At 20 miles from Hilton Head Island, camping options near the coastal area offer a mix of oceanfront sites and wooded retreats. The region sits at sea level with substantial tidal fluctuations affecting beach access and water activities, particularly in salt marshes where water can rise or fall by 6-9 feet during tide changes. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking in tidal waters: River's End Campground on Tybee Island provides easy access to beach and river paddling. "Campground is awesome... kayaking with alligators" notes Joseph C., highlighting the adventurous paddling opportunities nearby.
Lighthouse climbing: Visit Hunting Island's historic lighthouse for panoramic coastal views. "We hiked along the beach to the lighthouse. Beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse. We hiked one of the many trails back to camp," shares Erin from Hunting Island State Park Campground.
Winter birdwatching: December through February brings migratory shorebirds to coastal areas. Fort McAllister State Park offers marsh viewing platforms. "The sunrise was beautiful over the marsh," reports Hannah C., though she warns "when I was here in April the flies were awful but they went away when the sun went down."
What campers like
Maritime forest trails: Skidaway Island State Park offers nature paths through Spanish moss-draped trees. "There are a handful of nature trails that are easily accessible from the campground," says Zach H., who appreciated that "even thought the park was full (Memorial Day weekend), it never felt crowded."
Beach shell hunting: Low tide reveals diverse shell collections. "Shelling was incredible-especially if you walk towards the inlet around low tide," reports Katie F. at Edisto Beach State Park, where campsites are "just steps from the ocean."
Wildlife watching: Hilton Head National RV Resort maintains nature trails through surrounding pines. "Gorgeous trails to walk on. 15 min from Whole foods and beaches on Hilton Head Island," mentions Elie D., highlighting the resort's balance of natural surroundings with convenient access to amenities.
What you should know
Hurricane recovery continues: Some campgrounds still show evidence of storm damage. "Hunting Island State Park is like stepping back into the Jurassic period... Last spring (2017) some major storms caused some havoc and the park just reopened recently," Shelly S. mentions, describing the ongoing recovery process.
Raccoon precautions required: Multiple campers report determined wildlife. "Do NOT leave food or trash unattended or they will ransack your campsite," warns Hannah C. about Fort McAllister State Park's raccoons.
Reservations essential year-round: The most desirable waterfront sites at Lake Jasper RV Park book months in advance. "The sites are HUGE 70ft long 20ft wide, full hook ups with a state of the art Eaton control pedestal for your water, cable and electric connections," reports T.S., explaining why premium sites go quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Tuck in the Wood Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "This campground has a nice playground for the kids along with a super duper water slide. The sites are roomy, the bath houses are super clean," Terri M. shares.
Visit during spring for fewer insects: April-May provides milder temperatures and fewer biting insects than summer. "We had a 70 degree day and with the ocean breeze sifting through the trees it felt like our jungle hike was air conditioned. No bugs. It was perfect," notes Neil T. from Hunting Island.
Pack extra water for beach days: Temperatures routinely hit 95°F during summer, and hydration becomes crucial. "Kids free" adult sections exist at Hilton Head National, where Burns G. found "the pool is heated during the cooler month as and chilled in the summer."
Tips from RVers
Level sites with adequate hookups: Most RV campgrounds near Hilton Head provide full hookups but with varying site quality. "The sites are level. Our auto level wasn't working but we were able to manually level with no problem," Ashley W. mentions about Hilton Head National.
Site selection considerations: Hilton Head Harbor requires careful navigation. "These sites do take some practice getting into and some have trees close to the pads. While we were there we saw a guys hit a tree backing into his site," Robert N. cautions, though he adds "The resort is nestled up against the harbor and is very peaceful."
Off-season camping advantages: Winter months provide quieter experiences with fewer crowds at the best places to camp near Hilton Head Island. "We did have to walk pretty far to get to a grassy spot so my dog could pee. There's a lot of construction going on around the park," Alana F. notes about River's End Campground, indicating the value of researching current conditions.
