Campgrounds and RV parks near Bowman, SC

Bowman sits in Orangeburg County in South Carolina's Santee Cooper Country, roughly a 90 minute drive from Charleston and about an hour southeast of Columbia. The town is a practical base for RV trips built around Lake Marion, the state's largest lake, and the blackwater Edisto River, both within easy reach by road. Campground options within a short drive range from small independent parks to a large state park. Outside Inn Campground and Jolly Acres RV Park and Storage sit in the immediate Bowman area, while St George RV Park behind hotel offers a quick highway stop off Interstate 95. For a more traditional outdoor experience, Santee State Park operates two campgrounds on Lake Marion, Lakeshore and Cypress View, with water and electric hookup sites and access to the water. The surrounding landscape is flat coastal plain with mixed pine and hardwood forest. Wildlife around Lake Marion includes deer, squirrels, alligators, osprey, and woodpeckers, so families should plan for warm-weather bugs and standard alligator precautions near shorelines.

Santee State Park uses the South Carolina State Parks reservation system. Reservations may be made up to 13 months in advance, and reservations requested less than one day in advance of check-in must be made directly through the park. Campsite reservations cannot be transferred or changed more than 12 months in advance of the arrival date, and cannot be transferred from one park to another. Bookings are handled online at the state parks reservation site or by phone through the reservations desk. Private parks in the Bowman area, including Outside Inn Campground, Jolly Acres RV Park and Storage, and St George RV Park behind hotel, take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites. Summer weekends and holidays fill quickly at Lakeshore and Cypress View, so book several months ahead for peak dates. All firewood brought into South Carolina State Parks must be from within the state and from less than 50 miles away.