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."
