Cabin camping near Hampton, South Carolina offers accommodations within a one-hour drive of the town. The area sits within the Atlantic coastal plain with elevations under 100 feet and high humidity levels, especially during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Most cabin facilities remain open year-round with varying reservation requirements depending on seasonal demand.
What to do
Water activities on the Edisto River: Colleton State Park Campground provides access to South Carolina's longest free-flowing blackwater river. "Cute little park but is right next to the highway it is off of. If you are going to paddle check your water levels as river typically floods," notes a visitor who appreciated the paddling options but warns about conditions.
Horseback riding excursions: Camelot Farms Equestrian Center offers trail rides and riding lessons near the coast. A visitor shared, "The highlight for us was the ability to ride horses. They provided us with two names of instructors, one of whom graciously squeezed us into her schedule and gave our girls a two-hour riding lesson in their covered arena."
Lake fishing and boating: Barnwell State Park Campground maintains stocked fishing ponds and boat rentals. "They offer rentals for John boats, paddle boats, and kayaks for a very reasonable cost. We rented two paddle boats and had a blast (it was exhausting though)," reports a camper who enjoyed the water activities.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Givhans Ferry State Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep. One camper noted, "The tent camping area is awesome and has a great layout with lockable chuck boxes on each site along with power and water. There are several large fields to let the kids run wild."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Magnolia Springs State Park Campground offers nature observation areas. "Plenty of trails with birdwatching and animal watching including alligators. There is a beautiful natural spring and the site has a museum," shares a regular visitor who enjoys the natural attractions.
Proximity to regional attractions: The strategic location allows cabin campers to reach multiple destinations. "We took day trips to Hilton Head, Savannah and Charleston, each about an hour away," explains a visitor who used their cabin as a base for regional exploration.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Cabin location and orientation significantly impact your experience. At Magnolia Springs, a visitor advises, "See the pictures for the best campsites. In short, 16 is the best site by far. Only one with a lake view. 12&14 would be my pick for two campers camping together."
Seasonal flooding risks: Some riverside cabins face water level challenges during rainy periods. At Colleton State Park, a camper observed, "Bathrooms are very clean and air conditioned. Paved roadway makes for easy toddler biking. If it rains many of the sites flood but drain out fairly quick."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically between cabin locations. A Givhans Ferry camper warns, "Be prepared for almost zero cell service." However, some parks offer alternatives, as another visitor notes, "There is wifi at the office and meeting building, which came in handy for communication since cell service was spotty at best."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several parks provide structured recreation for children. A visitor to Magnolia Springs shared, "We participated in a hike with the park manager where she told us about the animals in the park and even let us feel grey fox and beaver pelts. We saw vultures and an armadillo. That finished with hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows!"
Educational programs: Point South KOA offers learning activities for younger campers. "Our kids loved the gem mining and playground. The staff are friendly and accommodating and the bathrooms were very clean," reports a family who appreciated the structured activities.
Weather planning: Summer heat affects outdoor activities. "We were there May 8-11 and only had one colder evening and weather in the 70's during the day," explains a camper who found this timing comfortable, while summer visitors often report temperatures above 90°F.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some cabin and RV sites require extra equipment for proper setup. One RVer at Barnwell State Park warned, "Site 16 was awful to get into. Two trees are only about 10 feet apart and once you clear those you have to jackknife and nearly scrape your tow vehicle on a tree just to get close enough to the utility pedestals."
Check bathhouse locations: Facilities vary considerably between parks. At Point South KOA, a visitor appreciated that "Our site was located close to the bathrooms and showers, which were very clean, and the gravel surfaces were even and looked well-kept. In fact, we saw the staff promptly re-leveling the sites after folks checked out."
Storage and equipment planning: Kitchen facilities vary between cabins. One visitor notes that while some cabins have refrigerators, "capacity may be limited in more rustic accommodations," suggesting campers should plan food storage accordingly.
