Camping is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature and recharge. And, waterfront camping in South Carolina offers a unique and enjoyable experience, perfect for those who love fishing, swimming, boating, or water sports.
If you’re seeking an outdoor adventure camping lakefront or beachfront in SC, explore these 20 fantastic spots for waterfront camping in South Carolina.
Read Also: Family-Friendly Campgrounds in SC: 21 Top Picks
How I Chose the Places on the List
As a local to the Carolinas and being part of an avid camping family, I understand that the place you choose to camp can make or break your trip. I also understand what to look for in a great campground, including cleanliness, safety, and consistently happy campers.
Most of the places on this list I have camped at personally and highly recommend, and some have been recommended to me by friends or family. I also scoured the internet, read the reviews across multiple platforms on tons of campaigns , and compiled the data to come up with this list of the top places to camp waterfront in SC. These are the things that I considered when evaluating each location:
- -Proximity to body of water
- -Cleanliness
- -Safety
- -Reviews
- -Amenities
- -Ease of Booking
- -Consistency in Guest Satisfaction
Waterfront Camping in South Carolina
South Carolina offers a wealth of waterfront campgrounds perfect for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, or those seeking relaxation. The Palmetto State boasts a variety of camping experiences, including lakefront sites, beachfront campgrounds, rustic tent sites, and campgrounds with modern amenities.
These campgrounds are ideal for weekend getaways, extended vacations, and even long-term stays. And, you can choose from scenic spots in South Carolina State Parks, privately owned campgrounds, or beachfront locations with family-friendly features.
Waterfront Camping in South Carolina State Parks
South Carolina State Parks offer stunning locations for waterfront camping in the Palmetto State. Here are some of the most highly recommended waterfront campgrounds within SC state parks.
1. Lake Wateree State Park
Located in Winnsboro, in the Midlands Region of SC, Lake Wateree State Park is a perfect spot for waterfront camping. The park is also a haven for those looking to fish, swim, or enjoy watersports, with 13,800 acres of Lake Wateree being accessible from the state park.
Lake Wateree State Park offers visitors amenities such as a boat ramp and in water refueling, a children’s playground, and 100 paved sites for camping. The campsites are a mix of sites with Standard Hookups (water and electric) and sites with Full Hookup (water, electric, and sewer), with 23 of the sites being directly lakefront.
2. Huntington Beach State Park
Nestled along the Atlantic Ocean on 2500 acres in Murrells Inlet, Huntington Beach State Park offers a unique place for waterfront camping in South Carolina, with the ocean a stone’s throw away from your camp spot.
The park provides campers with the perfect place to enjoy nature. There are multiple hiking trails, a gift shop/park store, and a nature center. And, of course, don’t forget about the 3 miles of undeveloped beach to enjoy fishing, swimming, or sunbathing. The campground boasts 173 campsites, with 107 being standard hookup and 66 providing full service (water, electric, and sewer). There are also 6 rustic tent sites located at Huntington Beach State Park Campground.
Read Also: Best South Carolina Beaches: 17 Perfect Coastal Spots
3. Edisto Beach State Park
Edisto Island is such a beautiful spot along the South Carolina coast and one of my family’s favorite places to go. And, Edisto Beach State Park is one of our top destinations when we are in the area. Situated on 1255 acres, this state park offers an incredible experience along the coast.
The park boasts 1.5 miles of shoreline for swimming, and is a spectacular spot for finding seashells. And there are 2 campgrounds at Edisto Beach State Park, with over 112 sites having standard hookup and 5 rustic tent sites. If you decide to venture out of the park, check out this list of top things to do on Edisto Island!
4. Hamilton Branch State Park
Located in Plum Branch, Hamilton Branch State Park offers a peaceful retreat in nature and is a perfect place for waterfront camping in SC on Lake Thurmond.
The park boasts 2 boat ramps, a park store, playground equipment, and Wi-Fi. And, of course, enjoy swimming in the lake, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, and kayaking the tranquil waters. There are also opportunities for hiking and birdwatching, and the park offers bike rentals as well. The campground offers 173 campsites for water and electricity and 11 sites with water only.
5. Lake Greenwood State Park
Situated on 914 acres in Ninety Six, SC, in Greenwood County, you will find the gorgeous Lake Greenwood State Park.
You will find 2 boat ramps, playground equipment, and nature trails here. Enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, or watersports, and camp lakeside at one of the parks 125 campsites, with water and electric hookup.
6. Dreher Island State Park
Nestled along the shores of Lake Murray in Prosperity, is Dreher Island State Park — a fantastic spot for waterfront camping in SC. The park is made up of 3 islands that stretch out across the 50,000 acre lake and hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year.
Enjoy swimming, camping, kayaking, or boating while visiting Dreher Island, with the park offering 3 boat ramps and 3 playgrounds for kids. The campground boats 97 sites with water and electricity and 15 primitive tent sites. There are also numerous hiking trails and scuba diving is allowed here! Keep in mind, however, the park does not have scuba equipment and you will need to contact the park office for a permit to scuba dive.
7. Chester State Park
Located in Chester, SC, in the Midlands Region, Chester State Park is nestled on only 160 acres, but packs a big punch! Enjoy disc golf, boating, fishing, hiking, playground equipment, and a super awesome boat house that sits over the lake!
The campground is small, but really neat, and provides 25 campsites with electric and water. All sites are convenient to restrooms and showers, as well as providing fire rings, picnic tables, and tent pads.
8. Capers Island Heritage Preserve
Okay, so this one is not technically a state park- its actually managed by the SC DNR, but it is an incredible place to go waterfront camping in the Palmetto State!
Capers Island is an undeveloped barrier island about three miles from the mainland and is located approximately 15 miles from Charleston. It is such a breathtaking spot with a unique ecosystem and consists of 214 acres of beachfront, 850 acres of maritime uplands, and 1090 acres of salt marsh. Visitors may spot Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Alligators, Ospreys, and Eagles here, as well as ample opportunities for fishing.
Camping here is very unique and is by permit only for overnight. Campsites are first come first serve and permits can be purchased from the DNR Charleston office. Keep in mind the island is accessible by boat only, so this is a pack-in pack-out camp trip. But it will be oh so worth it!
Waterfront Camping in SC County Parks
These are our favorite county parks to camp on the waterfront in the Palmetto State.
9. South Cove County Park
Located on Lake Keowee in Seneca, South Cove County Park is an awesome place for waterfront camping in SC. The park offers playground equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, a fishing pier, and a white sand beach area.
Camp lakeside on a 15 acre peninsula and choose from 86 campsites with water and electricity, with 41 of those being waterfront. There are 2 bathroom facilities and a dump station with RV campers.
10. Campground at James Island County Park
A waterfront campground in Charleston with amenities and a park with numerous things to do—that’s what you will find at James Island County Park! Of all the places on this list, camping here is definitely in my kids top 3 favorites and they ask to return time and time again! Plus, Charleston has so many beautiful places to visit that we never run out of things to do in the area!
The campground itself features full hookups and 20/30/50 amp electrical service at all sites, modern bathhouses, an activity center, laundry facility, free Wi-Fi, and a full service camp store. There are also primitive walk-in tent sites at James Island County Park for campers who want to rough it.
The main attractions for most of the kids, however, is the splash zone water park and spray play fountain and the playground. James Island County Park also boasts 16 acres of freshwater lakes for fishing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and boating, a tidal creek fishing and crabbing dock, and paved trails to explore.
There are so many things to do at James Island County Park that you could spend your entire camping trip here. But, if you do decide to venture out of the park, check out this list of rooftop bars and restaurants in Charleston that are sure to top of your trip!
11. Mile Creek Park Campground
Camp lakefront on Lake Keowee and enjoy breathtaking views at Mile Creek Park Campground! The park features seven miles of shoreline for hiking and swimming, a basketball court, and playgrounds for kids. Fishing is also popular at Mile Creek, with the park boasting three paved boat ramps and two courtesy docks.
The campground at Mile Creek Park is peaceful and the campsites have amazing views, with them either being waterfront or water view. There are 69 campsites available at the campground, and they each provide water and electric service. There are also 3 bath houses and a sewage dump station.
Waterfront Camping at Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds in South Carolina
These campgrounds run by the Army Corp of Engineers are awesome places to camp on the waterfront.
12. Oconee Point
Lake Hartwell borders the SC/Georgia state line and provides visitors with ample opportunities to fish, boat, swim, or enjoy watersports. Oconee Point Campground is located on the shores of Lake Hartwell and has 70 campsites to choose from, offering water and electric hookups. There is also a boat dock, 2 playgrounds, boat ramp, bathhouses, and a designated swim beach.
13. Twin Lakes Campground
Also located on Lake Hartwell and operated by the Army Corp of Engineers is Twin Lakes Campground. This campground does get very busy, but it still feels secluded. Keep in mind that Twin Lakes is one of the busiest campgrounds on Lake Hartwell, however. So, make sure you get reservations early.
Offering a plethora of recreational activities, Twin Lakes Campground is perfect for nature enthusiasts. Twin Lakes has a day use area as well, but it is kept separate from the camping amenities to keep down conflict. The campground offers 102 campsites, multiple bathhouses, courtesy dock, boat ramp, playground, and 2 designated swim beaches. The campsites here are some of the best for waterfront camping in South Carolina.
14. Hawe Creek Campground- J Strom Thurmond Lake
Located on the shores of J Strom Thurmond Lake near McCormick you’ll find Hawe Creek Campground. Hawe Creek is a perfect spot for waterfront camping in South Carolina and provides campers with 34 sites to choose from. Most of the campsites are lakefront and all of them provide water and electric service.
You won’t find playgrounds here, however if you or your family are looking to spend the trip on the water, Hawe Creek is awesome for that! Hawe Creek Campground also provides a boat ramp, showers, flush and vault toilets, and a dump station.
Waterfront Camping in South Carolina Privately-Owned Campgrounds
SC is home to numerous privately owned campgrounds that are lakefront or beachfront. A lot of the private owned campgrounds are geared more towards RV campers, but most of them allow tent camping also.
15. Sweet water Lake Campground
A truly unique place to camp, SweetWater Lake Campground is nestled in St Matthews and requires no reservations. Sites are first come first serve and the campground runs on an honor system—simply pay at the box at the front. There is not a website for the campground, however SweetWater Lake Campground has a facebook page you can contact them through.
The amenities at this location are slim, but if you enjoy camping you wont mind. The facilities are clean and nice and the owners treat campers like family here. There is a lake on site for fishing (no swimming) and the campsites have lake views on one side and donkeys on the other!
16. Lake Moultrie RV Park and Marina
Don’t let the 4.1 Google reviews scare you away from camping at Lake Moultrie RV Park and Marina, the reviews are leftover from the previous owners.
Under new ownership and making awesome changes for the better, Lake Moultrie RV Park and Marina was such a great stay for my family. The campground boasts amazing amenities and prides itself on being a waterfront campground tucked away in nature. Choose from campsites by your boat near the dock or rustic cabins for an awesome waterfront adventure. Amenities include laundry room, full hookups, WI-FI, dog park, fishing, boat ramp and dock, shower house, and playground.
17. Shores of Asbury RV Resort
The highlight for the Shores of Asbury RV Resort if you have kids will most definitely be the Aqua Zone Waterpark!
Located in Anderson on Hartwell Lake, this campground most definitely has resort like amenities and can easily turn into a long family vacation! Choose from standard campsites or premium sites, with most having full hookups available. Campers will have a Lakeview from every campsite. Other amenities include Aqua Zone Waterpark, on site restaurants, arcade, laundry room, fishing pier, and dog beach.
Check out the Shores of Asbury RV Resort for waterfront camping in South Carolina. You won’t be disappointed!
18. Myrtle Beach Travel Park
Camp oceanfront with a short walk to .5 mile of private beach at Myrtle Beach Travel Park.
Park amenities are endless and include an outdoor and indoor pool, splash pool, lazy river, basketball court, beach volleyball, playground, horseshoe pit, kayak shack, laundry room, camp store, arcade and snack bar, and on-site restaurant.
Campground amenities include full hookups, Wi-Fi, and bathhouse.
19. Angels Landing Campground
A campground, marina, and restaurant, Angels Landing is a great place for waterfront camping in South Carolina. Located on Santee Cooper Lakes, Angels Landing provides guests with a pool, rec hall, laundry facilities, basketball court, on-site restaurant, fishing, camp store, and hot showers.
20. Lakewood Camping Resort
Also located in Myrtle Beach and packed full of amenities for guests is Lakewood Campground.
Camping here offers visitors a private beach, huge waterpark, mini golf, paddle boats, beach volleyball, kayak and canoe rentals, golf cart rentals, and a kids club. Choose from tent and RV camping with water and electric hookups, or a vacation rental cabin.
21. Pirateland
Another amenity packed campground for waterfront camping in South Carolina is Pirateland. Located on the shores of Myrtle Beach, Pirateland offers guests a resort-like experience while surrounded by nature.
The campground provides guests with direct access to the beach, 5000 square foot pirate ship splash pool, an outdoor pool, lazy river, 18-hole mini golf, 18,000 square foot sun deck, basketball courts and playground, arcade, rec room, and kayak and paddle boats.
