Campground options near Hollywood, South Carolina provide convenient access to both coastal attractions and inland recreation. The area sits in the South Carolina Lowcountry at approximately 20 feet above sea level, with a subtropical climate that creates year-round camping possibilities. While summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, fall and spring months offer more moderate conditions with temperatures between 60-80°F during the day.
What to Do
Kayaking on the Edisto River: Access the blackwater Edisto River through Givhans Ferry State Park, where campers can launch their own equipment or rent from nearby outfitters. "We rented kayaks and had a great time," notes one visitor, while another mentions that "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."
Disc golf and outdoor recreation: James Island County Park features an 18-hole disc golf course among its extensive recreation options. A camper describes the park as having "a 50 foot climbing wall, obstacle challenge course, 1K sq ft bouldering wall and slackline that will have you and your brood enjoying these backwoods in no time. West of this Outdoor Zone is an 18-hole disc golf course and back towards the center of the park is a Splash Zone Waterpark."
Lighthouse exploration: Visit the historic lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park, a 45-minute drive from Hollywood. "Driving in is like 'Jurassic Park', loved it, primordial habitat goin on! Historical Lighthouse to scale and gift shop, limited hours and don't take the pooches," says one reviewer. The lighthouse offers panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and maritime forest.
What Campers Like
Farm setting camping experience: At Hanscombe Point Campground in Hollywood SC, campers enjoy an agricultural setting unlike typical commercial campgrounds. A visitor notes, "Very nice bucolic setting in the pine woods on the edge of a cow meadow," while another says, "Nothing could be better than waking up to livestock outside your window grazing. They are so beautiful and the view from every angle is amazing."
Spacious sites with natural shade: Many campgrounds in the Hollywood area offer well-spaced sites with tree cover. At Oak Plantation Campground, a camper observes, "Large park with paved and grass sites... even though there were a fair amount of guests, they spread everyone out so I had no immediate neighbors." Another notes the "lovely, large oaks with gray moss provide that quintessential Charleston/Savannah setting."
Dog-friendly accommodations: Several campgrounds near Hollywood SC welcome pets with designated areas. One camper at James Island County Park mentions, "It has a fantastic dog park and several miles of paved walking/biking paths," making it ideal for those traveling with pets. Similarly, a visitor to Hunting Island State Park notes that "the beach was never crowded and is very dog friendly."
What You Should Know
Ant prevention strategies: Ants can be an issue at several campgrounds in the area, especially during warmer months. One camper at Oak Plantation advises, "Beware of ant piles," while another mentions taking preventative measures after receiving advice from fellow campers.
Weather impacts on camping comfort: The Hollywood SC climate affects camping conditions throughout the year. A visitor to Hunting Island State Park shares, "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." However, another notes, "Uneven sites, horrible potholes and poor drainage throughout the park. We did have some torrential rain our first night, but the puddles didn't drain after 4 days."
Traffic considerations: Several campgrounds are located on busy highways, requiring planning for entry and exit. An Oak Plantation camper advises, "The road in front of campground is extremely busy (Hwy 17) and I wouldn't attempt ever turning left to get out. Just take a right and another right behind campground to get you out. It may take longer but worth your sanity."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for campgrounds with designated play areas: Lake Aire RV Park in Hollywood SC offers family-friendly amenities. "We enjoyed being right next to the pond. The resident ducks entertained us everyday and would follow us around. We were right next to the playground," shares one family.
Consider water recreation options: Families often appreciate campgrounds with water features. A visitor to James Island County Park describes the "Splash Zone Waterpark complete with (2) 200 foot waterslides, 500 foot long lazy river, leisure pool & rainforest play structure, kid's playground."
Pack for biting insects: Insect protection is essential for family camping comfort. At Hanscombe Point Campground, a camper notes, "It was breezy so we didn't have any issues with 'no-see-ums' or 'sand gnats' but I would imagine on a still day they would be bad." Another visitor to Givhans Ferry advises that you "definitely need to wear your bug repellent."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: RVers recommend specific sites at campgrounds for maximum comfort. At James Island County Park, a reviewer suggests, "IMHO the best slots in this RV exclusive campground are those on the perimeter with the best sites being the ones without anything behind them, specifically on the NW periphery with sites #46 - 55; along the westernmost side with sites #20, #21, #23, #24 and #26."
Plan for limited hookup options: Not all campgrounds near Hollywood offer full hookups. At Edisto Beach State Park, a visitor notes, "We had water and electric at our site. Two Dump stations available and were easy in and out."
Prepare for flooding in some areas: Low-lying terrain can create drainage issues. A Lake Aire RV Park camper states, "Back-in spot was a little tight, but fairly level," while another mentions, "The tent sites were unlevel and muddy (since it rained before we arrived and all the water ran down hill to the tent sites)."
