Barnwell State Park

Lily Drew

2024-03

An absolutely beautiful and quiet campground. This place is so peaceful and full of history. This has become one of our new favorite places to go. The staff are very friendly and helpful as well. We will be returning in the near future! They have numerous places in the park to relax, eat lunch, and build a fire. We enjoyed the playground, fishing, and walking the trail. They also have horseshoe games and paddle boats. There is something for everyone to do! Thanks to the staff for making our stay more comfortable!

Shirley W

2024-03

Small park with 25 sites. Some f h u.I had electric and water and used the dump station.Rangers and camp host Ray are very friendly.Some of the full hook up sites are not level.Not really suited to big rigs.I camped in site 10 with a 25 ft motor home.Apparently the fishing is good. There is a fishing pier.They also have yurt shaped cabins for rent.Playground: There is a play ground.Restrooms: Only the main restrooms were open in February. 2 showers in the ladies.Picnic area: Pic nic area by the playground

Kat Walk

2023-12

This was our first time taking our new camper out. Barnwell State Park was awesome! We camped on site 15 and had plenty of room for our 30 foot camper and Ford F150 truck. Ray was a great camp host and checked on us several times. We had a family Thanksgiving event in Blackville the weekend after Thanksgiving and this was the perfect place for us to camp; as it was only 10 minutes from the location of our event. Our family had a great time and we will definitely be back. As soon as we get home we will be making our reservations for this same weekend next year.

Joseph Carriker

2023-12

Beautiful state park built by the CCC in the 1930's. Needs work on the spillways. Campground road needs repaving. Campground needs anew bathhouse. More RV sites would be nice. We camped here twice this trip. Going south and returning north. Campground full on Saturday. A group of Scouts with their families put the primitive camping area to good use. It was great seeing families enjoying this park. On Tuesday and Wednesday just 6 to 8 campsites being used. November 7th and 8th.Playground: Nice playground in day use area.Restrooms: Need updates.Picnic area: Pretty place for a picnic.

No Pain No Gain

2023-11

Great park. Very clean, and it was quiet. I loved the waterfall, and I got to enjoy some fishing and even caught a few small bluegill

Steven Tomlinson

2023-10

The park staff very friendly and accommodating during our stay. Cabin was clean and renovated nicely (cabin-5). The park is very peaceful and clean. The only negative was fishing experience which was unexpected.

Kent Meyer

2023-08

Barnwell SP is one of the smaller state parks in the SCSP system but it has a lot to offer. There are several shelters available to rent as well as a community building. The roads leading to the shelters and community building are new.The campsite area roads were a bit rough and rocky but nothing treacherous or difficult to navigate. The campground itself only has 25 sites with many being tent sites. They do have 6 or 7 full service sites which are nice and had 50 amp service. All sites were very clean and laid out well. The parking pads were well maintained and marked. Like many of the state parks, some had trees in inconvenient areas right at the entrance to the parking pads. The bathhouse in the camping area doesn't look like much from the outside but on the inside was well maintained and even air conditioned. When we there the men's showers had to hot water unfortunately, but the women's side did. The campsites were decent size and spaced far enough apart that you felt like you had your own space.There are several trails that are well marked and maintained and present nice views of the lake. The boardwalks had chicken wire on them which is a nice touch as they get very slippery and this helped solve that problem. There are also 7 geocaches onsite which are fun to locate. They do rent canoes and paddle boats for a reasonable price. The park office is only open for two hours per day, 11-12 and 4-5 which makes rentals difficult but the camp host can call someone to accommodate your requests.There is a nice pier for fishing. There are several games around the park like a volleyball net, hook & ring game, and horse shoes. There is a roped off area in the lake for swimming. There is a natural spring near the lake. Cell service is available in the park in most areas with 2 bars average with Verizon. The park office also has free Wi-Fi available.One aspect of the park that I didn't like were all of the rules that they have posted EVERYWHERE. There are signs every time you turn around telling you what you can and can't do. $20 service fee if you use the restroom and aren't a campsite renter. $5 dump station fee. Dogs must stay on the left side of the sidewalk (no kidding). It took away from the feeling of escaping the real world and relaxing. It always felt like someone was watching us. One of the park rangers was also very rude. He talked condescendingly to everyone and wasn't friendly at all.While not the most exciting state park, there are still sufficient activities and things to do to make this a worthwhile visit.Restrooms: AC, well maintainedDog-friendliness: dogs are allowed if on a leash. They must stay to the left of the sidewalk though per the sign posted by the park office.Picnic area: Several shelters available to accommodate all sizes of groups

Matthew Kuchta

2023-05

We came here 8 years ago and now found the park exactly as we remembered. Beautiful, friendly, a great place to stay. Ashley the park ranger is absolutely awesome, friendly and helpful. The only disappointments. NOT the parks fault but those who visit. Leaving their dogs messes at campsites (observed), and we picked up a bag of lures, hooks, bait containers, mono, etc at 1 fishing spot (see pic). So unfortunate folks visit such a beautiful place and leave such a terrible mess. Grow up and leave better then it was found.

Julie Everhart

2024-01

Very nice and peaceful. Visited to use the dump station on the RV. Everything looks well kept.

Anthony Harris

2023-05

This park has some amazing views as you travel along the hiking trail around the lake. If you like to fish there is a pier you can use or take your boat out like some of the people, I saw out there. Playground equipment for the kids to enjoy and picnic areas you can use.

jm lindley

2022-05

We had a good week camping here. We had never been here before and I have to admit on arrival seeing the road that goes into the campground, I was scared of what what we were headed into. Our site was nice and spacious but beware some are not. Do your homework. The road in and out of the campground is in desperate need of repairs. I discussed this with the park manager who explained bids were in for repairs and they are waiting for budget approval. The day use part of the park is very nice including roads. Nice hiking trail around the water and spillway, playground for the kids, rental paddle boats and kayaks are available. We even did a little fishing... Not much luck, just some small bream pecking at our hooks. Park was very clean. The staff were all friendly and helpful.

Tracie Smith

2023-07

Stayed for the weekend and had our family reunion here. Staff were amazing. Camp host, Ray, was extremely friendly and informative. Camp sites were clean. Shelters were spacious. Restrooms were clean and maintained.

Lisa Daff

2024-01

What a beautiful place. My son and daughter-in-law had their wedding there and it turned out

Eric Rising

2024-04

The park itself is very nice and quiet with some neat additions like the horseshoe pits, ring/hook game, etc. If you're camping here, the surrounding area doesn't have much to do and the water isn't the best to swim in probably (though nothing wrong with it, just kind of small to paddle board, etc). I probably wouldn't come back here but that's just because there wasn't a lot to do around.

Amy Plemons

2023-05

Nice little State Park. It was one of the sixteen in South Carolina that was built by the CCC. We walked along the nature trail that surrounded the lake. It was an easy loop trail that circled around the lakes and had some great views. We saw a baby deer, multiple birds, butterflies, turtles, and dragon flies along the way. The park store has limited hours and was closed while we were there. They have kayaks and john boats for rent, but I only saw two of each. Admission to this park is free and looks like a great place to go fishing.

Jaxon Hale

2023-07

Barnwell is a fun place and the Dogwood Loop is a nice little walk. The pond is nice and apparently you can catch some GOOD fish there, one kid caught something really big.Playground: YesRestrooms: YesDog-friendliness: Dogs allowedPicnic area: Yes

Sally Hughes

2020-05

Had a great time tent camping. Bathroom was close by like website said and was clean and never ran out of toilet paper. Showers had hot water and good pressure. The trails were really cool and nice. Was impressed especially with nature trail. Did not see any gators which I was hoping to. The swimming area was not open yet during my visit but it looked clean and marked off well. The rangers were nice and friendly. Made great memories with my wife and 2 dogs. Great pictures to cuz the scenery was nice. Well kept park. Will be back.

Kevin Patterson

2023-05

So peaceful and serene. We took the paddle boat out on the lake. We were the only ones there. There are secluded cabins within the area. The park opens at 9am but the park ranger that manages the boats and lake opens at 11am - 4pm. You can also purchase a South Carolina park pass there. Plenty of picnic tables and clean charcoal grills. There are clean restrooms there and some within the campgrounds. The park ranger was very helpful and friendly.

Holly Mcninch

2019-05

We really enjoyed our stay. Great trail that goes along all three ponds. We saw the gator in the second pond after hearing mixed stories about which one they are in. Great experience for all! The water in the bath house had a smell and that would be my only complaint.

Joanne Edmunds

2021-05

Excellent park with clean and well maintained trails, camp sites and restrooms. New picnic tables were being distributed while there. Rangers are helpful, kind and courteous. $5 for 1 hr boat rental (kayaks, paddle and fishing boats) is a great bargain. Small lakes are beautiful with many fishing spots; Lilly pads and flowers are stunning, no frogs could be found. Will certainly return.

CREED'S TREE CARE

2023-12

Nice and clean small little park with tent camping available. I love the walk around the lake. Little gator, turtles and large mouth bass and who knows what else. If your wanting a quick get away? I totally recommend this place.

Jamie Sue Goodman

2017-05

The bathrooms are clean and the RV spaces are nice. There are more Trails than are listed on the website or on the Internet. The trail around the lake is easy and there are lots of cool spiders to see. There are a network of trails through a Pine Grove area across the street. We walked a total of 4 miles and did not complete all the trails.

Jonathan Billker

2024-03

Nice old park. Could use some work on the older buildings but for a Civilian Conservation Corps park it's great! Be careful to follow trail signs as it's very easy to get lost from the Dogwood TrailPlayground: Nice playground for kids. New wood swing frame.Restrooms: Multiple throughout. Bathrooms by the park office are CCC built.Dog-friendliness: Must be on leashPicnic area: Picnic areas throughout the park

Alfredo Certeza

2024-04

Me and my wife stopped by Frye baby's purchased Burgers, fries and milkshakes and wanted a place to picnic. The nice people at Frye baby's recommended this Beautiful State Park . We really enjoyed our picnic here !!!Playground: Nice playground for children.Restrooms: Clean restrooms.Dog-friendliness: Nice trails for walking dogs.Picnic area: Well maintained and clean picnic areas.

Ben Williams

2024-04

Small but nice park. Interesting trails and a great spot to get outside for a while.

Brenda Gossett

2023-11

Small campground. Very clean. Super friendly park ranger.Great place to unwind.

Renee Morton

2021-05

No admission fee. Surprising for such a lovely place. I was not interested in fishing but met some people from barnwell who go there to fish. Everyone was so friendly and willing to talk and share their fishing experiences. Enjoyed a walk around the lake and stayed in the cabins which were awesome!

charles “ScarecrowWBMC” Dugan

2021-05

Kinda small but well kept up. Good fishing. Nice easy going trails. Camp site 12 looks like the best campsite in my opinion... Spaced out further away and backed up to the woods.

Jim

2023-06

Great place has a nice lake good for fishing also had boats for fishing and paddle boats for rent also have cabins for rent and a full camp ground also has a swimming area no life guardPlayground: Swings and slidesRestrooms: Very cleanDog-friendliness: Any were in the park except the swimming areaPicnic area: Has like picnic tables a n d also covered areas

Sarah Bustami

2023-11

Pros of camping here: mostly clean facilities, friendly staff, individual water spigots for each campsite and electrical hook ups plus access to trails.Cons of camping here: if you are tent camping, be aware that photos are a bit misleading. The sites that appear waterfront have an enormous tree line between them so the only view you have is the woods, and EVERYONE else. Zero privacy whatsoever, no trees between you and other sites. When we arrived, someone who did not have a reservation was parked in our site.. our neighbors blasted music all night long and we’re very loud with their “evening activities”. The trails were great but I wouldn’t camp here again because it doesn’t feel much like camping when you hear and see everyone there.