Cabin camping near Harleyville, South Carolina provides convenient access to Lake Marion and the Edisto River ecosystem. The area sits at the intersection of the state's coastal plain and midlands regions, with elevations ranging from 50-100 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing during December through February.
What to do
Kayaking on the Edisto River: Launch from Colleton State Park Campground where "great little park but is right next to the highway it is off of. Which makes car noise very loud. Park ranger Larry is one of the best rangers I've ever had the pleasure to talk to. If you are going to paddle check your water levels as river typically floods."
River floating excursions: Plan a downstream float trip at Givhans Ferry State Park Campground where "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."
Geocaching adventures: Search for hidden treasures along park trails. "Trail leading off the campgrounds through the woods is very fun, saw a corn snake and found a geocache," notes a visitor at Colleton State Park.
Fishing on Lake Marion: Cast a line at Santee State Park where the lake provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Campground had tons of room in December. We were right on the lake. Easy park to walk and explore."
What campers like
Clean restroom facilities: Visitors consistently praise the bathroom conditions at most parks. "Bathrooms are heated/cooled and very clean. Ranger Larry very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Has treats for the pups," remarks a Colleton State Park visitor.
Shaded waterfront sites: Bells Marina & Resort offers premium lakefront cabin camping. "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!"
Winter camping availability: Off-season stays offer quieter experiences and wildlife viewing. A camper at Santee noted, "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."
Outdoor amenities: Campground at James Island County Park offers extensive recreational options beyond standard cabin camping. "Wonderful park with plenty of amenities! 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."
What you should know
Highway noise impacts: Several parks experience traffic noise. At Colleton State Park, "great little park but is right next to the highway it is off of. Which makes car noise very loud."
Flooding concerns: Monitor weather conditions before arrival. "If it rains many of the sites flood but drain out fairly quick," notes a Colleton visitor.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Givhans Ferry State Park Campground, "the only issue is no cell service at least for us and we use ATT and Google fi."
Reservation timing: Advance booking essential during peak seasons. "February 2017. Spent 2 nights with a decent sized group of friends. There was a renaissance fair going on, bunch of people LARPing like it was medieval times. Knights and swords and peasants and stuff. 10/10 would watch again."
Poison ivy awareness: Watch for plant hazards, especially with children. "The park itself is nice, and the hike-in sites were private, which was nice. But they smelled strongly of urine, and were covered in poison ivy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Palmetto Shores RV Resort provides family-friendly cabin accommodations with recreational areas. "They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place."
Biking-friendly parks: Seek out paved pathways for younger riders. "Paved roadway makes for easy toddler biking," notes a Colleton State Park visitor.
Water activities planning: Schedule water activities based on seasonal availability. "This campground has a nice outdoor activity area, a nice lake beach and a really nice pool and lazy river."
Kid-friendly spaces: Look for campgrounds with designated play zones. "There are several large fields to let the kids run wild," notes a camper at Givhans Ferry State Park.
Tent site selection: Consider proximity to bathrooms for families with children. "The tent camping area is awesome and has a great layout with lockable chuck boxes on each site along with power and water."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some parks. "There are about 25 sites and some are very small and very unlevel. One bath house at the entrance to the campground," reports a visitor to Colleton State Park.
Hookup variability: Check specific amenities when booking cabin or RV sites. "30 foot trailer backed in no issues with plenty of room to pull truck in beside rig. They have some full hookup sites which is what I got. Most have water and electricity."
Dump station locations: Note facilities may be inconveniently placed. "Only negative dump site is a mile up main road," advises a camper at Edisto Beach State Park.
