Are you a hopeless stargazer? You may be wondering where you can camp overnight in South Carolina and get one of the best dark sky views around. Once such spot ranks high on the light pollution (or lack of it) color chart published by cleardarksky.com. In short, cleardarksky.com pulled locations in the Palmetto State and rated them based on light pollution. And one of the year-round campgrounds in South Carolina found at Edisto Beach State Park ranks high among the best places to view the night sky.
And what better place is there to spend your days on the beach and your nights stargazing than at Edisto Beach State Park?
The year-round RV park in South Carolina features 1.5 miles of undeveloped beach that fronts the more than 1200 acres that make up the park along the coast.
Two campgrounds provide diverse ecological choices for overnight camping: either stay over at the beach campground or in the park's Live Oak Campground located on Big Bay Creek and Wadmalaw River.
Edisto Beach State Park also features seven cabins for rent ranging from one to three bedrooms! Have you ever stayed at Edisto Beach to enjoy the year-round camping in South Carolina? Learn more about the park or make a camping or lodging reservation on the official website for South Carolina Parks. You'll want to plan ahead as this park tends to fill up quickly in-season! Don't have an RV? No worries - RV Share can hook you up!
Where's your favorite place to camp in South Carolina? Let us know by visiting the OIYS nomination page.
There are countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors here in the Palmetto State. Every day in South Carolina affords new opportunities to get outside and play. Whether you're checking out easy mountain hiking trails for beginners, chasing waterfalls, or... spending the night in a rustic glamping tent in an outpost along the tannin-tinted Waccamaw River, you're bound to find ample fuel for your adventurous soul in the Palmetto State. Moreover, this one-of-a-kind destination has some of the best kayaking in South Carolinaand some of the best glamping in South Carolina. Ready to learn more?
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For those who love to combine adventures, the secluded outpost at River Island Adventures in North Myrtle Beach (near Longs, SC), is the way to go. Kayak, go river tubing, bring a group, or just your S.O., and have a blast.
The rustic (yet chic) outpost glamping tents for overnight guests are like no other glamping experience offered in South Carolina. (And don't worry — if it's cold weather season during your stay, they're heated.)
While not exactly affording all of the comforts of home, the tents include an inflatable queen mattress, a bedside table, a lamp, a riverside deck with two chairs, an ice chest, a propane heater for chilly nights, and a picnic table.
River Island Outpost has private acreage along the scenic Waccamaw, with a communal fire pit, swings, hammocks, oversized yard games, grills, bathrooms, WiFi, and an outdoor propane shower.
Spend the day kayaking or river tubing in South Carolina and then retire to the comfort of your glamping tent to relax even more. One of the glamping tents was renovated to include two queen-sized beds, perfect for families.
Combine your overnight stay in one of the outpost glamping tents with any of the adventures, and save big bucks on the adventures.
What could be more fun than drifting down the Waccamaw with your friends and then returning to cook a big meal at the outpost? Kayaking would certainly make this a fun adventure, too.
If glamping just isn't for you, you can still book an adventure at River Island Adventures - without an overnight stay. In fact, you can buy an all-day pass and enjoy unlimited kayaking, tubing, and exploration rides on the outpost's pontoon boat.
Or, just purchase individual adventures à la carte.
From hiking to chasing waterfalls and glamping in a river tent in a riverside outpost, adventures abound in South Carolina. Are you ready to start having fun? Learn all about some of the best kayaking in South Carolina as well as the myriad of adventures and glamping found at this unique destination in the Palmetto State when you check out this Myrtle Beach glamping experience with River Island Adventures on Facebook. And if primitive camping is more your style, pack your own camping tent and go that route.
Trade the salty sea air for the fresh water in the mountains, and spend a trip camping at Lake Jocassee. Visitors to South Carolina tend to focus on the Palmetto State's coast, hitting hot spots such as Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island. What many people may not realize is that dotted around the state's 32,000 square miles of the interior are several outstanding lakes, each surrounded by a number of dedicated campgrounds. If sparkling blue-green water and picture-perfect waterfalls sound enticing, pack your tent and sleeping bag and head to Lake Jocassee for camping in South Carolina.
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Lake Jocassee is a 75,000-acre, 300-foot-deep reservoir located in South Carolina’s extreme northwest corner and formed by the aptly-named 385-foot-high, 1,750-foot-long Jocassee Dam. The sparkly blue water makes this a perfect place to get away and enjoy the fresh water. Lounge along the shore to soak up the rays, splash in the water, or take out a boat and fully be surrounded by this beautiful lake.
The lake, accessible through Devils Fork State Park in rural Oconee County, contains a variety of fish species including brown trout, white bass, and bluegill. This artificial body of water was created in 1973 through a partnership between the state and the company now known as Duke Energy. The state park, 622 acres in size, was established almost two decades later in 1990.
When it comes to campgrounds on Lake Jocassee, there are two main campgrounds that are available for use on the lake’s south shore and they contain 59 paved campsites.
Each of these Lake Jocassee campsites offers campers electrical and water hookups, a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are restrooms with showers and centrally-located trash and recycling containers located within the campgrounds. Campsites are reasonably priced for a night and most of them must be reserved for at least two nights. Reservations can be made on the Devil's Fork State Park website.
Several of the park's campsites can accommodate RVs. These vehicles must be no longer than 40 feet.
Being outside and doing some Lake Jocassee camping is a great way to reconnect with nature and be surrounded by this glorious mountain lake setting. Even if you aren't a huge fan of camping or simply don't have the equipment, there is still another option to take a trip out to the lake for a weekend getaway.
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If you’d like to stay along Lake Jocassee in style or aren’t a camping person, Devils Fork State Park has you covered.
The park has 20 lakeside villas in both two-bedroom/one-bathroom and three-bedroom/two-bathroom configurations. These villas provide you with everything from linens to kitchen appliances, cooking and eating utensils, and heat and AC. The best part is a few of these cozy lodges are even pet-friendly so you don’t have to leave your dog at home. The park usually requires you to reserve the villas for two nights minimum but during popular times they must be reserved for at least seven nights. Reservations can be made on Devils Fork State Park’s website.
If you want to get out on the water, rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or pontoon boat from Eclectic Sun, the on-site outfitter. The company’s offices are located just a 10-minute walk from the park’s campground.
Kayaks and other watercraft can be reserved on Eclectic Sun’s website. There is nothing more peaceful than to paddle out to the middle of a large lake and just listen to the birds singing, the water gently lapping the side of your kayak, and the mountain scenery in the background as the lake glistens in the sun.
Several waterfalls - including Laurel Fork, Mill Creek, and Moondance Falls - flow into Lake Jocassee. The most popular of these is Laurel Fork Falls.
To get to the 80-foot-tall Laurel Fork Falls, you have two options: take a watercraft or hike there. The hiking option is the much more difficult of the two choices. This entails trekking along the 8.4-mile Foothills Trail, an activity that takes between five to six hours each way. You are much better off kayaking or canoeing from the lake’s south shore up to the falls, located on the northeast shore. If you choose to take any of these trails then you should download the AllTrails app on your phone. This app will allow you to track your progress along the trail and help you to not get lost. We use it all the time and would highly recommend it.
Lake Jocassee may not have as much name recognition as its counterparts farther south - namely Lakes Marion and Murray - but it is definitely worth a visit. With its glittering, blue-green water and amazing waterfalls, this lake beckons visitors to relax and take in the natural beauty of northern South Carolina. With several accommodation options, guests will be able to customize their visit to their liking. Have you visited this lake for camping at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina? Let us know about your experience in the comments.
