Cabin camping near Folly Beach occupies a unique area where coastal plains meet maritime forests, with most sites sitting at elevations under 20 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms while hurricane season (June-November) occasionally affects camping availability with mandatory evacuations.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Moultrie: Located 50 miles from Folly Beach, Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner offers cabin stays with lake access. "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. Military ID required for access.
Rock climbing walls: Just 20 minutes from Folly Beach, Campground at James Island County Park features an outdoor adventure zone with multiple climbing options. "Awesome trails, huge playground, water park, fishing, rock climbing walls, and very close to folly Beach, which is gorgeous," reports Greg S. The climbing facility includes a 50-foot wall and 1,000 square foot bouldering area.
Plantation tours: Visitors staying at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA can participate in free wagon rides to nearby 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," explains Ashley W. Tours typically run Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
What campers like
Waterfront rental cabins: Cabins along Lake Moultrie provide direct water access with fishing opportunities. "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," shares Susan P.
Space between sites: Unlike some crowded locations, certain cabin areas offer more separation. "I really appreciated the space between campsites. There are a lot of crawling creatures and I even showered with some, but didn't mind. I'm learning it's part of camping," reports Jacqueline F. at Oak Plantation Campground.
Seasonal light displays: Winter visitors gain access to holiday light events without leaving their campsite. "During November and December, they have a light show through the park. The traffic was incredible at night," mentions Tim, referencing James Island County Park's annual Festival of Lights that runs from late November through December.
What you should know
Off-season closures: While most cabin facilities operate year-round, certain amenities close seasonally. "We stayed here in October when the water park/pool was closed, but there was still plenty to do with bike rentals and the outdoor adventure area," explains Nick & Allyssa S. about James Island County Park.
Cabin maintenance variations: Quality differs significantly between locations and cabin types. "I would not recommend the cabins. They are not clean or updated. Which is a shame because they could be really cool," warns Wendolyn P., emphasizing the contrast between well-maintained RV areas and cabin facilities at some locations.
Hurricane recovery impacts: Edisto Beach State Park Campground cabins occasionally show evidence of past storm damage. "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. Some of the sites had a lot of debris still on them," reports Sandy M.
Tips for camping with families
Best cabin sites for privacy: At Oak Plantation, request sites away from common areas. "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," recommends Taylor D. Sites numbered 30-45 typically offer more seclusion.
Look for educational opportunities: "We did have a very short drive to the beach from our camp. Also short trip to great places to eat. The beach was great. I wish they had beach camping available that day. But it was already sold out," shares Regina S. about exploring nature at Edisto, which offers ranger-led programs for children during summer months.
Insect protection essentials: Coastal cabins require thorough preparation for biting insects. "Fantastic hiking, well maintained (during normal services), and the primitive campsites are the best 'get-away' opportunity. Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna. So bug spray is recommended to the unfortunate of us that are preyed upon by mosquitoes and the like," advises Caleb about Francis Marion National Forest facilities.
Tips from RVers
Traffic management: Several cabin rental locations near Folly Beach 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. It may take longer but worth your sanity," advises Joan about navigating Oak Plantation Campground entrances.
Ant prevention measures: Coastal cabin sites often experience ant problems, especially after rain. "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," shares Joan, noting this applies equally to cabin steps and porches.
