Charleston Area Camping - When I was a kid, camping meant bugs, a leaky tent, and the dreaded hole in the ground with a porta-potti over it along with pesky animals that foraged for food in my Doritos bag at night. Now, camping is a practice in balance between living amidst the beauty of nature while enjoying all the comforts of home…or as many of the comforts of home you desire; but rest assured those comforts are available should you reach your limits communing with nature.
Traditional camping of course involves a tent, which in my day meant hours of fitting together aluminum pipes upon which to drape the heavy, not so waterproof canvas material, only to curse in frustration as the two person tent first sagged, then collapsed upon entry. Now, tents are palatial by comparison; fully waterproof, equipped with screened windows, attached spikes to secure the lightweight, space-aged material to the ground. And somehow, someone figured out how to have all those pesky pipes magically assemble and lock themselves with the flick of the wrist. Presto! Instant tent. Now where's the fun in that? I suppose that half a day formerly utilized for tent construction could be spent buying supplies at the on site trading post, taking a swim, collecting wood for the campfire or perhaps showering to prepare for one of the planned social events like the monthly Moonlight Mixer at the Edwin S. Taylor fishing pier and boardwalk.
Of course there are areas in many of the parks that are reserved for RV campers with gravel foundations, water hookups and 20/30/50amp electric. The RV area of each park provides a community atmosphere for participants without sacrificing the privacy many campers seek. One may choose to gather under the awning of the family camper for a meal or to enjoy an evening fire or one may join the other campers around the community fire ring to swap stories of raise a glass while gazing into the hypnotic flames. (For amenities offered by each campground and locations of parks.
The ultimate in camping enjoyment for some people is having all the comforts while still taking pleasure from all the beauty of nature. James Island County Park offer all the bells and whistles for camping across the board from primitive campsites for the Grizzly Adams types to the fully furnished, three-bedroom cottage overlooking the Stono River with a bathroom and full kitchen as well as satellite television and wireless Internet. These cottages sleep up to eight people, have a porch to observe the views of open meadows and the river. Naturally, access to all the park amenities is available to cottage dwellers: paved trails for walking, biking and skating, spray and play fountain for the little ones, a picnic center as well as boat and bike rentals. Visit the website at Charleston County Park and Recreation for more information on James Island County Park and other available parks for camping, RV camping and recreational cottages for the Charleston area or to call individual campgrounds:
Campgrounds at James Island County Park
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
871 Riverland Drive, James Island, SC 29412
(843) 795-9884
Charleston Kampgrounds of America
9494 Hwy 78
Ladson, SC
(843) 797-1045
Cabins, Camping, and Other Facilities
Fain's RV Park
I-26 Exit 211A
6309 Fain Blvd., Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 744-1005
Fain's RV Park is a very well prized campground by the people from Charleston Afb. All the water falling down from the sky makes Fain's RV Park a wet place; July is the month that gets the most rain, and the driest of the months is November. Get your sleeping bag packed and get your motor running; Fain's RV Park, South Carolina is a great place for getting out.
The pleasant variety of local attractions and the close by outdoors recreation are guaranteed to keep you coming back many times. Givhans Ferry State Park is a perfect location to go to; Fort Moultrie National Monument is a nice national park. Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club is a good golf course close by; Devils Fork State Park is a magnificent place. The caring personnel and a perfect variety of exciting things beat anything. South Carolina is a great outdoors state. This is such a brilliant campground.
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KOA of Mt. Pleasant
3157 N. Hwy 17, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-5177
There's no mistaking you're in the Carolina Low Country when you camp at this KOA. It's on the grounds of a real antebellum plantation! Relax along the peaceful, private lake, then hop on the free weekend hayride tour of the 377-acre, privately owned Oakland Plantation. Come see this KOA and explore the area's other famous plantations and their magnificent landscaped gardens. Sightsee in historic Charleston and stop at the Fort Sumter National Monument. Visit nearby beaches or one of 35 area golf courses. Walk next door to Blackbeard's Cove Family Fun Park and enjoy 36 holes of adventure mini golf or go for a spin on the go-carts. Call ahead to reserve the lakefront Kamping Kaboose. Kids love it! |
Lake Aire RV Park, LLC
4375 Highway 172
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 571-1271
Located just 15 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, Lake Aire RV Park & Campground offers 32 acres of outstanding Charleston camping surroundings and quality amenities. You will enjoy the easy access to Fort Sumter, Patriot's Point (U.S.S. Yorktown), Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, Charleston Aquarium, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, museums and area beaches. There are also a wide array of events to enjoy in the Charleston area. |
Oak
Plantation Campground
3540 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 766-5936
Oak Plantation Campground is the ideal place to camp when in Charleston. Whether you're towing a pop-up or driving a large motorhome, let Oak Plantation Campground welcome you with our friendly, southern hospitality. Oak Plantation Campground is just minutes away from Charleston’s historic plantations, downtown historic district, shopping, golf and the beaches. Just look at all that Oak Plantation has to offer: Over 250 campsites, clean & modern facilities, a park-like setting, pool & convenience store and we are the closest campground to Charleston. |
South Carolina State Parks
Cabins, Camping and Other Facilities
1-888-887-2757
South Carolina Trails
Programs
Saint
Christopher Camp and Conference Center
2810 Seabrook Island Road
Johns Island, SC 29455-6219
(843) 768-0429 |
