Dispersed camping near Moncks Corner, South Carolina offers access to diverse waterways including Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion, and the Edisto River. The region sits at an average elevation of just 50 feet above sea level, creating a flat, marshy landscape dotted with cypress swamps. Flash flooding can occur during heavy rain events, making elevated tent platforms a worthwhile consideration at primitive campsites.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Moultrie: At Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner, visitors can rent kayaks from the camp store. "Great for fishing, swimming, camping, RV, and much more. There is a swimming beach and the camp store has boat kayak rental and propane tank refill," notes a camper.
Disc golf courses: The area features multiple courses within a 30-minute drive of Moncks Corner. James Island County Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course among its amenities, along with "a 50 foot climbing wall, obstacle challenge course, 1K sq ft bouldering wall and slackline" that will keep outdoor enthusiasts busy.
Fishing for record catches: Local waters provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Angels Landing Campground, campers note that "Angel's Campground is adjacent to Lake Moultrie and is a great place to launch a boat for fishing. The Santee Cooper area is famous for record sized catfish and other species."
What campers like
Waterfront camping access: Many campers appreciate sites directly on Lake Moultrie. "The sites on the lake have full hook-up and there is a dump station for those that do not," writes a visitor to Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner. Another camper mentioned, "This campground is for Active and retired military and other qualified DOD employees. Very quiet and secure great fishing and beautiful sunsets."
Dog-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds in the area welcome pets. At Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA, "There are waste bags scattered throughout the park and a huge dog park (but it's quite far from the campers)."
Proximity to Charleston: Many campers value how Moncks Corner camping serves as an affordable base for Charleston exploration. "It's a quick jaunt either to the west or east gates to get on roads into town. In Charleston, we walked around downtown, took the ferry to Ft Sumter, toured the USS Yorktown, and visited Ft Moultrie," notes a military camper about Joint Base Charleston.
What you should know
Military-only campgrounds: Several excellent campgrounds near Moncks Corner restrict access to military personnel. "This is a military-only campground on Charleston AFB," notes one reviewer. Another mentioned, "Heads up you must be military to stay here," about Short Stay Navy Recreation Area.
Seasonal closures of water amenities: Many campgrounds with water parks or pools close these features during winter months. "We stayed here in October when the water park/pool was closed, but there was still plenty to do with bike rentals and the outdoor adventure area," notes a visitor to James Island County Park.
Flooding risk in low-lying areas: Some campsites experience water issues during rain. At Lake Aire RV Park, campers reported "The tent sites were unlevel and muddy (since it rained before we arrived and all the water ran down hill to the tent sites)." Select elevated sites when possible during rainy seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting a campsite near Moncks Corner with children, check for playground proximity. At Givhans Ferry State Park, "There are several large fields to let the kids run wild," making it ideal for families needing space for children to burn energy.
Water activities for hot days: The subtropical climate makes water access important. 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, kid's playground."
Wildlife education opportunities: The marshy environment provides learning opportunities about local ecosystems. When camping in Francis Marion National Forest, one visitor noted their grandchildren "learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills. People were very friendly and in all of the areas."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Moncks Corner require extra leveling equipment. "The sites are not level and the ground is almost sandy (ie: your camper will stay dirty)," notes one RVer about Givhans Ferry State Park.
Tight navigation at some parks: Larger rigs may struggle at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Charleston KOA warned: "It was very narrow with an over grown tree on each side of the entrance to it. Luckily I keep a machete in my truck. I spent 5 minutes trimming the trees just so I could try to squeeze into the site."
Propane availability: For longer stays, know where to refill propane. At Short Stay Navy Outdoor Moncks Corner, the camp store offers propane tank refill at what one camper called "a decent price," saving RVers a trip into town.
