The Pawleys Island area straddles both coastal marshlands and inland forest environments with several waterways providing unique paddling opportunities. Campgrounds range from highly developed resorts to more secluded agricultural settings. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-60°F, while summer brings 75-90°F days with very high humidity that affects camping comfort.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mr. Levy's Riceland Farm offers direct access to the Black River for fishing. One visitor describes it as "right on the banks of the Black River! Truly stunning and my favorite place to be!"
Wildlife viewing: Santee Coastal Reserve provides several hiking trails with abundant wildlife. A camper reports, "Gorgeous trails within walking distance. Great opportunity to see wildlife," while another noted they "saw 3 alligators sunning" during their hike through the Marshland trail.
Historical exploration: Visit the Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park Campground. A camper mentions it's "great for photography" and another adds that there's "a castle to explore on site."
Water recreation: Water activities extend beyond just the ocean. At Hideaway RV Park, campers can rent kayaks and enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway. According to a reviewer, it's "on the intracoastal waterway" with "kayaks for rent" and "great location with lots to do close by."
What campers like
Diverse swimming options: Pirateland Family Camping Resort combines beach access with pool amenities. A visitor mentions, "Water park for kids and beach access," while another detailed the "splash pool is top notch, putt putt, food, and the beach here is really nice."
Quiet off-season experience: Winter camping provides a different experience. A camper at Myrtle Beach State Park shared, "Off season so, our dog enjoyed a run on the beach everyday. It's noisy during the day with planes flying over & barking dogs. Especially over the weekend. Much quieter during the week."
Accessibility features: Some campgrounds offer accessible facilities. A reviewer at Hideaway RV Park noted, "Has a nice pool which is handicap accessible! We liked that the pool hasn't really deep!"
Waterfront sites: Direct waterfront sites are highly prized. At Ocean Lakes Family Campground, a camper advises to "spend the extra money for a site on the beach!!! worth it."
What you should know
Seasonal mosquito issues: Insects can be problematic, especially at certain campgrounds. A Santee Coastal Reserve camper warns, "BEWARE though, mosquitoes are in bazillions here and huge. Make sure you take your deterrent so they don't carry you off or take all your blood."
Traffic considerations: The popularity of golf carts at some campgrounds creates unique traffic patterns. At Ocean Lakes, one camper observed, "There is actually golf cart traffic at night because there are so many golf carts. Really! People sit in traffic and high five each other as they go by."
Water quality varies: Some camping sites near Pawleys Island have water quality issues. A visitor to Hidden Marina & Campground reported, "The water smells like rotten eggs or rotten meat on any given day. I would not recommend drinking."
Reservation requirements: Myrtle Beach KOA gets very busy, requiring advance planning. A visitor noted it's "Very close to EVERYTHING!" but can be "very crowded as expected being so close to the strip."
Tips for camping with families
Consider offsite beaches: Not all campgrounds offer direct beach access. At Myrtle Beach KOA, a camper mentioned, "We were able to walk safely to the beach in 15-20 minutes while the rest of our party stayed at the RV."
Age-appropriate activities: Look for campgrounds with supervised activities. At Ocean Lakes, a visitor observed, "The lifeguards in the splash pad area had a game of walking tag going on with all the kids. This helped break the ice between all the kids and my kids met a lot of friends."
Laundry services: Family camping often requires laundry facilities. Ocean Lakes offers convenient options, with one camper sharing their "favorite part of this trip. The wash and fold service. I dropped my clothes off at 830am and they were cleaned and ready for pickup by 1030am. Best part it only cost me 21.00."
Safety considerations: Security is important for families. A camper at Ocean Lakes noted, "The staff are diligent in keeping it clean here and security is always on the patrol."
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Concrete pads provide advantages in sandy environments. A visitor to Hideaway RV Park appreciated that "All concrete pads with a picnic table and fire pit."
Space considerations: Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds. At Lakewood Camping Resort, one RVer noted that while it's "Rated a 5 star!" they also warned that "Sites are close but the area around the campground is beautiful close to the beach."
Seasonal considerations: January through March camping offers different conditions. One RVer at Huntington Beach State Park Campground shared, "We camped here this weekend. Rain finally stopped and Sat and Sun were sunny and cool. We love this park to walk the beach, watch the birds and just relax. Sites are spread out and spacious."
