10 Best Campsites in South Carolina

Camping is one of the best pastimes ever intended. You move away from your house, the hustle and bustle in the city, and get to breathe clean, crisp, and beautiful air away far away from the high population of the city. Nonetheless, just because you like it rough does not mean you cannot enjoy accommodation in five-star hotels. South Carolina has state parks that are exclusively reserved for tent campers. 

The offers include sites that overlook lakes and creeks from low country to upcountry and they will not charge you a premium to get the view. Moreover, choose you can from the historic sites that have stunning views and campsites that have activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing. Here are some of the best camping sites in South Carolina.

1. Calhoun Falls State Park

Calhoun Falls State Park is covered by a forest of pine trees and sits next to the shores of Lake Russell. The park is one of the least-developed reservoirs in the state. Moreover, it provides access to big Savannah River Lake. Calhoun Falls has a tennis court, camping and picnicking sites, hiking, a playground, and a swimming area. 

You will get a picturesque view of the surrounding forests and the lake in Calhoun. Lake Russell has many species of fish and is a great place for fishing. You are allowed to bring your own kayak and go fishing. Alternatively, you can decide to just swim if it is a hot day. One of the most amazing things about the park is that it has more than four hundred parks to choose from.

For this reason, it becomes easy for you to choose the one you like most. If you want to visit the park with a large group there are many campsites that are ideal for a large party. These canvas tents can accommodate four to six people who can relax in the sheltered comfort that has bunk beds. That’s not all; Calhoun Falls State Park has flush toilets and a hot shower.

2. Andrew Jackson State Park

Andrew Jackson State Park combines art, history, and family-friendly activities. It is one state you should visit when you are in South Carolina. Tourists get the chance to go camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and walking. What’s more, you can tag your family along and get to enjoy a picnic. 

The Park has a museum that has artifacts from the Revolutionary War and that of the life of Andrew Jackson. Visitors enjoy paddling around the 18-acre lake while fishing and also observe the birds as they pass on the migratory route. The most famous place is the Garden of the Waxhaws Trail, a beautiful 1-mile-loop that goes around the Lake. 

However, the best way for you to enjoy the place is to have tent camping as there are more than 140 campsites with electricity for RV campers that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful natural area. Other than camping, Andrew Jackson State Park is famous for mountain biking opportunities as well as hiking. During the winter months, cross country skiing and snowmobiling are popular. There are those who love the place because of its privacy as it several miles away from any big city or town.

3. Campground at James Island County Park

You should go and explore Lowcountry and Charleston when you are in Campground at James Island County Park. The Park is 643 acres and it is privately owned. The park has several campsites that come complete with 24-hour seating, ceramic bathhouses, an activity center, laundry facilities, fire rings, picnic tables and much more.

Moreover, some of the campsites in the area are accessible by wheelchairs if you need one. Activities in the area include walking the open meadows, skating and biking, pedal boating, seasonal splash zone waterpark, playing in the playground area, kayaking, and fishing in the freshwater lakes. 

The campground is quiet and it prides itself on being family-friendly.  The park has fireplaces, bathrooms, and a hot shower. There is also a nice playground for kids and a well-kept boardwalk. If you own a boat and decide to bring it, there is a ramp that makes it easy to get into the water directly. 

4. Burrells Ford Campground

The Burrells Ford Campground is open to tourists throughout the year. The best thing about the campground is that visitation to the place is absolutely free. From where you park the car you will have to walk for half a mile to the Chattooga River before getting to the first campsite.

The gravel surface is ideal and makes it easy for visitors to hike if you are a beginner or a first-timer. One of the campsites known as Riverside has pit toilets, lantern posts, fire rings, and picnic tables. The foothills trail and creek falls are perfect for picture taking as you get to enjoy nature.

A few of the tent and RV sites have primitive sites and full-hook ups. The campground is spread over a large field, surrounded by a river and full of trees. Burrells Ford Campground is ideal if you are looking to have modern and simple camping. You are allowed to tag your kids and pets along. The swimming pool is large enough making the site an ideal spot for a family camping getaway.

5. Keowee Toxaway State Park

Once you are in Keowee not only are you in one of the most scenic places in South Carolina you will be in a primitive place with very few distractions. Additionally, views from the Blue Ridge Mountains are incomparable and you can only enjoy them from this State Park. 

The Park has fourteen Campsites and there an additional ten that have tent and RV camps. In most of the campsites, there are individual tent pads that have fire rings, restrooms facilities that come with hot showers, and a central water point. 

There is a three-bedroom cabin that overlooks Keowee Lake and is able to accommodate ten people. It is fully furnished, has linens, is temperature-controlled, has all the cooking utensils, satellite televisions, washer/dryer/ private boat dock/ two fireplaces/ and Wi-Fi. . There are also well-kept yurts that will be ideal for you and your entire family. 

6. Buck Hall Recreation Area

The Buck Hall Recreation Area is part of the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina. It is a premier location where you get to spend your day surrounded by natural beauty as you relax. The Recreational Area is located along the Intercoastal Waterway and it has several beaches, marshlands, and tidal creeks to explore.

Shrimp baiting and fishing are some of the popular activities with visitors to this area. There are many facilities and amenities including toilets and showers, a basketball court, picnic areas, a boat ramp, a basketball court, a horse pit, parking, event pavilions, a fishing pier, and campfire rings. 

The park operates on a first come first serve basis and it does not accept reservations. Additionally, if you are looking for some balance between nature and technology then Buck Hall Recreation Area is just the right thing. Having internet connectivity in this recreation area makes it family-friendly. If you have small kids they will appreciate the flexibility of a cottage or cabin. Beyond the cabins, there are spaces for RVs and traditional campers. Buck Hall has a wide range of trails that help one explore the beautiful landscape.

7. Hickory Knob State Resort Park

One of the largest parks in South Carolina the Hickory Knob State Resort Park covers an area of over 71,000 acres. It has a golf resort, stunning campsites, and a rolling wooded shoreline. Hickory is remote and serene and has many recreational opportunities such as a boat ramp, full-service restaurant, skeet shooting, 70 lodge-style rooms, an archery range, and 16 cabins with the capability of holding six people each.

Hickory Knob State Resort Park is found on the banks of Thurmond Reservoir and there are electrical hook-ups and individual running water. Additionally, there are several picnic tables and all cabins have restrooms and hot showers. 

Although many of the sites are public, there is no much cramming together like other parks in the state. The resort is the perfect place to start when you want to explore several towns in the area. You will definitely need over one week to visit and explore the entire Hickory to have the complete feel of the place.

8. Cherry Hill Campground

Cherry Hill Campground is open from the month of April to October. Once in this campground, you will get the opportunity to set up a campsite next to the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Some of the campsites in Cherry need reservation in advance whereas some do not.

Most of the campsites charge $ 10 for a one night stay and it will include amenities such as restrooms, bathhouse, showers, drinking water, garbage cans, fire rings, and picnic sites that are not far from the parking area. While you are in this area you will enjoy nature at its best, go fishing, horse riding, hiking, or even visit the Fishing Hatchery. 

You can also enjoy trailer and tent camping but you should make prior reservations. Souvenirs and supplies can be bought at the park in the store from spring through fall. The interesting thing about Cherry Hill Campground is that they will allow you to bring your own horse. Additionally, Cherry Hill has a lodge that offers cabins for rent and motel rooms. 

9. Edisto Beach State Park

Edisto is one of South Carolina’s oceanfront state parks and is full of beautiful camping locations. The area is full of Native American history. While you are here you will get an opportunity to bike or hike through the beautiful trails. Also, you may decide to head towards an environmental education center found in the park. 

The educational center is the best place to learn about the Island’s natural history. You will access Overnight accommodations that will include furnished cabins that you can rent. The place is full of options as there are 112 campsites. What’s more, all the campsites can accommodate RVs and tent camping. 

The best place to enjoy the area is beside the Saltmarsh or the Oceanfront. Amenities include restrooms and hot showers. Most of the sites allow two-night minimum rental that ranges from $ 30 to $ 60.

Moreover, there are many Islands for you to visit. Come with your kayak and navigate the waters with friends and family. Once you are done you can relax and cool off in the waters along the shores. Moreover, as you walk along the shores, you will get to see amazing views and enjoy nature. 

10. Croft State Park

Croft State Park sits on over 7,000 acres of land and is rich in history. The place was once an Army training base for the American army.  The park is large enough for picnicking, biking, boating, fishing, and tent camping.

The facility has a boat ramp that will allow you access to Lake Tom Moore Craig. Moreover, there are kayaks, canoes, and non-motorized fishing boats all of which you can rent during the day. The facility has 50 campsites for both tent and RV camping all of which have water and electricity. The entire place is convenient to restrooms that have hot showers. There are several shopping centers where you can pick necessities such as snacks, fishing gear, ice, and coal to keep you warm during winter.

What’s more, there are a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy including hiking, exploring, and biking. The park is the best for stargazing of all-stars and nature in South Carolina. The amenities at the sites include picnic tables, tent pads, picnic tables, and campfire grills. Be aware, there are no hookups on the sites. Each of the campsites is limited to a maximum of eight people, two vehicles, and three tents.

Conclusion

With so much camping fun waiting for you in South Carolina, what are you waiting for? The best thing about coming to this state for camping is that it will not drain your wallet. So, pick one of the amazing parks and go for it.

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