M
Morgan B.
Scout
ScoutJolly Acres RV Park & Storage
Very quiet campground. The campers and staff are all very nice. Will definitely come back!
Tent Camping near Folly Beach, SC
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Francis Marion National Forest provides the primary tent camping options near Folly Beach, South Carolina. This 258,000-acre national forest offers both primitive and established tent sites approximately 25 miles north of Folly Beach. The forest features both drive-in camping areas and more secluded walk-in tent sites, particularly at locations like Halfway Creek where campers can choose between open grassy areas or more private spots deeper in the forest.
Tent campers should come prepared with adequate water supplies and insect repellent, as reviews consistently mention limited amenities and mosquito activity. Halfway Creek offers primitive camping with no potable water or toilet facilities. The camping area allows parking in a nearby lot, with some campers opting to sleep in vehicles there while others set up tents in the open field or hike further in for privacy. A camper noted, "Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash out," highlighting the leave-no-trace expectations. Cell service is limited throughout the forest, adding to the disconnected backcountry experience.
The terrain in Francis Marion National Forest is characteristic of South Carolina's lowcountry, with flat walking trails and occasional wet areas. After rainfall, portions of trails can develop pools of water, making dry hiking challenging in some sections. Wildlife encounters are common, with snakes being the primary concern for tent campers. A reviewer mentioned that "nature is abundant, both flora and fauna," making this area ideal for nature observation and photography. The forest connects to the Palmetto Trail, offering extensive hiking opportunities for tent campers looking to explore beyond their campsite. The forest remains relatively uncrowded, allowing tent campers to find solitude even during popular seasons.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Folly Beach (2)
1. Francis Marion National Forest
"Its right on the trail, it also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike."
"Fantastic hiking, well maintained (during normal services), and the primitive campsites are the best "get-away" opportunity. Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna."
2. Colleton
Drive Time
- 16 min from Charleston, SC
- 1 hr 51 min from Sumter, SC
- 1 hr 57 min from Savannah, GA
- 1 hr 58 min from Hilton Head Island, SC
Tent Camping Reviews near Folly Beach, SC
403 Reviews of 2 Folly Beach Campgrounds
paul Z.
GuideEdisto Beach State Park Campground
Great place to camp
We love the Live oaks campground in Edisto Beach State Park. Level sites with plenty of privacy. We are in site 120 this trip and we have stayed in sites 118 and 122 on previous trips. these sites back onto the salt marsh which gives you some incredible scenery just behind the site
Stacey R.GuideBuck 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.
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.
- BBarbara S.Guide
Campground at James Island County Park
Busy but fun!
We stayed here while attending the Highwater Music Festival. We brought our bikes, but it’s not safe to ride out if the campground to the festival or the beach, so we drove them to a spot outside of the grounds and then ride from there.
So much to do inside this campground and park! It was very busy, but we didn’t feel it was too loud - still plenty of opportunity to enjoy nature.
Lucinda P.ScoutLake Aire RV Park
Avoid Lake Aire Campground!
My husband had a course to take in the Charleston area and we booked Lake Aire Campground from June 15- 20 while he attended that course. What a disappointment Lake Aire CG turned out to be. The two designated dump stations were not working therefore two RV sites were set up for that. Neither of them were easy to get to upon leaving the campground. The bathrooms were not that clean, nor was the laundry facility. We don't use the showers, etc. on site, but we judge the way a campground is run on whether these facilities are kept clean and tidy. According to the full-time resident next to our site, the washers and dryers are often out of order. The pool was not open either. We couldn't wait to leave and did so a day early. Lake Aire in general is run-down and in need of better management.
- SSierra S.Scout
Tuck in the Wood Campground
Kid’s wonderland
I grew up going to this campground every summer. It was and still is some of my favorite memories.
First of all, they have a water slide! The staff let us use it all day long. And there was never any other kids there. We got to keep it all to ourselves. Playground and volleyball area were a plus.
Pond/nature trail were cool. Bathrooms were always super clean and the staff were friendly and helpful.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been back (as an adult now with kids of my own). But I would say over twenty years it has stayed consistent in its performance.
If you’re looking for seclusion this is not the place to pick but the sites aren’t stacked right on top of each other either. Good for RVs and tents. Close to the beach and town.
- LLisa W.Guide
Edisto Beach State Park Campground
Beach Campground -- It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!
This is our absolute favorite campsite of all time! It is very private and secluded, but right around the corner from the beach. It is for tents and small campers only, as we barely had enough room to get our pop up backed up in the site with the truck. The site slopes up, evens out, and then slopes right back down to the fire ring and picnic table. Our pop up is a 10-foot box and it was just enough room to get it on the level spot without sloping one way or the other. It was also just wide enough for our awning to be set out with a little room to walk around. Once situated, there is plenty of room at the picnic table and fire ring to sit around and park bikes, etc.
There is plenty of shade and you can hear the waves crashing on the beach. The site also has water and electric hookups, but we try to bring our own water since you can still taste the salt. It is so relaxing!
This is on the Beach Campground and the only problem we noticed it is that the outdoor shower for washing off sand from the beach has low visibility because it is on the road side of the bathhouse and not the beach side. The result is people clogging up the showers with sand because they don't even see the outdoor shower in some cases.
The park has some amazing nature trails to bike and hike as well as a nice educational nature center.
We always enjoy our stay here and will definitely continue to book here as long as we can.
- TTroli R.Guide
FamCamp Joint Base Charleston S.C
Nice place a smidge confusing
There are actually TWO bases here - the air base and the weapons station. We stayed at the air base but also visited the weapons station for some recreation.
Air base: close to downtown Charleston; great price for the amenities provided ($45 per night for full hookups - electric, water, and sewer); power/water pedestal was nice; shower and laundry facilities on site; all sites fairly level and mostly shady; playground, sand volleyball, golf, and indoor climbing wall within walking distance; beautiful trees, etc. All the normal base amenities, including bowling alley (check out galactic bowling if you have kids).
Staff was helpful. Camp host was… vigilant, but not super considerate with his leaf blowing pollen plumes around breakfasters.
Did not have pool. Fine.
DOES NOT HAVE FIRE RINGS. Or a grill. That was a disappointment. You can BRING a fire ring. But of course no open burning.
Also, the sites are a smidge close together. But not overly so. Ask for a perimeter site and not a middle pull through if you're looking for a little extra green space between. (Not sure if they'll honor that or not.)
The weapons station also has an RV park. (Forgot to look and see if they have fire rings.) If you are a trail runner or hiker or similar, this is the one you want to go to. There's an excellent trail system right off the RV park. The air base did not. They have plenty of sidewalks to run but no trails. However, if you're there to see Charleston, you want to stay at the air base. The weapons station is further away from downtown.
As other reviewers have said, these options are both on military bases and require an ID to access.
Guide to Folly Beach
Francis Marion National Forest offers dispersed camping options approximately 25 miles north of Folly Beach, South Carolina. The national forest includes multiple primitive camping areas where tent campers can experience the South Carolina lowcountry's natural environment. The forest's large size (258,000 acres) provides ample opportunities for solitude, with specific areas designated for camping along trails and forest roads.
What to do
Wildlife observation: The forest hosts diverse wildlife that tent campers regularly encounter during their stay. One camper noted, "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" while visiting Francis Marion National Forest.
Historic site visits: While camping near Folly Beach, visitors can explore historic structures within short driving distance of camping areas. A camper mentioned, "Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941."
Extended hiking: The forest connects with the developing Palmetto Trail system, allowing for multi-day hiking trips. A reviewer explained, "The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia."
What campers like
Easy vehicle access: Many camping spots combine accessibility with natural surroundings. One visitor to Francis Marion National Forest described, "It also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike."
Privacy options: Campers appreciate the flexibility to choose between open areas and more secluded spots. A reviewer explained, "You can hike in a bit and pick a spot" if you prefer more privacy than the open grassy areas provide.
Spontaneous camping: The first-come, first-served policy at many sites appeals to last-minute planners. One group reported, "My buddies and drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax."
What you should know
Water concerns: Tent camping near Folly Beach requires bringing all water supplies. A camper at Francis Marion National Forest warned, "There used to be water available but that spicket is well past it 'sell-by-date'. The closest store is a 10-minute drive."
Weather impacts: The flat terrain can develop water pooling issues after rainfall. A reviewer cautioned, "There are some areas where after rain it becomes 'pools' of water making staying dry a bit difficult."
Wildlife awareness: Snake encounters are common in this region during warmer months. One camper advised, "Snakes are probably the worst thing you'll come across, however most want to get away from people unless they feel a need to defend. So, keep your eyes open."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunity: The natural setting provides hands-on learning experiences for children. A grandmother reported at Francis Marion National Forest, "The children had a chance to go swimming and they love that they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience varying noise levels depending on neighboring campers. One family reported challenges when "the people next to us were drunk and they had dogs... you can hear the dogs howling from the shower stalls."
Plan multiple activities: Combining tent camping with other attractions creates more varied experiences. A family camper mentioned, "The beach was phenomenal the ice cream store that they have there was great."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Folly Beach, SC?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Folly Beach, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Folly Beach, SC is Francis Marion National Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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