J
Josh J.
Scout
ScoutHalfway Creek Primitive Camping - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Can’t camp in this location
No camping signs all over the place and the old sites are now fenced off
Camping near Summerville, SC
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Campgrounds near Summerville, South Carolina feature a mix of developed RV parks, state parks, and military facilities within a 30-mile radius. Camping near Summerville ranges from full-hookup RV parks and cabin rentals to tent sites at county and state parks, giving travelers several distinct options depending on budget and comfort level. The Charleston KOA in Ladson and Oak Plantation Campground offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites, while James Island County Park provides glamping options. Most established campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, with many facilities offering full hookups, showers, and recreational amenities. Public lands with primitive sites are limited in this coastal region, with most camping concentrated in managed facilities that cater primarily to RV travelers.
Access to campgrounds is straightforward with most sites situated near major highways and urban areas. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winters remain relatively mild. Several campgrounds experience seasonal flooding during heavy rain events, particularly in low-lying areas. Most developed campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak travel seasons and holidays. Tent camping options exist but are less abundant than RV accommodations. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region due to proximity to urban areas. A review noted, "We really like this campground! It is clean and close to shopping and close enough to Charleston which is full of history with lots of touristy things to do."
The camping experience around Summerville varies considerably between facilities. Military families have access to Joint Base Charleston Outdoor Recreation Center, which receives consistently high ratings for cleanliness and value. Campers report that proximity to Charleston's historic districts and beaches represents a significant draw, though traffic can extend travel times during peak hours. Several visitors mentioned noise as a consideration, with many campgrounds experiencing ambient sound from nearby highways, railroads, and the Charleston airport. Reviews indicate that Oak Plantation and James Island County Park provide better amenities for families compared to other options. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campgrounds closer to the coast tend to have higher satisfaction ratings but also higher prices, with Edisto Beach State Park being particularly popular despite its distance from Summerville.
Best Campgrounds near Summerville (76)
1. Charleston KOA
"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."
2. Campground at James Island County Park
"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."
from $38 - $219 / night
Check Availability3. Givhans Ferry State Park Campground
"It's definitely a small park, and its big draw is its location on the Edisto River, with lovely river-tubing to boot. We stayed in the tent sites, which have water and electricity at each site."
"The bathroom and water source is nearby, as well as a pavilion/shelter. There are three sections, with multiple areas for camping in each one. Each has 2-3 tables and a fire ring. "
4. Lake Aire RV Park
"Santee State Park is a beautiful forested park by the lake."
"Plenty of trees and grass, a picnic area, a couple of hammocks, and lakes that host a large population of Muscovy ducks. These were fun to watch. They're quite tame and will come right up to you."
5. Military Park Joint Base Charleston Outdoor Recreation Center
"The campground is located near the golf course and outdoor recreation center, providing close access to golfing, soccer golf, disc golf, a climbing wall, and archery range."
"The campground is well kept with under 100 slots, it has an adjacent park, tennis and basketball courts. Next to both a frisbee and a nice golf course."
from $23 / night
Check Availability6. Oak Plantation Campground
"Beautiful location! Easy spots to get in and out of, not on top of each other. Great WiFi. Super pleasant and helpful staff. Clean bathrooms, Nice dog run, great food truck."
"Close proximity to a lot of fun things to do."
7. Foster Creek RV Park and Villas
"IF you meet the qualifications to stay (military affiliated), this is REALLY close to the Navy Nuke School!"
8. Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA
"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."
from $68 - $300 / night
Check Availability9. Ladson RV Park
10. Edisto Beach State Park Campground
"It's South Carolina in the summer, so there are mosquitoes."
"It is very private and secluded, but right around the corner from the beach."
Drive Time
- 23 min from Charleston, SC
- 1 hr 22 min from Sumter, SC
- 1 hr 24 min from Columbia, SC
- 1 hr 47 min from Hilton Head Island, SC
Recent Camping Photos near Summerville, SC
176 Photos of 76 Summerville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Military Park Joint Base Charleston Outdoor Recreation Center
Givhans Ferry State Park Campground
Oak Plantation Campground
Lake Aire RV Park
Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner
Campground at James Island County Park
Johnston Landing Campground & Cabins
Hanscombe Point Campgroundm
Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA
Colleton State Park CampgroundJ
Hill's Landing & RV Park
Angels Landing Campground
Recent Reviews near Summerville, SC
642 Reviews of 76 Summerville Campgrounds
Stacey R.
TravelerBuck Hall Recreation Area
Great location for Shrimping
Most campers are here to go out shrimping. It’s a beautiful, small campground with level sites, some shade, electric and water hookups and tent sites right along the water. The bathroom could use an update but it was very clean and the shower was roomy and hot enough. A dump station is available. I understand the park will close after shrimp season (mid November..?) for updates. I lucked out on a first come, first serve site for the night. I’d definitely stay here again.
- Stuart K.
LegendTaylor's Landing
Off The Beaten Path
You’ll find this hidden campground VERY far off the beaten trail (and trust me, this trail is as beaten up a road as you’ll find just about anywhere in South Carolina, so you'll want to drive down the lane here SLOW) on the easternmost side of Lake Marion off Ferguson Landing in southeastern part of the great Palmetto State. Given its direct access to Lake Marion, the place gets high marks for its location, but lower marks for overall upkeep and the basic downtrodden nature of the place. You’ll be impressed by the shallow water access and boat launch here, where you’ll have to maneuver around scores of submerged Cypress trees, which makes for quite the enchanting entry to Lake Marion, which if you weren’t aware, offers up 315 miles of shoreline, spans 110,000 square acres or 174 square miles and is the largest lake in South Carolina.
That said, IMHO Taylor’s Landing could use a serious bit of refurbishment and grooming, including the grounds themselves, which were quite overgrown when we stopped by. There is a general store of sorts on-site that sells sundries, ice and most camping needs as well as providing propane tanks for sale. Overall, this place is built more for the RV’ing crowd, although they do offer a few places for tent campers, but don’t offer much in terms of amenities. There was a communal dog area that was pretty worn down right near the area designated for tent camping, which given that most of the dog owners didn’t take their dogs for a walk, the smell emanating from this area was enough for us to decide not to camp here for the night. The entire CG is wide open without any benefit of shade or privacy between sites, although the perimeter has a nice treeline.
Insider’s tip? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a history buff, then you’ll be lured nearby to discover the Sunken Ghost Town of Ferguson, which was once a Congaree Indian Village, which we could access with our kayaks to explore; (2) There is a sandy beachhead that you’ll discover on one of the few trails you’ll come across here at Taylor’s Landing; (3) From an entertainment standpoint, this CG does offer up some interesting creative options during different times of the year – when we were there during the latter part of October, they offered up a ‘Trail of Terror’ for Halloween; (4) If you want to get your hike on, right nearby is Santee Cooper Nature Trail, which makes for some relative easy-to-modest hiking; (5) There’s nothing out in these parts, so if you want to grab a bite to eat, you’ll need to head back to Eutawville where there’s a few mom & pop joints like Tricia’s Café, Sweatman’s BBQ and Casters at Bells; (6) The fishing dock here is solid and offers great opportunity to reel in largemouth bass, catfish, striped bass, crappie and panfish like bluegill; and (7) The best asset here at Taylor's Landing is the fairly EZ to access boat launch that will have you in Lake Marion in no time flat, whether you have a motorized boat or a simple kayak or canoe.
Overall, Taylor's Landing could be a nice place, just in dire need of some upgrades and overall maintenance.
Happy Camping!
Natalie T.TravelerMount Pleasant-Charleston KOA
One of the best!
We were traveling with two large dogs and looking for a pet friendly site. This is a people friendly site so many game playing areas swimming pool and clean manicured lawns with a lake view on some sites.
Thomas B.
RangerBlack Pearl Farms
Pleasant Farm Stay
Mike was proactive wirg communication and extremely easy to work with. Clear instructions and a unique assortment of goodies in the farm store. We enjoyed exploring the land too!
- mmari S.
GuideRemleys Point Public Boat Launch
No overnight here
Beautiful site at boat ramp but singns everywhere no camping no overnight
- RRichard B.Guide
Thousand Trails The Oaks at Point South
Good location
Nice staff, within an hour to Charleston and Savanna.
RennScoutTaw Caw Campground and Marina
Great getaway on the lake
This is a great location, tucked away beautiful serene views and pretty well maintained. Bath house is clean with clean showers. It seems like most of the occupants are long term and everyone including the staff is very friendly. The waters are great for boating, fishing, and swimming. Tons of beautiful birds in this area. The site i got does not have sewage hookup but they can come by and pump out your tanks upon request.
GREGG H.ScoutOutside Inn Campground
Excellent stop for overnight
Staff very friendly. Clean bathroom and showers. Farm animals around property and free eggs when available.
Guide to Summerville
Camping sites near Summerville, South Carolina range from well-maintained state parks to military-exclusive facilities with specific access requirements. The region sits at relatively low elevations with most campgrounds under 100 feet above sea level, contributing to drainage challenges during heavy rain events. Summer nighttime temperatures typically remain above 70°F from June through August, with high humidity that persists well into evening hours at most camping locations.
What to do
Kayaking on the Edisto River: Access the water at Givhans Ferry State Park for paddling adventures. "There is no boat access from the park but there Is access so you can float down the river on Kayaks or floats. Just make sure you have a car further down the road because the currents wIll not let you back up the river," explains a visitor to Givhans Ferry State Park.
Disc golf courses: Several parks near Summerville feature disc golf. At James Island County Park, "West of the Outdoor Zone is an 18-hole disc golf course and back towards the center of the park is a Splash Zone Waterpark," according to one experienced camper who stayed at James Island County Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing in stocked ponds and lakes. "The grounds were clean and well maintained. Nice pond for fishing," notes a visitor at Lake Aire RV Park. Many campgrounds provide bank fishing access with several featuring dedicated fishing docks.
Historic site exploration: The region offers access to multiple historic plantations. "They also had a free wagon ride to a nearby plantation a couple of times a week. We actually missed it but would really like to take the time to do it if we ever get back," reports a camper who stayed at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA.
What campers like
Spacious campsites with shade: Oak Plantation gets positive reviews for site size and tree cover. "Large park with paved and grass sites. I stayed in a paved full hookup site P2 and, even though there were a fair amount of guests, they spread everyone out so I had no immediate neighbors," notes one camper at Oak Plantation Campground.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several parks feature dedicated dog areas. "There's a beautiful lake that allows catch and release fishing. Some tent sites and cabin sites are right along the water and offer nice views. There's a one mile loop trail through the woods and along the lake. There are waste bags scattered throughout the park and a huge dog park," states a camper reviewing Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA.
Clean facilities: Military campgrounds receive high marks for cleanliness. "This RV park was very clean and the base offered a good amount of amenities. There were about 5 tent sites and the rest RV sites," according to a camper at Joint Base Charleston Outdoor Recreation Center.
Shell collecting opportunities: Beach camping options provide access to unique coastal activities. "We had a magical time at Edisto. The Beach campground was just steps from the ocean. Opt for sites 1-12 or 50-75. Bathrooms were great. Shelling was incredible-especially if you walk towards the inlet around low tide," describes a visitor to Edisto Beach State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying sites can experience water issues. "We had 2 days of heavy rain and some sites flooded, but everything drained well," reports a camper at James Island County Park. Many campgrounds have implemented drainage systems with varying effectiveness.
Limited cell service in some areas: Reception varies significantly between locations. "Be prepared for almost zero cell service," warns a camper who stayed at Givhans Ferry State Park. Other campgrounds closer to urban centers typically have better connectivity.
Traffic congestion: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating busy roads. "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. It may take longer but worth your sanity," advises a visitor to Oak Plantation Campground.
Insect management: Ants and mosquitoes require preparation. "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," shares a camper from Oak Plantation Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple parks feature splash zones and pools. At Edisto Beach State Park, "We love this park. Trails for bike rides or walks. Close to beach. Great staff. Private campsites." The park offers access to both ocean swimming and shaded hiking.
Playground accessibility: Consider campsite proximity to play areas. "We were right next to the playground, but there weren't a lot of kids there, so didn't have any issues in that regard," notes a camper at Lake Aire RV Park. Several campgrounds feature multiple playground areas with varying age appropriateness.
Bike-friendly camping: Several parks offer paved paths for young riders. "This is one of the best 'all around' campgrounds we have visited. 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," explains a reviewer from James Island County Park.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer structured activities for children. "They have an 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," reports a visitor to James Island County Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Various electricity options exist across campgrounds. "It has 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, a dog park. It is very close to things around Charleston," notes a visitor to Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA.
Site selection strategies: Specific site recommendations can improve stays. "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," advises an experienced RVer at James Island County Park.
Level pad variations: Concrete pad quality differs between parks. "Our site had a concrete pad but the concrete pad was broken up into large pieces of concrete which makes it hard to level," reports a recent visitor to Oak Plantation Campground. Many sites require additional leveling blocks.
Dump station logistics: Not all parks offer convenient waste disposal. "Only negative dump site is a mile up main road," notes a camper at Edisto Beach State Park. Several campgrounds require planning for dump station access during peak checkout times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Summerville, SC for families?
What are the best campgrounds near Summerville, SC for families?
Families looking for camping near Summerville will find excellent options at Campground at James Island County Park and Colleton State Park Campground. James Island County Park offers spacious sites and plenty of activities within the park, making it ideal for families who want to both explore Charleston and enjoy recreation without leaving the campground. Colleton State Park features well-maintained grounds with a large open field perfect for kids to play, friendly staff, and a peaceful atmosphere. Both campgrounds provide clean facilities and are within reasonable driving distance from Summerville, offering the perfect base for family adventures in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Where can I find tent camping sites around Summerville, SC?
Where can I find tent camping sites around Summerville, SC?
Tent campers near Summerville have several excellent options within driving distance. Edisto Beach State Park Campground offers two sections - an ocean side for beach breezes and a marsh side that's a short bike ride to the beach. Both are great for tents, but come prepared for mosquitoes in summer. For a more secluded experience, Santee Coastal Reserve provides spacious primitive campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. These sites can accommodate multiple tents in a natural setting. While these locations require a bit of a drive from Summerville, they offer tent campers the authentic outdoor experience many seek.
Are there RV parks in Summerville, SC that offer full hookups?
Are there RV parks in Summerville, SC that offer full hookups?
Foster Creek RV Park and Villas is a viable option for RVers near Summerville seeking hookups. Though the sites lack shade trees and are back-in only (no pull-through sites), the location provides a quiet atmosphere and convenient access to Charleston. Another option is Charleston KOA near Ladson, which offers full hookups and is big-rig friendly. When using park facilities, be sure to check ahead about the current status of restrooms and showers, as maintenance issues have been reported. Both locations provide good bases for exploring the greater Charleston area while having a dedicated place to park your RV with necessary connections.
What options are available for long-term camping in the Summerville area?
What options are available for long-term camping in the Summerville area?
For extended stays near Summerville, Johnston Landing Campground & Cabins on Lake Moultrie offers longer-term options with lakeside access. Though reaching it requires navigating some backroads, its location provides a peaceful setting for extended stays. Oak Plantation Campground near Charleston is another viable option for longer visits, with reservable sites that accommodate various camping styles including RVs. For those specifically seeking an RV-focused option, Ladson RV Park provides facilities for longer stays with necessary hookups. When considering long-term camping, contact these locations directly to inquire about extended stay rates and any seasonal restrictions that might apply.
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