Camping near Ridgeville, South Carolina offers access to diverse landscapes including riverside sites along the Edisto River and forested areas draped with Spanish moss. The region typically maintains mild temperatures in spring and fall, ranging from 60-80°F during these peak camping seasons. Summer brings higher humidity with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winter temperatures can drop to the 40s at night.
What to do
Kayaking the Edisto River: Launch from Givhans Ferry State Park where the current helps paddlers navigate downstream. "We rented kayaks and had a great time," notes Jamie W., who recommends planning for transportation back to your starting point since "the currents wIll not let you back up the river."
Geocaching adventures: Several parks in the area maintain geocaching sites for treasure hunters. "There is an easy trail and Geocaching," mentions Tracy F. about Givhans Ferry State Park, making it suitable for beginners and experienced geocachers alike.
Disc golf courses: Oak Plantation Campground offers convenient access to nearby disc golf facilities. The campground's location makes it "very close to Charleston" with "great price" according to G.H., providing an affordable base for accessing multiple disc golf courses within a 30-minute drive.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and river access points provide fishing spots throughout the area. At Jolly Acres RV Park, Jack M. notes it "does have a fishing pond and the guest are welcome to use it," though some visitors report murky water conditions depending on recent rainfall.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Colleton State Park Campground receives praise for its natural setting. "Great bathhouses. Very clean! The rangers are SUPER nice! Very helpful!" reports Cheryl H., who appreciates the park's well-maintained facilities and staff.
Riverside camping access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. "Small but nice park on the river," Amy B. says about Givhans Ferry State Park, highlighting how the waterfront location enhances the camping experience.
Clean, updated facilities: James Island County Park maintains consistently clean bathhouses and common areas. "Wonderful park with plenty of amenities!" reports Nick & Allyssa S., who appreciated the bike rentals and outdoor adventure areas even during off-season visits when the water park was closed.
Family-friendly playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds feature well-maintained playground equipment. At Colleton State Park, "paved roadway makes for easy todler biking," according to Michael R., who notes the benefit for families with young children.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Several campgrounds sit close to major roads, affecting the quiet factor. At Colleton State Park, Michael R. warns the park "is right next to the highway it is off of, which makes car noise very loud," suggesting noise-sensitive campers request sites furthest from roadways.
Cell service variability: Coverage differs significantly between locations. At Tiny Town RV Campground, Lea reports "Our Verizon phones worked fine with 4G, two bars," while at Givhans Ferry, John W. notes "The only issue is no cell service at least for us and we use att and Google fi."
Flooding concerns: Low-lying areas experience drainage issues after rainfall. "If it rains many of the sites flood but drain out fairly quick," explains Michael R. about Colleton State Park, suggesting campers check weather forecasts and select elevated sites when possible.
Ant activity: Multiple campgrounds report ant issues. "Beware of ant piles," warns Taylor D. about Oak Plantation, while Ashley S. at Charleston KOA received advice to "spray for small ants anywhere that the RV touches the ground so the ants won't crawl up and get in our RV."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas but not immediately adjacent. At Charleston KOA, one camper stayed at "a deluxe site (C15) with a fire pit, swing, outdoor seating, etc right on the end of a row. This appeared ideal until we saw all the foot traffic that came by."
Water features for kids: Multiple parks offer splash zones or water access. At James Island County Park, Greg S. highlights the "awesome trails, huge playground, water park, fishing, rock climbing walls," noting the park earns "4.7 stars" for families.
Nature exploration opportunities: Look for parks with accessible trails for young explorers. "The tent camping area is awesome and has a great layout," notes Creighton C. about Givhans Ferry State Park, adding there are "several large fields to let the kids run wild."
Wildlife viewing spots: Several parks offer opportunities to observe local species. Roman C. recommends Colleton State Park where the "trail leading off the campgrounds through the woods is very fun, saw a corn snake and found a geocache."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Lake Aire RV Park offers a mix of level and uneven sites. "Back-in spot was a little tight, but fairly level," reports Lawrence Robert T., who found the campground "better than the pictures" despite initial low expectations.
Tight entry clearance: Several campgrounds have narrow access points requiring careful navigation. At Oak Plantation, Caroline S. notes "if you are coming from US 17 eastbound, you will need to make a left-hand turn into the driveway through heavy traffic congestion."
Full hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer complete utility connections. At Tiny Town RV Campground, Lea notes "All the sites have 20, 30 and 50 amp power, and a water hook up. The plumbing at each site is housed in whiskey barrels which we thought was a clever idea."
Size limitations: Check maximum RV length before booking. At Jolly Acres RV Park, Alesha H. confirms "Our 35 ft rv fit perfect in the spot," but notes "They are dirt/sand sites," important information for RVers concerned about stabilization.
