Best Campgrounds near Harleyville, SC

State parks and private campgrounds surround Harleyville, South Carolina, creating a diverse camping landscape within the South Carolina Lowcountry. Givhans Ferry State Park, located about 15 minutes from Harleyville along the Edisto River, offers tent and RV sites with water and electricity hookups, plus cabins for those seeking more comfort. Colleton State Park, approximately 30 minutes southwest, provides year-round camping with full hookup sites and access to the Edisto River for paddling enthusiasts. Both parks serve as convenient basecamps for exploring the region's waterways and forests, with most campgrounds accommodating tents, RVs, and some offering cabin rentals for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping.

Summer camping in this region requires preparation for heat, humidity, and insects. As one camper noted, "It's South Carolina in the summer, so there are mosquitoes. And the raccoons are pretty fierce so you want to make sure your food is stored securely." Most state parks maintain well-kept facilities despite challenging conditions. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to Interstate 95. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend camping, especially during spring and fall when milder temperatures attract more visitors. The Palmetto Trail, which passes near the region, offers hiking opportunities but can become flooded after heavy rains, creating pools of standing water that make hiking challenging.

Water-based recreation defines many camping experiences near Harleyville. Santee State Park, about 40 minutes northeast, features lakeside camping on Lake Marion with boat access and fishing opportunities. According to a visitor, "The lake access had a beach area that kids loved to play at and there was a fantastic breeze all weekend which helped with the heat and bugs." Fishing enthusiasts gravitate toward specialized campgrounds with marina facilities and boat launches. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting sightings of waterfowl, egrets, and eagles. While some campgrounds offer significant privacy between sites, others have more open layouts with less screening vegetation. Most state park campgrounds maintain clean facilities and offer spacious sites, though weekend noise can be an issue at more popular locations during peak season.

Best Camping Sites Near Harleyville, South Carolina (70)

    1. Colleton State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Canadys, SC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 538-8206

    $25 - $45 / night

    "The cell and WiFi worked great for full time remote work and locationally Colleton is about 1 hour between Charleston, Savannah, and Congaree National Park."

    "AC kept us cool in the heat of the summer but we were still close to our friends in tents and campers... nice tree coverage and close (quick drive) to the Edisto river/beach."

    2. Givhans Ferry State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Ridgeville, SC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 873-0692

    "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. "

    3. Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park

    45 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 854-2408

    "There were not too many people camping during our visit, but it could be that not many people want to stand the South Carolina heat! Either way, it made the visit quiet."

    "We were at site 46, which is near the entrance and the camp host. Short walk to the bathhouse directly behind."

    4. Santee Lakes KOA

    27 Reviews
    Santee, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 478-2262

    "This 25 acre campground is tucked in on the North side of Lake Marion in SC. Great staff friendly and helpful. I'll will be back"

    "This is a picturesque campground just across Lake Marion from Santee SC with water views and beautiful sunsets."

    5. Jolly Acres RV Park & Storage

    2 Reviews
    Harleyville, SC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 563-8303

    6. Bells Marina & Resort

    5 Reviews
    Eutawville, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 492-7924

    $58 - $999 / night

    "This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable."

    "I am on the lake and get to kayak or fish whenever I want. Lastly, this is a historical site. It is located in Eutawville."

    7. Outside Inn Campground

    6 Reviews
    Elloree, SC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 974-8585

    $40 - $60 / night

    "New hookups, easy access and being right next to the farm animals was very fun! The rooster was pretty expressive overnight too!"

    "There is a great trail walk and lots of animals bunnies, pigs, donkeys, chickens, goats and a guinea fowl! I would certainly come back. We stayed in a pull thru #16 which was level."

    8. Charleston KOA

    19 Reviews
    Goose Creek, SC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-5812

    "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."

    9. Edisto River Lodge

    2 Reviews
    Round O, SC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 557-7403

    $75 - $125 / night

    "At night there is low-level lighting around the site that makes it beautiful. Now, let’s talk about the real surprise—the hot tub. What a find."

    10. Campground at James Island County Park

    60 Reviews
    Folly Beach, SC
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 795-4386

    $38 - $219 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Harleyville, SC

555 Reviews of 70 Harleyville Campgrounds


  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    One night stay

    I stayed at the site closest to the parking lot. It’s a quick walk. I only stayed one night so I didn’t bring everything to the site, but if I did, it would be nice to have a second person or a wagon. There’s a two-stall pit toilet in the parking lot and trash/recycling cans. Att signal was 1 bar, no signal problems. There is a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient. Just a couple minutes from Congaree national park. Bring bug spray!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Campground at James Island County Park

    Totally impressed

    Great place, no complaints. Nice campstore, showers & laundry facilities. If there is a "d" by the site number, that means you share a driveway, fyi.

  • Todd F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Edisto River Lodge

    Hidden Gem in Ridgeville

    This is an incredible hidden gem and I will be returning. Dustin is a great host. He met me when I pulled up and helped me back into my site. That was a little bit of a challenge but I made it. Site 2 has a great view of the pond, a gazebo, fire pit, lots of seating and nice picnic table. At night there is low-level lighting around the site that makes it beautiful. Now, let’s talk about the real surprise—the hot tub. What a find. After a busy Friday morning and then a drive out to Edisto River Lodge that hot tub was very welcome.

    The site is hardscaped (pavers) and easy to walk around. The gazebo and the fire pit were great places to hang out. The Wi-Fi was strong.

    There is a very nice bathroom with a washer-dryer (and even some soap). The shower is very private and outside.

    The electrical and power are on opposite site of what you would expect but I had no problem hooking up.

    Overall this is one of the nicest camp spots I’ve found in the past 10 years of camping. Highly recommended.

  • RAYMOND The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Santee Lakes KOA

    Needs Work

    We stay here twice both times were just OK. The pool is crowded and murky, suggesting it good us a good cleaning. We stay for 4th of July weekend and can only describe the experience as a free for all. With camper literally on top of each other and spreading into the next camp site. Our neighbor’s site consisted of a RV, a large six-person tent and a pick-up truck tent parked half on our site. We ventured down to the lake swimming area and doing doughnuts near or on top of the swim boundary line most of the day. To recap– can’t swim in the dirty pool and can’t swim in the lake. In fairness the KOA as made some improvement since our stay but not enough for us to go back.

  • J
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Bells Marina & Resort

    Perfect stop on i95

    Our road stop off I-95 at Bells Marina was an absolute gem! This lakeside campsite, perfectly nestled on the water, delivered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere that made our getaway unforgettable. The newly paved, smooth road leading to the campsite—conveniently accessible from I-95—made our arrival effortless and stress-free. The well-stocked on-site store was a lifesaver, with their phenomenal pizza being the perfect quick and delicious meal after a long drive. Anglers in our group raved about the new fish cleaning station, a fantastic addition for preparing fresh catches with ease. With Food Lion just a 10-minute drive away, grabbing extra supplies was a breeze. The quiet, picturesque setting provided a rejuvenating escape from the road. Bells Marina is a must-visit for anyone seeking a convenient and exceptional lakeside camping experience!

  • Cori B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Halfway Creek - Dispersed Camping

    Peaceful area

    I stayed out here for a full night. The area has been cleaned up and a few times during the day and night a police officer patrolled the area. Just smiled and waved.

  • Wilma K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2025

    New Green Acres RV Park

    Nice campgrounds

    Nice, a bit rustic. Mostly drive through and all very long. FHU, all grass and gravel sites with lots of shade. Has a pool but currently being repaired. Animal friendly, nice dog park.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park

    Quiet, wildlife, pines

    After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less “party all night” and more “sleep and then explore the park during the day.) Exactly my kind of vibe!

    The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning. The tent pad stayed fully drained.

    The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night.

    The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there. I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn’t ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren’t open/staffed yet).

    We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found.


Guide to Harleyville

Camping spots near Harleyville, South Carolina center around the Edisto River watershed, with elevations ranging from 50 to 100 feet above sea level in this South Carolina Lowcountry terrain. The region features diverse camping options within a 40-mile radius, with most campsites situated along waterways or nestled in pine and hardwood forests. Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing and paddling, with water levels fluctuating seasonally based on rainfall patterns.

What to do

Water activities at Colleton State Park: This park serves as the Edisto River's headquarters for canoeing and kayaking with easy river access. "Great little park but is right next to the highway it is off of. Which makes car noise very loud. If you are going to paddle check your water levels as river typically floods," notes Michael R. at Colleton State Park Campground.

Hiking and nature exploration: Several campgrounds near Harleyville feature trails through wetlands and woodlands. "Trail leading off the campgrounds through the woods is very fun, saw a corn snake and found a geocache," shares Roman C. about exploring Colleton State Park's natural areas.

Family water recreation: Lake Marion offers swimming and boating opportunities within 40 minutes of Harleyville. A visitor at Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park reports, "Camp sites are mostly level and have water and a variety of electrical hookup options. Some fun but easy hiking trails link the two campgrounds in a loop. Very pet friendly."

Wildlife observation: Many campers report successful wildlife viewing, especially near water. At Bells Marina & Resort, one visitor mentioned, "I had a great view of the water and was able to watch wildlife every day, from white herons to bald eagles. And the fishing was outstanding!"

What campers like

River-based sites: Waterfront camping is frequently mentioned as a highlight. "Site 11 was riverside and had a great view! If we could pick any site, we would probably pick Site 9 as it had a slightly better view," shares a visitor about Givhans Ferry State Park Campground.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "Bathrooms are heated/cooled and Very clean. Ranger Larry very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Has treats for the pups," notes PattyD T. about facilities at Colleton State Park.

Tent-specific areas: Some parks feature dedicated tent camping sections. At Givhans Ferry State Park, a 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."

Fishing opportunities: Multiple campsites provide access to quality fishing. A visitor to Bells Marina & Resort shared, "I even caught a trophy-sized bass that made my week," highlighting the fishing potential in the region's waterways.

What you should know

Highway noise: Several campgrounds sit close to major roads. At Colleton State Park, a camper observed that it's "right next to the highway it is off of. Which makes car noise very loud," something to consider when selecting sites.

Site elevation issues: Following rain, some sites may experience water pooling. "If it rains many of the sites flood but drain out fairly quick," noted a Colleton State Park visitor.

Cell service variations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At Outside Inn Campground, one camper mentioned it was "a great place to enjoy camping and getting away from electronics since no cell phone signal for T-Mobile and no wifi in campground."

Seasonal pests: Insects are prevalent, especially in warmer months. "Definitely need to wear your bug repellent," advised a camper at Givhans Ferry State Park, emphasizing the importance of preparation.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Jolly Acres RV Park & Storage, a visitor noted, "Super cool playground with an awesome swing," providing recreational options for younger campers.

Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature farm animals that appeal to children. At Outside Inn Campground, a camper mentioned, "Small RV park which also has a lot of animals. There is a great trail walk and lots of animals bunnies, pigs, donkeys, chickens, goats and a guinea fowl!"

Swimming options: Lakes provide safer swimming than rivers for families with children. A camper at Santee State Park noted, "We really enjoyed this park! There was boat access, a playground, nature trails and everyone was so friendly!"

Safety considerations: Campgrounds vary in their security features. One camper reported feeling "very safe with my family" at the Campground at James Island County Park, noting, "It's full of trees. I love that because it offers lots of shade and privacy."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Many campgrounds have inconsistent site leveling. A visitor to Outside Inn Campground noted, "We stayed in a pull thru #16 which was level," but others mentioned challenges at different parks.

Hookup variations: Full hookup availability differs between parks. At Santee Lakes KOA, a visitor reported, "For our first time camping in our RV the staff was very friendly and helpful. The crew escorted us to our campsite, made sure we where happy."

Road conditions: Internal roads can present challenges for larger rigs. One camper at Outside Inn Campground commented, "Our full hook-up site was almost perfectly level with a fire ring and picnic table. We stayed in a back-in site, which we were grateful for since they are all in the shade."

Amenities for extended stays: Some locations offer additional services for longer-term campers. A visitor at Santee Lakes KOA mentioned, "If you don't feel like cooking, order their awesome pizza, wings and they will deliver it to you by golf cart. Our trash was picked up every morning."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Harleyville, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Harleyville, SC offers a wide range of camping options, with 70 campgrounds and RV parks near Harleyville, SC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Harleyville, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harleyville, SC is Colleton State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harleyville, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Harleyville, SC.