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Best Tent Camping near North Charleston, SC

503 Reviews

Francis Marion National Forest offers tent camping opportunities through a mix of established sites and primitive backcountry areas near North Charleston, South Carolina. The forest provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with varying levels of amenities and access types. Tent campers can choose between areas like Halfway Creek, which offers first-come, first-served primitive tent sites without reservations, or more secluded spots deeper in the forest.

Sites in Francis Marion National Forest feature minimal amenities, with many tent areas lacking basic services such as potable water or toilet facilities. Campers should prepare accordingly by bringing sufficient water supplies and waste disposal bags. Some locations permit parking nearby while others require short hikes to reach tent sites. The camping terrain consists primarily of open grassy areas in designated campgrounds, though more private backcountry tent sites can be found by hiking deeper into the forest. Bug spray is essential for comfortable tent camping in this low-country ecosystem, particularly during warmer months.

Low-country tent camping in Francis Marion provides excellent access to hiking trails and nature observation opportunities. The Palmetto Trail's Swampfox Passage runs through portions of the forest, allowing tent campers to connect with longer hiking routes. Wildlife viewing is abundant throughout the forest, with diverse flora and fauna creating a rich natural setting for tent campers. The primitive nature of many sites offers a genuine wilderness experience with minimal disturbance. A review noted, "My buddies and I drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. With no cell service and no one bothering us, we got to simply relax."

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Best Tent Sites Near North Charleston, South Carolina (1)

    1. Francis Marion National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Huger, SC
    28 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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near North Charleston, SC

503 Reviews of 1 North Charleston 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sarah S.
    May. 24, 2018

    Edisto Beach State Park Campground

    Quiet Marsh Sites

    We stayed in the Live Oak campground portion of the State Park at a walk-in rustic tent site. These sites have the most privacy in the park. There are six walk-in sites all with beautiful views of the salt marsh and pleanty of space (within and between sites). The sites are located on one of the many trails in the state park. All trails are open to pedestrians and cyclists alike, and none of the trails are challenging in length or terrain. Matthew and I were able to bike them all in a morning. We visited in early May and had excellent beach weather without much of a crowd!

  • D
    May. 29, 2023

    Givhans Ferry State Park Campground

    Nice but no cell coverage

    Nice campsite, full hookups, enjoyed the lightning bugs, great place to enjoy camping and getting away from electronics since no cell phone signal for T-Mobile and no wifi in campground, definitely need to wear your bug repellent

Guide to North Charleston

Francis Marion National Forest provides primitive camping opportunities near North Charleston, South Carolina, with various access points throughout its 258,000 acres of protected lowland ecosystem. The forest terrain consists primarily of flat pine woodlands interspersed with cypress swamps and blackwater creeks. Weather conditions range from hot, humid summers to mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, making spring and fall the optimal seasons for tent campsites near North Charleston.

What to do

**Trail exploration: Hikers can access multiple interconnected paths through the Palmetto Trail system. The trail continues to expand, as one camper notes: "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. The low country side is going to be flat walking with some minor up and over terrain." (Francis Marion National Forest)

**Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars for spotting diverse lowcountry species. "Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna. So bug spray is recommended to the unfortunate of us that are preyed upon by mosquitoes and the like," advises one visitor who frequently brings dogs to burn energy on forest trails.

**Church visitation: Take a short drive to historical structures. According to a camper at Halfway Creek: "Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941. You can also do a hike on one of the trails here."

What campers like

**Natural isolation: Many campers appreciate the ability to find seclusion in Francis Marion. One reviewer reported: "We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax. We stayed in our trucks that night. The next morning after we made breakfast we explored for hours, in our trucks and by foot." (Francis Marion National Forest)

**Trail access: Campsites positioned near hiking routes allow for convenient exploration. "I love this spot. 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."

**Proximity to beaches: Several campers mention incorporating beach trips with their forest camping experience. One noted: "The beach was phenomenal the ice cream store that they have there was great."

What you should know

**Water limitations: Potable water sources have deteriorated in some areas. "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 a regular visitor. (Francis Marion National Forest)

**Trail flooding: Certain sections become impassable after rain. "There are some areas where after rain it becomes 'pools' of water making staying dry a bit difficult," notes a hiker who frequents the area.

**Weather hazards: Be prepared for sudden severe storms. One camper reported: "The first night there was a flash flood so the second day when we got there the people next to us were drunk and they had dogs."

Tips for camping with families

**Educational opportunities: Use camping trips for nature education with children. One grandparent shared: "I have my grandchildren for the end of summer before they started back to school and we went on camping for a little over a week. The children had a chance to go swimming and they love that they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills." (Francis Marion National Forest)

**Preparation essentials: Pack adequate water and hygiene supplies for primitive tent campsites. A camper advises: "Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash/T.P. out!"

**Site selection strategy: For family groups, consider open areas rather than 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."

Tips from RVers

**Off-road considerations: Some areas allow drive-up access to camping spots away from designated areas. One truck camper explained: "My buddies and drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We got to simply relax." (Francis Marion National Forest)

**Overnight options: Parking areas adjacent to tent camping sections can accommodate vehicle sleeping. "You can park in a lot just outside the camping area. Some people sleep in their cars there."

**Wildlife awareness: Keep alert for reptiles during warmer months. "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near North Charleston, SC?

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

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