Best Camping in South Carolina

Camping in South Carolina

By Alex Murphy

From sandy beaches to mountain state parks, South Carolina is a great destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. But it doesn't end there. The state is also packed with history and culture, with cities like Charleston and popular tourist spots like Myrtle Beach.

The Palmetto State has plenty of camping options, from fishing piers to outdoor adventures. Here's a look at some popular places to set up camp.

See a map of all camping in South Carolina.

South Carolina State Parks

When it comes to camping, South Carolina State Parks come loaded with a variety of accommodations.

Some popular spots in the Upstate include areas in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; you can visit Table Rock State Park and hike up the rock that gives the park its name or stay close to both North Carolina and Georgia at Oconee State Park.

If you prefer the beach, Edisto Beach State Park is a short ride from Charleston, and Huntington Beach State Park comes packed with outdoor attractions like surfing and a fishing pier, plus it's just miles from Myrtle Beach in the area known as the Grand Strand.

South Carolina National Parks

It may not be a household name like its closest cousin Smoky Mountains National Park, but Congaree National Park in South Carolina creates a unique camping experience where you can enjoy marshland, rivers, and a diversity of plants and wildlife you will not see anywhere else. Plus, visitors can enjoy hiking trails through the floodplains or kayaking and canoeing.

The park has two campgrounds, including Bluff Campground and Longleaf Campground. Another popular destination just outside the park is Mill Creek County Park, where visitors can easily reach the national park during the day.

RV Parks in South Carolina

There are plenty of stops for those heading to the state in an RV, including great golf and beach destinations like Hilton Head, not far from historic sites like Fort Sumter.

On the South Carolina coast, visitors will find Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina, where there's easy access for boaters and a short drive to popular tourist spots. You'll find a similar vibe in Oak Plantation Campground just outside of Historic Downtown Charleston.

On the opposite side of the state, there are heavily wooded areas on lakes like Twin Lakes Campground.

Learn more about RV Parks in South Carolina.

Dispersed Camping South Carolina

Dispersed camping can be a little harder to come by in a state like South Carolina, but there are still a few destinations.

There are a few spots like Halfway Creek Trail in one of the state's National Forest or Pitts Landing, which is managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Learn more about Dispersed Camping South Carolina.

National Forests in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to two National Forests, Francis Marion National Forest, which is closer to the coast, and Sumter National Forest, which is closer to the mountains.

For camping in Francis Marion, you'll find Buck Hall Recreation Area, which sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway before marshland gives way to the ocean and the Santee Coastal Reserve, where you'll find massive oak trees covered in Spanish moss.

Springfield Campground in Sumter National Forest is surrounded by water and divides South Carolina and Georgia.