Cordesville, South Carolina sits on the edge of the Francis Marion National Forest, surrounded by cypress swamps and pine forests. The area features numerous waterways including Lake Moultrie and the Cooper River with elevations rarely exceeding 25 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures often reach above 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing access: Hill's Landing & RV Park offers ideal fishing opportunities between Lakes Marion and Moultrie. One camper noted, "Beautiful, clean, friendly and helpful staff! Out in the country located on a canal! Peaceful and quiet park. Restaurant has amazing food! Highly recommend for fishing!"
Hiking the Palmetto Trail: The trail entrance is approximately 5 miles from Johnston Landing Campground & Cabins, where you can "witness first hand the sunken giant Cypress trees, amazing bird watching (Ospreys and Herons in particular)." The trail system connects through Francis Marion National Forest.
Water activities: Boat rentals are available at several campgrounds for exploring local waterways. "If you are coming to these parts, be sure to bring a floating vessel of any type– fishing boat, kayak, canoe or whatever will stay afloat– but if not, no worries, the good people here at Johnston Landing have you covered as they offer a paddle boat, kayaks and a row boat for rent."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Quieter campgrounds often have more wildlife sightings. At RV's Acres, campers report, "The last time I was here (4 days ago) 2 does & a fawn came lopping/walking through the property. There is a beautiful private pond on property and the owner does allow catch/release."
Peaceful settings: Many rv campgrounds near Cordesville offer secluded sites away from city noise. One visitor to Tiny Town RV Campground shared, "You can hear the birds chirping and the neighbor's rooster while you sit outside enjoying the morning sun. All the sites have 20, 30 and 50 amp power, and a water hook up."
Family amenities: Several campgrounds include facilities specifically for children. At Palmetto Shores RV Resort, "You can tell that it is well taken care of. The sites are large and far enough apart... Palmetto shores has a nice outdoor activity area, a nice lake beach and a really nice pool and lazy River."
What you should know
Military requirements: Some campgrounds have restricted access. Foster Creek RV Park "would be great but as stated you must qualify to stay," as it serves military personnel. Another visitor advised, "IF you meet the qualifications to stay (military affiliated), this is REALLY close to the Navy Nuke School!"
Weather considerations: The area can experience intense summer heat and occasional flooding. "The site is very hot due to no trees. Currently the restrooms and showers are down, so you need to have a self contained unit."
Restaurant options: Limited dining exists outside campgrounds. Lake Aire RV Park is "about a 50-50 mix of long term campers and short term but no issues at all" and offers convenient access to Charleston dining options within a 30-minute drive.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water features. "Palmetto shores has a nice outdoor activity area, a nice lake beach and a really nice pool and lazy River. We will be back, just next time we will pick different sites!"
Playground access: Several Cordesville area campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Tiny Town RV Campground, "They were working on an axe throwing building and an activity area for kids when we were there."
Animal encounters: Children often enjoy the wildlife at campgrounds. As one camper at Lake Aire noted, "The site was great, we enjoyed being right next to the pond. The resident ducks entertained us everyday and would follow us around."
Tips from RVers
Levelness of sites: Many RV campgrounds Cordesville area offer level concrete pads. According to one visitor to Bird dog RV and stay, the campground "offers a great place to stay for those looking to get away" with their three sites providing excellent levelness for larger rigs.
Cell service reliability: Mobile coverage varies throughout the region. At Tiny Town RV Campground, "Our Verizon phones worked fine with 4G, two bars. The campground is new, and small(16 sites) which we liked."
Site spacing: Look for campgrounds with adequate distance between sites. Hill's Landing RV Park features "newly graded pull-through spots and a very easy paved boat landing to maneuver around, along with a private dock, full-service restaurant and a general store."
