Perfect for RV lovers who love a lakeside getaway, Lake Greenwood State Park has so much to offer visitors during their stay. Located in Greenwood County, Lake Greenwood State Park was one of the original 16 parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in South Carolina. Visitors have flocked to the park for decades to enjoy some fun in the sun, including many who visit for the South Carolina Festival of Flowers Triathlon which is held within the park during June.
Fishing fanatics will feel right at home at Lake Greenwood State Park. The park's namesake lake offers more than 11,000 acres of freshwater for anglers and boaters to enjoy, and it's one of the state's premier spots for bass fishing. Visitors at Lake Greenwood State Park who aren't so keen on angling can also enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, boating, wildlife watching, and learning about the area's history. Whether you want to take in the colorful array of wildflowers that burst to life in the spring or just enjoy a picnic by the gentle waters of the lake, RV campers at Lake Greenwood State Park will find an adventure to suit their tastes.
Campers and day-use visitors are taken care of here with two campgrounds featuring electric and water hookups, one group camping area, two boat launch areas, picnic shelters, a playground, and more than 900 acres of South Carolina parkland to explore. Peak season at Lake Greenwood State Park runs from April until October.
Driving to and from Lake Greenwood State Park is fairly straightforward since it is located not too far away from the Ninety-Six Highway. There is one main entrance and exit to the park that is accessible via State Park Road, but if you are staying in the group campsite you can reach this area by driving down Lee Chapell Road. The internal roads at Lake Greenwood State Park are paved and wide, so vehicles and RV campers shouldn't have any trouble navigating the park. All the park's campsites are paved and fairly level, making it easy to park the rig and head out to the lake. You should bring leveling equipment with you just in case, but for the most part, you won't have to do much or any leveling.
If you need to pick up any supplies before your journey to the park you can stop at Ninety Six (around six miles away), Greenwood (around 14 miles away), and Newberry (around 25.5 miles away).
Multiple paved parking areas are available at Lake Greenwood State Park, many of which are shaded, which is a welcome relief for drivers visiting Lake Greenwood during South Carolina's scorching summers. The main parking area is located in front of the recreation building. Vehicles towing boats will want to park in the lot by the boat launch.
Campground One is the largest of the two campgrounds within Lake Greenwood State Park, so if you are looking to camp in the area with the most amenities this is the place for your RV. There are a total of 100 sites within Campground One located in two loops. All of the sites are equipped with 50-amp electric and water hookups, along with a picnic table and a fire ring. Another great feature about the campground is that all of the sites are paved, mostly level, and some even come with sewer hookups.
There are four shower and toilet blocks in Campground One, and you will also be close to hiking trails and the boat ramp. Park staff are also known to be extremely friendly and willing to help out whenever you may need it.
Campers must reserve a standard site at least one day in advance using the South Carolina state parks reservation website or by calling a toll-free number. If, for some reason, you can't book your site in advance, contact the park directly to make a same-day reservation.
For RV lovers looking for a more secluded and quiet camping experience, you should consider reserving a site in Campground Two. This campground is much smaller than Campground One with only 21 sites being available, including some that have gorgeous lake views. All of the sites in Campground Two are also located on paved pads and have electric and water hookups for your convenience.
Since this campground is on the smaller side there aren't too many extra amenities, but you will have one shower and toilet block and access to the boat ramp since it is just to the west of the campground. There are also two large parking areas if you have an additional vehicle that you would like to keep off your camping site. Pets are allowed, and you should be able to get cell phone reception on all of the major networks.
Planning an RV camping trip to Lake Greenwood State Park? You'll want to bring some bug spray along for yourself and some flea and tick medication for any four-legged friends traveling with you. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting critters are a real nuisance in the summer. As you're exploring the park, also keep an eye out for poison oak and ivy. To reserve a site in Campground Two, you can use the same online system as Campground One.
Since South Carolina typically enjoys mild temperatures all year long, birdwatching enthusiasts can break out the binoculars even in the wintertime to see what they can spot without getting too cold. Ducks and geese are common, while rarer sightings include eagles and great blue herons. Warblers also migrate to Lake Greenwood during the fall and winter months, so keep an eye out for them if you are visiting the park during this time.
If you are looking for a family-friendly activity to enjoy during your visit, you can try their luck at hunting down the geocache at the park. Lake Greenwood State Park is one of 47 state park geocaching destinations and part of the SC State Park Geocache Challenge. Cell phone coverage is typically strong throughout Lake Greenwood State Park, but you can always stop by the conference center or park office to connect to Wi-Fi and download the geocache map before setting off.
History buffs visiting Lake Greenwood State Park in their rig during the temperate off-season can check out the park's museum and conference center, which is open year-round. A visit to John and Holly Self Drummond Conservation Education and Conference Center houses will leave you fascinated about how the park was created by the CCC during the New Deal era. The conference center is also a popular venue for weddings, meetings, and corporate functions.
Interested in doing some group camping during your visit? Lake Greenwood State Park has one group camping area that is available for visitors to enjoy. The campground features enough room for up to 50 guests and includes picnic tables and fire rings. Unlike the regular sites, the group camping area can't be reserved online, so you will have to call ahead and reserve a site directly through the park office. The group campground is available all year round.
There are no tent-only campgrounds or camping areas within Lake Greenwood State Park, but that doesn't mean you will have to leave your tent at home. All of the sites in Campground One and Campground Two can be used by tents, and if you are staying in the group campground you can also bring one and set up camp.
Lake Greenwood is one of the most popular swimming holes in town, so you can expect to see plenty of other RV campers cooling off from the South Carolina humidity in the summer. Certain zones of the lake prohibit swimming, but most areas permit swimming at your own risk since there are no lifeguards on duty. Always keep your eyes peeled for dangerous wildlife while in the lake, and the park staff will alert you if there are any advisories to stay out of the water.
Boating is one of the most popular activities at Lake Greenwood, second only to fishing. It is good to know that motorized boating is allowed on Lake Greenwood, so whether you're towing a canoe, a jet ski, or a pontoon, you'll have plenty of water acreage to explore here. Watch out for the no-wake zones around the lake, and keep your eyes peeled for quirky local restaurants where you can park your boat and grab a bite!
The park's nature trails offer several miles for hikers to get an up-close view of local wildlife. The Scenic Shoreline Trail is the park's longest path at just over four miles, while the park's other two trails are much shorter and make the perfect place for a quick walk. No matter what your hiking experience level is, one of these three trails will have something that you can enjoy whenever you decide to pay a visit to the park.
