Beautiful RV camping on Lake Murray, South Carolina. Dreher Island State Park spans three islands with 12 miles on shoreline. Many of the wooded sites are directly on Lake Murray providing easy water access and views. Dog-friendly camping with walking trails.
Key Takeaways:
Stunning views of Lake Murray throughout the park
Easy access to Lake Murray for boating, fishing or swimming
Paved, sites with electric and water
Some sites are not level or pavement needs repair
Wooded park with hiking trails
Our Stay:
Located about 30 miles south of Columbia, Dreher Island State Park spans 348 miles with 12 miles of beautiful Lake Murray Shoreline. Our wooded, lakeside site provided a nice change after recent beach stays. Many of the 97 sites provide easy access to Lake Murray with stunning lake views. Each paved site included water and electrical hookups, no sewer. Our site (96) was level, but we saw many sites in this park were not level with some of the pavement buckling. We took advantage of the chilly weather during our April stay to enjoy a wood-burning fire. As we discovered during a few of our Springtime stays in wooded state parks, pollen season has arrived. During our stay, we encountered extraordinary amounts of yellow pollen bombs. Thankfully the rain cleaned off the RV some, but left pollen debris to clog up our slide and awning. Well, that’s just the way it goes.
Dreher Island State Park, South CarolinaRV Camping on Lake Murray
What to Do:
Hike on the dog-friendly trails throughout the park. Launch your own kayak or canoe directly from your site. Use the park marina to launch your boat or rent a pontoon to explore the 50,000-acre Lake Murray reservoir. Fish or swim in Lake Murray. Enjoy the nature and woodsy camping experience of this beautiful state park.
Dreher Island State Park TrailsDreher Island State Park on Lake Murray, SC
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.5 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
We loved being back in the woods! We hiked the Little Gap Trail with mom and dad. We could jump in the lake right from our site! The cool weather was a nice change and we chilled out at the firepit.
Walking Path, Fort Fisher Recreation Area, North CarolinaHiking at Dreher Island State ParkFirepit at Dreher Island State Park
Kure Beach and Carolina Beach in North Carolina are beautiful Atlantic beach communities with excellent seafood restaurants, shopping and fishing. The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area or the Carolina Beach State Park are good camping options to explore the area. The trails at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area are worth a visit.
Key Takeaways:
Beautiful Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is open to military ID holders
Paved, spacious sites with full hookups
Walk, bike or take a golf cart to restaurants and shops
Close to historic Fort Fisher Recreation Area
Our Stay:
The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is a nice stay for active/retired military or DOD civilians. With clean, level sites and full hookups, this campground is a perfect location to explore the Kure Beach/Carolina Beach area. Our site was a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean. There are also several cottages available for rent. The area is bicycle and golf cart friendly with many options for good restaurants and shopping. For non-ID card holders, we recommend the highly rated Carolina Beach State Park a few miles north of Kure Beach.
Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area
What to Do:
Lounge on the beach or take a dip in the ocean. Fish from the beach or the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Explore the historic sites and beautiful ocean and marsh views at Fort Fisher Recreation Area. Taste local seafood at Michael’s Seafood Restaurant in nearby Carolina Beach. Buy local produce, baked goods, coffee, homemade dips and craft beers at the Veggie Wagon. Stand in line for donuts at Brits Donut Shop – worth the wait!
Fort Fisher Recreation Area, North CarolinaFort Fisher Recreation Area, North CarolinaFort Fisher Recreation Area, North Carolina
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
Our stay was very nice. The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation area was dog friendly, and we took many long walks through the park. We really loved our trail walk in the Fort Fisher Recreation Area. No beach time for us at this stop — dogs are allowed on Kure Beach from Oct. 1st to March 31st. Dogs can enjoy the nearby Carolina Beaches before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Walking Path, Fort Fisher Recreation Area, North Carolina
The Barefoot RV Resort in North Myrtle Beach is the perfect location to take in the sights and attractions and beaches of Myrtle Beach. This newer resort with paved sites and full hookups is conveniently located to walk, bike or take a golf cart to restaurants, shops and beaches. Short drive to the best dog park ever!
Key Takeaways:
Newer Resort in North Myrtle Beach
Paved, spacious sites with full hookups
Walk, bike or take a golf cart to restaurants and shops
Heated Pool
Half mile from Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Short drive to the best dog park ever!
Our Stay:
The Barefoot RV Resort is a newer resort in North Myrtle Beach with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean Beaches and all the attractions of Myrtle Beach. We appreciated the level sites and grassy areas for the dogs. This is a family friendly resort with a heated pool and child play areas. Many campers rent golf carts and drive to nearby restaurants and shopping areas in Barefoot Landing.
Our highlight of this stay was the Barc Parc South dog park in Myrtle Beach, a 14-acre park surrounding a large lake. This off-leash fenced dog park is worth a visit to Myrtle Beach! Dogs can run around the lake, swim and just be dogs. On the north side of the city, Barc Parc North provides a 3.3 acre off-leash, fenced park with separate areas for large and small dogs. Both parks are great options for a fun dog outing.
Barc Parc South – Myrtle Beach Dog ParkBarc Parc South – Myrtle Beach, SC
What to Do:
Go to the beach – the Myrtle Beach area spans 60 miles of beautiful Atlantic beaches. Take in a show at the Carolina Opry or Alabama Theater. Enjoy numerous family attractions throughout the Myrtle Beach Area. Golf at any of the 90+ golf courses. Go to the best dog park ever – Barc Parc South!
Playtime at Barc Parc South, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.8 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
After numerous beach stays, we are done with the sand and the surf. We enjoyed the sand free RV pads and the easy walk to the dog area at the Barefoot RV Resort. We LOVED the Barc Parc South – although it was several miles from the RV Park, we had the best time ever! We’d come back to Myrtle Beach just to go to this park. After walking the trails, meeting new dog friends, chasing balls and swimming in the lake, we were ready for a nap. But wait, our special day was not over. Our next stop was the Dirty Dawg Pet Wash & Boutique in North Myrtle Beach for spa day!
Swimming at Barc Parc South, Myrtle BeachSpa Day – Dirty Dawg Pet Wash, North Myrtle Beach, SCChili & Cedar On the Go
Luxury motorcoach resort on Hilton Head Island. Access to biking trails that span the entire island. Lush landscaping throughout the resort. Large pool, pickleball courts, activities, dog friendly. Located on Hilton Head Island with proximity to world-class golf courses, amazing restaurants and beautiful beaches.
Key Takeaways:
Beautifully landscaped with live oaks and palm trees
Paved, spacious sites with full hookups
Class A or Class C coaches only
Walking distance to restaurants and shops
Pool, pickleball courts
Easy access to bike trails
Pet Owner’s Paradise
Our Stay:
The Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort is often found on lists of the “best motorcoach resorts” and the park lives up to the hype. The sites at Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort are privately owned with many available to rent. The owners take great pride in maintaining their sites and lush landscaping. We found everyone to be very friendly with many long-time owners who love coming back year after year. With spacious, shaded sites, the 50-acre park caters to large Class A coaches, but they do allow Class C coaches as well. We enjoyed the amenities at the park, especially the pool and dog park.
Hilton Head Island RV Park is located a mile from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. Bike trails can be accessed from the park and will take you all over the island to include the bike friendly flat beaches. We loved the laid-back feeling and natural beauty of Hilton Head Island.
Hilton Head Motorcoach ResortChillin’ at Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort
What to Do:
Bike around the island, via trails accessed from the park. Take the dogs to the beach – there are several dog friendly beaches on the island. Coligny Beach allowed dogs off leash anytime during winter months and before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. during summer months. The flat beaches on Hilton Head Island are perfect for walking, running and biking. Start the day with breakfast at the Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe. Enjoy awesome seafood at the waterfront Hudson’s On The Docks. Catch the gorgeous sunsets on the stunning marshlands. Golf on one of 23 championship courses on the island. Take a guiding fishing trip.
Marsh View, Hilton Head Island
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.9 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
We felt right at home at this dog-friendly Hilton Head RV park. We loved relaxing in shady sites and enjoyed our trips to the resort dog park. Best of all, we loved the Hilton Head beaches. We arrived for morning swim before 10 a.m. so we could romp in the ocean off leash – so fun! When we returned to the Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort, we washed off the sand at the resort’s dog wash station – sweet!! This island is so dog-friendly – many restaurants allow dogs on the patio, and we especially enjoyed the Hilton Head Brewing Company. No complaints from us – we hope to come back soon!
Morning Beach Time at Coligny Beach, Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaMorning Swim, Coligny Beach Hilton Head IslandHilton Head Brewing Company
Unexpected RV park with mostly wooded sites. Sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the North River. Watch amazing sunsets from the quiet river beach or fishing pier. Take a short walk to the ocean. Walk to fantastic seafood restaurants. Minutes to old town St. Augustine.
Key Takeaways:
Wooded setting
Walk to quiet North River Beach or Atlantic Ocean North Beach
North Beach Camp Resort sits between the North River and the Atlantic Ocean. With moss-laden oaks and palmettos, this heavily wooded campground is a nice surprise for a beach stay. We enjoyed the quiet beaches on the North River and the amazing sunsets. The dog-friendly Atlantic Ocean beaches are a short walk or bike ride away. Campers can also enjoy the camp pool and fishing pier. We loved the delicious seafood dinners at Aunt Kate’s restaurant on the water, a short walk from our campsite. For oceanside dining, check out the Reef Restaurant on the Atlantic Ocean.
For the second part of our First Coast stay, we traveled to Jacksonville, just 24 miles north of St. Augustine to a beautiful waterfront campsite at the Pelican Roost RV Park at the Naval Station Mayport. This RV park is restricted to military ID card holders. The location offered close proximity to Jacksonville and Amelia Island to the north. Take a day and enjoy Amelia Island with more great restaurants and stunning beaches. For an island stay, we recommend Fort Clinch State Park campground at Fernandina Beach. Be sure to make any reservations at the Florida State Parks months ahead of time!
North Beach Camp ResortNorth River SunsetNorth Beach OceansideNorth Beach Camp Resort SunsetAunt Kate’s Restaurant on the River
What to Do:
Enjoy the dog-friendly beach on the North River or the Atlantic Ocean Beaches. Explore Old Town St. Augustine with endless shopping, restaurants and historic sites. Tour the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a Spanish fortress located on the Matanzas Bay in downtown St. Augustine. We highly recommend Cap’s on the Water, a few miles north of the campground on A1A, for an awesome North River setting and exceptional seafood.
Check out Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach just north of Jacksonville.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument St AugustineCastillo de San Marcos National Monument St AugustineFort Clinch St. Park, Amelia Island
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.5 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
We highly recommend North Beach Camp Resort with lots of shade for afternoon naps. We enjoyed the riverside beach and sunset walks. This camp has lots of room for long walks and there are always friendly dogs around. If you are lucky, you’ll score a patio table at dog-friendly Aunt Kate’s restaurant. This camp did not have a dog park and although the beaches were dog-friendly, we had to be on a leash. We did like the St. Augustine grass!
Chili enjoying sunset at North Beach Camp ResortCedar enjoying St. Augustine Grass
