For most people, the word “camping” makes them think of overnight stays in dense forests, rocky mountain ranges, or dirt-covered parks.
While these are some amazing spots that create incredible outdoor adventures, waterfront and beach camping is another way to spend the night outdoors that shouldn’t be forgotten. If you love camping and have a trip to South Carolina coming up soon, you may be wondering about the best spots to explore to get the most out of your trip.
With an abundance of beautiful beaches and bodies of water, camping in South Carolina is a big hit. Looking to go beach camping in South Carolina? Keep reading to learn about some of the best places and all you need to know.
Important to Note About Beach Camping in South Carolina
While camping directly on a public beach is a favorable activity people love throughout many states, unfortunately, beach camping in South Carolina is prohibited. From the hours of 9 pm to 8 am, beach sleeping is not allowed both for safety and protective environmental reasons.
If you’ve been looking forward to beach camping in South Carolina, don’t worry. Although you can’t technically pitch a tent right on the sandy beaches, there are some great waterfront campgrounds that are sure to provide those amazing views and memories you’re looking for.
Listed below we’ve outlined some of our favorite waterfront campgrounds so you can get the most out of your vacation, even if you’re not technically beach camping in South Carolina.
Pet-and-Family-Friendly Options
1. Ocean Lakes Family Campground
Myrtle Beach, SC
Ocean Lakes Family Campground is definitely something to look into if you and your family were looking to go beach camping in South Carolina. It’s found in Myrtle Beach and has almost a mile of oceanfront property, providing access to all of the incredible sights South Carolina’s beaches have to offer.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground spans over 310 acres of land and offers a choice of any of their 859 campsites for your stay. This waterfront camping spot also has events that occur throughout the year, so make sure you check their website before booking to see what’s going on during the time of your trip.
If you still aren’t sure about Ocean Lakes Family Campground, you may be pleased to learn that, in 2022, it was awarded the “Mega Park of the Year” by the National Association of RV Parks. Not only is the facility itself hard to beat, but so is the kindness and hospitality from employees and founding members.
If all of that isn’t enough, there are also many local attractions you’ll be nearby if you choose to plan your beach camping in South Carolina trip at Ocean Lakes. From the Carolina Opry and Alabama theater to all-you-can-eat seafood buffets, a stay at Ocean Lakes Family Campground is sure to give you everything you want (and more) out of your South Carolina camping trip.
2. Myrtle Beach Travel Park
Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Travel Park is another noteworthy place for oceanfront camping in South Carolina. It has plenty of lodging options including rental houses, full hookup, and water/electric-only areas.
If you’ve been wanting to go beach camping in South Carolina so you can spend time sunbathing on the sand or playing in the water all day long, this travel park will be right up your alley. It’s within walking distance from the beach, so you won’t have to worry about long commutes or transportation options.
Another notable feature of Myrtle Beach Travel Park is the activities and other attractions on the grounds. If you can’t start your day without a fresh cup of coffee, you might be excited to learn that this campground has an on-site coffee camper selling specialty coffees just for you.
Myrtle Beach Travel Park also has pool parties, live concerts, fishing tournaments, and family fun nights to keep you entertained throughout your stay.
3. Pirateland Family RV Resort
Myrtle Beach, SC
Another family-friendly option for oceanfront camping in South Carolina is Pirateland Family RV Resort. The campsite owners/workers pride themselves on having everything you may need during your stay, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip.
Each campsite at Pirateland Family RV Resort is equipped with full hookups that include water, sewer, electric, and cable. If you don’t have an RV, you’re also welcome to tent camp here, as well. Some other amenities and features of this campground are free WiFi, picnic tables, and daily trash pickup.
There are plenty of site locations to choose from to help make sure your camping trip is exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’re traveling with kids, Pirateland also offers lots of activities to keep your little ones entertained throughout the day. From summer recreation programs and mini golf to plenty of pirate-themed adventures, this oceanfront camping spot is definitely worth checking out.
State Park Waterfront Camping
4. Huntington Beach State Park
Murrells Inlet, SC
Found in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Huntington Beach State Park is another choice of camping spot for anyone looking to spend time in and around South Carolina’s Beaches.
This state park will leave you wanting to come back time after time. There are plenty of activities to enjoy like viewing a wide variety of wildlife, doing self-guided tours of historic landmarks, watching the sunrise, strolling along the three-mile beach, going for a swim off the jetty, and so much more.
If you’re looking to pitch a tent at this South Carolina oceanfront campground, you’ll also have access to the site’s water and electricity. Or, you can choose to set up camp in their designated walk-in tent area with tent pads and central water.
Huntington Beach State Park also offers campers standard and full hookup sites and is also dog-friendly, as long as your furry buddy stays on a leash.
5. Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park, SC
Myrtle Beach State Park (not to be confused with Myrtle Beach Travel Park) is a spot with 302 campsites within a cozy and pine-tree-shaded campground. It’s located close to the beach and is a great choice for anyone looking to spend time beach camping in South Carolina.
Because Myrtle Beach State Park is a popular choice, it’s often pretty busy. If you’re worried about not having space to fit in, you can either use the online reservation system or check out one of the spots that are first-come-first-served.
The park also provides some camping supplies to help ease your journey. And don’t worry if you forget anything along the way, because there are plenty of stores around the nearby Myrtle Beach that’ll have you covered.
Free WiFi is also found throughout Myrtle Beach State Park campgrounds, and pets are allowed. If you’re less into RV or tent camping, there are also plenty of lodging options to keep you comfortable. The campground offers cabins and apartments, for rent, and they come with air conditioning, heating, a TV, and full furnishings.
Although it’s not directly on the water, its close proximity to the beach makes Myrtle Beach State Park another option for those wanting to go beach camping in South Carolina.
6. Edisto Beach State Park
Edisto Island, SC
If you’re looking for another State Park in South Carolina to fulfill your dreams of beach camping, look no further. Edisto Beach State Park has an ocean-side cabin and RV camping sites to help make your outdoor overnighting dreams come true.
With over four miles of ADA-accessible trails, you’ll be able to explore and discover the wonders throughout the hammock islands and luscious forests. For those eager to study the land, make sure you check out the Environmental Learning Center and its collection of fossils and endless information about the island.
For wildlife lovers, the state park’s education center also has live animals so you can have a full understanding of all that South Carolina’s land and beaches have to offer.
Like other South Carolina Beach Camping areas, Edisto Beach State Park also offers cabins cozily located in the woods to help keep you comfortable during your stay.
From miles of seashell-laden beach to oceanfront accommodations, Edisto Beach State Park is a must-see.
Oceanfront Campgrounds for RV Campers
7. Lakewood Camping Resort
Myrtle Beach, SC
Lakewood Camping Resort is an RV-friendly oceanfront camping option found nearby in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With over 1,000 campsites, this campground guarantees they have the perfect site to fit any camper’s needs.
Whether you prefer ocean or lakefront views, or maybe a shady spot, Lakewood Camping Resort has it all. Most of the sites have full hookups, free WiFi, picnic tables, water, sewer, and more. They also have full-service bath houses, a laundromat, and propane refills to provide you with all you need for your ideal campout.
If that’s not enough, you’ll also be able to start each morning with a fresh cup of coffee thanks to the on-site coffee house. You can also bring your favorite four-legged friends along with you on your South Carolina beach camping trip, so the whole family can enjoy this amazing spot.
With over 300 acres of family fun and long stretches of sandy beaches to explore, Lakewood Camping Resort may just be exactly what you’ve been missing.
8. Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort & Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Harbor is a slice of paradise and the perfect location for your camping getaway. It’s a waterfront and pet-friendly resort located on the tip of Hilton Head Island.
Hilton Head Harbor RV resort has over 200 sites along with two bathhouses, plenty of electrical hookups, two swimming pools, convenience stores, playgrounds, boat ramps, and so much more. The RV resort prides itself on having top-notch amenities, excellent dining, and plenty of on-site water sports and recreational activities.
The peak season for this resort is from March through September, so if you’re looking for discounted rates make sure to book outside of these months.
If you’re hoping to stay active while beach camping in South Carolina, Hilton Head Harbor RV resort has plenty of options. It has an on-site tennis court and 24-hour exercise room, along with waterskis, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent.
With Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina, your time spent beach camping in South Carolina is guaranteed to feel luxurious and unforgettable.
Time to Get Packing!
Although you may have been disappointed to learn that camping directly on South Carolina’s public beaches isn’t exactly possible, hopefully, we’ve helped you find some places that will leave you just as excited and happy (if not more).
Now that you know of the best places to (pretty much) go beach camping in South Carolina, it’s time to start packing for your next adventure.
Curious about beach camping in other nearby spots? Check out our articles breaking down the best beach campgrounds in North Carolina and Florida for all you need to know.
