Campgrounds and RV parks near Olympia, SC

Olympia sits just south of downtown Columbia along the Congaree River, in the Midlands region of South Carolina. For RV travelers, the neighborhood works as a base camp: interstates 26, 20, and 77 all meet within a short drive, and campgrounds spread out to the north, east, and south of the city. Most RV-suitable options are private parks with full hookups, plus a state park with electric and water sites. Sesquicentennial State Park sits in a spacious park setting of the Sandhills region near Columbia and offers 84 campsites with water and electric hookups, on packed sand or gravel surfaces. Closer private choices include Big Rig Friendly RV Resort and Barnyard RV Park, both able to handle larger Class A coaches and travel trailers. Congaree National Park lies roughly 20 miles southeast and is a major draw for day trips, though its own campgrounds are tent-only and do not permit RVs or trailers. Woodsmoke Campground and Broad River Campground round out the local set for travelers who want a quieter, more wooded stay away from the city core.

Reservation systems split by ownership. For Sesquicentennial State Park, campers can call toll-free 1-866-345-PARK or use the online reservations page on the South Carolina State Parks site, which handles all state park bookings. Two-night minimums apply on most weekends. Congaree National Park campgrounds are tent-only, but the reservation process is worth knowing for mixed groups. All campers must have a reservation for the two frontcountry campgrounds, Longleaf and Bluff, and reservations must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, up to six months in advance. Private parks such as Big Rig Friendly RV Resort, Barnyard RV Park, Woodsmoke Campground, and Broad River Campground take reservations directly through their own websites or by phone. For spring and fall weekends, booking six to eight weeks ahead is a safe target.