Campground at James Island County Park
Great location. Great facilities
3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
James Island County Park features premium glamping options within easy reach of Isle of Palms beaches, providing canvas accommodations with the comforts of home while surrounded by nature. The park offers glamping sites with climate control, comfortable bedding, and private outdoor spaces for relaxing evenings under the stars. One guest shared, "The grounds are beautiful and there is so much to do in and around the area." Other glamping options near Isle of Palms include Buck Hall Recreation Area and Edisto Beach State Park Campground, both offering elevated outdoor stays with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean restroom facilities.
Located just a short drive from Charleston's historic district, these glamping destinations combine wilderness experiences with modern conveniences. The Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA provides lakeside glamping with access to water activities, nature trails, and convenient proximity to local attractions. The one-mile loop trail through wooded areas offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, while the lake supports fishing and paddling adventures. According to a camper, "The lake had a nice view with many people fishing, and there are kayak and bike rentals available." Most glamping sites in the area remain open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the coastal Carolina climate in all seasons while experiencing unique accommodations like domes, pods, and canvas tents that elevate the traditional camping experience.
"The bath house was recently remodeled and now has air conditioning. I found it to be one of the nicest bath facilities we have ever used."
"There is a camp store which is well stocked and stays open till 8pm. The predominance of this campground is RV sites. The sites are well maintained and with enough space between each site."
Available next weekend
from $38 - $219 / night
"Staff was extremely friendly and attentive. There was a nice walking/biking path around the campground and downtown Charleston and Isle of Palms beaches were both close by."
"This campground is near Charleston,SC and the Beach at Isle of Palms."
from $68 - $300 / night
"The boat launch is walking distance from the campground and has a nice picnic area adjacent to it. We watched a pods of pelicans and dolphins come through the area, as well as many other sea birds."
"28 a night for Electricity; $18 for tent sites.
Mostly middle age & older campers; primarily boaters/fishermen as there is a boat ramp at this site."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $45 / night
"It's South Carolina in the summer, so there are mosquitoes."
"Some sites are full sun, and as it was around 100 degrees every day, that could be a problem for some. It’s right on the edge of the town so it’s easy to walk or bicycle around."
Available next weekend
"IF you meet the qualifications to stay (military affiliated), this is REALLY close to the Navy Nuke School!"
"I'm an Army Veteran and recently stay at the FAMP CAMP Located on the Joint Base Air Force Base located in Charleston S.C. "
"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. "
"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."
Available next weekend
"You drive in and there's multiple campsites for your tent, Car or RV. There's a large clean toilet cabin (not a basic privy).
It's next to a tall tower.
Fire area with picnic table."
Great location. Great facilities
We love the Live oaks campground in Edisto Beach State Park. Level sites with plenty of privacy. We are in site 120 this trip and we have stayed in sites 118 and 122 on previous trips. these sites back onto the salt marsh which gives you some incredible scenery just behind the site
Most campers are here to go out shrimping. It’s a beautiful, small campground with level sites, some shade, electric and water hookups and tent sites right along the water. The bathroom could use an update but it was very clean and the shower was roomy and hot enough. A dump station is available. I understand the park will close after shrimp season (mid November..?) for updates. I lucked out on a first come, first serve site for the night. I’d definitely stay here again.
We were traveling with two large dogs and looking for a pet friendly site. This is a people friendly site so many game playing areas swimming pool and clean manicured lawns with a lake view on some sites.
We stayed here while attending the Highwater Music Festival. We brought our bikes, but it’s not safe to ride out if the campground to the festival or the beach, so we drove them to a spot outside of the grounds and then ride from there.
So much to do inside this campground and park! It was very busy, but we didn’t feel it was too loud - still plenty of opportunity to enjoy nature.
This is our absolute favorite campsite of all time! It is very private and secluded, but right around the corner from the beach. It is for tents and small campers only, as we barely had enough room to get our pop up backed up in the site with the truck. The site slopes up, evens out, and then slopes right back down to the fire ring and picnic table. Our pop up is a 10-foot box and it was just enough room to get it on the level spot without sloping one way or the other. It was also just wide enough for our awning to be set out with a little room to walk around. Once situated, there is plenty of room at the picnic table and fire ring to sit around and park bikes, etc.
There is plenty of shade and you can hear the waves crashing on the beach. The site also has water and electric hookups, but we try to bring our own water since you can still taste the salt. It is so relaxing!
This is on the Beach Campground and the only problem we noticed it is that the outdoor shower for washing off sand from the beach has low visibility because it is on the road side of the bathhouse and not the beach side. The result is people clogging up the showers with sand because they don't even see the outdoor shower in some cases.
The park has some amazing nature trails to bike and hike as well as a nice educational nature center.
We always enjoy our stay here and will definitely continue to book here as long as we can.
There are actually TWO bases here - the air base and the weapons station. We stayed at the air base but also visited the weapons station for some recreation.
Air base: close to downtown Charleston; great price for the amenities provided ($45 per night for full hookups - electric, water, and sewer); power/water pedestal was nice; shower and laundry facilities on site; all sites fairly level and mostly shady; playground, sand volleyball, golf, and indoor climbing wall within walking distance; beautiful trees, etc. All the normal base amenities, including bowling alley (check out galactic bowling if you have kids).
Staff was helpful. Camp host was… vigilant, but not super considerate with his leaf blowing pollen plumes around breakfasters.
Did not have pool. Fine.
DOES NOT HAVE FIRE RINGS. Or a grill. That was a disappointment. You can BRING a fire ring. But of course no open burning.
Also, the sites are a smidge close together. But not overly so. Ask for a perimeter site and not a middle pull through if you're looking for a little extra green space between. (Not sure if they'll honor that or not.)
The weapons station also has an RV park. (Forgot to look and see if they have fire rings.) If you are a trail runner or hiker or similar, this is the one you want to go to. There's an excellent trail system right off the RV park. The air base did not. They have plenty of sidewalks to run but no trails. However, if you're there to see Charleston, you want to stay at the air base. The weapons station is further away from downtown.
As other reviewers have said, these options are both on military bases and require an ID to access.
We stayed here for a week to attend a wedding. The place was well kept, nice and clean. Lots of walking areas and pet spots.
Super close to everything you could ever need, but deep enough into the woods to feel that break away from the noise of the road.
This campground is the perfect blend of rustic and modern amenities! Beautiful shade trees, large sites, and full hookups. Shuttles to the beach and downtown Charleston. Perfect!
Camping options near Isle of Palms are available throughout South Carolina's coastal region where the average summer temperature reaches 86°F with high humidity. The area contains maritime forests transitioning to salt marshes along waterways. Most campgrounds remain open year-round due to the mild coastal climate, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F.
Kayaking access points: Buck Hall Recreation Area offers direct water access to the Intracoastal Waterway with a designated boat launch. "We had a blast kayaking around and had some awesome dolphin encounters," notes one camper who found the location perfect for water activities.
Seasonal light displays: Visit James Island County Park during winter months for special events. A reviewer mentioned, "We stayed during November and December... they have a light show through the park," though they noted traffic can get heavy during these special events.
Biking opportunities: The 5+ miles of paved trails at James Island County Park provide cycling options through wooded areas. A visitor praised the "several miles of paved walking/biking paths" that wind through the park's 643 acres, making it ideal for exploring the surroundings.
Wildlife viewing: Look for local fauna along the marsh edges and waterways. "The one mile loop trail through the woods and along the lake" at Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA lets you observe native species in their habitat.
Fishing options: Multiple fishing locations at Rocks Pond Campground & Marina cater to different skill levels. According to a visitor, "The place is perfect for kids - there's lots of places to go fishing, whether you are on a boat... or don't want to leave land and just cast your line from one of the many points."
Beach proximity: Edisto Beach State Park Campground offers sites near the ocean. A camper recommends, "Opt for sites 1-12 or 50-75" for closest beach access, adding that "shelling was incredible-especially if you walk towards the inlet around low tide."
Pet-friendly areas: Dog owners appreciate dedicated spaces at several campgrounds. One visitor highlighted James Island County Park's "fantastic dog park" as a standout feature that enhanced their camping experience.
Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping near Isle of Palms, South Carolina is limited, several campgrounds offer alternative glamping structures. The canvas accommodations at Buck Hall provide a yurt-like experience with the comfort of proper beds and protection from elements.
Seasonal crowds: Plan for busier conditions during summer and holidays. A visitor to Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA shared, "Located only 15 minutes from downtown Charleston and 10 minutes from Shem creek this campground is gorgeous and spacious," but noted that popular amenities can get busy.
Insect preparation: Coastal camping requires bug protection year-round. "Don't forget your bug-spray, mosquitos are aggressive here," warns a camper at Rocks Pond, emphasizing the need for proper insect repellent.
Seasonal water attractions: Water parks and splash pads typically operate May through September. James Island County Park features a "Splash Zone Waterpark complete with (2) 200 foot waterslides, 500 foot long lazy river, leisure pool & rainforest play structure."
Limited yurt camping: True yurt camping in Isle of Palms, South Carolina area is scarce, though several campgrounds offer cabin alternatives. While permanent yurt structures are uncommon, the canvas glamping accommodations provide a similar experience with added amenities.
Kid-friendly fishing: Honey Hill Campground provides accessible fishing for younger anglers. "Very big campsite" with "multiple campsites for your tent, Car or RV" makes it comfortable for families needing space.
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. A visitor to James Island County Park noted the "kid's playground" among numerous family-friendly amenities available throughout the park.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of nearby wildlife centers. A Buck Hall visitor suggested, "The nearby Sewee Visitor Center has red wolves and is free to visit... You can call ahead and find out when they will be feeding the wolves."
Site selection for families: Choose sites with adequate spacing for children to play. One James Island visitor observed the campground has "spacious and clean" sites that provide room for families to spread out.
Hookup availability: Givhans Ferry State Park Campground offers full-service sites for RVs. "They have some full hookup sites which is what I got. Most have water and electricity," reports an RVer who found the setup convenient.
Site leveling considerations: Check site descriptions for level status before booking. A Givhans Ferry camper mentioned, "30 foot trailer backed in no issues with plenty of room to pull truck in beside rig," indicating adequate space for larger setups.
RV size limitations: Confirm length restrictions when reserving. At James Island County Park, a reviewer noted there are "pull-through & back-in sites (maximum 80 feet)," accommodating even larger rigs.
Dump station access: Verify dump station locations before arrival. One Edisto Beach visitor pointed out an inconvenience: "Dump site is a mile up main road," requiring planning for waste disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Isle of Palms, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Isle of Palms, SC is Campground at James Island County Park with a 4.7-star rating from 63 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Isle of Palms, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 glamping camping locations near Isle of Palms, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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