Ferry Campground

In the rolling hills of the Enoree Ranger District near Whitmire, including campground, picnic area, and hiking trails in the Sumter National Forest midlands.

Planning Tips

South Carolina camping is viable year-round. Spring and fall are ideal — mild temperatures and manageable humidity. Summer is hot and humid, especially in the Lowcountry. Upstate mountain campgrounds are 10-15°F cooler. The Chattooga River runs best in spring with higher water levels. Coastal campgrounds like Buck Hall are excellent in winter when migratory birds arrive. Ticks and mosquitoes are intense from May through September. Hurricane season (June-November) can impact coastal campgrounds.

Find More

Browse all South Carolina campgrounds on our South Carolina camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.