Edisto Beach State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Edisto Beach State Park beckons nature lovers and history buffs with 1,255 acres and 1.5 miles of beach to enjoy on an island in South Carolina. This oceanfront park also has multiple tributaries and a salt marsh to explore. Opened in 1937 as one of the nation's first Civilian Conservation Corps projects, Edisto Beach State Park has a long and storied history. The island was officially surveyed in the 1840s by Alexander Bache, the great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, and some of his markers remain in the area. Evidence of Native Americans who once inhabited the land can be found through archaeological relics preserved within the park. Today, the shores serve as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles and play host to many migratory and sea birds, making it a special place for wildlife enthusiasts.
Nearby Cities:
Edisto Beach, SC
Charleston, SC
Yemassee, SC
Beaufort, SC
Spring 48 F - 80 F
Summer 72 F - 90 F
Fall 49 F - 85 F
Winter 38 F - 60 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Edisto Beach State Park
Campground Accommodations
Edisto Beach State Park Beach Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Showers, restrooms, dump station
Edisto Beach State Park Live Oak Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 20/30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 55 feet
Other amenities: Showers, restrooms, dump station
Lake Aire RV Park
With a location convenient to both the beachfront and the urban adventures in Charleston, Lake Aire RV Park is the perfect place to turn if there are no sites left at Edisto Beach State Park. With water and electric hookups and generous, big-rig-friendly campsites, every RVer can find a spot at Lake Aire -- and if you’re a Good Sam, Escapees, or Passport America member, you’ll get a nice discount in the bargain!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no, but two dump stations are available
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: propane, firewood and ice for sale; laundromat; stocked fishing pond, Bocce ball courts and horseshoe pits; swimming pool; pavilion
What to Do at
Edisto Beach State Park
Edisto Beach State Park has a lot of relaxation potential. There's a lot to love about its beach, with excellent fishing and easy paths to wander. The salt marsh is a birding paradise, and there's much to explore by kayak or canoe. Guided boat tours and loggerhead season keep things interesting.
Inside Edisto Beach State Park
If you’re wondering what draws people to Edisto Beach State Park, we’ll give you a little hint: it’s right there in the name!
But along with simply kicking back and enjoying the sun and surf, there are plenty of other reasons to enjoy a trip to the Carolina coastline.
Accessible trails - As mentioned above, Edisto Beach State Park is home to a four-mile network of ADA-accessible hiking and biking trails, making it the longest such series in the state of South Carolina. That means that every member of your camping party can enjoy exploring the lowcountry, no matter their ability or fitness level.
Fishing
Fishers often find flounder, whiting, black drum, and trout in the surf and inlets of the park. While the park doesn't have an official fishing pier, surf fishing is welcome, and there are plenty of places to fish along the inlets. Kayaks further expand your fishing options. Note that you will need a South Carolina fishing license.
Geocaching
Edisto Beach State Park has several geocaches waiting for you to hunt down. The park has some unique traditional caches, but it also participates in state-wide challenges with other parks, so be sure to check for any special events.
Nature Watching
The beach offers plenty of nature watching. Changing tides bring crabs and other mollusks along with a few stranded jellyfish, and there's no telling when a pod of dolphins will swim by. Loggerhead nesting season is an exciting time for nature lovers, and it's a good reason to visit in late spring if you don't mind a crowd. The salt marshes make for excellent birding, too.
Stargazing
The park is locally known as an excellent year-round stargazing destination. Its distance from local population centers and the border with the ocean makes for very little light pollution.
Flora and Fauna
The park includes not only a beach but also a salt marsh and several tributaries. This blend of environments fosters everything from magnolia and live oak trees to cabbage palmetto and eastern redcedar. The loggerhead sea turtles are the park's seasonal celebrities, but other marine visitors include crabs, striped burrfish, and dolphins. Seabirds flock to the area, and frequent guests include gulls, gannets, terns, and willets, not to mention pelicans, egrets, and ibises. On land, deer, raccoons, and even armadillos appear.
Hiking
The park offers seven short, easy trails. The shortest, the Blanche Monument Trail, is just 0.2 miles long and leads to a prized piece of the island's history. The longest trail, the Spanish Mount Trail, is 1.7 miles and leads to one of the oldest Native American archeological sites in the region. Four miles of the trail system are also ADA-accessible.
Boating
The park offers a boat launch and courtesy dock. These lead into Big Bay Creek, which flows into the Atlantic. Kayaks, canoes, and other paddle vessels are welcome. Much of the park's waterways are easiest to explore in shallow watercraft. The park has a unique partnership with a local small business, Plot Twist Charters, offering eco-tours and historical boat tours.
Swimming
There is no lifeguard on duty, but guests are welcome to wade and swim in the beach area of the park.
Biking
All the park's seven hiking trails are bike-friendly. The Edisto Bike Trail connects the park to the nearby town, opening a path to further adventures.
How to Get to
Edisto Beach State Park
From Charleston, South Carolina, take Highway 17 South for roughly 24 miles, then turn left onto South Carolina Route 174, and follow for another 20 miles. Turn left onto State Cabin Road, and you will enter the park. A ranger station and parking area will be on the left after a few hundred feet.
Entering Edisto Beach State Park
Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 15 years old. Children 5 and under enter for free.
No matter what brings you to Edisto Beach State Park -- and which kind of vehicle you choose to get there -- we can’t wait to hear all about your South Carolina adventure! Send your pictures and stories to us directly at [email protected] or tag us in your original social media posts. We may just feature your trip on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!
Frequently Asked Questions About Edisto Beach State Park
Summer is peak tourism season on the coast, so that's when you'll have the most competition for campsites and a spot for your towel on the beach. Since so many of the park's best features involve the water, though, it's best to go before it gets too cold for a swim. The best bet is early fall when kids are in school and the temperatures haven't dropped.
The park is best known for the loggerhead sea turtles that come to nest yearly, but there are also deer, raccoons, and opossums on land. Many kinds of seabirds visit the area, and there's plenty of fish and other marine life.
Yes, there are 112 sites with electric and water hookups for RVs. They aren't reserved solely for RV use, however. Some guests set up tents at these sites.
While not required, it's a good idea to reserve a spot in advance. If you wait until the day of your planned visit, you have to book directly with camp personnel. The cost ranges by campsite, season, and day of the week, but they typically cost between $51 and $70 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed in your campsite and most outdoor areas, provided they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet long. Owners are required to pick up after their animals and dispose of waste properly. Park authorities may ask owners to remove aggressive or noisy animals.