Campground & Cottage Rules

Charleston County Parks are family-friendly facilities, and we expect all guests to behave accordingly. By participating in or utilizing park programs and facilities the user agrees to abide by all payment schedules, park and program rules and guidelines, and agrees all others participating will also abide by such rules. Usage is subject to compliance with all laws and facility rules and the user consents to reasonable examinations and searches to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with the law or facility rules may result in refusal of admission or expulsion.

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission has Agency Rules and Regulations (PDF) that establish uniform procedures for the administration of activities within all parks and facilities. In addition to the established agency rules, the rules set forth below also govern The Campground & Cottages at James Island County Park:

  1. The park is off-limits from sunset to sunrise. The fishing dock may be accessed only by campers in motor vehicles until 10:00 PM.
  2. During the Holiday Festival of Lights, the park is off limits starting at 5:00 PM, including the fishing dock. Campers may enjoy the festival once it starts at 5:30 PM.
  3. Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. All visitors are required to leave the park during quiet hours.
  4. Campground & Cottage facilities are exclusively for the use of campground patrons and their visitors.
  5. Fireworks, drones, and other dangerous projectiles are prohibited.
  6. Firearms are not allowed inside of buildings on park property. 
  7. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the campground or park areas.
  8. Smoking, vaping or tobacco use is prohibited at Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission owned and operated facilities, programs and events.
  9. Fires allowed in provided or approved fire rings and cooking grills only. 
  10. Provided hang-tag must be displayed in the vehicle at all times.
  11. Sleeping in automobiles is prohibited. 
  12. James Island County Park has sought to provide a well-maintained and safe property.  Guest agrees to indemnify and hold James Island County Park and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, their agents, and employees, harmless for accidents, injuries, damages, or liability that may occur during guest’s park visit excepting only injury or damage caused by the sole negligence of Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission so far as the laws of the state permit. Guests agree to supervise children and strictly follow all posted safety precautions.
  13. Campsite & cottage rentals do not include Splash Zone admission fees or fees for other park amenities.  Amenities and event schedules are subject to change, and closures of these attractions are not grounds for a waiver of cancellation fees.
  14. Only licensed motorized vehicles are permitted in the campground. Golf carts are permitted in the campground and on the roadways within James Island County Park during daylight hours only. With the exception of Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices, golf carts are not allowed on park trails or in the Primitive Tent or Group camping areas. All golf cart drivers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. 
  15. Bicycles, electric bikes and similar devices are allowed in the Campground and on trails when ridden safely. These devices are not allowed on docks and should be walked on boardwalks and ramps.
  16. James Island County Park reserves the right to change reserved slips or units if necessary.  When due to circumstances unforeseen or beyond the control of James Island County Park personnel or the cottage reserved becomes unavailable or uninhabitable, all money paid will be refunded or substitute cottages, if and when available, will be offered at the then-published rental rate.  THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LIABILITY OF CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO SUCH REFUND OR SUBSTITUTION.
  17. All reservations are to be paid in full at the time of reservation. Methods of payment include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or cash.
  18. The James Island County Park Rules apply to all guests and visitors.
  19. Campground and cottage guests must follow park operating hours. When the park is closed, there should be no walking, biking or golf carts leaving the campground. 

Uneven surfaces, potentially hazardous wildlife, and weather extremes are part of the natural environment. Be prepared and stay aware. 

Local law enforcement and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have jurisdiction at this facility.

Please lock your vehicle or rental unit and remove valuables from view. CCPRC is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen property. 

We reserve the right to use photos or videos taken of visitors while they are at Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission facilities or events for publicity purposes.

Park fees, operating schedules, and hours are available at CharlestonCountyParks.com and are subject to change without notice.

Check-In/Check-Out

  • Check-in: 1:00 PM Campground, and 4:00 PM Cottages
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM

If a campsite or cottage is not vacated by this time, an additional night’s stay may be charged to the camper’s account.


Additional Campground Rules 

  1. Only the customer whose name appears on the account can make changes or make financial transactions for an existing reservation.
  2. The number of campers per site is limited to 6, with the exception of the Group Area which is 35. 
  3. At any given time, sites are allowed up to 3 units (car/truck/tent/RV) and only 1 unit can be an RV and all must fit on the site’s parking pad. Boats, utility/cargo/horse trailers and additional vehicles must be parked in designated overflow parking area.   
  4. An adult must accompany all campers under 18 years of age for the duration of the visit.
  5. In any 30-day period, RV campers may stay up to a maximum of 28 nights, tent campers up to a maximum of 14 nights, and primitive/overflow campers up to a maximum of 7 nights.  Campers may return after a period of 2 nights.  
  6. Pets must be kept on a leash (except in designated dog park), cleaned up after, and under control at all times.
  7. Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations made 14 or less days in advance will incur a one-night cancellation fee.  The $5 transaction fee is non-refundable.  Any reschedule requests within 14 days will be considered a cancellation and all cancellation fees will apply.

Additional Cottage Rules 

  1. The individual making the reservation acknowledges that each cottage unit at James Island County Park is owned by Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission and that the guest is a licensee of James Island County Park and not a tenant; therefore, he/she is not acquiring any real property or transferable interest in the park property.  
  2. The individual making the reservation must be 21 years old and is responsible for distributing all rental information to group members, visitors, and any other outside individuals involved with the rental.  This individual also agrees to pay for any damage to the cottage and for additional cleaning or repair charges incurred as a result of misconduct by any of the cottage guests.  If these circumstances should occur, the charges will be billed to the account.
  3. The individual making the reservation must occupy a cottage throughout the entirety of the rental period.  The cottage may not be sublet or sub-licensed to others. The occupancy of a cottage is limited to eight (8) people overnight and fifteen (15) people during the day. 
  4. House parties and unchaperoned groups are not permitted, and at no time shall the occupancy of the cottage be disruptive to other guests or patrons.
  5. No pets are allowed in the cottage or at the cottage area at any time.
  6. Upon initial arrival, guests must stop at the Campground Registration office before going to the cottage and must follow check-in and check-out procedures.  
  7. Linens and kitchen utensils are provided.  Items such as soap, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, etc., are the responsibility of the guest.  Daily housekeeping is not provided.  Housekeeping personnel service between cottage rentals only. A linen and towel exchange is only available once a week (Friday) to guests staying one or two weeks.
  8. Park personnel may enter cottages during the rental period on an as-needed basis. All equipment in cottage properties is considered to be in reasonable working order.  In the event of a reported maintenance problem, the James Island County Park personnel will schedule repairs as quickly as possible but will not issue refunds due to matters beyond its control.
  9. Use of paste, glue, nails, tacks, staples, or any other item that may mark walls, signs, beams, floors, ceilings, doors, or windows may not be used in the cottage.  Use of confetti, glitter, and water balloons and the release of balloons is prohibited.
  10. Up to three vehicles may be parked at each cottage.  Additional vehicles must be parked in the campground overflow parking lot. 
  11. Cottage guests will be able to request up to two visitor passes for their own visitors. These will be provided at no charge.  With these passes, your visitors will be able to visit you at your cottage at no charge during your stay.  Each cottage guest will be responsible for distributing the passes to visitors prior to the visitors’ arrival.  Without this pass, visitors will be charged the regular admission of $2 per person; during special events (including Holiday Festival of Lights), the festival fee will apply.
  12. Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance will incur a one-night cancellation fee. Cancellations made 14 or less days in advance will incur a 50% cancellation fee.  The $5 transaction fee is non-refundable.  Any reschedule requests within 14 days will be considered a cancellation and all cancellation fees will apply.