Poinsett State Park, South Carolina, Part IV. The Cabins

Click here for the first post in this series.

In addition to RV and tent campgrounds, many of South Carolina’s Sate Parks have cabins available for rent. We’ve mentioned this before. You may recall photos of Santee State Park’s cabins out over the water.

Prices very according to Park and to season. But none I’ve seen so far are very expensive. Often well under $100 per night. And here they accommodate four to six people.

This is one good way to introduce campophobic spouses or children to the State Park experience. The cabins are fully furnished. Down to sheets, towels, and dishes. More on that in a moment. Just bring your food and toiletries.

Each Park’s cabins are quite different. Compare this rustic, in-the-woods cabin here at Poinsett to Santee’s circular dock-based facilities.

These are original CCC buildings, as noted on the circular yellow tags near the doors. They’ve been well maintained, of course, including replacement of wood where necessary. And all of the facilities have been modernized. Bathrooms, kitchens, lighting, heating, and air conditioning. But to the extent possible, the Parks have maintained the original character of each cabin. This is no roadside motel experience!

Poinsett has five cabins in all. A larger one down by the Park Office, and these four around a circular drive well up the hill from the Park road.

Here’s another cabin. Each has a slightly different shape, and has been positioned to take best advantage of the surrounding woods and terrain.

For example. Look at this stonework in the foundation. And this screened porch! Looking out on a beautiful view of the woods behind the cabin and beyond.

Here’s an inside view of that same porch. The furniture is decidedly rustic. But comfortable! You’ll have to try it to see.

While we’re on the subject, here are a few photos of the facilities inside the cabins. Just to give you an idea. Notice the towels hanging on the rack. And everything spic ‘n span clean. I could almost abandon my little Aliner for this! Almost, but not quite.

The kitchens too are fully furnished. Just bring your own food. Click on the photo for a larger view and you’ll see a coffee maker in the corner, to the right of the microwave. The fridge is just to the right, outside the photo.

This shot doesn’t really do justice to the cabin’s living room. But it does include the main features, so I’ll send it along. The single bed you see on the left is one of two in this room. The other is on the other side of the sliding door to the screened porch aforementioned. I think the sofa also folds down into a double bed, but I’m not sure.

Look closely at the rocking chairs on the right. Very different in style from those on the screened porch. But they are comfortable. Not the sort of rocking chair you find for sale on the porches of chain restaurants. These fit!

The coquina fireplace and mantle require special mention. Those bowls are the product of the Park’s “Artist-In-Residence” program. They’re original pieces, in other words. By artists good enough to be accepted by the program. Interesting pieces. You’ll find other products of the artist-in-residence program throughout the cabin.

And here’s a view of the bedroom. A small room. But big enough to accommodate that huge bed. I didn’t try the bed. Looks comfortable, though. Oh, and notice the bedspread. That pattern fits with the character of the cabin, though it’s obviously new. Wonder where it came from ….

Well, there you have it. I’m a dedicated RV camper. Too old to comfortably tent-camp any longer. But fortunate enough to have a little Aliner travel trailer. So, no cabin stays for me.

But if you don’t tent-camp, and have yet to find the RV travel trailer that’s right for you …. Or, if you have a family member or loved one who suffers from dread illness, campophobia, these cabins may be just the thing for you. Next time you pass by one of our State Parks stop in and ask for a tour of their cabins. Oh, and check out cabins at several Parks, since they’re all quite different in character.

That’s enough for now. Time for lunch, and a visit to the famous “Batten’s” in nearby Wedgefield, South Carolina. So stay tuned.

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