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Best Camping in South Carolina: Beaches, Mountains & More

2,366 Reviews

South Carolina's state parks and private campgrounds offer camping options ranging from oceanfront sites to mountain retreats, with choices spanning primitive tent sites to RV camping with full hookups. Campgrounds like Huntington Beach State Park and Edisto Beach State Park offer full-service camping with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations. Most locations accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several parks including cabin rental options for those seeking additional comfort. Many campgrounds are situated near water features, making them popular destinations for fishing and water activities.

Reservations are highly recommended at most South Carolina campgrounds, especially during the busy summer season when beachfront sites fill quickly. "This is a nice campground. For the most part quiet. Nice place to walk, tour, visit," notes one camper about Andrew Jackson State Park. The state's subtropical climate means hot, humid summers and mild winters, making camping viable year-round, though hurricane season (June through November) may affect coastal campgrounds. Most state parks maintain well-maintained roads accessible to standard vehicles, while some remote areas in national forests might require higher clearance. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage near urban areas and limited or no service in more remote locations.

Waterfront camping experiences receive consistently positive reviews from visitors across the state. Ocean Lakes Family Campground and Pirateland Family Camping Resort offer beach access that proves particularly popular with families. "Love all the daily activities and amenities. Bathhouse is always clean and staff is helpful," reports one visitor about Ocean Lakes. For those seeking more seclusion, dispersed camping options exist in areas like Sumter National Forest, where visitors appreciate the opportunity to disconnect. "No showers, no wi-fi or cell service, no dump station, no electricity, and a common water spigot—just what I wanted," shared one camper about Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the state's campgrounds, with deer frequently spotted at parks like Santee State Park.

Best Camping Sites in South Carolina (361)

    1. Myrtle Beach State Park Campground

    100 Reviews
    Myrtle Beach, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 238-5325

    $35 - $75 / night

    "The downside, no seniors or military discount unless you are a South Carolina resident."

    "We'd never been to South Carolina before and had no idea what to expect. We were thoroughly smitten with the coast and the city of Myrtle Beach, but we really loved camping in the state park."

    2. Huntington Beach State Park Campground

    75 Reviews
    Murrells Inlet, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 237-4440

    $95 / night

    "One of the cleanest campgrounds I’ve been to in South Carolina. And only a short walk from the beach"

    "Huntington Beach State Park South Carolina. Stayed a week. Great campground. Trails, easy access to the most amazing beach. The nicest washroom facilities and laundry."

    3. Edisto Beach State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Edisto Island, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 869-2756

    "It's South Carolina in the summer, so there are mosquitoes."

    "It is very private and secluded, but right around the corner from the beach."

    4. Hunting Island State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Edisto Island, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 838-2011

    "First South Carolina camp."

    "Campground Review: We cycled, kayaked, hiked and watched gorgeous sunrises over the Atlantic at this beautiful campground on the coast of South Carolina."

    5. Campground at James Island County Park

    61 Reviews
    Folly Beach, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 795-4386

    $43 - $269 / night

    "When making reservations at James Island County Park we had modest expectations, but we were going to tour Charleston most of the time, so we decided anything close to the city would be good enough."

    "The park does allow pets and has a dog park with a beach; it seems like the pups were having a marvelous time playing chase on the beach.This is a County Park with trails for walking or leisure biking."

    6. Table Rock State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "The cabins have all of the amenities that you need for a week of hiking, biking, and exploring the South Carolina mountains. It's close to Caesar's Head or Dupont Forest."

    "South Carolina SPs currently have a ban on bringing in firewood, forcing me to buy some at the camp store, leading to my only criticism: The wood was still very green and required significant work to get"

    7. Devils Fork State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Tamassee, SC
    Website
    +1 (864) 944-2639

    "The lake is amazing and it is called the Caribbean of South Carolina for a reason."

    "There are few places in the southeast that are as beautiful as the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee!"

    8. Ocean Lakes Family Campground

    53 Reviews
    Jamestown, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 238-5636

    "Playgrounds, summer concerts, dining etc is close by too. It buts up against Myrtle Beach Resort so our friends stayed there while we camped sometimes."

    "We just finished our stay at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC. We enjoyed it and will return."

    9. Pirateland Family Camping Resort

    53 Reviews
    Jamestown, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 238-5155

    "It is situated right next to the beach. There is an indoor pool and a big splash park on the grounds. There is a big shower house, laundry facility, and an arcade club house."

    "It Is All About Close Proximity To The Beach Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy - after the trailer is in the spot"

    10. Dreher Island State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Chapin, SC
    Website
    +1 (803) 364-4152

    "This campground is a popular spot in South Carolina. Campsites are pretty close together but it's usually peaceful - lakeside sites, good fishing, but be prepared for the mosquitos!"

    "I loved how Dreher Island State Park in South Carolina gave our family the best of both safety and fun, with shaded, roomy sites that included picnic tables, fire rings and well-kept bathhouses that made"

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Recent Reviews in South Carolina

2366 Reviews of 361 South Carolina Campgrounds

  • L
    May. 9, 2026

    Edisto Beach State Park Campground

    It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!

    This is our absolute favorite campsite of all time! It is very private and secluded, but right around the corner from the beach. It is for tents and small campers only, as we barely had enough room to get our pop up backed up in the site with the truck. The site slopes up, evens out, and then slopes right back down to the fire ring and picnic table. Our pop up is a 10-foot box and it was just enough room to get it on the level spot without sloping one way or the other. It was also just wide enough for our awning to be set out with a little room to walk around. Once situated, there is plenty of room at the picnic table and fire ring to sit around and park bikes, etc.

    There is plenty of shade and you can hear the waves crashing on the beach. The site also has water and electric hookups, but we try to bring our own water since you can still taste the salt. It is so relaxing! 

    This is on the Beach Campground and the only problem we noticed it is that the outdoor shower for washing off sand from the beach has low visibility because it is on the road side of the bathhouse and not the beach side. The result is people clogging up the showers with sand because they don't even see the outdoor shower in some cases.

    The park has some amazing nature trails to bike and hike as well as a nice educational nature center. 

    We always enjoy our stay here and will definitely continue to book here as long as we can.

  • Becky B.
    Apr. 30, 2026

    Bells Marina & Resort

    Loving the Gators

    It's been an amazing trip. Got to see a alligator for the first time in my life. It was awesome. The staff was awesome,had a great time enjoying the beauty of nature

  • T
    Apr. 20, 2026

    FamCamp Joint Base Charleston S.C

    Nice place a smidge confusing

    There are actually TWO bases here - the air base and the weapons station. We stayed at the air base but also visited the weapons station for some recreation. 

    Air base: close to downtown Charleston; great price for the amenities provided ($45 per night for full hookups - electric, water, and sewer); power/water pedestal was nice; shower and laundry facilities on site; all sites fairly level and mostly shady; playground, sand volleyball, golf, and indoor climbing wall within walking distance; beautiful trees, etc. All the normal base amenities, including bowling alley (check out galactic bowling if you have kids). 

    Staff was helpful. Camp host was… vigilant, but not super considerate with his leaf blowing pollen plumes around breakfasters. 

    Did not have pool. Fine. 

    DOES NOT HAVE FIRE RINGS. Or a grill. That was a disappointment. You can BRING a fire ring. But of course no open burning.

    Also, the sites are a smidge close together. But not overly so. Ask for a perimeter site and not a middle pull through if you're looking for a little extra green space between. (Not sure if they'll honor that or not.)

    The weapons station also has an RV park. (Forgot to look and see if they have fire rings.) If you are a trail runner or hiker or similar, this is the one you want to go to. There's an excellent trail system right off the RV park. The air base did not. They have plenty of sidewalks to run but no trails. However, if you're there to see Charleston, you want to stay at the air base. The weapons station is further away from downtown. 

    As other reviewers have said, these options are both on military bases and require an ID to access.

  • Graceanne S.
    Apr. 19, 2026

    Lynches River County Park

    Clean quiet and spacious

    I was impressed by the cleanliness and the amenities available at this campground. There’s a dog park, splash pad and climbing wall(hours depend on the time of year) There are also walking trails and a way to access the water.

    Lots of room at the site so even if it was busy, still wouldn’t be too close to neighbors!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2026

    Remleys Point Public Boat Launch

    NOT an overnight camping spot

    Clear signage indicating NO overnight parking allowed. Good spot for free day parking.

  • Kevin Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2026

    Oconee State Park Campground

    Oconee State Park weekend

    This was our first time here. Overall not a bad state park cg but it could have been nicer. There was a lot of erosion which affected the roads(gravel)around the CG. Out site was gravel and not completely level but manageable. The restrooms on our loop were very clean and well kept. The showers lack hooks or a shelf to put your stuff on so that was a drag. The staff was very pleasant and helpful and the overall vibe was peaceful once quiet time arrived. Again, not a bad CG, I would visit it again.

Guide to South Carolina

Camping in South Carolina offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, fun activities, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in this charming state.

What to do

  • Explore the lakes: Many campgrounds, like Dreher Island State Park Campground, are right by the water. Campers love the chance to kayak and fish. One reviewer said, “We spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, and kayaking.”
  • Hiking and biking: Trails are abundant, especially at places like Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park. A visitor noted, “There are a couple of hiking trails and a short nature trail, both accessible from the Islanders Camp Circle.”
  • Wildlife watching: Campers often spot various birds and other wildlife. One camper at Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park mentioned, “Great day adventure... the nature facility provides knowledge of the area and the wildlife.”

What campers like

  • Scenic views: Campgrounds like Lake Wateree State Park Campground offer stunning waterfront sites. A happy camper shared, “Site #1 on the lake. Level paved driveway lots of shade. Great campground.”
  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Poinsett State Park Campground said, “The toilets were CLEAN! And I mean we were there for 24 hours and the bathroom was cleaned at least twice.”
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention helpful rangers and hosts. A visitor at Colleton State Park Campground noted, “The rangers are very helpful and the camp host was terrific.”

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Brick House Campground, have basic facilities. A camper mentioned, “There is no running water. The closest water is 5 or 6 miles in either direction, so pack plenty.”
  • Seasonal crowds: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. One camper at Santee Lakes KOA said, “Very crowded and was a one-night stop for many RVs!!”
  • Weather considerations: Be prepared for sudden weather changes. A camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground shared, “There was a big storm for about an hour after we set up camp, but the site drained well.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like playgrounds. One reviewer at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground mentioned, “Has a splash pad and kayak rentals.”
  • Plan activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. A camper at Cypress View Campground noted, “The campground has hiking/biking trails. Lake views from our site.”
  • Pack snacks: Having food on hand can make family camping easier. One camper at Lake Wateree State Park Campground said, “Not much near the site for supplies so bring your supplies if possible.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A visitor at Andrew Jackson State Park Campground mentioned, “Sites are paved, but don’t expect completely level.”
  • Look for full hookups: Campgrounds like Colleton State Park Campground offer full hookups, which many RVers appreciate. A camper said, “Every site is full hookup.”
  • Be mindful of road conditions: Some campgrounds have rough roads. A reviewer at Poinsett State Park Campground noted, “Roads were really heavy with potholes, so not the friendliest for RVs.”

Camping in South Carolina is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best state parks for camping in South Carolina?

Edisto Beach State Park Campground offers two excellent camping sections - an oceanside area with refreshing breezes and a marsh side that's a short bike ride from the beach. Huntington Beach State Park Campground is renowned for its cleanliness, exceptional washroom facilities, and easy access to pristine beaches. Other top state parks include Sesquicentennial State Park, which offers trailer sites, tent sites, and primitive camping within Columbia's metro area, and Lake Hartwell State Park, conveniently located just off I-85. Most state parks feature well-maintained facilities, but it's advisable to prepare for mosquitoes, especially during summer months. For the best experience, book waterfront sites well in advance.

What are the most popular camping areas in South Carolina?

South Carolina's coastal region draws many campers to Hunting Island State Park Campground, where you can pitch a tent just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. The Francis Marion National Forest area, specifically Buck Hall Recreation Area, is popular for its gorgeous intercoastal waterway access about 40 minutes from Charleston. Lake camping enthusiasts flock to Dreher Island State Park for its peaceful lakeside sites and fishing opportunities. For those traveling along I-95, campgrounds near Florence provide convenient overnight stops. Many popular areas fill up quickly during peak season (March-October), so reservations are highly recommended, especially for waterfront sites.

Are there private campgrounds in South Carolina?

Yes, South Carolina offers numerous private campgrounds. Mr. Levy's Riceland Farm provides a peaceful farm setting with fishing opportunities and proximity to Georgetown. For a unique experience, Pedro's Campground at South of the Border offers RV sites alongside roadside attractions just south of the North Carolina border. The Myrtle Beach area features several private options including Ocean Lakes Family Campground and Pirateland Family Camping Resort, both offering comprehensive amenities and beach access. Private campgrounds typically provide more amenities than public sites, including full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and sometimes pools or entertainment facilities. Rates vary widely based on location, season, and amenities, with coastal and tourist areas commanding premium prices.

Keep Exploring

  4. View all South Carolina cities for camping