From Myrtle Beach State Park to James Island County Park near Charleston, the coast has big full-hookup campgrounds. Book early and plan parking before you tour Charleston.
South Carolina’s coast gives RVers two bases: the Grand Strand around Myrtle Beach and the Lowcountry around Charleston. Both have state or county campgrounds with real hookups, so you can pair a beach week with a historic city visit.
Myrtle Beach State Park has 278 campsites, 138 of them full hookup, with pier and shoreline access. Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet has 173 sites: 107 with water and electric, 66 full hookup, and 6 rustic tent sites. Near Charleston, James Island County Park’s pull-through sites go up to 80 feet, with 20/30/50-amp electric and full hookups.
On the private side, Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach is one of the country’s largest, with 859 sites and about a mile of oceanfront. For other private parks, see the table below.
| Myrtle Beach State Park | 278 sites, 138 full hookup; reservations 866-345-7275 option 1 |
|---|---|
| Huntington Beach State Park | 173 sites: 107 water/electric, 66 full hookup; 843-237-4440 |
| James Island County Park | Pull-through up to 80 ft; 28-night max; reserve up to 1 year ahead; 843-795-4386 |
| James Island rates | Pull-through $80–$99, back-in $68–$88, plus 14% tax and $5 per-site fee |
| Ocean Lakes | 859 sites, about $46–$121 per night reported; reserve up to 18 months ahead |
| Atalaya | $2 per person for ages 6 and up |
James Island County Park publishes the clearest numbers. The state parks and private parks require checking each site.
Spring and fall are the favorites. Summer is peak season on the beach.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Warm days, azaleas and gardens in bloom. Book early for weekends. |
| Summer | Hot, humid and busy. Beach pets are restricted at some times and reservations fill. |
| Fall (September–November) | Warm water, fewer crowds. Hurricane season continues through November. |
| Winter | Mild but cool. Many Ocean Lakes amenities close in winter by visitor reports. |
State and county details come from the managing agencies. Private park details come from RV listing sites.
Best for: Six miles from Charleston with 20/30/50 amp full hookups.
Watch out: Holiday Festival of Lights rates apply from two Fridays before Thanksgiving through December 31.
Best for: Pull-throughs on the Mount Pleasant side.
Watch out: Wide rate range.
Best for: Beach camping with trails and a pier.
Watch out: Limited parking and crowds in summer.
Best for: Alligators, birding and the Moorish-style Atalaya house.
Watch out: Weekend closures for parking; dogs not allowed inside buildings.
Best for: A mile of oceanfront and resort amenities.
Watch out: Narrow, crowded roads and tight site entries.
Best for: Roomy pull-through sites on concrete.
Watch out: High peak rates.
Other Myrtle Beach options listed include Hideaway RV Park ($45–$167), Barefoot RV Resort ($50–$85) and North Myrtle Beach RV Resort & Dry Dock Marina ($104–$144). Check each park’s own site for current rules.
Plans assume a Grand Strand base, with Charleston as a separate move or day trip.
Beach lovers.
Couples and families.
Anyone who wants rest days.
Wide beach and a state park pier. Pets are restricted from some beaches from May 1 through Labor Day.
A Moorish-style winter home open daily for $2 per person, plus alligators on the freshwater lake.
Sculpture gardens and live oaks near Murrells Inlet, a good rainy-day plan.
Cobblestone streets, pastel houses and the waterfront. Park the RV at camp and take a tour.
Where the Civil War began, reached by ferry. Check ticket times.
An avenue of oaks and plantation history in Mount Pleasant.
Arrive off-peak. State parks suggest arriving outside 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., especially on summer weekends and holidays.
Leave the RV for Charleston. Narrow streets and limited parking make it a poor RV destination. Use a tow vehicle, tour or rideshare.
Book early. Ocean Lakes can be reserved 18 months ahead, and James Island up to a year.
Myrtle Beach and Charleston have full services for fuel, groceries and repairs. State park campgrounds offer Wi-Fi and EV charging at Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach.
Check dump station availability at the state parks, since it was not listed on the pages we read.
Rates are from Charleston County Parks and visitor listings. Confirm current amounts before booking.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| James Island pull-through | $80–$99 per night | Plus 14% accommodations tax and $5 per-site fee. |
| James Island back-in | $68–$88 per night | Same fees. |
| Ocean Lakes | $46–$121 per night | Reported by visitors. |
| Atalaya admission | $2 per person | Ages 6 and up. |
| Senior and military | 10% off at James Island | Active-duty, retired military and seniors 60+. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
The park warns that early arrivals may have nowhere to park before check-in. A notice on the park page also mentions trail work from November through January, so check it for your dates.
Pull-through sites go up to 80 feet, according to Charleston County Parks.
Yes. Myrtle Beach State Park has 138 full-hookup sites and Huntington Beach has 66.
It’s not recommended. Streets are narrow and parking is limited. Stay at James Island or Mount Pleasant and use a tow vehicle or tour.
Sites generally fit 40-ft-plus rigs, but roads are narrow with golf carts and some entries are tight.
April–May and September–November. Summer is the busiest.
James Island up to a year ahead and Ocean Lakes up to 18 months. State parks book through their reservation systems.
Rules were checked October 21, 2026. State park rates, lengths and dump stations were not on the pages we read, so confirm them with each park.