Top 3 Camping Spots in Lake Murray Country

The hot days of summer will soon be over. Looking forward to a fall getaway? When I think of fall, I think of cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and sitting fire side. Whether you travel with family, friends or as a couple, camping is a perfect way to get away from at all. Leave your electronics at home and explore the great outdoors! We’ve compiled a list of the top 3 camping spots in Lake Murray Country.

Dreher Island State Park, located on Lake Murray, is highly recommended for camping and FUN. Take advantage of the wide variety of activities around the park and sparkling Lake Murray…fishing, swimming, birdwatching and even Geo-caching are the perfect activities to do while you’re there. You can bring your own tent, trailer or RV. There are 95 paved RV spots and 15 tent camping sites and up to six guests are allowed per site. If you are looking for a “Glamping” adventure, this park has 5 lakeside villas and ten camper campers for rent on a year-round basis. For more information on this beautiful spot on the shores of Lake Murray visit https://southcarolinaparks.com/dreher-island.

Sesquicentennial State Park, affectionately known as Sesqui, is another great state park in our region that offers 1500 acres of land with plenty of privacy for camping. With 85 tent and RV spots and up to six guests per site, you can also bring your own tent, trailer, RV or van to the campsite area. Campfires are allowed as well as pets. There is also access to portable water and showers. While camping, let the kids play at one of the park’s two playgrounds, hike or bike the nearby trails or rent a pedal boat or canoe and explore the lake. Check this popular spot out at https://southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui

One of the top camping spots in our region is Congaree National Park. Just imagine camping in the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the U.S. What an awesome canopy you’ll have! Congaree National Park is located in a natural area in central South Carolina about 20 miles south east of Columbia. Some of the wildlife you will see are river otters, deer, foxes, flying squirrels, wild boar, turtles, reptiles, birds and fish. Ranger led walks, owl prowls and canoe tours are available.

Campers are required to have a reservation to camp in either of the two front country campgrounds, Longleaf Campground and Bluff campground. Reservations for the campgrounds must be made through recreation.gov or by calling 877–444–6777. Only tents and hammocks are allowed in the campgrounds.

Currently all sites at the Bluff Campground and half of the sites at the Longleaf Campground are open. In addition, the following is open…the boardwalk trail, park hiking trails, Cedar Creek canoe trail, the canoe launch, picnic shelters, restrooms and the outdoor visitor information station at the Harry Hampton visitor Center. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these parks. The weather will cool down soon…just get packing and get ready for some relaxin’. For more information, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com.

by: Jayne Baker