Situated in the mouths of the North and South Edisto rivers, Edisto Island is a 68-square-mile lowcountry sea island with a combination of oceanfront beaches, saltwater marshes and oaks draped in Spanish moss. With its relaxed pace and variety of things to do, the island is a vacation destination just 45 miles from Charleston. Visitors pay $100 and more per night to rent beachfront cottages and condominiums. But campers at the Edisto Beach State Park pay between $17 and $26 a night, as of 2010, to stay in one of two campgrounds, with direct access to canoeing, kayaking and nature trails through the salt marshes.
Beachfront Campground
One of the two campgrounds in the state park is directly on the Palmetto-lined beach. There are 66 oceanside sites, some of which can accommodate RVs, stretching along two miles of beach. The sites have water and electrical hook-ups and have beach views, although many sites do not have direct access because of a fence that protects turtle nesting areas on a dune.
Salt Marsh Sites
While oceanfront camping is the main attraction at the Edisto Island State Park, the 33 salt marsh sites should not be overlooked. These sites are situated in the dense maritime forest and many have expansive views of the salt marshes. While not technically camping, seven cabins are available for rental in this part of the park. These cabins are furnished, supplied with bath and bed linens and and have heat and air conditioning. According to the park's brochure, they also have views of miles of pristine marshland. Reservations for any of the camping or cabin sites in the park can be made through the South Carolina Department of Parks and Tourism website.
Park Activities
Shelling on the beach is popular at the campground, but the park also offers several other outdoor activities, including ocean swimming, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and bicycling. The park has a system of handicapped-accessible hiking and biking trails that go through the maritime forest and back into the marsh, one of which leads to a 4,000-year-old shellmidden on a tidal creek. There is also an interpretative center with interactive displays and educational opportunities for kids.
Cycling or Boating Through the Plantations
The island is dotted with historical plantations, most of which are accessible by the road and easily viewed by boat. Island Bikes and Outfitters on Jungle Road in Edisto Beach rents canoes and kayaks you can use for a self-guided tour of the plantations from the coast. The store will also deliver rental bikes directly to the campground.
Conservation Areas
Edisto Island is also home to two notable conservation areas that offer a range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Botany Bay Plantation is a 4,600-acre tract whose former owner Margaret Pepper fostered a diverse area of natural habitats, including maritime forests, salt marsh, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds and hammock islands. Botany Bay Ecotours offers guided kayak tours through the bay's rivers, marshes and beaches. The island is also a gateway to the ACE Basin, an 11,000-acre national wildlife refuge. You can access the basin by canoe or kayak directly from the campground.
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