Review Detail

Called the “Army Travel Camp” - a fairly “new” CG (newly developed sites in an older Rec Area), felt like sort of an “afterthought” for campers. You wouldn’t know that this was associated with a military base, if not for the blaring bugles heard from the loudspeakers several times a day & night starting at 5:45am, so they even violate their own rule of “quiet” hours between 2300 and 0800! Also, there is NO gate nor a gate “shack”, even though this shack is noted on the CG map. The CG host, James said the shack was removed for some reason. This rec area is completely UNsecured, so anyone can just wander into this Rec Area. When turning into the Rec Area at the big sign off of SR 262, go directly to the Travel Camp and set up at your site. Unhook and drive to the office to check in. We arrived close to the office closing time of 5pm, so they called and gave us the CG host’s phone number. We were instructed to call the CG host after we got settled in, which we did. James came promptly to greet us and check us in, asking for the military ID. He was very friendly and helpful. Campground has 33 sites. We were in Site 32, with a fairly level concrete pad, enough room for MH and back tires of Truck. Concrete patio with metal table, firepit and grill. The firepits all had trash and burnt wood/ashes inside them, and the grills also needed attention. According to the CG Host James, the bathrooms are cleaned Mon-Friday only. James mentioned that they actually PAY someone to maintain the CG, and he told us he’s notified the leadership that this CG needs improvements in many ways, but no success so far. The lake was too low for boating and kayaking, as they were repairing the dam and had to drain the lake. According to James, it would be finished beginning of April and lake will be back to normal levels. There is one comfort station with toilets and showers. No laundry facilities, though. At the office area, there is a really nice, small beach where you can rent kayaks/canoes, or relax on the patio. Several playgrounds and a frisbee-golf course are on the grounds. 30-minute drive to Congaree NP, which is FREE to enter. Took a nice walk on the boardwalk through the Cypress Swamp and learned about the swamp flora and fauna. We wanted to kayak on the creek, but the water level was too low and muddy to easily launch the kayaks. Near Columbia, SC. About a 20-minute drive to the base to get to the Commissary/Class 6/Exchange, via I-77 from Exit 12 onto Strom Thurmond Dr through the Main Gate. It wouldn’t be such a bad park, but at $35/night, it was way over-priced for the slim amenities, and it was hard to tolerate those blaring bugles. This CG would be more fairly priced at $20-$22/night.