Short Stay Navy Outdoor Recreation Area

Short Stay is so easy to get to and the accommodations are more than ample no matter what area you stay in. The staff is always helpful and friendly. There is a lot to do here, although my favorite is fishing. Have rarely gone fishing here and not caught something. For my money, I won't miss an opportunity to go to Short Stay.

Relocated to South Carolina in 2005, stayed at Short Stay Naval Campground for 1 year, while building a house, was a great campground, though it doesn't have a sewer system, the dump station worked out well. Built our house approx. 10 mile from the campground and visit there often.

Beautiful location on Lake Moultrie. Sunsets were spectacular. It was a little farther to Charleston than we thought but we didn't mind as it was so nice to sit outside in the evening. We spent both days in Charleston so we didn't take advantage of the many recreation activities at the rec area. We will definitely return and will stay longer next time.

We spent two days in round house #42 in April 2010. This was our first try at military rec areas and certainly will not be the last. Our roundhouse was spotless, we were greeted in a most professional and friendly manner and everything concerning our stay was fully explained. I strongly recommend this as a place to vacation for a few days or possibly get the family together for a few days. I am retired USN (CPO) and appreciate places like Short Stay. Keep up the good work. A job well done.

Loved our visit to this FamCamp. The campground is close enough to Charleston to get to anywhere you want within about 45 minutes. We found the camp itself to be clean and well maintained although as with previous reviews the bathrooms and showers could use some work. Campsites have plenty of space and all the waterfront sites have water, power (30 amp), and cable. The cable did not work well but we did have a few good channels. We were on site 17 and were able to receive a weak WIFI signal most of our visit. The camp has a nice shoppette, boat rentals, fishing on Lake Moultrie and plenty of wildlife, squirrels, birds, and we saw a few gators as well. The only busy time in the park was on Saturday and Saturday night, lots of children, some not so well behaved but nothing outrageous. I would recommend this campground to anyone who wants to visit the Charleston area or just want to lay back and relax for a week. I would definitely stay here again.

If only someone would take a little time with the bathhouse, it was really, really in a bad need of cleaning. Camp sites were very well maintained, camp host was there ready to help. Security needs a little more attention to the Saturday night loud music. Nothing anyone can really do with the unruly kids, parents seem not to care if they throw rocks at the ducks and run freely between campsites. These were not camp site kids but the ones in the cabins that were only out for a couple of nights so the parents could party. Got them everywhere! Thanks for a good time guys and keep pushing for sewer hookups!

Drive from I-95 is a bit long. Camp is clean and well supervised with a great staff. Check in and site assignment was fast. The camp store is well stocked and saves a run into town. Fishing, boating etc. is excellent. Mounks Corner has lots to offer. Great place to visit and have some fun.

D.G. left this review using the Directory software: This is a superb recreation facility and not an adjunct to an operational fort or base. Clean, clean, clean!. Staff is very accommodating and professional. The RV section is spacious with sites about 100 feet long 50 feet wide, shaded, close access to water also water front sites. No sewer hookups but good dump station. Great boat access, fuel pier, 89 octane vehicle or boat fuel, great fishing from shore or boat, within 5 miles of good shopping area, Mounks Corner, 31 miles to Charleston with lots to see. Don't miss the Friday afternoon parade at The Citadel, the best show in town and it's free. Great place for retirees, couples, or families with kids. Great playground. Plenty of room to walk big dogs, all dogs welcomed when cleaned up after and attended. Excellent kennel in Mounks Corner -- indoor/outdoor runs, walked three times daily, run by a Vet. Kennel is great for your visits to Charleston without leaving a barking dog in the campground. Ask for details at the check-in desk. Nice camp store with necessities and fishing gear and bait. Very good laundry. Great lake beach. It doesn't get much better and certainly not for this price.

Although the lake is pretty, we weren't able to get a waterfront spot HOWEVER we got charged the rate for a waterfront spot. Signage is good getting TO the RV park but after you get there you're on your own. We had to ask a camper where we were supposed to go as we arrived after hours. Security told us to go pick our site and he'd be by shortly to remove the lock from the electric box. He kept his word. I knew we weren't going to have sewer but I hadn't read the info close enough and didn't realize that all that was available was 30 amp. Didn't turn out to be a problem though. We were able to run our A/C and lights and TVs and microwave and toaster without any problem. Don't understand why cable is only available for waterfront sites but with our antenna we got 7 stations. Our Verizon cell phones and aircard worked fine. We didn't have any problem with ants as previous people mentioned. One previous post said there was no Dump Station, but there is, we used it. The laundry room is air conditioned and has 4 washers and 6 dryers. All are $1 a load. I don't think we'll be back.

Is a great RV park on Lake Moultrie. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The lake is beautiful. Sunsets match Key West. It is a ways out from Charleston, SC, but for the money you can't find a better place. Has sites by the lake and in the woods. Sites by the lake have cable. Has a little store that has most things you need. Has a boat dock with rentals available. Has a laundry room available. Everything was well kept. Would stay here again.

This Fam Camp is located on a lovely lake at the end of a narrow, paved road. We had a waterfront site and enjoyed watching the sunset over the water. Laundry facilities were adequate. Staff was very friendly and helpful and made us feel at home.

Stayed at Short Stay Sept. 12 thru the 19th. Did not know there was a camp ground with so many amenities for the military. Mr. Boyd, the Director of Short Stay, is a great asset to the facility. He has many idea's that will make Short Stay, a place that will be used by every family camping. If you haven't been here yet, don't let it pass you by. I will be back, and will bring other military veterans.

We Stayed here in July while waiting to find a place to move into near Charleston. The Staff was friendly! Place was clean we where able to get a Lake front site during the week and kids and Husband loved it. Caught Plenty of Large fish right at our site. Yes if it rains DO not leave anything outside it does flood (ankle deep in some sites) but seems to dry quickly. ANTS!...Yipes make sure you have some kind of spray because if not they will find a way in. It Does seem to get Crazy busy on the weekends!!! Many friendly folks to chat with. I am Looking forward to going again when the weather cools off.. Hopefully December? :) Very easy to find, Camp store had tons of goodies and fishing gear/Boat rentals etc.

CAPTAIN LITTLE US NAVY THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF CHARLESTON NAVAL WEAPONS STATION & THE SHORT STAY NAVY OUTDOOR REC CENTER SHOULD ADD A DISCLAIMER TO THEIR RESERVATIONS,"AREA SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE FLOODING WHEN IT RAINS !" WE WERE FLOODED OUT, FOUR INCHES OF NON DRAINING WATER COVERED OUR CAMP SITE. WHEN I WROTE TO CAPTAIN LITTLE HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT SCE&G HAD THE LAKE LEVEL TOO HIGH ???? NEVER AGAIN ...

I agree with comments left on previous. In addition to all mentioned. The wi/fi connection was great for us. We were directly on the lake front (facing lake) beautiful sunsets!!! Fishing was good too. Big thing to remember there is no site waste dump. Be prepared to move as needed or have your bucket. I can't say more than has been said before but I would return. I agree with the markets!!! But with multiple tours in other countries I can wheel and deal with the best.

Just spent a month at this facility and found it to be very enjoyable. Nice location only 30 miles from Charleston which is a wonderful city with a lot of things to do. We did the historic downtown tour, the downtown Market, The USS Yorktown, Plantations and Fort Sumter. If you go down to the Market make sure to deal, especially on the baskets, can get them down by 50% or more. The Campground is laid back. Same rules as most but no one shoving them down your throat. I didn't even see them posted anywhere. They have a Marina with boat rentals. But do not be late bringing them back. I was 10 min. late and it cost me a extra $50.00 they made sure I was aware of this before going out (my fault). You have to take a open book test that takes about 30-45 min. They have a small store on site with most items you may need.
Could use some new gravel on the sites and roads. And some site could use some tree trimming for the taller rigs. Satellite has good reception and my Verizon Air Card had 3 bars. Moncks Corner has everything you need and the Navy has a small BX and Commissary about 20 miles away. One thing that would be good for the overall look of this campground would be a place to store your trailers. It junks it up a little with them around your campsite.

My wife and I and our 2 kids spent 4 days here. My dad was in Charleston University Hospital and this worked out well. We had a spot directly on the water, it was excellent. The surrounding area has everything needed, wal-mart, auto parts stores, restaurants etc. The BX and Commissary is about a 40 minute drive, not too bad. WiFi was kind of shakey, hit and miss for where we had set-up. I went to register with the front desk and was told to first find a spot, get set-up and then come complete registration. The hosts were friendly as were all employees. We will definitely becoming back here, hopefully next time it will be for a vacation and not a hospital visit. The only downfall is they only offer water and electric, no sewer, so every 2nd day had to cart the cr*p to the dumpstation, no big deal.

We stayed here with two other couples and 5 kids. The weather was perfect and the lake was beautiful. I liked the fact that the water was low because it gave our two 5 year olds LOTS of room to explore (it also gave our three 10 year olds room to get away from the 5 year olds) We had Kayaks and a boat on this trip so we got to really explore the lake. The bathrooms were fairly clean but the CG was full that weekend. The only complaint I have is that I reserved two water front spots but only actually got one on the water (only one available). I still ended up paying for two water front spots some how. The camp hostess was very nice and knew someone that could answer any question. She even came back to check on us (first time with our popup).We had a GREAT time and will stay again, soon.

We did premitive camping on a waterfront space and also stayed in a cabin, both experiences where great. Bath house was easily accessable and very clean. The kids got to swim their hearts out and the adults fished till wee hours of the morning. Everything on the camp is easy to get to on foot. The area is secured with a keycode entry gate and security roaming the camp. The camp store was stocked with just about anything you need. The staff were all friendly and helpful. If we make it back this way, this will definetely be one of our overnight stops. The Lucas gang

Sitting on the water front in my motor home with a glorious view of Lake Moultrie with 70 degree plus temperatures is what traveling is all about. One of my favorite stops on my winter travels, this is my fourth time stopping here. With WiFi being about the only change I can see. (being able to get it in the motor home at water site).
I was told last year that they were going to try and get more antennas up to broadcast WiFi in more areas. I pretty much agree with previous reviews, except I have a 40ft motor home and have no problems getting around. Access road from US52 is a little rough, but just about every RV camp I go to has rough roads leading into them. Being able to sponsor civilian guest in is a plus, since sometimes we travel with non-military friends. There are 13 good water front sites, but they are charging $17 a day now while the rest are now $14. ATT cell phone and computer air card do work here, but somewhat limited signal. I was at Charleston AFB FAMCAMP just before coming here and talked with many who have never been here. This is a great area to relax and enjoy nature.