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Best Tent Camping near Isle of Palms, SC

366 Reviews

Francis Marion National Forest offers primitive tent camping opportunities near Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Located within driving distance of the coast, this national forest provides multiple camping areas with varying levels of amenities and access options. The forest features both established camping areas and more remote sites accessible by foot or vehicle, giving tent campers several options based on their preference for convenience or solitude.

Tent sites at Francis Marion National Forest are predominantly rustic with minimal development. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies as potable water is limited or unavailable at most locations. The primitive campsites often feature open grassy areas with options to set up in more secluded spots by hiking further in. While some areas like Halfway Creek provide parking options near the camping zone, others require short walks to reach suitable tent sites. Bathroom facilities are sparse, with many areas lacking toilets entirely, requiring visitors to practice proper waste disposal techniques.

The camping experience at Francis Marion offers genuine immersion in South Carolina's lowcountry ecosystem. "Fantastic hiking, well maintained, and the primitive campsites are the best 'get-away' opportunity," noted one visitor on The Dyrt. The forest terrain is predominantly flat with occasional wet areas, particularly after rainfall when portions of trails may form pools. Mosquitoes and other insects are prevalent, making bug spray essential equipment for tent campers. Wildlife observations are common, with snakes sometimes seen along trails seeking warmth. The forest provides an excellent base for hikers, with ongoing trail development that will eventually connect to a cross-state route. Most sites remain relatively peaceful even during busier periods, offering tent campers a natural escape within reach of coastal attractions.

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Best Tent Sites Near Isle of Palms, South Carolina (2)

    1. Francis Marion National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Huger, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 336-2200

    "Its right on the trail, it also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike."

    "Fantastic hiking, well maintained (during normal services), and the primitive campsites are the best "get-away" opportunity. Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna."

    2. Colleton

    Be the first to review!
    Edisto Island, SC
    49 miles
    Website
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Tent Camping Reviews near Isle of Palms, SC

366 Reviews of 2 Isle of Palms Campgrounds

  • Melissa W.
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Givhans Ferry State Park Campground

    Nice Primitive camping area

    I like the primitive camping area. 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. 

    I hammock camp, and there are plenty of trees useful for this purpose. This is primitive, so there is no electrical or water spout, although the bathroom has both. There is a 1 1/2 mile walking trail nearby, that runs along the Edisto River.

    I haven't actually frequented the other camping areas: RV drive-up and walk-in, so I can't review them.

  • Crystal C.
    Nov. 17, 2020

    Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA

    Beautiful campground!

    Camped at site 32 in mid-November and site and grounds were both beautiful and very well kept. 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. We are already planning a return trip.

  • Marvin D.
    May. 3, 2021

    Campground at James Island County Park

    Great campground

    Sprawling park and campground right between Charleston and Folly Beach. 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.

    The tent camping site and group tent sites are hike-in. The hike in is really not that far at all from where you park your cars, so no worries. The individual tent sites sit back in the woods, with a nice tree canopy, which gives it a real "primitive" feel to it. The sites are raised and contain a gravel bed.

    There are bathrooms and private showers on site in a few locations. The bathroom and showers for the tent sites lay next to the group site, which is a short walk.

    Shopping and stores are on hwy 117, just a few short minutes from the park.

  • Katy L.
    Sep. 29, 2018

    Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA

    Only campground in Mt. Pleasant.

    This campground is near Charleston,SC and the Beach at Isle of Palms.

  • Scott F.
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Hunting Island State Park Campground

    🏕 Beachside Rustic Site 15 🏕

    Hunting Island Beachside Camping has amazing views and is right on the beach. I was no more than 40 yards from the water. All rustic sites are car friendly but you must keep car on paved area. You have great and easy car access to some nice and easy ocean and marsh trails. I recommend the Lagoon Trail to Little Hunting Island Loop Trail (about 4 miles round trip). Little Hunting Island is a cool small island filled with petrified trees and driftwood. In total there are 12 trails totaling 9.45 miles. There is also a store, bathrooms with showers, and WiFi in the campgrounds.

    I camped here at the end of February. The daily and nightly temps were very manageable/comfortable. High in the low 60s and Low in the mid to low 40s.

    Why I did not rate this 5 stars is for two reasons. One is price, it cost $90.00 for two nights at the end February which is offseason. The cost does include admission into the state park which is were most of the trails are. It is also home to the only lighthouse in SC you can walkup.

    The second reason for the 4 star rating is the campsites are extremely close. You are right on top of other campers. I could clearly hear other sites’s conversations and music and for it being off-season most sites were booked. However there was one site that was more private, closer to the water, and next to the tree line, rustic site 13. THIS IS THE SITE YOU WANT. If you want more privacy or have more people or both and you have the money I would rent site 13 and 14. Because the sites are so close together these two have a natural flow and feel like one nice campsite.

    Pros • Beach camp close to the Ocean • Good easy trails • Store • Bathrooms w/ shower • WiFi • Fire ring w/ grille • Picnic table • February temps comfortable • Amazing Sunrise!!!! • Dog Friendly • Nature center • Fishing pier • Wildlife viewing area • Great parking/ easy driving. (SUV)

    Cons • Price ( $90 for two night in Feb) • Sites extremely close to one another • No alcohol 😉

  • Adam V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Honey Hill Recreation Area

    National Forest Free Campground

    This primitive camping facility is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill. A short camp loop swings through an upland pine/oak forest and encircles a fire lookout tower. The fire lookout tower is no longer in use.

    This semi-primitive campground is about 30 minutes north of Charleston, SC, 8 miles west of Highway 17 in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest.

    The number one thing I love about this site: It's free. It's easy to get to. It's camping!

    There are 12 fairly large sites spaced well apart so you avoid that parking lot feel. LOTS of trees. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

    The entire campground is well maintained by the National Forest Service, and the ranger. I say it's semi-primitive because there is a vault toilet which is old, yet clean. 

    In the center, there is an old abandoned fire tower that is fenced off from people going up it.

    I've been here several times and overall, it's fairly quiet. However, there was one Friday night where a bunch of 20 something's came in, climbed up the fire-tower and partied making for a not so quiet experience.

    Since it's free, you can expect to see some interesting neighbors coming in and out. But with the ranger station down the street, the rangers do patrol this daily (I've never seen them in here at night). It's first come first serve, so weekends are usually packed. You better get here early.

    I give it 4-stars because it's clean with generous spaces and we've always had a great time. Plus, the spots have so many trees, it makes hammock camping a breeze. All sites are perfect for car / truck camping. Just pull up and unload.

    Nearby are several of the major trails that run through this National Forest, including the popular Swamp Fox. The site also is right next to one of the dirt forest roads, that takes you in even deeper.

    10 minutes away, at the Highway 17 intersection are gas stations & mini markets, so if you need some basic supplies, things are right down the road.

    Directions: From Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to McClellanville. At the intersection of SC Highway 45 (the yellow caution light) turn left, and drive eight miles to the camp.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2018

    Buck Hall Recreation Area

    Intercoastal Camping: Watch Wildlife from the Campground

    Reservations during the main season are key if you have any hope of getting a campsite in this awesome Francis Marion National Forest campground which sits just along the gorgeous intercoastal waterway, about 40 minutes northeast of Charleston, SC! We pulled in without reservations and nearly every site was booked out. The campground host was super helpful, though, finding us an empty spot (due to a cancellation) for a couple nights, then moved us to a non-reservable site for the remainder of our time.

    The majority of the sites are designed for very large RVs, with a few very nice waterfront sites designated for tents. Each site is spacious, complete with a picnic table, firepit, 2 lantern poles, and electrical hookups, with a dump station at the back of the campground. The bathrooms are equipped with flush toilets, sinks, and a shower and kept relatively clean.

    The campground itself is dripping with live oaks and speckled with Palmetto trees, so lots of shade is available, especially in the tent areas. 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.

    We kayaked along the intercoastal waterway and out into marshy sea grass areas and had one of the most amazing wildlife encounters to date (and we’ve been all over the country). We saw a pod of dolphins in the distance, which appeared to be feeding. We stopped about 150 away and just enjoyed watching them dance and dive in the morning light. Then, two of the dolphins peeled away from the pack and headed straight toward us. As they approached our kayaks, the larger one gave an extra tail fin flap and dove under our boats, coming up just a bit on the other side. As naturalists, our hearts were pounding with excitement! We also hiked and mountain-biked along the gorgeous Palmetto Trail (which is a mountains-to-sea trail across South Carolina, and this campground serves as its coastal terminus).

    Also, don’t miss the famous Sewee Restaurant for some downeast coastal Carolina fare, as well as the Center for Birds of Prey just across the highway from this restaurant. This wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center is doing some amazing things for birds and in the region and doing a great job of public education. If you head up the coast, be sure to stop in Boats & Hoagies in McClellanville for a bite to eat. Cute place, great food, awesome service!

    The $20 per night fee is a great price for the amenities this campground offers, especially with full hook-ups and showers, and a boat launch. Check out our blog on The Dyrt's Online Magazine about our experience on the coast of South Carolina.

  • Barbara P.
    Dec. 10, 2020

    Charleston KOA

    Not for travelers wishing to visit the city

    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. We were purchasing a home and stayed here 5 weeks Overall every other campers was considerate and quiet. We had no issues with anyone running a business or being rude. The staff is not overly friendly but not unpleasant . The amenities are limited, not a KOA for kids. The pool looks nice but was closed for the season. The playground area is very small with one gym set. A horseshoe pit looked overrun with weeds as was the basketball area. The roads are very tight for larger RV’s and trailers. The wooded sites are close to the interstate and you can here traffic constantly also the wooded area is a little marshy which doesn’t help with the mosquito control. the traffic to turn left out of the -ark can be a nightmare during rush area , I recommend right turns only . The biggest con for me was the laundry , it is open air and surrounded by trees and foliage which blows into this area. The tile is ripped and a hazard , no trash cans and no place to sit. Also it is shared with the trailer park adjacent to the KOA ( same owner) A note is posted that weekends are for KOA tenants only but many workers use the facilities. We have a dog that we kept on leash and never had an issue with management telling us he couldn’t be .

  • Kevin H.
    Mar. 30, 2021

    Santee Coastal Reserve

    Beautiful Spot for Primitive Camping and Wildlife Viewing

    Santee Coastal Reserve is a hidden gem near the South Carolina coast offering eight, first come, first served primitive campsites in the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area.

    The campsites are spacious and can easily accommodate multiple tents and/or RV's. This is primitive camping so there are no water or electrical hook-ups. We drove the short distance to the Elmwood Recreation Area to fill our water jugs. They do not sell firewood at the campground and we didn't see any for sale by local residents on our way in. Fortunately, we were able to gather a lot of downed wood around our campsite since it wasn't until the end of our stay that we found out that firewood, groceries, fishing, and other supplies were available at the Seewee Outpost, about 26 miles south of the reserve on highway 17.

    Out of the eight sites, only about 4 or 5 were occupied at any given time and everyone was fairly quiet. Except for one camper who ran his RV generator for hours morning and night. Fortunately, they only stayed one night.

    There are several hiking trails around the reserve where you can see various birds and spot alligators bathing in the sun. The only wildlife that we weren't happy to see were the gnats and mosquitos, which we weren't respecting so early in the season.

    Overall, this is a beautiful campground and e look forward to visiting again.

Guide to Isle of Palms

Dispersed camping opportunities exist in Francis Marion National Forest for visitors seeking primitive tent camping near Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The forest encompasses over 258,000 acres of lowcountry terrain with elevations typically under 50 feet above sea level. Campsites at Halfway Creek allow parking at a designated lot adjacent to camping zones, providing convenient access for overnight stays without formal facilities.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: Francis Marion National Forest offers abundant flora and fauna viewing. "Nature is abundant, both flora and fauna. So bug spray is recommended to the unfortunate of us that are preyed upon by mosquitoes and the like," notes Caleb in his review of Francis Marion National Forest.

Explore historic structures: Visit nearby historic sites that showcase the region's past. "Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941," suggests Courtney B. when camping at Francis Marion.

Trail connections: Access developing trail systems throughout the forest. "The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia," shares Caleb J. from his experience at Francis Marion National Forest.

What campers like

Vehicle-accessible privacy: Some areas allow for drive-in camping away from designated areas. "My buddies and drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax," reports Matt W. about his tent camping experience at Francis Marion.

Educational opportunities: The natural setting provides learning experiences for younger visitors. One camper noted their grandchildren "learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills" and found the area "very family friendly" during their stay.

Diverse camping options: Sites range from open fields to more secluded spots. "The actual camping area is wide open and grassy, but if you prefer more privacy, you can hike in a bit and pick a spot," explains Courtney B. about the Halfway Creek area within Francis Marion National Forest.

What you should know

Water access limitations: Potable water sources are unreliable or nonexistent. "There used to be water available but that spicket is well past its 'sell-by-date'. The closest store is a 10-minute drive," warns Caleb J. about camping in the forest.

Weather considerations: Rain can significantly impact trail and camping conditions. "There are some areas where after rain it becomes 'pools' of water making staying dry a bit difficult," cautions Caleb J. who frequently visits the area.

Wildlife precautions: Snakes and insects require awareness while camping. "Snakes are probably the worst thing you'll come across, however most want to get away from people unless they feel a need to defend. So, keep your eyes open," advises a regular visitor to Francis Marion.

Tips for camping with families

Bring sufficient supplies: Due to the primitive nature of sites, pack accordingly. "Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash/T.P. out!" recommends Courtney B. after visiting Francis Marion National Forest with a group.

Consider campsite selection carefully: Different areas offer varying experiences. "We stayed in the open area because we were a big group and wanted the best view of the eclipse!" explains one camper about their strategic site choice.

Plan swimming activities: Nearby swimming options can enhance a family trip. One visitor mentioned their grandchildren "had a chance to go swimming and they love that" during their camping experience in the region.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups available: Electric connections exist at some sites but other amenities may be lacking. The forest offers electric hookups at designated areas but does not provide sewer connections or sanitary dump stations.

Vehicle accessibility varies: Not all areas accommodate larger camping vehicles. Some campers report driving "trucks off the normal road" but big rigs are not suitable for most camping areas within the forest.

Energy resources: While electric hookups exist, other utilities are minimal. Water hookups are available in certain locations, but most tent camping areas near Isle of Palms remain primitive with few amenities for recreational vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Isle of Palms, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Isle of Palms, SC is Francis Marion National Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

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