By Cheri Sicard
In the video above, we join Lou and Melody of Living our Dream Now, one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards, for a tour of a terrific free South Carolina camping spot that also happens to be convenient to Charleston. The Santee Coastal Reserve is a hidden gem that frugal RVers are sure to fall in love with.
Like most of the free camping videos from this popular channel, this one gives you a full tour of the campground, so you know just what to expect and so that there are no unwanted surprises, no matter what the size of your rig.
Do watch the video as there are two ways to access the campground and one is far more big rig friendly than the other. Know that you will encounter a beautiful but somewhat low-hanging canopy of trees you will need to pass under.
The road in is dirt, but level and well-maintained. The wooded area features lots of green!
Campsites at the Santee Coastal Reserve are all first-come, first-served, and there is a four-day stay limit. Lou recorded the video in April of 2023, and there was plenty of room available.
Trees dripping in Spanish Moss surround the large spread-out campsites. It’s big-rig friendly; but no matter the size of your rig, you must be self-contained as there are no hookups or toilet facilities in the camp.
Lou warns that you should definitely bring insect repellent. Another thing to note is that the gates lock at night, so don’t plan on going anywhere outside of the campground then.
There’s a nice hiking trail in camp and easy access to the South Santee River for fishing and wildlife viewing.
That’s a whole lot of camping for FREE!
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Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 This campground/location is intriguing. I am unsure if the negatives outweigh the positives, but I guess we’ll see when we go to Charleston. 🤔 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂