The Ultimate Guide to Camping in South Carolina

From beautiful coastal areas to the stunning scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are plenty of campgrounds in South Carolina. There are also many things to do for enjoyment and activities to feed both your hobbies and interests. In this Ultimate Guide to Camping in South Carolina, we take you through the best and most popular places to spend your Summer vacation, time off from work, or just a quick weekend getaway. 

1. Buck Hall Recreation Area, McClellanville, SC

As part of the Francis Marion National Forest, the Buck Hall Reception Area offers a prime location for those who wish to spend the day surrounded by mother nature. The Buck Hall Recreation Area is found right by the Intercoastal Waterway, where you can explore various beaches, tidal creeks, and marshlands. 

Parking fees apply here, which is $5.00 per vehicle, along with camping fees between $15 to $20 depending on whether you choose tent or RV camping. You’ll also find various amenities which include a boat ramp, picnic tables and shelters, hiking and biking trails, and drinking stations. Some of the most popular activities in the area include:

• Shrimp baiting 
• Fishing 
• Boating 
• Basketball 
• Camping   
• Hiking 
• Biking
• Walking
• Picnic

2. Burrells Ford Campground, Mountain Rest, SC

The Burrells Ford Campground is open throughout the year, so visitors are welcome to have fun and explore the area for free. Be sure to come prepared for the quarter-mile hike from the parking area, which will take you through the stunning Chattooga River. While some of the sites run along the river, others are scattered around the woods. 

The gravel around these campgrounds is well maintained, making it easy to hike, and it’s a good choice for first-time campers. There are various facilities here, which include fire rings, picnic tables, pit toilets, and lantern posts. Be sure to take some time to walk through the stunning Foothills Trail or King Creek Falls Trail. Things to do Near Burrells Ford Campground include: 

• Hiking
• Fishing 
• Waterfalls: King Creek Falls and Spoonauger Falls

3. Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SC

These campgrounds combine art, history, and family-friendly activities to provide visitors with one of the most popular destinations to spend their day. The lake located in these grounds also serves as a home to various wildlife and migratory birds, where you can also try your luck in fishing. Special park events also take place here, such as the Lantern Tour and the occasional birthday party.

There are many places of interest here, including a museum full of antiques from the Revolutionary War, an 18-acre lake to paddle around, and the Garden of the Waxhaws Trail. Another popular place for visitors to see is the Andrew Jackson Museum, where you can learn about the life of the seventh President of the United States. Moreover, people who come here often come for the various activities offered, such as: 

• Hiking 
• Walking 
• Fishing 
• Boating 
• Camping 
• Fishing 
• Picnic 
• Birdwatching 

4. Campground at James Island County Park, Charleston, SC

Inside this 643-acre private sanctuary, you can explore the Lowcountry and Historic Charleston in all its glory. Offering the best amenities around, sites here come complete with free Wi-Fi, ceramic bathhouses, 24-hour seating, an activity center, and a full-service campground store. The Campground at James Island County Park offers great facilities such as picnic tables, laundry, fire rings, and even wheelchair-accessible sites for those who need it. Activities that you can enjoy here include:

• Walking 
• Biking 
• Skating
• Fishing 
• Kayaking 
• Pedal boating
• Hiking 
• Playgrounds 
• Splash Zone Waterpark

5. Calhoun Falls State Park, Calhoun Falls, SC

As one of the most sought-after parks in the state, Calhoun Falls State Park is surrounded by immense natural beauty and is full of various amenities. With 86 standard campsites, you will be treated to many walk-in tents and spacious RV sites, along with shoreline views of Lake Russell. Furthermore, the Cedar Bluff Nature Trail offers a 1.75-mile loop that takes visitors through the park. 

There’s also a day-use area for you to enjoy a picnic, or you can head over to the tackle shop where you can check out fishing equipment or ask about their tackle loaner program. Many people also enjoy traveling through the 10-mile equestrian trail found here. Activities in this South Carolina camping ground include: 

• Picnics 
• Swimming 
• Basketball 
• Tennis
• Fishing 
• Boating 
• Birdwatching 
• Hiking
• Walking 

6. Cheraw State Park, Cheraw, SC

For the best camping in South Carolina, be sure to visit the Cheraw State Park, where you’ll find 17 gravel-packed campsites placed right on the shores of Lake Juniper. Each site comes with thoughtful amenities, such as individual electrical and water hookups, restrooms, hot showers, and lakefront views. Furthermore, the Sandhills and Longleaf ecosystem provides visitors with plenty of things to see, which is made accessible through the boardwalk trails. 

You’ll also find the Cheraw State Park golf course here, which has been declared by Golf Digest as one of the “Best Places to Play.” Lastly, be sure to bring binoculars along with you to get a better look at the beautiful red-cockaded woodpecker. While reservations at Cheraw State Park need to be made for at least two nights, there are plenty of activities to enjoy here, such as: 

• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Boating
• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Biking
• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Pedal boating

7. Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC

This 7,000-acre land offers a rich history, as it used to be an army training base. Croft State Park offers 50 campsites that are open to both tent or RV camping, which provide water and electric hookups. There are various amenities included here such as hot showers, restrooms, as well as a park store for all your needs. 

During your stay here, be sure to visit the Advance America Bridge, located on the Palmetto Trail, or explore the entirety of Croft State Park, which offers over 45 miles of trails. Visitors may also ride through more than 20 miles of the available mountain trails in this park. Apart from the site itself providing activities, boat ramps provide access to Lake Tom Moore Craig for more things to do, including: 

• Boating 
• Canoeing 
• Kayaking 
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Camping
• Biking
• Picnicking

8. Cherry Hill Campground, Walhalla, SC

Hailed as one of the best forest campgrounds located in the Southern Appalachians, the Cherry Hill Campground provides a quiet retreat beneath the pine trees and hardwood forests. Close by are a few trails for a great hiking experience, which include Big Bend Falls, Winding Staircase, and Foothills Trail. This campsite is open between April and October, which gives campers the opportunity to pitch their tents right next to the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. 

In addition, there are plenty of sites here, which costs $10 a night where 17 of the 29 sites can be reserved for an extra $9, while the rest are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Once paid, you’ll get access to amenities that include showers, restrooms, a bathhouse, a dump station, drinking water, garbage cans, fire rings, and more. Apart from driving through scenic routes, various activities can be enjoyed include: 

• Hiking
• Walking 
• Fishing
• Fishing hatchery

9. Devil’s Fork State Park, Salem, SC

Surrounding the gorgeous, 9,000-acre Lake Jocassee, along with many waterfalls and mountain streams inside it, the Devil’s Fork State Park has plenty of scenic landscapes to offer. Two of the campgrounds are conveniently located near the park’s shores, where there are hot showers and restrooms nearby, while the main campgrounds are located lakeside where there are water and electric hookups. Visitors can spend their time enjoying the various activities offered here:

• Hiking through the Bear Cove Trail or Oconee Bell Trail
• Driving up to the Jumping Off Rock to enjoy views of the Jocassee Gorges
• Fishing for the best trout in the whole state from Lake Jocassee

10. Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island, SC

Edisto Beach State Park is one of the premier oceanfront state parks in South Carolina and provides visitors with a gorgeous camping location that’s also rich in Native American history. Here, you can head over to the environmental education center located inside the park to know more about this island’s natural history. There’s a two-night minimum stay requirement, which ranges from $21 to $55 per night, but it’s worth it since you can take part in activities such as: 

• Tour the Environmental Learning Center which features live-animal exhibits, interactive displays, and more.
• Walk along the palmetto-lined beach that stretches for 1.5-miles and is famed for its historic fossils and sunrises.
• Enjoy the best views on the island over Big Bay Creek, or cast a line from the fishing pier. 
• View some of the state’s tallest palmetto trees along with live oaks throughout its immaculate marshlands. 

11. Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC

As one of the most recognizable landmarks in South Carolina, Huntington Beach State Park has some of the most scenic camping sites available. Some of the amenities included here are restrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi access, along with sewer, water, or electrical hookups. Here, visitors are able to enjoy a walk along the causeway where you’ll find various wildlife such as alligators and birds, who call the marshes their home. 

Furthermore, campers can visit the Atalaya Castle, a National Historic Landmark for a docent-led tour, or a self-guided audio tour where you can learn about Anna Hyatt Huntington, a renowned 20th-century sculptor. Along with a naturalist, you can also take part in a Coastal Exploration Program to find out more about the wildlife here. Lastly, visitors will find plenty of other things to do here, including: 

• Saltwater and freshwater fishing 
• Swimming 
• Boating 
• Geocaching 
• Birdwatching 
• Picnicking 

12. Hickory Knob State Resort Park, McCormick, SC

Hickory Knob State Resort Park is a fantastic, 71,000-acre campsite that offers some of the best camping in South Carolina, where you’ll find a golf resort complete with a wooded, rolling shoreline. This great campground lies right next to the Strom Thurmond Reservoir and offers many amenities for your comfort. This remote and serene shoreline provides visitors with various recreational opportunities such as: 

• Boat ramps
• A full-service restaurant 
• Skeet shooting 
• 70 lodge-style rooms
• An archery range
• 16 cabins

13. Lake Aire Campground, Hollywood, SC

The Lake Aire RV Park and Campground sit just 15 minutes away from downtown Charleston, providing 35 acres of camping grounds. Full of high-quality amenities, visitors will be able to enjoy the park itself while also being close to many attractions nearby such as the Magnolia Plantation, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Charleston Aquarium, and more. If you’re looking for other things to do, you can enjoy activities such as: 

• Swimming
• Birdwatching 
• Fishing 
• Relaxation by the lake 
• Picnics

14. Keowee Toxaway State Park, Sunset, SC

Here, you won’t just be in one of the state’s most stunning places, but you’ll also get views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you won’t get anywhere else. Keowee Toxaway State Park offers 14 sites for tents and another 10 sites for RVs. Inside this stunning campground, you’ll find a three-bedroom cabin overlooking Lake Keowee that can accommodate around 10 guests. 

It provides the best of South Carolina camping with a cabin that’s temperature-controlled, fully furnished, and comes with cooking and kitchen utensils, linens, Wi-Fi, satellite TVs, a private boat dock, and two fireplaces. Here are just a few things that you can enjoy during your stay in this park: 

• Canoeing 
• Kayaking
• Hiking 
• Wildflower photography
• Looking over the Jocassee Gorges

15. Lake Wateree State Park, Winnsboro, SC

Lake Wateree State Park is your answer for a fun and memorable way to spend your time while visiting South Carolina. Many of the camping sites here offer electric and water hookups which can accommodate both RVs and tents. Furthermore, there are plenty of amenities here, including ice cream shops (available in summer), picnic areas, a boat ramp, wooded nature trails, a refueling dock, and a tackle shop. Some of the most popular activities here are: 

• Playing inside the playground
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Biking

16. Lake Greenwood State Park, Ninety Six, SC

Known as the site of South Carolina’s Festival of Flowers Triathlon held each June, this park has all the makings of being the ultimate camping site in the state. Moreover, Lake Greenwood State Park provides campers with year-round opportunities for the best fishing experiences. With 125 paved campsites close to the shoreline, both RVs and tents are welcome here, with each providing a picnic table and electrical service. For just $24 per night, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of activities such as: 

• Fishing 
• Swimming 
• Geocaching 
• Birdwatching 
• Playing by the playground 
• Boating 
• Hiking 
• Walking 

17. Little Pee Dee State Park, Dillon, SC

Little Pee Dee State Park offers campers 50 campsites available for both RVs and tents and is known as one of the most relaxing and calmest camping sites in the state. Located by the edge of Lake Norton, which stretches 54-acres, this campground is perfect for bass or catfish fishing. There are convenient restroom and hot shower facilities here, along with electric and water hookups for all your needs. Renting a site can cost between $9 and $20, while reservations need to be made for at least two nights, while popular activities here include: 

• Fishing 
• Canoeing 
• Kayaking
• Exploring the sand rim 
• Hiking 
• Walking 

18. Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach, SC

This gorgeous campsite sits right beside the oceanfront maritime forest and is full of lush greenery. Campers at Myrtle Beach State Park will love the serene atmosphere it offers, along with a wide range of activities, beachside swimming, and ocean views. There are 204 campsites here, many of which have hookups for sewage, water, and electricity. Additionally, there are six beachside cabins available for rent here as well. Amenities such as picnic grounds, playgrounds, pier gift shop, and fishing rod rentals are made available for various activities such as: 

• Fishing
• Crabbing
• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Biking
• Geocaching

19. Springfield Campground, Anderson, SC

Springfield Campground is located on the shores of Hartwell Lake in South Carolina and is one of the most popular campgrounds and recreational areas in the state. The lake has a shoreline around 962 miles long, allowing it to reach into both Georgia and South Carolina. Moreover, visitors are invited to camp inside the forested lakeshore, which is surrounded by pine trees. 

When camping here, be sure to look out for the various birds that call this campsite their home, such as peregrine falcons, waterfowl, and bald eagles, while you’ll also see fish such as catfish and largemouth bass. Some of the most enjoyable activities that campers love to do here are:

• Canoeing
• Motorboating
• Sailing
• Swimming

20. Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Myrtle Beach, SC

The Ocean Lakes Family Campground is located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Built back in the 1970s, it started off with just 30 campsites and a single bathhouse. Today, it’s known as one of the biggest camping sites in the country with more than 859 sites and is managed by an award-winning team. 

Because of this, the Ocean Lakes Family Campground has become a popular resort that will entertain the whole family. Whether you wish to use a beach house, campsite, or an RV park, these grounds have it all — many of which have a fantastic oceanfront location. There’s a never-ending list of activities and amenities that you can enjoy here, such as: 

• Beach swimming
• Workout stations
• Outdoor game sites
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Shuffleboard
• Biking
• Mini golf
• Tube slide
• Lazy river
• And more

21. Oconee State Park, Mountain Rest, SC

Oconee State Park located in Mountain Rest, SC, provides visitors with all the perks that come with a relaxing mountain getaway, making it the perfect destination for a family vacation. This campground comes with 139 standard campsites complete with electrical and water service, there are also 19 historical cabins available, as well as 15 rustic tent sites. There are also plenty of unique activities here in this park, along with great amenities, including: 

• Camping
• Hiking
• Boating
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Mini-golf
• Picnic
• Square dancing (during summer months)

22. Table Rock State Park, Pickens, SC

Table Rock Mountain watches over Table Rock State Park, making up part of its majestic background, and is one of the most beautiful and scenic campgrounds in the state. Inside, you’ll find 94 campsites, each with a picnic table along with water and electrical hookups. Easy access to amenities allows for convenience when wanting to shower or use the restroom, while those in RVs may also use the site, provided that they are under 40 feet long. 

Campers will be able to visit both Lake Oolenoy and Pinnacle Lake while they camp here, and a boat ramp is provided for those who love fishing. Here are just a few things that you can enjoy at Table Rock State Park: 

• Fishing 
• Boating 
• Kayaking 
• Canoeing 

23. Twin Lakes, Pendleton, SC

Twin Lakes is located at Hartwell Lake and is known as one of the state’s most popular and biggest recreational areas. It offers a spacious campground by the water that provides campers with the opportunity to appreciate nature and enjoy all it has to offer. You’ll find 102 campsites here, with 89 right up to the water which offers enchanting woods and panoramic views of the lake. 

There are also many facilities here, such as playgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, boat ramps, and more. Apart from these, there are amenities that offer a comfortable camping experience for everyone like flush toilets, drinking water, showers, as well as water and electric hookups. You’ll also have fun with activities such as:

• Swimming
• Picnics
• Boating 
• Hiking 
• Biking 
• Walking 

24. Yemassee KOA Journey, Yemassee, SC

Yemassee KOA Journey offers a wonderful respite for both RVs and tents, which is open all year round. This award-winning campsite is the top choice whether you’re looking for a one-night getaway or for the whole holiday season. These campgrounds offer a deluxe cabin, which provides a luxurious glamping experience where you’ll find a full bath, kitchenette, linens, digital cable, and Wi-Fi. Here are just a few activities you can enjoy at Yemassee KOA Journey:

• Walking
• Hiking
• Gem mining 
• Swimming 
• And more! 

With so many options to choose from, campgrounds in South Carolina offer some of the best places to relax and unwind from stressful and busy weeks. Whether you need to stay somewhere low key, or if you need to stay connected online, the various sites listed here are well equipped with both the essentials and more luxurious amenities to provide the level of comfort you’re after. No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll know that each of the picks above offers the best that South Carolina camping has to offer.