Cabins near Cordesville, South Carolina offer camping options within Francis Marion National Forest, where the elevation averages just 40 feet above sea level. The low-country terrain features distinctive wetlands, pine forests, and maritime habitats with high humidity levels during summer months. Winter temperatures remain mild, rarely dropping below freezing, making cabin camping a year-round option in this coastal region.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling opportunities: Santee State Park provides water access directly from their accommodations. "We love camping at Short Stay. The only downfall is the geese. They leave a mess everywhere. But otherwise the people are friendly, the rates are great, and it's nice to be right on the lake," notes Jessica S. about Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner.
Plantation tours: Explore local history with organized excursions. "Our fave was the wagon ride to the plantation next door," explains Angela M. about the unique offering at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA. The free hayride includes historical information about the area.
Fishing access: Most waterfront cabins provide fishing opportunities. "I really enjoyed staying here. The campsites aren't huge, but you can fish and the scenery is great with the sites right against the lake," shares Matthew S. about his experience at Short Stay Navy Recreation Area, where both short-term visitors and military families utilize the fishing resources.
Biking trails: Many parks feature dedicated cycling paths. "Our site was very close to the lake and we had a great view. We were also right beside the pool and playground area so it was convenient to walk over," explains Ashley W. about Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, which offers a one-mile loop trail through woods and along the lake.
What campers like
Proximity to Charleston: Many cabin accommodations provide easy access to downtown attractions. "Beautiful location! Easy spots to get in and out of, not on top of each other. Great WiFi. Super pleasant and helpful staff," writes Chris about Oak Plantation Campground, located just 8 miles from downtown Charleston.
Well-maintained properties: Campers appreciate clean facilities and grounds. "Very clean, beautiful park. Staff was great and friendly also. Would stay here again," mentions ljohnson65737 about their cabin experience at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, which includes regular maintenance of common areas.
Dog-friendly policies: Many locations welcome pets with designated areas. "The campground was clean and peaceful. Pet friendly. Dogs had a blast on the trails and finding a little hidden beach!" shares stefny A. about Short Stay Navy Outdoor Recreation Area, which allows pets at their cabins.
Diverse recreation options: On-site activities provide entertainment beyond basic accommodations. "The park there is really nice though and nice trail that takes you to the dock and marsh. There is a shower and they even have laundry facilities. Great play area for kids during the day also with a spray play," explains Chrissy R. about James Island County Park.
What you should know
Military-only facilities: Some cabins have access restrictions. "Heads up you must be military to stay here," warns Jenny about Short Stay Navy Outdoor Recreation Area, which requires military ID for reservations and check-in.
Traffic considerations: Some properties have challenging access points. "The road in front of campground is extremely busy (Hwy 17) and I wouldn't attempt ever turning left to get out. Just take a right and another right behind campground to get you out," advises Joan about Oak Plantation Campground.
Site selection matters: Location within campgrounds can significantly impact experience. "If there has to be a next time, we would select the deluxe spot a little further up from C15, towards the middle of that row," shares Ashley S. about Charleston KOA, noting that end sites experience more foot traffic.
Seasonal crowding: Popular cabin locations fill quickly during peak periods. "Felt like this was a location where several out of town workers camp - just seemed less family friendly. It'd work as a pit stop but I wouldn't go back again," notes Angela M. about Charleston KOA, suggesting alternate locations for family stays.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Choose cabins with swimming options. "The lake had a little dock and we my husband and son fished off of it. There were alligators in the lake and they actually caught one," reports Ashley W. about Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, highlighting the multiple water recreation options.
Look for playground access: Many cabin areas include dedicated children's spaces. "Pretty fantastic place for families. Awesome trails, huge playground, water park, fishing, rock climbing walls, and very close to folly Beach, which is gorgeous," shares Greg S. about James Island County Park, which offers extensive family amenities.
Consider cabins near bathhouses: Convenient facilities make family stays easier. "The bathhouse area was clean. The park offered fishing, kayak/canoe/paddle boat and paddle board rentals," notes Ashley W. about her Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA experience, emphasizing the importance of clean facilities for family stays.
Bring insect protection: Low-country environments have significant mosquito populations. "In all fairness we stayed at this campground in the hottest part of the summer at a time when they obviously had not finished cleaning up from a devastating hurricane that hit them last year... Huge mosquitoes," warns Sandy M. about Edisto Beach State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Reserve well ahead: Cabin accommodations book quickly, especially during tourist season. "We were only able to stay two nights and I wish we could have stayed more. So much to see here! I also really appreciated the space between campsites," notes Jacqueline F. about Oak Plantation Campground.
Check pad conditions: Some sites have deteriorating infrastructure. "Our site had a concrete pad but the concrete pad was broken up into large pieces of concrete which makes it hard to level," warns Caroline S. about Oak Plantation Campground, noting the challenges for larger vehicles.
Ant prevention: Take precautions against common pests. "We got a tip from a neighboring RVer to spray for small ants anywhere that the RV touches the ground so the ants won't crawl up and get in our RV as it did theirs. We promptly went to buy ant spray and never had a problem," advises Joan about Oak Plantation Campground.
Consider noise factors: Some locations experience significant ambient noise. "This is a pretty nice KOA but it is not one that really is a destination KOA. You moreso camp here because you want to visit the local area, not because you plan to spend a ton of time AT the campsite. There is a decent bit of noise from the traffic," explains Julie L. about Charleston KOA.
