Best Campgrounds near Awendaw, SC

Camping opportunities near Awendaw, South Carolina range from developed campgrounds to primitive sites within the Francis Marion National Forest. The region includes established options like Buck Hall Recreation Area with electric hookups and designated RV and tent sites along the Intracoastal Waterway. Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA provides cabin accommodations and full hookup sites approximately 10 miles south of Awendaw. Halfway Creek offers more primitive dispersed camping experiences with minimal amenities for those seeking a more rustic experience within the national forest.

The South Carolina coastal area experiences significant seasonal changes affecting camping comfort and availability. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, accompanied by mosquitoes and no-see-ums that can be particularly intense near marshy areas. Hurricane season (June through November) may affect campground operations, with the highest risk period occurring August through October. Most developed campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though winter temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing. Many visitors appreciate the ecological diversity of the area's camping locations. A camper noted, "We watched pods of pelicans and dolphins come through the area, as well as many other sea birds. We kayaked along the intercoastal waterway and out into marshy sea grass areas and had one of the most amazing wildlife encounters to date."

Several campgrounds in the area feature proximity to water access, wildlife viewing opportunities, and trail systems. Francis Marion National Forest provides access to the Palmetto Trail, which spans across South Carolina with its coastal terminus near Buck Hall Recreation Area. Campgrounds closer to Charleston like James Island County Park offer more amenities including laundry facilities, clean showers, and well-maintained sites with full hookups. Reviews frequently mention wildlife sightings as highlights of stays in the region, particularly at waterfront locations. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience significantly, with spring and fall generally offering the most comfortable weather conditions. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers particularly value the quiet atmosphere of sites tucked into the national forest, though they recommend being prepared for insects during warmer months and bringing adequate supplies as grocery stores are limited near Awendaw.

Best Camping Sites Near Awendaw, South Carolina (51)

    1. Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA

    26 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, SC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 849-5177

    $68 - $300 / night

    "There was a nice walking/biking path around the campground and downtown Charleston and Isle of Palms beaches were both close by. We are already planning a return trip."

    "Lots of places close by to eat at but this feels so tucked away all at the same time."

    2. Buck Hall Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    McClellanville, SC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 336-2200

    $20 - $45 / night

    "We pulled in without reservations and nearly every site was booked out."

    "They have a couple of nature walks. Close to Charleston, SC."

    3. Campground at James Island County Park

    60 Reviews
    Folly Beach, SC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 795-4386

    $38 - $219 / night

    "When making reservations at James Island County Park we had modest expectations, but we were going to tour Charleston most of the time, so we decided anything close to the city would be good enough."

    "The park does allow pets and has a dog park with a beach; it seems like the pups were having a marvelous time playing chase on the beach.This is a County Park with trails for walking or leisure biking."

    4. Halfway Creek - Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Isle of Palms, SC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 561-4000

    "Hiking trails are nice and groomed. Very peaceful and everyone stays to themselves."

    5. Francis Marion National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Huger, SC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 336-2200

    "Its right on the trail, it also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike."

    7. Honey Hill Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    McClellanville, SC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 887-3257

    "This primitive camping facility is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill. A short camp loop swings through an upland pine/oak forest and encircles a fire lookout tower."

    "Small amount of road noise from nearby road but not objectionable. Nice large sites mostly shaded but i managed to find one that gets enough sun fir my solar panels."

    8. Santee Coastal Reserve

    12 Reviews
    McClellanville, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 546-8665

    "Santee Coastal Reserve is a hidden gem near the South Carolina coast offering eight, first come, first served primitive campsites in the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area."

    "Gorgeous trails within walking distance. Great opportunity to see wildlife. Lots of mosquitoes, but not miserably so. Short drive to the beach."

    9. Caper's Island

    1 Review
    Isle of Palms, SC
    9 miles
    Website

    "Caper's Island is a boat-in beach/camping area located on the Intracoastal Waterway just outside Charleston, SC."

    10. Charleston KOA

    19 Reviews
    Goose Creek, SC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-5812

    "It is clean and close to shopping and close enough to Charleston which is full of history with lots of touristy things to do."

    "This KOA is located 30-45 minutes from the city, if you have to be closer to the north area for family or just cause Charleston has limited availability for RV’s , this is the place."

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Recent Reviews near Awendaw, SC

434 Reviews of 51 Awendaw Campgrounds


  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Buck Hall Recreation Area

    Tidy campground near the river

    We spent three nights here as a base for our trips into Charleston. With our America the beautiful senior pass. I think it was only like $50 for three nights. Park did have a boat ramp. There were only about 20 or so spaces so the campground was not huge. All the spaces had water and electric. The showers were nice and tidy and the water pressure in the showers was great. Nice hiking through the forest as well on some trails.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Campground at James Island County Park

    Totally impressed

    Great place, no complaints. Nice campstore, showers & laundry facilities. If there is a "d" by the site number, that means you share a driveway, fyi.

  • Todd F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Edisto River Lodge

    Hidden Gem in Ridgeville

    This is an incredible hidden gem and I will be returning. Dustin is a great host. He met me when I pulled up and helped me back into my site. That was a little bit of a challenge but I made it. Site 2 has a great view of the pond, a gazebo, fire pit, lots of seating and nice picnic table. At night there is low-level lighting around the site that makes it beautiful. Now, let’s talk about the real surprise—the hot tub. What a find. After a busy Friday morning and then a drive out to Edisto River Lodge that hot tub was very welcome.

    The site is hardscaped (pavers) and easy to walk around. The gazebo and the fire pit were great places to hang out. The Wi-Fi was strong.

    There is a very nice bathroom with a washer-dryer (and even some soap). The shower is very private and outside.

    The electrical and power are on opposite site of what you would expect but I had no problem hooking up.

    Overall this is one of the nicest camp spots I’ve found in the past 10 years of camping. Highly recommended.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Huntington Beach State Park Campground

    Combo beach and nature is wonderful

    The beautiful beach is just at your doorstep and nature on the other site. We loved the combo. Spots are good.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Buck Hall Recreation Area

    Good for boating and fishing

    Calm campground, with good ramp for boating and a pier for fishing. Don't forget your bug-spray, mosquitos are aggressive here.

  • L
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Santee Coastal Reserve

    Pretty

    Pretty campground. Good for an RV but lots of mosquitoes. We stayed inside.

  • J
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Bells Marina & Resort

    Perfect stop on i95

    Our road stop off I-95 at Bells Marina was an absolute gem! This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable. The newly paved, smooth road leading to the campsite—conveniently accessible from I-95—made our arrival effortless and stress-free. The well-stocked on-site store was a lifesaver, with their phenomenal pizza being the perfect quick and delicious meal after a long drive. Anglers in our group raved about the new fish cleaning station, a fantastic addition for preparing fresh catches with ease. With Food Lion just a 10-minute drive away, grabbing extra supplies was a breeze. The quiet, picturesque setting provided a rejuvenating escape from the road. Bells Marina is a must-visit for anyone seeking a convenient and exceptional lakeside camping experience!

  • Cori B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Halfway Creek - Dispersed Camping

    Peaceful area

    I stayed out here for a full night. The area has been cleaned up and a few times during the day and night a police officer patrolled the area. Just smiled and waved.

  • Greg S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Campground at James Island County Park

    4.7 stars

    Pretty fantastic place for families. Awesome trails, huge playground, water park, fishing, rock climbing walls, and very close to folly Beach, which is gorgeous. The sites aren't huge but are clean and convenient to camp store and trails. Our site was a pull through with some nice palmettos but not a lot of privacy. Best sites looked to be the 40s and 50s. Campground is 15 minutes to downtown. Squirrels chewed through our propane hoses, which wasn't great. Overall this is a heck of a place to stay and play.


Guide to Awendaw

Near Awendaw, South Carolina, camping options extend beyond the well-known sites into the less-trafficked sections of Francis Marion National Forest, where longleaf pine forests transition into coastal marshlands. The region sits at near sea level elevation with minimal terrain changes throughout the camping areas. Winter camping typically features mild daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s°F with occasional dips below freezing, making it a practical year-round destination for tent and RV campers.

What to do

Wildlife viewing at Santee Coastal Reserve: The reserve offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities along several trails. "I explored 3 of the trails today. The Marshland trail short 1.6 mile hike through some pleasant marshland and Cypress trees and bogs. It then opens up to the water are where there is an abundance of wildlife. I saw 3 alligators sunning," reports one Santee Coastal Reserve visitor.

Fishing from designated piers: Buck Hall Recreation Area provides structured fishing access points. A visitor noted, "There is really nice boat landing and fishing/crabbing pier in the campground. We had a blast kayaking around and had some awesome dolphin encounters." The crabbing opportunities also yield excellent results as the reviewer mentioned, "The crabbing is great at the campground and we had a delicious crab boil as a result!"

Explore historic sites: Learn about Revolutionary War history near Honey Hill Recreation Area where significant battles occurred. As one camper discovered, "Jim told us that it was around this site that General Francis Marion gathered his forces to fight the British in a decisive revolutionary war battle... He said they mainly subsisted on the sweet potatoes grown here."

Kayaking the waterways: Launch directly from several waterfront sites for paddling adventures. At Buck Hall, reviewers mention "We had a great week at Buck Hall! The campground isn't very large so I definitely recommend making a reservation... We had a blast kayaking around and had some awesome dolphin encounters."

What campers like

Quiet forest locations: Many campers value the peace found in less developed sites. "We stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin for this trip. It was a great campground. It had a pool, camp activities, hiking/nature trail. It was extremely clean and the staff was friendly. It has a lake for fishing and water activities," according to a Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA guest.

Accessible day trips to Charleston: Campgrounds serve as affordable bases for Charleston exploration. One camper at James Island County Park noted, "Our sites are spacious and clean. Plenty of sights to see in Charleston. It has a fantastic dog park and several miles of paved walking/biking paths."

Diversity of camping styles: Options range from primitive to full-service. At Halfway Creek primitive camping, a visitor reported, "I stayed out here for a full night. The area has been cleaned up and a few times during the day and night a police officer patrolled the area. Just smiled and waved."

Plantation history tours: Some campgrounds offer unique historical experiences. "Our fave was the wagon ride to the plantation next door," shared a Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA visitor, while another mentioned, "They also had a free wagon ride to a nearby plantation a couple of times a week."

What you should know

Insects are prevalent year-round: Mosquitoes and biting insects pose a significant challenge. At Santee Coastal Reserve, a camper warned, "This is a quiet nice campground to get away from it all. If you love nature this is a wonderful place. BEWARE though, mosquitoes are in bazillions here and huge. Make sure you take your deterrent so they don't carry you off or take all your blood."

Seasonal traffic patterns affect access: Holiday light shows impact campground accessibility. One visitor to James Island County Park shared, "So I stayed during November and December... And coupled with the fact that they have a light show through the park. The traffic was incredible at night."

Site conditions vary widely: Even at established campgrounds, site quality differs. A Buck Hall camper noted, "This place is fine, really just a circle of sites with hookups in an open field. Pretty trees and sunsets!" This contrasts with the developed facilities at other nearby locations.

Boat access required for some sites: Certain unique camping experiences are water-access only. For Caper's Island, a visitor explained, "Caper's Island is a boat-in beach/camping area located on the Intracoastal Waterway just outside Charleston, SC. It is no frills, pack it in, pack it out camping with no amenities beyond what you bring with you."

Tips for camping with families

Water park access at county parks: James Island County Park offers extensive water recreation. "Outdoor Zone featuring a 50 foot climbing wall, obstacle challenge course, 1K sq ft bouldering wall and slackline that will have you and your brood enjoying these backwoods in no time. West of this Outdoor Zone is an 18-hole disc golf course."

Educational wildlife opportunities: The Sewee Center provides wildlife education. A Buck Hall visitor recommended, "The nearby Sewee Visitor Center has red wolves and is free to visit. They also have RV parking! We enjoyed this, but if you have kids I think it would be a must do! You can call ahead and find out when they will be feeding the wolves."

Secure camping for children: Some locations offer family-friendly security. According to a Charleston KOA visitor, "We were one of only a few tent campers. Most people were in RVs and Campers, but the noise was minimal after dark and we felt like we were out in the wilderness. Our dogs even came with us and enjoyed the dog area."

Tips from RVers

Best sites for larger rigs: Experienced RVers recommend specific site selections. At James Island County Park, one camper advised, "IMHO the best slots in this RV exclusive campground are those on the perimeter with the best sites being the ones without anything behind them, specifically on the NW periphery with sites #46 - #55; along the westernmost side with sites #20, #21, #23, #24 and #26."

Seasonal considerations affect RV camping: Winter months offer better availability but occasional freezes. A visitor to Buck Hall mentioned, "With our America the beautiful senior pass, I think it was only like $50 for three nights. Park did have a boat ramp. There were only about 20 or so spaces so the campground was not huge. All the spaces had water and electric."

Water depth at boat ramps: Boat-owning RVers note access quality. As one Buck Hall camper stated, "Boat landing is deep enough to drop a large boat into the drink, and cruising up Bulls Bay or heading south towards Dewees. Hiking a section of the Palmetto Trail is a good option for a day out of the sun due to the heavy maritime forest canopy."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Awendaw, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Awendaw, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 51 campgrounds and RV parks near Awendaw, SC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Awendaw, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Awendaw, SC is Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA with a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Awendaw, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Awendaw, SC.