Santee Coastal Reserve, near McClellanville, South Carolina, is a fantastic spot for those who crave a peaceful escape into nature. This campground offers primitive camping with spacious sites that are perfect for tents and RVs, allowing you to soak in the beauty of the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.

Visitors rave about the tranquility of the area, with many noting the stunning oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The trails here are a highlight, providing easy walks through marshlands where you can spot alligators and a variety of birds. One camper shared, “I explored 3 of the trails today... a great campsite for folks wanting to bird watch or get back to nature.”

While the campground is free and doesn’t require permits, it’s essential to come prepared. Campers frequently mention the need for bug spray due to the local mosquito population, especially during warmer months. As one reviewer humorously advised, “Make sure to take your deterrent so they don’t carry you off or take all your blood.”

If you’re looking to venture beyond the campground, the nearby town of McClellanville offers charming local eateries and a taste of southern hospitality. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Santee Coastal Reserve provides a serene backdrop for outdoor adventures and relaxation.

**All camping is primitive. Please plan accordingly.**

Area closed to visitors during scheduled hunts. The area is open for other allowable activities during daylight hours.

The Cape Trail is closed annually from November 1st through February 8th due to hunting related activities.

Santee Coastal Reserve

McClellanville, SC is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that South Carolina camping has to offer. Get the dirt on all the best camping near McClellanville. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

McClellanville

The Best Camping Near McClellanville, South Carolina

Santee Coastal Reserve is a hidden gem near the South Carolina coast offering eight, first come, first served primitive campsites in the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area.

  

The campsites are spacious and can easily accommodate multiple tents and/or RV's. This is primitive camping so there are no water or electrical hook-ups. We drove the short distance to the Elmwood Recreation Area to fill our water jugs. They do not sell firewood at the campground and we didn't see any for sale by local residents on our way in. Fortunately, we were able to gather a lot of downed wood around our campsite since it wasn't until the end of our stay that we found out that firewood, groceries, fishing, and other supplies were available at the Seewee Outpost, about 26 miles south of the reserve on highway 17.

  

Out of the eight sites, only about 4 or 5 were occupied at any given time and everyone was fairly quiet. Except for one camper who ran his RV generator for hours morning and night. Fortunately, they only stayed one night.

  

There are several hiking trails around the reserve where you can see various birds and spot alligators bathing in the sun. The only wildlife that we weren't happy to see were the gnats and mosquitos, which we weren't respecting so early in the season.

  

Overall, this is a beautiful campground and e look forward to visiting again.

Beautiful Spot for Primitive Camping and Wildlife Viewing

Set up my pop up in #4. Large, beautiful private sites. Gorgeous trails within walking distance. Great opportunity to see wildlife. Lots of mosquitoes, but not miserably so. Short drive to the beach.

Beautiful Primitive Campground

Gorgeous camp, great trails, easy to drive into, quiet even with a few other campers. Just gorgeous, but be prepared with lots of bug spray really only downside.

Awesome but bring bug spray

Really really loved this campsite. I just wish the mosquitoes were less relentless. I can only imagine how bad they can be during the summer. Make sure to bring the entire arsenal of big deterrent when coming here, or pay the price! I’m talking bug spray, area repellent, long sleeves, bug netting for you face, and magical protection from your local witch.

Other than those buggers, this campsite was really lovely. I really enjoyed camping under the love oaks and watching the stars at night. There were also some nice trails nearby (note: the mosquitoes are horrendous on these trails and it is a little easy to get lost). It is very safe here with little traffic. I left my teardrop here one day while I made a day trip to Charleston and it was A okay.

Great, But Man those Mosquitoes 

This is right in a hunting area; which didn’t bother us. They had it set up very well and safe!
Absolutely gorgeous and quite.
We brought our fur son and had evening fires and really enjoyed it!
McCellanville is a small southern town around the corner and they also have restaurants and whatnot.
This camp ground also had a boat landing on the inter coastal waterway.

Amazing place for primitive camping/RVing.

Spent 4 days in early January,23. Only 2-3 f the 8 sites were occupied. Extremely quiet except a few gunshots at dawn. Useable Verizon &amp; T-Mobile. It’s down a couple miles of gravel road in really good condition. 


Very Quiet

What a great place, so quiet and pretty. All the oak trees covered in Spanish moss. Shame you can only stay 4 days. No bugs at this time of year. Some great hiking trails which all seem to be flat and easy going.

Beautiful location and quiet

Great free camping. I explored 3 of the trails today. The Marshland trail short 1.6 mile hike through some pleasant marshland and Cypress trees and bogs. It then opens up to the water are where there is an abundance of wildlife. I saw 3 alligators sunning. The Eldorado trail with the remains of the old plantation. All the trails are easy walking with flat terrain.
A great campsite for folks wanting to bird watch or get back to nature

Additional review for Santee Coastal Reserve

This is a quiet nice campground to get away from it all. If you love nature this is a wonderful place. 
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. 

Quiet 

Area is quiet and pretty but you literally cannot step out of your van/car/camper/tent without getting eaten alive by the biggest mosquitoes I’ve ever seen! I opened my van door twice for about 5 seconds both times and over 100 mosquitoes had to have gotten in! I was up all night killing mosquitoes in my van. Will never go back

Photos of Santee Coastal Reserve

Real photos from real campers