Campgrounds and RV parks near Camden, SC

Camden sits in the South Carolina Midlands, roughly 35 miles northeast of Columbia, and works as a practical base for RV travelers exploring the Sandhills, the Wateree River corridor, and the High Hills of Santee. The area combines pine woodlands, blackwater creeks, and reservoir shoreline, with camping options that range from a full-hookup private RV park in town to state parks with water and electric sites. The closest in-town option is Columbia / Camden RV Park, a private park geared to travelers passing through on I-20. North of town, Lake Wateree State Park sits on Desportes Island on the reservoir formed by damming the Wateree River. Southwest toward Columbia, Sesquicentennial State Park serves as the closest state park to the metro area. Further afield, Lee State Park east of Bishopville and Poinsett State Park south near Wedgefield add river-swamp and Sandhills terrain to the mix. All four state parks accept RVs and use the same statewide reservation system, which keeps trip planning straightforward across multiple stops.

Public sites at Lake Wateree, Sesquicentennial, Lee and Poinsett are all booked through South Carolina State Parks. Reservations at state parks may be made up to 13 months in advance, with three convenient ways to reserve, though reservations for group camps or primitive camping must still be made through the state parks. The reservation window opens at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, so a campsite for July 15 opens June 15 of the prior year. Reservations requested less than one day in advance of check-in must be made directly through the park, and campsite reservations require payment in full at the time the reservation is made. Cabin and campsite rentals are typically accepted for a two-night minimum, however, during busier periods, minimum stays may be increased at some parks. Columbia / Camden RV Park is a private park and books directly through its own office.