Campgrounds and RV parks near Eastover, SC

Congaree National Park is the main draw. The 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop, Cedar Creek paddling, and ranger-led walks anchor most trips, and the synchronous firefly display in late May draws significant crowds. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit obtained at the visitor center. Poinsett State Park adds a 10-acre lake used for fishing and johnboat rentals, along with kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and a pedal boat available for rent, plus trails that connect to the Palmetto Trail and linked hiking and mountain bike trails through Manchester State Forest. Sesquicentennial State Park has a lake for fishing and paddling, a splash pad, playgrounds, a 2-acre fenced dog park for off-leash use, and trails through sandy woodland. Downtown Columbia adds the Riverbanks Zoo, the State Museum, and the Congaree River for tubing and paddling day trips.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable windows for RV travel around Eastover. March through May brings mild days, wildflowers, and the synchronous firefly event at Congaree in late May, which draws heavy visitor numbers. October and November cool off gradually, with less rain and clearer skies. Summer is hot and humid. High temperatures regularly touch the 90°F mark during the peak summer months, while lows stay above 70°F, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Mosquitoes and deer flies are heavy in Congaree's lowland areas, and seasonal flooding can close trails and portions of the boardwalk after heavy rain. Sites with electric hookups fill early on summer weekends because campers rely on air conditioning. Winters are relatively mild. Average high temperatures remain near 53°F in January, freezes happen overnight, and snow is rare. Most developed campgrounds in the region stay open year-round, though Loop 1 at Sesquicentennial closes seasonally while Loop 2 stays open year round.

Check-in time for camping at South Carolina State Parks is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 p.m. All vehicles entering the park must display a valid pass, and all firewood brought into South Carolina State Parks must be from within the state and from less than 50 miles away to prevent pest spread. The road into Poinsett is narrow and windy, eventually narrowing to one-way in places without traffic control, and portions can be in poor repair, so drivers of longer rigs should take it slowly. At Sesquicentennial, 17 sites accommodate RVs up to 35 feet with others up to 30 feet, which can feel tight for larger trailers, but the full-hookup loop handles most standard RVs. Cell coverage is spotty inside Congaree National Park and thinner along the wooded state-park loops. Bring insect repellent, especially from late spring through early fall.