Cabin camping near Allendale, South Carolina offers visitors access to the diverse landscape of the Carolina Coastal Plain, where the elevation ranges from 80-250 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop to the 30s. Most cabin accommodations in this region are strategically positioned near the Edisto River and various small lakes, providing water recreation opportunities during the warmer months.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Barnwell State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities with stocked catfish ponds and a tackle loaner program. According to visitor Courtney B., "There are at least 8 geocaches, a self-led park BINGO, a swimming beach, paddleboat rentals, fishing ponds stocked with catfish, and a tackle loaner program."
Paddling options: Colleton State Park Campground provides direct river access for kayakers. "We had a great day (despite the super high level of the river) kayaking 23 miles down to Givhan's Ferry," notes one camper. The park serves as a popular launch point for Edisto River paddling trips.
Wildlife viewing: Magnolia Springs State Park Campground features abundant wildlife observation opportunities. "The spring is very pretty, with turtles and fish swimming under the bridges of the walkway, and there were lots of alligators along the stream," reports Joel R. The park also includes an aquarium showcasing Georgia native fish species.
Archery lessons: Family-friendly activities include ranger-led programs at various parks. Sarah F. shares, "On Saturday we took the beginner archery lesson with another ranger. She was so patient with our 6 year old who gets frustrated very easily. It was so much fun!"
What campers like
Cabin privacy levels: Some cabin sites offer more seclusion than others. At Point South KOA, visitors appreciate the private sites: "Stayed at #52 and it was very private, level, and clean! The gravel kept the camper clean; the deck with bench, table and chairs, gas fire pit was super nice; the grill with picnic table were awesome."
Clean facilities: Consistent cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews across various parks. At Colleton State Park, a camper notes, "Bathhouses are heated/cooled and very clean. Ranger Larry very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Has treats for the pups."
Unique cabin options: Point South KOA offers distinctive lodging choices. One reviewer highlights, "This is a great family campground, they have very well appointed RV sites, Tent sites and cabins that look like train Cabooses, and some others. but it is super nice and well taken care of."
Park staff interactions: Rangers and staff create memorable experiences at many locations. According to Jay B. at Barnwell State Park, "The ranger was super sweet and helpful. We enjoyed the trails, and they were nice and easy to get through and just long enough to feel like you got a bit of hiking in."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Barnwell State Park Campground, site size varies considerably. One camper advises, "The sites are kind of on the smaller side and close, so if you are bringing a large camper it might be a challenge. There were lots of campers, so it's definitely doable though."
Office hours limitations: Some parks maintain restricted office hours. "The office is only open a couple hours a day, which was understandable but inconvenient," notes one Barnwell visitor. Similarly, Courtney B. mentions, "Note that the park office is only open from 11a-noon and 4-5p."
Highway noise factors: Location relative to major roads affects the camping experience. At Colleton State Park, one camper cautions, "I booked our campsite online. Looking at the map, I could see our site was close to 'a' road. I didn't realize it was a very busy highway. Why they put all those campsites along a highway is just beyond me."
Gate access codes: Some parks lock entrance gates at night. Jay B. explains, "They do lock the gate at night, so if you are arriving late, call for the code to the lock on the gate. We made it before the gate closed, but the ranger did call us while on the road to see if we needed the code."
Tips for camping with families
Consider cabin camping for young children: Cabins provide comfort for families with small children. At Magnolia Springs State Park Campground, Sarah F. recommends, "We camped here in a small hybrid with 3 kids ages 8, 6, and 3. In the center or the campground there is a small playground. The kids didn't end on it too much, but it was a nice addition."
Look for ranger-led programs: Parks often offer educational activities. Sarah F. continues, "We participated in a hike with the park manager where she told us about the animals in the park and even let us feel grey fox and beaver pelts. We saw vultures and an armadillo. That finished with hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows!"
Check accessibility features: Some parks accommodate mobility needs. Joy D. from Magnolia Springs shares, "Magnolia has just rebuilt their fishing deck to make it wheelchair accessible. I took the trail in my powerchair and was able to go almost the whole trail."
Consider shared facilities: Some parks have group areas that work well for families camping together. "There is also a covered picnic area beside the bathhouse and playground with 3 picnic tables and its own fire pit. It wasn't used while we were there, but if you were camping with a few other families it would be amazing!" notes Sarah F.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present leveling difficulties. At Barnwell State Park, Jil S. reports, "Site 16 was awful to get into. Two trees are only about 10 feet apart and once you clear those you have to jackknife and nearly scrape your tow vehicle on a tree just to get close enough to the utility pedestals."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality. At Barnwell, Jay B. mentions, "The road going into the campground is horrible if you are towing a camper and full of potholes but is manageable."
Pull-through availability: At Point South KOA, Robert L. notes, "Mostly level sites with easy access. Beautiful Park with nice sites. Very helpful staff. Will save this Campground in our directory for future reference when traveling and needing a stop over."
Wi-Fi access: Connectivity varies by location. Christine V. reports about Point South KOA, "We had a solid T-mobile signal while there," while at Barnwell State Park, another visitor mentions, "There is wifi at the office and meeting building, which came in handy for communication since cell service was spotty at best."
