Camping near Port Royal, South Carolina offers diverse options for travelers with pets. The coastal region sits at sea level with high humidity and temperatures averaging 70-90°F in summer months. Most campgrounds in the area feature sandy soil conditions that drain quickly after coastal showers, creating firm camping surfaces for both tents and RVs.
What to do
Beach exploration: 15 minutes from Hunting Island State Park Campground: Visitors can walk along skeleton-lined beaches with opportunities for wildlife viewing. "Hunting Island State Park is like stepping back into the Jurassic period, except there's a lighthouse, lol. The foliage is crazy cool! If a dinosaur stepped out from the side of the trail it wouldn't be out of place...shocking, but not out of place," notes reviewer Shelly S.
Fishing from dedicated docks: Available at Lake Jasper RV Park: The park provides direct lake access for anglers seeking freshwater fishing alternatives to coastal options. "This is a beautiful campground clean, friendly, and the lake-side sites are really pretty. The sun sets right over the lake and there's a small walking path part way around the lake too," according to Tracey S.
Historic lighthouse climbing: 2 miles from camp at Hunting Island: "We hiked along the beach to the lighthouse. Beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse. We hiked one of the many trails back to camp," reports Erin from Hunting Island State Park Campground.
Disc golf: 18 holes adjacent to Lake Jasper: The course winds through Sergeant Jasper county park with flat terrain suitable for beginners and intermediate players. "You definitely want to make the most out of being located adjacent to Sergeant Jasper county park where not only is there a direct trailhead access point here at Lake Jasper RV Park to explore all of the hiking trails or bike on, but there's additional activities over here like a lakefront gazebo, kid's playground, additional picnic shelters, canoe & kayak rentals as well as an 18-hole disc golf course," writes Stuart K.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: From designated areas: Many campers report seeing diverse wildlife. At Hilton Head Harbor, Stuart K. reports: "If you are on the look-out for some amazing encounters with nature, we were able to spot dolphins, manatees and stingrays from the dock here at the resort!"
Secluded wooded sites: Throughout Tuck in the Wood Campground: "This campground really is tucked in the woods, small but nice little place. Bathrooms are clean. Guy that runs the place is a retired military (really nice guy) that lives in the area and knows all the good places," notes Nicole C.
Level concrete pads: Standard at several parks: Many RV parks offer stable, prepared camping surfaces. "The sites are HUGE 70ft long 20ft wide, full hook ups with a state of the art Eaton control pedestal for your water, cable and electric connections," writes T S. about Hilton Head National RV Resort.
Boardwalks through natural areas: At multiple locations: These elevated pathways allow access through sensitive ecosystems. "It's surrounded by oaks and history, and huge tomato farms. It's, to me, everything good about a summer getaway!!" explains Sara R. about Tuck in the Wood, which features "a lovely boardwalk running through it."
What you should know
Beach access timing: Tide-dependent at some locations: "Beautiful beach which you can bike from the north end to the south end at low tide. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip," advises Cathy C. about Hunting Island State Park Campground.
Site drainage concerns: During heavy rain: Some locations experience water accumulation issues. At Hunting Island State Park Campground, Kristen S. warns: "Uneven sites, horrible potholes and poor drainage throughout the park. We did have some torrential rain our first night, but the puddles didn't drain after 4 days."
Site size variations: Especially for larger RVs: "Like many state parks, the campground just wasn't built for 37' campers. It was super tight getting into our spots, but our neighbors were very helpful and the beautiful trees made for a cozy site," explains Molly F. about Hunting Island.
Seasonal insects: Particularly active in warmer months: "The no-see-ems were pretty thick in a tent site in early April, so bring bug spray if you want to sit outside during the day," warns Jeremiah N. from Tuck in the Wood Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple age-appropriate areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play spaces. "Edisto has a beach camping area and a wooded area. The option for RV or tent camping without all the excessive price," notes Karen G. about Edisto Beach State Park Campground.
Walking distance assessments: From campsites to beaches: Campers should check proximity to attractions. "We camped at Hunting Island over a long weekend and had a great time. We were in a 30 foot 5th wheel and stayed in site 95... The beach was just over the dunes. We couldn't see the beach or ocean from our site but it was just a short walk away," explains Brenda L.
Kid-friendly water features: Pools and splash areas: Several resorts offer dedicated water play spaces. "We took our 4 kids and they loved it. They were begging to be able to go back soon and we are going again in 2 weeks. They have a large pool with lazy river and a very nice playground," shares Ashley W. about Hilton Head National RV Resort.
Biking opportunities: Throughout many campgrounds: "Edisto has a beach camping area and a wooded area. The option for RV or tent camping without all the excessive price," mentions Karen G., who also notes the area is a "beach and biking haven."
Tips from RVers
Check-in timing considerations: Office hours vary: "Checked in at dark and was guided to our site by staff. Mostly level sites with easy access," notes Robert L. about Point South KOA.
Site selection for noise reduction: Choose interior spots: "We were in a 30 foot 5th wheel and stayed in site 95. In my opinion it was one of the best sites there. Nice size and lots of vegetation surrounding," advises Brenda L. about Hunting Island State Park.
Parking pad length requirements: Measure before booking: "We started to go and look at the available sites and noticed not all sites are the same size. This started to concern me that we may not be able to find a site for our 42ft camper," cautions Robert N. about Hilton Head Harbor.
Pet wash stations: Available at premium locations: For pet friendly camping near Port Royal, some facilities offer specialized pet care. "Most sites are woods views but one area has great water & golf course views. Oh, the golf course, stunning!! I'm sure I'm missing so many things but all I can say is I booked my next visit on the 1st day I was here," adds Amanda W. about Hilton Head National RV Resort, which features "a great, big dog park & an indoor, air conditioned dog spa with several really nice dog wash stationed with temp controlled water, not just cold."
