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Can You Live Van Life in Charleston?

The short answer? YES! Ranked the number one city in the US and dubbed the Holy City of the US, Charleston certainly has plenty to explore by campervan. Wandervans is eagerly awaiting your arrival, keys to your rental van in hand!

Summit loves the large campervan with the bunk bed. More room for activities!

If being amidst the hustle and bustle is your thing, use this van life itinerary as a starting guide and enjoy it as long as you’d like. For those who also enjoy a healthy balance of city and nature, this blog has you covered too!

To keep your Charleston trip focused on your camper van rental time, we recommend spending two or three days in the city and then breaking out into nature.

Travel by Trolley Through Charleston

I know, I know. You have your camper van now, so why would you need alternate transportation?

Perhaps because you have access to a FREE and cute trolley to ride around town, and I highly recommend taking advantage of it! With three separate routes for the DASH trolley, you can truly see the entire city. From shops to historic forts and sites to museums and gardens, there’s no reason not to see the city and learn some history, especially when it’s… ahem... FREE.

Let the local drivers show you all the top sites in Charleston, and save that gas money for your other van life activities. A bonus is that while you ride around, you can think of all the different ways you could turn the trolley into a tiny home on wheels.

Parks and Farmers Markets Galore

Amongst many highly rated restaurants are farmer's markets and public parks, which sounds like the perfect recipe for a picnic. The farmer's markets are often on different days in different spots, so check here for what may be open when you’re enjoying van life in Charleston!

Mount Pleasant Meorial Waterfront Park has so much more than just a playground!

Grab some fresh food, head to a public park, and prepare a little picnic to enjoy. Want something ready to chow on from a local spot? Here is a comprehensive list of some of the top restaurants to check out in the area.

Park Circle playground is the worlds LARGEST all inclusive playground!

Hampton Park

Once you’ve exhausted the farmers markets near you, Hampton Park is a gorgeous, highly regarded park to stop at. Stroll through the gardens, take in the views, explore the nature trails and ponds, and enjoy your picnic! This is a free alternative to check out.

Charles Towne Landing

One all-inclusive park I recommend you see—if nothing else—is Charles Towne Landing. From historic lessons to paved and unpaved trails for hiking or biking, interpretive sites, geocaching, museums, and the Animal Forest (pet and, of course, SD-friendly elsewhere, though neither are allowed in this portion), this park has it all. A low admission fee of $12 is sure to keep you entertained for hours.

Charleson’s [Dog-friendly] Beaches

Whether you have a pup on board or not, these beaches are a great way to enjoy van life in Charleston. Get lost in the sand and salt at one location for the day, or hit a few beaches and declare a favorite to return to. The most well-known, perhaps, would be the Isle of Palms Beaches, which is a 7-mile stretch of off-leash dog frolicking opportunity.

Luna and David spend most beach days at Isle of Palms.

Another is Folly Beach, where you can bring your pup for a free stroll on the beach without worrying about paying for a permit, as some areas require. Sullivans Island as well as Isle of Palms beaches have rules and regulations for each season. If you go to any beaches with your pup, make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations for that location. Each area has off leash and leashed times.

Additionally, most of these spots, such as Kiawah Beachwalker Park, do implement a dog-free time to protect pups from the heat as well as provide a place for everyone to enjoy without pups running amok for a few hours, so be sure to verify this depending on the season (usually all day in the cool/off season and not allowed at all from 10a-6p during hot/peak season).

Where to Park Your Campervan in Charleston

Staying in the city offers a few options for you to rest your head, whether you’re looking for a secure paid spot at a campground or want to go the more van lifestyle and stealth camp while in Charleston.

For the active or retired military

If you’re active or retired military, check out these three campgrounds run by Joint Base Charleston, where you can score a nice spot for about half the price of most other campgrounds in the area and rest comfortably in the presence of fellow military families.

Paid campgrounds

For non-military-related individuals, check out Linda’s working farm and campground, Hanscombe Point Primitive Campground. She offers no hook ups and is not pet friendly, but only charges about $30 per night for her creekside sites and doesn’t discriminate on what rig you travel in.

Another option is James Island County Park Campground, a pet-friendly campground with tons of amenities, such as an off-leash dog park, nature trails, full hookups, showers, a splash pad/water park, fishing, a climbing tower, and more.

Stealth camping in Charleston

If stealth camping is your approach, make sure to arrive late and leave early, be respectful, and clean up after yourselves. Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Home Depot each usually provide a decent opportunity to overnight in their lots. Make sure to check for signs and/or call ahead to ensure you won’t face any issues.

Escaping the City in Your Campervan Rental

The city sure is stunning and has plenty to see if you’d like to keep exploring for as long as you’d like. However, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you may also want to bust out of Charleston and take your camper van rental to go… camp?

Boondocking awaits, along with breathtaking views, scenic driving, various wildlife, truly wild nature trails, interpretive centers, and more. We may need some critter protection, so make sure you are prepped with bug spray, proper hiking attire, bear spray, and plenty of water.

Van Life in North Charleston

Francis Marion National Forest is ideal for van life. It can be found north of Charleston in only an hour and is full of forested adventure, trails, interpretive centers, and primitive camping. It’s also a prime area to see endangered red wolves and loggerhead sea turtles.

Arthur J Ravenel bridge is an iconic walking destination for many visitiors!

Want even better news? They’re accessible with our camper van rentals from Wandervans! Get away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston, and soak up the peace and tranquility of nature. Set up camp, get comfy next to the fire, and enjoy the simpler things in life for a bit.

Free Boondocking Near Charleston

The best part about not limiting yourself to only doing van life in Charleston is that you can find free, beautiful spots nestled amongst the woods just north of the city.

Elmwood Recreational Area

Elmwood Recreation Area is located within Francis Marion National Forest and allows camping for up to two weeks at a time. It’s easily accessible and offers pit toilets, non-potable water, trash, fire pits, and tables. Being a “hunt camp” means there are certain times of the year you’re unable to stay; please verify before venturing out in your camper van rental.

Honey Hill Recreation Area

Alternatively, head over to Honey Hill Recreation Area and climb the fire tower to enjoy the sunset and panoramic views. The grounds include large, spaced-out campsites, a pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire pits. It’s an easy-to-access campground and a National Forest Recreation Area that allows you to stay 14 days max.

Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

Although Santee Coastal Reserve WMA only has a four night maximum stay, it’s worth staying all four nights! Nestled amongst old oak trees and offering wonderful tranquility with spacious open sites, trails, and birding opportunities, this could be a top-tier van life experience in the North Charleston area. Picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets are available here as well. Loggerhead sea turtles aren’t uncommon to see on nearby beaches if you time it right!

Paid Campground Close to Charleston

North of Charleston is Buck Hall Recreation Area, which allows you to set up your camper van rental for only $20 a night with hookups. It is still within the National Forest, so there are plenty of trails to hike and sites to take in nearby. It’s located right on the water, and many happy campers note dolphins swimming around throughout the day and the opportunity to see loggerhead turtles nearby.

Charleston’s Nature Trails

With an abundance of trails to explore depending on your skill level, downloading the AllTrails App is highly recommended for more great hikes (and other activities) and critical information such as trail updates, weather, and hike distance. You won’t find these hikes in the heart of Charleston, so make sure you venture out and fulfill your van life dreams.

Santee Coastal Preserve

At this Santee Coastal Preserve trailhead, you can access multiple top Santee Coastal Preserve hikes. The various routes available allow you to tailor this adventure to your preferences—whether you’re looking for a quick half-hour stroll or want a longer expedition. One leads you to the ruins of an old plantation, the other next to a swamp, and the other through miles of majestic trees. Make sure to view the trail map and familiarize yourself with the different trail options.

Sewee Center’s Nebo Nature Trail

Want something really unique? See endangered red wolves up close at Sewee Center’s Nebo Nature Trail, where the easy one-mile nature path isn’t the only thing around! This is an educational, interactive center. This is one of 40 locations nationwide that hosts these wolves for educational and observational purposes, also breeding the red wolves to increase their population numbers and help ensure their recovery as a species. Sewee Center does not charge an admission fee and is pet-friendly in certain areas. What a perfect way to wrap up this Charleston van life trip!

Where Will You Take Your Charleston Campervan Rental?

Charleston is a stunning area and a top tourist city, with plenty of nature and tranquility just an hour north. Now that you’re well equipped with the knowledge to make the most of your trip, it's time to take it all in.

We can’t wait to hear about the memories you’ve made during your van life stay in Charleston - so hop into one of Wandervans' camper van rentals, turn the key, and take off! What’s stopping you?

Vanlife in Charleston