Hunting Island's undeveloped Atlantic beach, Congaree's old-growth floodplain forest, and the Blue Ridge foothills around Table Rock give South Carolina three genuinely different RV experiences in one state. Size typically isn't much of an issue in this state.
Check prices for the size unit you need. The average rental runs about $110/night, with travel trailers starting around $75/night and Class C motorhomes typically running $150/night.
Hunting Island enforces a 40-foot maximum site length. Hunting Island State Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Southeast — direct ocean access, palmetto forest, and a lighthouse worth the climb. The campground caps sites at 40 feet. Book as early as the South Carolina State Parks system allows; it sells out completely for spring and fall.
A travel trailer is the practical choice for Congaree day trips. Congaree National Park has no drive-in hookup campgrounds — only primitive tent camping. The best RV base for a Congaree visit is Columbia-area private campgrounds or Santee State Park, and visit Congaree as a day trip. A travel trailer lets you unhitch and drive a standard vehicle into the park.
Myrtle Beach-area campgrounds are large, well-equipped, and crowded in summer. If the Grand Strand is your destination, the Myrtle Beach area has multiple large private campgrounds with full hookups. A large Class A is fully at home here. Summer rates are significantly higher than shoulder season.
Humidity and heat run high from June through September. South Carolina summers are hot and humid — 90°F+ with humidity that makes it feel hotter. AC capacity and roof ventilation matter for summer comfort. Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are the best travel windows.
South Carolina is straightforward to navigate with a few reservation-specific details worth knowing.
South Carolina state park campgrounds book through the SC State Parks reservation system. Hunting Island, Myrtle Beach State Park, and Table Rock fill fastest. Hunting Island opens reservations 90 days in advance — set an alert and book the day the window opens.
Myrtle Beach State Park is distinct from the resort campgrounds on the Grand Strand. The state park sits on a natural beachfront inside the city and has far fewer sites than the private Grand Strand campgrounds. It books fast at 90 days out.
Congaree National Park has no hookup camping. The park offers primitive tent sites only. RVers use Columbia-area private campgrounds or Santee State Park (full hookups, about 70 miles east) as a base.
Hurricane season runs June through November. The South Carolina coast is exposed to Atlantic hurricane activity, with peak risk in August and September. Monitor NOAA forecasts for any coastal camping during this window.
You can find some great camping options near Charleston, including James Island County Park, where you can explore the miles of trails for walking, biking, and skating. This campground has 16 acres of freshwater lakes for fishing, a seasonal waterpark, and an off-leash dog park. It offers pull-through campsites that accommodate RVs up to 80 feet long.
Charleston KOA Holiday is another popular place to stay nearby with great amenities such as a swimming pool, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and campsites that can hold RVs up to 70 feet long.
If you are planning to visit South Carolina’s capital, consider staying at the Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia. This park offers a spacious, green getaway in the heart of the Sandhills region with over 1,400 acres of pines and nature trails for exploring.
River Bottom Farms Family Campground in Swansea is just 28 miles southwest of Columbia. This family-friendly campground is nestled on 43 acres of beautiful rolling South Carolina farmland. You can catch sunfish, bass, and bream in the camp's well-stocked pond or head down to the North Edisto River and go for a swim.
When you plan to take your RV rental out for a long excursion, it would be wise to know where some South Carolina dump stations are located. There are many places to get rid of your RV wastewater, including the Woodsmoke Campground in Columbia and the campground at James Island County Park in Charleston, where the dump station is free for registered guests and costs a small fee for non-registered guests.
Other good dump station locations include RV parks, resorts, and state parks. Some of these waste disposal places are accessible 24/7, making it convenient for early risers to be on the road at sunrise.
More than 3,000 diversified campsites extending from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachians are found in South Carolina's state parks. With 47 state parks across South Carolina, you can find parks in diverse natural environments and landscapes.
25 sites with electric and water hookups, max length of 35 feet
Boat rentals
Pet friendly
3-mile hiking trail
1.7-mile canoe and kayak trail
Fishing
Swimming
32 sites with electric and water hookups, max length of 45 feet
Playground
Tennis court
10 miles of hiking and biking trails
Boat ramp
Swimming
17 sites with electric and water hookups, max length of 36 feet
7 full-hookup sites, max length of 36 feet
Pond
Pet friendly
Picnic shelters
Playground
Fishing
Boat rentals
17 sites with electric and water hookups, max length = 40 feet
6 waterfront sites with electric and water hookups, max length = 40 feet
Volleyball courts
Pet friendly
7 miles of hiking trails
10 miles of mountain biking trails
Swimming
25 sites with electric and water hookups, max length of 33 feet
Fishing pier
Fishing boat rentals
Pet friendly
Playground equipment
1.3 miles of hiking trails
Geocaching opportunities
25 sites with electric and water hookups, max length of 40 feet
Playground
Volleyball courts
Pet friendly
0.5-mile walking trail
21-mile canoe trail
Fishing
112 sites with electric and water hookups, max length = 40 feet
Beach access
Swimming
Boat ramp
Fishing
Pet friendly
4 miles of hiking and biking trails
Because of South Carolina's rich history, there are a number of must-see landmarks and monuments that visitors should check out. Beaufort National Cemetery was formed by the Union for remains recovered from Union soldiers and sailors who died in the region. It is one of the six national cemeteries established in 1863. Today, this historical place holds more than 14,000 veterans.
Fort Sumter National Monument sits in Charleston harbor, symbolizing the beginning of the American Civil War at the Battle of Fort Sumter in 1861. Visitors can take the ferry to the artificial island fort and walk in the steps of those who shaped our nation, learn the events leading to the war, and explore the grounds of Fort Sumter. The cemetery site is run by the National Park Service, offering tours around the harbor. Explore the Fort Sumter visitor and educational center and pick up a souvenir to take home with you at the American's National Parks Museum Store.
Hunting Island State Park features over 1,000 acres of marine and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and ocean inlet, and five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches. This vast array of land and marine wildlife is home to the Hunting Island Lighthouse, one of the most well-known lighthouses in South Carolina. It offers 100 campsites with water and electric hookups, beach walkways, a restroom, shower facility, and a playground for youngsters to burn off some energy.
Cowpens National Battlefield helped turn the surge of war in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution in 1881. Here, Daniel Morgan confronted about 1,150 troops under Col. Banastre Tarleton and brought forth a brilliant victory over the British. Walking tours across the grounds are offered to educate visitors on the Revolutionary War. There is also a museum and visitor center where you can get war information.
On average expect to pay $148 per night in South Carolina.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in South Carolina?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in South Carolina from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in South Carolina?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in South Carolina?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in South Carolina.