It’s easy to explore the great outdoors in Charleston, South Carolina. From the soft sands of the Atlantic coast to the natural beauty of national forests and more, there are many reasons why Charleston is a great place for campers!
In this blog post, we’ll look at 7 of the best tent and RV camping sites near Historic Downtown Charleston, SC.
Top Campsites in Charleston: My Pick
Our pick is James Island County Park because of its nice amenities and many options for outdoor recreation (trails, splash pad, dog park, boat rentals, and more).
⭐Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars — with more than 3,000 reviews!
Why Camp in Charleston, SC?
Charleston, SC is a coastal beach town with a rich history and vibrant culture. Its downtown city center is close to many beaches, making this a great place to stay for a family vacation.
There are numerous campsites in and around the historic Charleston area!
Camping here is a great way to enjoy outdoor activities and recreation while being a short drive from the city’s nightlight, dining, and more.
And if you’re looking for fun ways to explore the city, here are a few things you can enjoy:
- Take a history tour at places like Magnolia Plantation
- Try authentic Southern BBQ
- Go on a haunted ghost tour
Table of Best Campsites in Charleston
| Campground Name | Amenities/Features | How to Book | More Information |
| James Island County Park | -124 campsites -water and electrical hookup -Paved trails for walking and biking -Freshwater lakes for fishing | Make your reservation online or call 843-795-4386 | Website |
| Oak Plantation Campground | -200 campsites -Full hookup -Laundry facilities -Dump station -A picnic shelter with picnic tables for large groups An outdoor swimming pool | For reservations, call 866-658-2500 | Website |
| Charleston KOA | -RV and tent sites -Laundry facilities -A playground and outdoor pool -Clean and well-maintained bathhouses with hot showers | Reserve a spot on the website or call 800-562-5812 | Website |
| Lake Aire RV Park & Campground | -RV sites -Full hookups -Picnic tables -Fire rings | To reserve a space, visit the website or call 843-517-1271 | Website |
| Buck Hall Recreation Area | -14 full hook-up camper sites and 5 tent sites -Public boat ramp -Bathhouses with showers | RV and tent campsites at Buck Hall are available by reservation only by calling 877-444-6777 | Website |
| Hunting Island State Park | -RV and tent camping -Full hookups -Public beach access -Fishing Pier | Visit the South Carolina State Parks Website | Website |
| Edisto Beach State Park | -Full hookup sites -2 oceanfront picnic shelters -1.5 miles of beach -Free Wi-Fi -Trails for hiking and biking | Visit the South Carolina State Parks Website | Website |
Campsites in or near Charleston, SC
There are many tent and RV camping sites near Charleston, SC. Here are the 7 best campsites for your next family vacation.
Closest to Downtown Charleston
The closest campsites to Downtown Charleston are James Island County Park, Oak Plantation Campground, Charleston KOA, and Lake Aire Campground.
1. James Island County Park
James Island County Park is just minutes away from Downtown Charleston. This 643-acre park is a haven for camping enthusiasts!
The campground here has 124 paved sites for RVs and tents. All campsites come with water and electrical hookups. There’s also free Wi-Fi and a fire ring at every site!
Some basic amenities include clean bathhouses, a full-service camp store, a playground, and picnic areas. And within the park, there are so many options for outdoor fun and recreation! Here are a few park features:
- Paved trails for walking and biking
- A splash zone waterpark
- Freshwater lakes for fishing
- Kayak, paddleboard, and pedal boat rentals
- An off-leash dog park
James Island County Park Website
To Book: Make your reservation online or call 843-795-4386
Rates: The rates for camping at James Island County Park start at $35 per night for tent sites and $60 per night for RV sites.
Address: 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
2. Oak Plantation Campground
This is a family-owned and operated campground near Downtown Charleston, SC that has been around for 45 years. It’s a short drive from the city center, beaches, golf, shopping, and more.
Whether you’re traveling with an RV or prefer tent camping, Oak Plantation Campground has accommodations for all. There are 200 campsites here for tent or RV campers!
All sites at Oak Plantation Campground are spacious and have full hookups, including water, sewer, and electricity. Here are some other amenities and features at the park:
- Laundry facilities
- Dump station
- A picnic shelter with picnic tables for large groups
- An outdoor swimming pool
- A freshwater fishing lake
Oak Plantation Campground Website
To Book: For reservations, call 866-658-2500
Rates: Tent sites start at $45 per night and RV sites start at $50 per night.
Address: 3540 Savannah Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
3. Charleston KOA
Charleston KOA Campground is in North Charleston, about 25 minutes from the downtown area.
This park offers accommodations for any type of camper, from RVs to tent campers, and even those looking for a cabin experience.
And, the campground’s location near historic Charleston and Mount Pleasant means easy access to the area’s attractions. This is an ideal spot if you want to stay close to the Downtown area!
The staff at Charleston KOA are friendly and helpful, and they are always ready to assist guests and provide information about the campground.
Besides the great location and friendly staff, this campsite has all the amenities your family needs. Here are a few key features and amenities:
- General store for camping essentials and supplies
- Laundry facilities
- A playground and outdoor pool
- Clean and well-maintained bathhouses with hot showers
And if staying in a cabin interests you, the KOA offers cozy cabins for a rustic camping experience!
To Book: Reserve a spot on the website or call 800-562-5812
Rates: Rates depend on the type of site needed (RV or tent site), length of stay, and other factors. Call or look online to determine the price for your stay.
Address: 9494 Hwy 78, Ladson, SC 29456
4. Lake Aire RV Park & Campground
Lake Aire is an RV park and campground in Hollywood, SC, which is about 30 minutes from Charleston.
This is one of the best campgrounds for families who want to enjoy outdoor recreational activities while still being close to shopping, restaurants, historic sites, and more.
This campground offers spacious RV pull-through sites for easy access. All spaces have full hookups for water, sewer, and electricity. There are also picnic tables and fire rings at each site!
For recreation at the campground, there’s a playground, on-site fishing, and lakefront access.
Of course, you can’t forget to pack your tent! For big groups, you can use something like this Coleman instant 9-person cabin tent on Amazon, that can easily be set up in 2-3 minutes.
Lake Aire RV Park and Campground Website
To Book: To reserve a space, visit the website or call 843-517-1271.
Rates: Rates for tent camping start around $27 per night. An RV rental space starts at $33 per night and goes up to $58 per night.
Address: 4375 SC-162, Hollywood, SC 29449
Further from Downtown Charleston
If you want to stay a little further from the city, Buck Hall Recreation Area, Hunting Island State Park, and Edisto Beach State Park, are great options.
5. Buck Hall Recreation Area
Buck Hall Recreation Area is a park and campground near the Francis Marion National Forest. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Downtown Charleston.
Buck Hall is a spacious recreation area sitting on the Intracoastal Waterway. It sits on 65,000 acres of marsh, tidal creeks, and beaches. This is an ideal spot for water lovers or those who like to fish!
Buck Hall Recreation Area has 14 full hook-up camper sites and 5 tent sites. Most people stay here for access to outdoor recreation like fishing and boating.
One of the park’s main features is the accessible public boat ramp. Other amenities include bathrooms, warm showers, a picnic shelter, and two floating docks.
Buck Hall Recreation Area Website
To Book: RV and tent campsites at Buck Hall are available by reservation only by calling 877-444-6777.
Rates: Tent sites are $20 per day and RV sites are $28 per day.
Address: 999 Buckhall Landing Rd, McClellanville, SC 29458
6. Hunting Island State Park
This is a state park outside of Beaufort, SC, a little more than an hour and a half outside of Charleston.
This is a good spot to stay if you want to enjoy the serenity of a beautiful east coast beach while being a short drive away from historic Charleston. But, you’ll also be close to 6 beautiful sunny beaches in Beaufort, SC!
You’ll have all of your needs covered when you stay at Hunting Island State Park. Along with public beach access, you’ll have access to miles of marsh and forests, a pier for fishing, and more.
Best Things to do at Hunting Island State Park:
- Hiking Trails and Outdoor Fun: Explore everything from saltwater lagoons to beautiful magnolia trees and live oaks along 9 different trails
- Picnic tables throughout (as well as plenty of parking areas)
- Historic Hunting Island Lighthouse and the lighthouse gift shop
- Visit the Nature Center, which includes exhibits and live animal exhibits (more at their site)
Hunting Island Beach Visitors’ Website
To Book: Visit the South Carolina State Parks Website
Rates: Rates vary based on the season, but you always have to book a 2-night stay. Visit the website for more information, or call 1-866-345-7275.
Address: 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, St Helena Island, SC 29920
7. Edisto Beach State Park
Edisto Beach State Park is on Edisto Island, about an hour’s drive from Downtown Charleston.
Edisto Beach is one of the best places for nature lovers or couples looking for a quiet and relaxing beach trip. Edisto Beach State Park sits on 1,255 acres and has 120 sites for tents or RVs.
One of our favorite ways to enjoy Edisto Island is pitching a hammock at the park before hitting the beach. Check out our favorite easy-to-pitch hammock on Amazon!
Some of the amenities and features at this park include:
- Full hookup sites
- 2 oceanfront picnic shelters
- 1.5 miles of beach
- Free Wi-Fi
- Trails for hiking and biking
Edisto Beach State Park Website
To Book: Visit the South Carolina State Parks Website
Rates: Rates vary based on the season, but you always have to book a 2-night stay. Visit the website for more information, or call 1-866-345-7275.
Address: 8377 State Cabin Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438
Conclusions to Camping in Charleston, SC: Top 7 Campsites
As you can see, there are some wonderful campsites and RV parks near Charleston, SC! Whether you’re staying in a tent or an RV, there’s a campsite for you.
Looking for other campgrounds around South Carolina and Georgia? Check out our camping guides below:
