Best Camping in and near Lake Wateree State Park

80% (6 reviews)

Enjoy on plenty of water-based activities with a name like Wateree.

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Stay at a public campground in Lake Wateree State Park

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Lake Wataree Campground

69 sites · RVs, Tents In Lake Wateree State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Wateree State Park

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Beautiful Lake Camping

1 site · RV2 acres · Great Falls, SC

Lake Wateree, a 13,250-acre lake with unspoiled natural views, was created by the damming of the Wateree River in 1920. It is located about 30 miles northeast of Columbia, just east of I-77. The lake is owned and managed by Duke Power and is surrounded by three counties: Fairfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster. One of South Carolina's oldest man-made lakes, Lake Wateree is known for crappie, bass, catfish, and bream fishing. The 242 miles of shoreline include a bird refuge, the Lake Wateree State Recreation Area and State Park, and Carolina Adventure World for Recreational ATV and dirt bike riding. All these amenities are only a few miles from this site. There are many eclectic little towns to visit and shop when you are not spending time swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating, fishing,or just sitting around the fire or hanging out on your own private dock and island. Learn more about this land: Lakefront RV site with private dock and lots of amenities. Acres of solitude and nature. The ideal getaway unlike any other. This is your own oasis on a large cove with a private island and an expanse of nature that opens up to the lake. Bring your boat, there is a nearby boat ramp. Pets must be contained or leashed at all times. Pets are welcome but one must adhere to the leash rule for safety. Though this site has an open ambiance, there are other homes in the area with their own pets and there are large birds of prey.

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(182)

Private Oasis In The Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Irwin, SC

Quite undisturbed forest for 1/2 a century, used for duck hunting in the previous owners family for decades. I’ve started building a small cabin that’s unfinished hopefully completing in the coming years. Fishing pond and small seasonal creek flows after lots of rain. Excited to share it with others!

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(13)

Norman Farms

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Richburg, SC

Come visit our homestead and experience the beauty of nature. Our property is home to many fruit trees, including peach, fig, persimmon, and mulberry. We also have blueberry bushes and other fruit trees such as apples and plums. Our farm is home to sheep and chickens, so you can experience the joy of interacting with these animals. We have a spot for one RV and multiple spots for dry camping, so you can stay overnight and enjoy the peacefulness of the countryside. Come pick mulberries in our orchard or learn about the variety of plants in our greenhouse. We are located in Richburg, SC, which is a beautiful rural setting that you won't want to miss. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and experience the beauty of our homestead.

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(165)

Rosewood Farm and Agripark

100 sites · Lodging200 acres · Winnsboro, SC

Rosewood Farm and Agripark is my home. I honestly had about the most amazing childhood one could have on this very land! We hunted, fished, made mud pies and played outside for hours, as long as we were in shouting distance for supper time! I am so fortunate to be the daughter of two amazing parents, who had a dream to build a working farm from nothing more than a logging trail in the woods. They built a 3 story, 10,000 square foot house by themselves- while raising a family! We have 200 acres of farmland that features rolling hills, multiple ponds, creeks, farm animals, show horses and countless wildlife viewing opportunities. Wild turkey and deer roam free all over the farm, coveys of dove fly out from the pastures and trails, and coyotes howl in the night. Listen to the frogs croaking, crickets chirping and whipporwhills calling every evening under a magical blanket of stars. Take a guided horseback ride or nature hike through the trails that meander through the woods around the park. Our newest venture is to offer primitive camping and some cabin rentals around our 60 acre Agripark! For those wanting to step it up a notch, we have erected a large concrete floor, covered event barn (for parties, family reunions, weddings, cowboy church, etc..,) and also a huge petting zoo barn with an area behind it for pony rides and 4-h/FFA functions. Also, a special historic Iron Horse miniature train and one mile of track has been purchased to go around the park! A greenhouse is being erected next, that will teach people about aquaponics and hydroponics! We have a rock wall, jumping pillow and many inflatables for the littles to enjoy too! Many things are on the immediate horizon for this special property. While we are under heavy construction at the moment in some areas of the park, many amenities are currently available. Why not unplug from the daily grind and spend time with those that matter most? My goal is to make this land as magical for your family as it has been for mine!

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Lucky Farms Under the Stars

16 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Edgemoor, SC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our private woods with your own fire pit or set up your camper alongside our trees. 6acres of wooded area with walking trails to forage and explore and 7acre field for playing. My husband and I both love to cook/bake so if you're up for dinner by the fire getting to know new people, we highly recommend our Saturday Dinner in the lobby. We also have private fire pits set up at most of the sites if you'd prefer to keep to yourself. -grills, charcoal or gas, are available upon request. We're more than happy to customize your experience if you have something special in mind. If you want to hang out and have a good time getting to know new people, we can make that happen. Or if you'd rather be left alone for some peace, were good with that too. Instagram: LuckyFarms.LiveHappy

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Wolff Woods

3 sites · RVs, Tents18 acres · Bethune, SC

Wolff Woods is 18 acres of pine forest, grassy fields, and other trees and shrubs. There are multiple areas of the property to set up camp whether you want to be covered by trees or want to play in the grass and gaze at the stars, Wolff Woods is the place to be. The property is surrounded by fields and is very private. There are also multiple entrances to the property, perfect for RVs or smaller vehicles. We also have a backyard swimming pool that campers are welcome to use upon request. We are pet friendly and just kindly ask that you give us a heads up before arrival so we can put our own dog away. We hope to see you soon. :)

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(35)

Kaleidoscope Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Columbia, SC

Our land is family land that has been untouched for years but we are restoring back to a farm and horse rescue. There is an old cemetery here, creeks, hills and valleys. It's beautiful. Wildlife can be seen in the woods. The highway used to run through the woods many years ago but got moved. Learn more about this land: We have 38 acres with hills and valleys. There is an old dirt and gravel road lined with trees, a natural spring that usually has water, large rocks, a very old cemetery, wildlife, and beautiful wildflowers and blackberries depending on the time of the year. Our house and land have been in my family over 100 years. Lots of history! Come out and visit and enjoy nature! Deer and turkey are active now too! We have grills for you to use, a picnic table, swings and fire pits.

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(199)

Camping on Pipers Pond

2 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Eastover, SC

Learn more about this land: Watch the sun and moon rise over the pond from the grassy knoll in the edge of the woods or under the trees. Enjoy paddling around the pond, fishing and watching the ducks and geese during the day and relaxing around the fire pit at night. We offer 2 campsites on the pond on our private property. They are both slightly sloped. Site 1 is on the grassy knoll overlooking the pond. It is sunny early in the day and gets shady as the day progresses. It is closer to the outhouse. Site 2 is under the trees and right beside the pond. It gets spotty sun throughout the day. We live through the woods past the campsites. An outhouse with composting toilet, potable water, picnic table, grill, fire pit, fire wood and trash can are provided. Please note that we do not offer a 30 amp camper hookup, only a 15 amp electrical cord running from our house that will run lights, but not a/c or heat.

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Wateree Recreation

7 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Ridgeway, SC

Learn more about this land: All 3 campsites have firepits. The first site (Hill View-edge of woods) has an emergency shelter in case of rain. The second sight (Gully View) is in the woods. The 3rd site (Branch View) is in the deep woods by a creek. All 3 have water barrels and benches. It is 10 minutes to South Carolina's oldest inland city, historic Camden and 6 minutes from Lake Wateree (about 240 miles of shoreline). Activities include hiking, bird watching (binoculars and book available), artifact hunting, and targets for knives, axes, archery and short-range weapons. Botanical and historical tours are available.

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(27)

Total Isolation - South 40 Acre Lot

2 sites · RVs, Tents51 acres · Lancaster, SC

Learn more about this land:Note: Site is closed for booking Oct 4 - Jan 1 for deer hunting season, sorry for any inconvenience that might cause, but I like to hunt too. We will open back up Jan. 2, and hopefully have some more amenities by then too!Isolated Farm Field, surrounded by tree lines and woods for private getaway. Walking trails and a cool running creek to wade in. Wildlife all around.High Hipcamper booking rate, site goes quick. Always a steady stream of guests here. This is the site people go to get away from everything.

Lucky Farms on Fishing Creek

8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Lowrys, SC

Primitive camping. HUGE open field with woods and trails to match. The woods follow along fishing creek with a multiple banks for getting your feet wet. Pitch a tent or park your camper in our large open, grassy field and relax. Set up by the eucalyptus tree for an aromatic stay or along the woods to be close to the water. The woods are mostly undisturbed, but do have clear paths/trails for walking along the creek, be on the lookout for deer, ducks, and other wildlife. The grassy field is a perfect place for laying out a blanket and viewing the night sky.

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(63)

Christina's Paradise

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Hopkins, SC

Learn more about this land:Enjoy your stay at my cozy paradise. Take a swim in the pool or a morning walk around our circular driveway. 10 laps equal 2 miles, Or just enjoy your quiet time at the adult swing section.

The best camping near Lake Wateree State Park guide

Overview

About

Travel to Desportes Island 4 miles north Ridgeway for fun at any time of year. Fishing and boating rule the day thanks to a tackle shop, refueling dock, and boat ramp on-site. Cast your line alongside pros, because this lake hosts numerous fishing tournaments every year.

Choose from bream, catfish, crappie, and bass. Land a trophy of all four species if you find a sweet fishing spot. The lake covers 19 square miles and there's plenty of room for everyone. If you don't have a boat, you can fish from the shore of the state park.

Discover the Desportes Island with the 2.3-mile loop trail. Scout out your perfect fishing spot not far from your campsite, and see plenty of trees on your hike.

Explore the north side of the lake to encounter Great Falls on the Catawba River. Whitewater enthusiasts love to shoot the rapids here.

The campground harbors 72 paved sites for both RVs and tents. Fifteen sites have waterfront views, so the lake's waves can lull you to sleep.

Notable campgrounds

Waterfront Campsites - Enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Wateree right from your tent or RV at one of the 23 waterfront campsites.
Paved RV Sites - Set up your home away from home on one of the 100 paved sites, designed to accommodate even large RVs with ease.
Wooded Campsites - For a more secluded camping experience, choose a spot amid the park's wooded areas, offering both privacy and shade.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your preferred campsite, especially if you're eyeing one of the popular waterfront spots.
Consider visiting during the off-peak season for greater availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on the park's website for any last-minute cancellations that could open up a spot.
Explore nearby camping options if Lake Wateree is fully booked, as the surrounding area offers additional opportunities.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Wateree State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it's also the busiest season. Winter visitors can enjoy quieter surroundings, but note that the tackle shop operates on reduced hours and the lake level may be low due to dam construction.

Know before you go

Check the latest park news for updates on lake levels and construction that may affect your visit.
Park hours are from sunrise to sunset, with the office open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 7am to 5pm on weekends.
Admission fees are $3 for adults, $1.50 for SC seniors, and $1 for children aged 6-15; those 5 and under enter free.
Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas, but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet.
Remember, there is no wifi available in the park, so plan accordingly for a digital detox.