The camping areas surrounding Johns Island, South Carolina feature a mix of inland pine forests and coastal ecosystems within a hot, humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during the day with overnight lows rarely dropping below 70°F between June and September. Several campgrounds operate within 30 minutes of Johns Island, providing varied access to both natural areas and urban attractions.
What to do
Outdoor recreation at state parks: Edisto Beach State Park Campground offers excellent shelling opportunities, especially near the inlet at low tide. "Shelling was incredible—especially if you walk towards the inlet around low tide," notes a visitor. The park features biking paths through maritime forests and beach access points for swimming and fishing.
Visit local working farms: Hanscombe Point Campground sits on the edge of a working farm where cattle graze near campsites. "Waking up to livestock outside your window grazing... They are so beautiful and the view from every angle is amazing," writes one camper. The property also offers marsh views with opportunities to spot local wildlife and waterfowl.
Take guided plantation tours: Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA offers a complimentary wagon ride to a neighboring plantation. According to a recent visitor: "They also had a free wagon ride to a nearby plantation a couple of times a week. We actually missed it but would really like to take the time to do it if we ever get back."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Oak Plantation Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Large park with paved and grass sites. I stayed in a paved full hookup site P2 and, even though there were a fair amount of guests, they spread everyone out so I had no immediate neighbors," one reviewer mentioned. The campground features mature oak trees with Spanish moss creating natural separation between sites.
Water access and fishing: Lake Aire RV Park offers fishing opportunities directly on property. "Nice pond for fishing. About a 50-50 mix of long term campers and short term but no issues at all," reports one visitor. The grounds include walking paths around the water features.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Hanscombe Point Campground provides unique wildlife encounters due to its location. "The campsite is at the edge of a livestock pasture, though most of the sites are within a pine grove with a dense floor of needles and cones. Would be a delightful site for small children to watch animals (cows, pigs, sheep)," explains a camper. The property also borders Hut Creek, attracting various bird species.
What you should know
Weather and bug considerations: Summer camping requires preparation for insects, particularly at sites near marshes. At Hanscombe Point, "No-seeums were present when we stayed the last week of March, but no mosquitos yet - despite proximity of the site to Hut creek." The salt marshes around Johns Island create habitat for biting insects during warmer months.
Traffic and travel times: Edisto Beach State Park Campground provides a more remote experience but requires planning for travel times. One visitor noted: "Drive time listed to Charleston is very low, due to severe traffic congestion in the region. Not the farm's doing, but it took us 45 min to the city in the mornings (~9:30AM) and usually an hour plus back at night (2-4PM)."
Seasonal events impact camping: Holiday light displays at James Island County Park create additional traffic during winter months. A camper observed: "So I stayed during November and December. County and state parks are usually relatively inexpensive although this one is more on the higher end. And coupled with the fact that they have a light show through the park. The traffic was incredible at night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground and activity access: Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "Our site was very close to the lake and we had a great view. We were also right beside the pool and playground area so it was convenient to walk over," shares one family. The campground features multiple recreation areas spread throughout the property.
Educational wildlife viewing: Farm camping provides unique learning opportunities. At Hanscombe Point Campground, "We stayed one night on site 5, which overlooks a large field where the cows roam. Our toddler loved having the freedom to run around in the wide open spaces and run over dried-up cow patties with his toy tractor."
Water recreation options: Family-friendly water activities abound at some campgrounds. The Mount Pleasant KOA includes "a lake for fishing and water activities" where "The lake had a little dock and we my husband and son fished off of it. There were alligators in the lake and they actually caught one."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At James Island County Park, experienced RVers recommend specific sites. "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." These sites provide more privacy and space for larger rigs.
Leveling considerations: Some campgrounds have maintenance issues affecting leveling. At Oak Plantation, "Our site had a concrete pad but the concrete pad was broken up into large pieces of concrete which makes it hard to level." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended at older campgrounds.
Ant prevention: RVers should take precautions against small insects. "We got a tip from a neighboring RVer to spray for small ants anywhere that the RV touches the ground so the ants won't crawl up and get in our RV as it did theirs. We promptly went to buy ant spray and never had a problem."
