Cabin camping near Barnwell, South Carolina offers visitors access to the Edisto River watershed, with elevations averaging 170 feet above sea level in gently rolling terrain. The area experiences humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Winter overnight temperatures can drop to the low 30s, making climate-controlled cabins particularly valuable during seasonal extremes.
What to do
Paddle the Edisto River: Launch kayaks directly from Colleton State Park Campground for day trips on South Carolina's longest blackwater river. "Site 11 was riverside and had a great view! If we could pick any site, we would probably pick Site 9 as it had a slightly better view... We had a great day (despite the super high level of the river) kayaking 23 miles down to Givhan's Ferry," reports one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Stock up on tackle before arrival, as supplies are limited at the parks. "The lakes are very well stocked," notes a visitor to Barnwell State Park Campground. Another camper mentions, "There is a tackle loaner program" available for those who don't bring their own gear.
Wildlife viewing: Scout for native reptiles along waterways and trails at Magnolia Springs State Park Campground. "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," writes one camper who continues, "We let our dogs swim in the lake before we realized the gators were probably there as well."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent praise across parks in the region. At Colleton State Park, "The bathhouses are heated/cooled and very clean," notes a camper. Another visitor mentions, "The bathrooms are clean and had plenty of hot water."
Helpful staff: Rangers and hosts enhance the camping experience with their knowledge and assistance. "The rangers are SUPER nice! Very helpful!" writes a Colleton State Park visitor. At Cedar Pond Campground, "Owners super friendly and even helped us park," explains one camper.
Tent-friendly sites: Many parks offer level, soft tent pads away from RV areas. "The pad is mostly sand over clay, rather than gravel, which was great with the tent," reports a Barnwell visitor. Another tent camper at Magnolia Springs notes, "We stayed in spot 29. The three tent spots all have water at each site. They all have spacious tent pads in a wooded, heavily shaded area."
What you should know
Limited office hours: Plan check-in times carefully. At Barnwell State Park, "The office is only open from 11a-noon and 4-5p," according to a camper who adds, "The rangers are super-friendly."
Highway noise: Some campsites sit close to traffic. At Colleton State Park, "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... None of us slept well being constantly woken up by the sounds of transport trucks," cautions one visitor.
Site selection matters: Study campground maps carefully before booking. "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," warns a Barnwell camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Leaning Pines Campground and Cabins offers play areas for younger children. At Magnolia Springs, "In the center of the campground there is a small playground. The kids didn't end on it too much, but it was a nice addition. There is also some permanent (concrete) cornhole setup, but you'll need your own bean bags."
Ranger programs: Check schedule upon arrival for educational activities. "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!" shares a Magnolia Springs visitor.
Water activities: Rent boats at multiple parks for kid-friendly adventures. At Barnwell, "They offer rentals for John boats, paddle boats, and kayaks for a very reasonable cost. We rented two paddle boats and had a blast (it was exhausting though)," notes a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring extra leveling blocks to multiple parks. At Barnwell, "The site slopes by the utilities and I had to get onto 4 leveling blocks and was still slightly off kilter," notes one RVer.
Tree clearance: Check site descriptions carefully for overhead and access limitations. "Be sure to read site info to be sure your rig fits," advises a Barnwell camper, while another adds, "The road going into the campground is horrible if you are towing a camper and full of potholes but is manageable."
Site flooding concerns: After rain, some sites retain water. At Colleton State Park, "If it rains many of the sites flood but drain out fairly quick," reports a visitor.
