Camping options near North Charleston, South Carolina include rustic sites within Francis Marion National Forest and full-service campgrounds closer to major attractions. The area sits at sea level with marshy landscapes dominating the terrain east of the city. Summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s with high humidity, creating challenging conditions for tent campers without proper ventilation or shade.
What to do
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to freshwater lakes or saltwater inlets. At Lake Aire RV Park, "there is a nice pond for fishing. The resident ducks entertained us everyday and would follow us around," according to one camper's experience.
Hiking trails: The regional campgrounds feature varied walking paths through coastal forest environments. Givhans Ferry State Park Campground offers "an easy trail and Geocaching," though some visitors note it "runs along the road and cars barrel down it," requiring extra caution with children.
Water recreation: Kayaking opportunities abound on the region's waterways. At Givhans Ferry, campers appreciate the "easy access to the Edisto River. We rented kayaks and had a great time," while noting that "there is access so you can float down the river on Kayaks or floats. Just make sure you have a car further down the road because the currents will not let you back up the river."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers praise the site layout and spacing at certain campgrounds. At Oak Plantation Campground, reviewers note "the sites are large and are not on top of each other" and that even during busy periods, "they spread everyone out so I had no immediate neighbors."
Wildlife viewing: Camping areas offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Hanscombe Point Campground, campers enjoy "waking up to cattle/water buffalo" and appreciate that "waterfowl, egrets and eagles were seen" during their stays.
Diverse site types: The region offers everything from primitive to full-hookup experiences. Oak Plantation provides "paved and grass sites" with "lovely, large oaks with gray moss" providing the "quintessential Charleston/Savannah setting," while Hanscombe Point offers more rustic options where "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."
What you should know
Traffic considerations: Commute times to Charleston attractions can vary dramatically with traffic. Reviewers at Hanscombe Point note "drive time listed to Charleston is very low, due to severe traffic congestion in the region... it took us 45 min to the city in the mornings and usually an hour plus back at night."
Seasonal pests: Insects can be prevalent depending on season and campground location. 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."
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking, but policies vary. At Campground at James Island County Park, one visitor mentions "sites are spacious and clean" but notes the park can get busy, suggesting early reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. James Island County Park offers "a 50 foot climbing wall, obstacle challenge course, 1K sq ft bouldering wall and slackline that will have you and your brood enjoying these backwoods in no time."
Water activities: Family-friendly water features are available at select locations. James Island County Park includes "a Splash Zone Waterpark complete with (2) 200 foot waterslides, 500 foot long lazy river, leisure pool & rainforest play structure, kid's playground."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA provides "a free wagon ride to a nearby plantation a couple of times a week," making history accessible for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend specific sites at certain campgrounds. At James Island County Park, "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."
Utility considerations: Water access points vary by site and can require planning. At Givhans Ferry, campers note "They have some full hookup sites which is what I got. Most have water and electricity," while others mention specific site challenges like "Water is very close to front make sure you have enough hose."
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. Givhans Ferry campers report "no cell service at least for us and we use att and Google fi," while others mention "be prepared for almost zero cell service" - important for RVers who need to stay connected.
