The Battery's seawall looks across the harbor at Fort Sumter, and the walk along it is the first hour of a Charleston day. Stay on the wall long enough to watch the water, then turn inland when you are ready. The City Market is a few blocks off the water, and the rest of the peninsula is a walking day with the van already parked.
You sleep at James Island County Park, under live oaks in the RV loop with full hookups. The oaks throw shade over the pull-throughs. Full hookups earn their keep in the summer heat and humidity.
Book the James Island site first, then the van. Charleston County Parks takes reservations up to a year ahead on ReserveAmerica, as of September 2026. If the hookup loop is full, the park still lists primitive and dry-camping options.
Mornings you leave the oaks and spend the day on the peninsula. Evenings you come back to the hookups. Hold that site for as many harbor days as you want.
Later you take the boat out to Fort Sumter and stand on the fort you were looking at from the Battery. The ride is the harbor, out and back, with the peninsula behind you. The ferry leaves downtown from Liberty Square. Fort Sumter Tours is the NPS-authorized concessioner, and it is the only boat that docks at the fort, as of September 2026. Park the van and walk to the square.
Charles Towne Landing takes a spare day when the Battery and the market are already done. You walk the old settlement and come back to the same James Island loop.
Edisto Beach State Park
When you want the oceanfront, move the van to Edisto Beach State Park. Palmettos stand along the campground, and the overnight is on the water. Two campgrounds have water and electric hookups.
South Carolina State Parks requires a two-night minimum and lists sites that fit RVs up to 40 feet, as of September 2026. That minimum is a weekend on the water. If you need more sleeping space or a longer rig, look at RV rentals in Charleston.
Folly Beach is the beach day from James Island, the one everyone does. You walk the sand and drive back the same afternoon. Folly Beach County Park rules do not allow overnight parking or camping, as of September 2026.
Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place fill the plantation days. You walk allees of live oaks and pass tabby ruins. Park the van and go in on foot.
For Francis Marion and the barrier islands north of the harbor, start from Mount Pleasant. The Grand Strand runs from Myrtle Beach, and Savannah is the Georgia night.
Atlantic hurricane season can close campgrounds and the ferry with little notice.