Just 50 miles from Charleston, Edisto Beach State Park is one of four ocean-front state parks on the east coast of South Carolina. The 1,255-acre park is located on Edisto Island and is home to many native species of wildlife, both on land and in the sea. This park gives visitors open access to the Atlantic Ocean, saltwater marshes, and one of the longest blackwater rivers in North America that stretches over 206 miles long.
Edisto Beach offers unfettered access to an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities including aquatic activities like fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as land activities such as hiking, geocaching, or picnicking. Don't forget to pass by the Environmental Learning Center for hands-on, educational experiences fit for the whole family. Visitors and residents of Edisto Beach also love to play at the acclaimed golf course and dine at local restaurants.
Whether visitors are seeking the full range of recreational activities and tours or merely want to take time to soak in the sun and quiet tranquility, this park is the perfect destination. With a stunning natural environment and ADA-accessible trails, Edisto Beach offers everyone the opportunity to enjoy the serenity of a beautiful, clean, and uncrowded ocean view.
The park offers two campgrounds with sites for RV campers. The Live Oak Campground is pet-friendly, offering 43 campsites with water and electrical hookups for tents and RVs. The Beach Campground is also pet-friendly with water and electrical hookups. Here, guests will find 75 campsites to choose from. Amenities include showers, restrooms, fire pits, and picnic tables.
Edisto Beach State Park is located about 30 miles south of the town of Jacksonboro. Once you reach Edisto Beach State Park, the speed limit reaches a maximum of 35 miles per hour. This is for your safety while driving around in your RV, but also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the scenery at a more relaxed pace. Because Edisto Beach tends to remain uncrowded, it is much more peaceful than the rest of the city and has no traffic lights.
Roads aren’t the only way of getting around, however. Miles of cycle paths will take you on a scenic trip through sandy beaches along the coast. If you are eager to see more of the beach, you can book a boat trip to explore the coves and swamps that meander through the landscape. Campers can also rent a kayak or a canoe to venture alone.
Finding parking shouldn't be an issue at this state park. There are three parking lots within the park: one by the beach, one by the boat launch, and another by the campground. These parking areas offer convenient access to all the major attractions, including the hiking trails.
The Live Oak Campground is pet-friendly, offering 43 campsites for tents and RVs. Water and electrical hookups are available. Guests will be close to the Ranger Station at this campground, with scenic views of the salt marshes. Amenities include showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits. Most sites are level with a packed sand surface. Visitors can choose between a shaded or open site. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet in length are permitted.
Live Oak Campground is farther from the beach than the Beach Campground. However, the beach is still easily accessible via a short walk through a nature trail. Visitors can book a stay up to 13 months in advance for a minimum of two nights. Cabins and day use areas are also available in the campground area.
The Beach Campground is pet-friendly, featuring water and electrical hookups. There are 75 improved campsites to choose from, each one offering easy access to the beach, as well as hiking trails and other fun activities. Most sites are level with a packed sand surface. Visitors can choose between a shaded or open site. Sites offer a picnic table and fire pit. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet in length can be accommodated.
Reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance and require a minimum of a two-night stay. Cabins and day-use areas are also available in the campground area.
Book an eco-tour to give the whole family an opportunity to explore the natural wonders found in the area. Edisto Beach is near the center of the ACE Basin, the estuary where the Edisto River, Combahee, and Ashepoo meet the Atlantic Ocean. Several local companies offer boat and land excursions suitable for different ages to closely observe this undeveloped swamp. Several tour options include extra activities like whale and dolphin watching or a picnic on the beach.
Edisto Beach is located on an island that is extremely bike-friendly. In fact, visitors can ride all over the beach and the island by using the many cycle paths found throughout the park. Ride past shops, restaurants, and panoramic views all while getting in some healthy exercise. Local shops offer hourly and daily rentals for campers who didn't bring their own bikes along. Remember to only ride on designated bike paths, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding a path that gets you where you want to go.
Edisto Beach has plenty of trails with a wide range of distances and difficulty levels. Each trail showcases another part of the complex ecosystems that work together in harmony. One of the most popular hikes, the Forest Loop Trail, takes guests through the maritime forest where they can learn about the famed palmetto trees, local live oaks, and hanging Spanish moss. Spend some time outside with the trees and become immersed in the beauty of nature.
Many people find shell collecting to be an essential part of their beach vacation. At Edisto Beach, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to find that perfect shell to remember their vacation. Just a short distance from the main beach is a secluded sandbar island that has been given the nickname "Shell Island" because of the unusually high number of shells that wash up on shore. Guests who visit with their eyes open just might find some sea glass, a sand dollar, starfish, or even a shark's tooth to take home as a souvenir.
The free-flowing Edisto River offers habitats for all kinds of unique fish. The American eel, American shad, anadromous striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, and shortnose sturgeon are just a few of the diverse fish that call the river home. A combined total of 87 different species of freshwater and 120 species of saltwater fish have been identified in the Edisto basin. Visitors can enjoy surf fishing in the ocean and river, or try their hand at fishing in the salt marsh.
Guests who want to learn how to surf during their trip to Edisto Beach can sign up for classes or get a private lesson for the family. Surfing lessons are the perfect way to let children experience a sport that is unique to the beach. Rental companies in the region offer equipment to meet the needs of beginners and the most advanced surfers. Whether visitors are experienced riding the waves or just starting to learn, a beach vacation camper is a great place to experience the power of the ocean, as well as explore many of the other activities Edisto Beach has to offer.
