Edisto Beach State Park

Edisto Beach State Park is located on Edisto Island about an hour southwest of Charleston, in South Carolina. It is one of the oldest parks in the state. The park sits at the edge of the ACE Basin, the largest natural reserve on the East Coast. Trails wind through a maritime forest featuring Palmetto trees and salt marshes fed by tidal creeks. More than 1250 acres of coastal habitat are protected. And though it is the quiet child in the state’s family of four oceanfront parks, (Edisto doesn’t get the attention of Myrtle Beach, Hunting Island or Huntington Beach) it should not be overlooked.

Site Review:

Edisto Beach State Park  has 2 separate areas for camping:

• Beachfront Campground
• Live Oak Campground

Beachfront Campground:

There are 67 sites with water and electric hookups. All sites are within a short distance of the beach access entry point. Though none actually have a view of the beach.

Live Oak Campground:

There are 50 sites with water and electric hookups. All sites are located in a shaded maritime forest setting.

There are no sites with full hook-ups in either of the campgrounds. There is a sanitation dump station located just across the road from the entrance to the Live Oaks Campground. Each campground has comfort stations with flush toilets and free hot showers. All sites have fire rings and picnic tables.

Camping reservations usually require a two-night minimum stay. This may be flexible in non-peak season.

Difference Between the Edisto Beach Campgrounds:

Besides the obvious difference of one campground being closer to the beach, the other difference is the quality of the sites. The sites in the Live Oak campground are much more private compared to the very open sites in the Beachfront campground. You are also closer to the trails, the salt marsh (in fact, 9 sites have direct access to the marsh) as well as being closer to the Environmental Learning Center. 

It is a very short drive from the Live Oak campground to the Day Use visitor parking lot. You could probably walk it but there are no designated sidewalks so you would be on the side of the road and the cars go along at a pretty fast clip. The parking lot is fairly large and your camp permit allows you to park for free. It should be noted that there are no RV-size parking spaces. We had site #104 in the Live Oak campground.

Activities at Edisto Beach State Park:

Beach:

The beach is the biggest draw. It is 1.5 miles of natural beach on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Because this is a  lesser visited park it is less crowded and less touristy than the other beaches closer to Charleston, this is a great option for a low-key beach getaway. The sand is soft and it is a good spot for shelling. It is also a popular nesting area for Loggerhead sea turtles. Turtle season is from May to October, with hatchlings appearing in July. There are amenities like picnic shelters, refreshments, and washrooms located very close to the beach. There are no lifeguards at any spot along the beach, so swimming is at your own risk.

Hiking:

Edisto Beach State Park has 4 miles of accessible trails that wind through Edisto Island’s maritime forest.

Spanish Mount Trail:

The Spanish Mount Trail is a 1.7-mile flat pathway leading to a 4,000-year-old shell midden. Once 20 feet high and covering half an acre, the shell mound has been eroded over the years and is now barely recognizable. There is an information sign to explain what was there but it is no longer visible.

Bache Trail:

The much shorter Bache Trail takes you to a granite monument erected in 1850 by land surveyors measuring the U.S. coastline from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Alexander Bache, great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was the survey director. Two endpoint markers can still be found on the island.

And while I don’t understand the process used to make the measurements (there are information signs along the trail that explain this), what’s particularly impressive is that the calculations taken back in the mid-1800s were only off by 2.5 inches when remeasured using today’s modern technology.

Scott Creek Trail:

For the most stunning views of the marsh, try the half-mile Scott Creek Trail. Boardwalks allow you to cross the wetlands and walk through a hammock visited regularly by egrets and herons.

Forest Loop Trail:

This .5-mile trail, with a natural soft surface, takes you through the interior of the maritime forest. Edisto Island’s live oak, hanging Spanish moss and palmetto trees can be easily seen along this quieter, less maintained trail.

Boating & Fishing

Big Bay Creek and the marsh area can be accessed via the park’s boat ramp if you are bringing a boat. Or you can fish from the dock. Any person age 16 or older must possess a valid hunting or fishing license. You can find out how to get one by clicking here.

Biking:

The park’s trails are all in the western portion of the park, away from the beach. In total, it’s about 4 miles of trails. All trails are bike-accessible and fairly level, but some are bumpier than others.

The Forest Loop trail is rough on a bike, with all the tree roots. Unlike the other trails in the park, this one is not a cleared, sandy path. 

The Spanish Mount Trail and Scott Creek Trail have the best marsh views. Big Bay Trail is really just a connector trail between the Education Center and the Spanish Mount. 

There is a designated bike lane on the road outside the park entrance (SC-174) that can take you to the beach and into town.

Environmental Learning Center:

To access the Environmental Learning Center you would follow the trails from the Live Oak campground. By bike, it is just over 2 miles. There is lots of information about the island, park and the ACE Basin. There are interactive displays including a live alligator, as well as a gift shop.

Day Trip to Charleston:

Edisto Beach State Park is an hour’s drive from downtown Charleston, so a day trip is easy to do. There are lots of things to do in the Charleston area. We just took in some of the sights and had a nice lunch.

Things to Know:

1. The sites in the Beach campground are approximately $15 USD per night more expensive than those in the Live Oak campground.
2. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in this, as well as other South Carolina State Parks. There are signs and it was mentioned at check-in.
3. The Environmental Learning center is open from 8am to 6pm. Admission is $5 for adults or $3.25 for seniors who are residents of South Carolina. Admission is $3 for children ages 6-15 and free for children 5 and younger.
4. Dogs are allowed at Edisto Beach State Park Campground, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and properly cleaned up after. There are no pet fees.
5. The town of Edisto Beach has a grocery store and a gas station along with other basic amenities. It is conveniently located between the campgrounds.

IMO:

I liked Edisto Beach State Park. Neither campground was very large which resulted in it being fairly quiet. It had nicely appointed sites. The beach was particularly good for beachcombing and shelling. The beach was also quiet since it seemed off the touristy beaten path, so for those seeking a peaceful beach day it was perfect. The trails were ok, the best one being the Scott Creek trail that let you get up close and personal with the marsh.

I really felt I could unwind and relax at this park. I would definitely recommend Edisto Beach State Park as an RV Place to Go!