Short Stay Joint Base Charleston

I'm a native Charlestonian and I have been to Short Stay more times than I can count. I'm also a DoD employee. Short Stay is a wonderful place to spend time at. It certainly isn't the Isle of Palms with luxury accommodations, but I'd rather bring my family here than the beach! We've camped, stayed in the 1 room log cabin, and also stayed in the villas. Yeah, they are seriously out dated and worn out, but that's part of the charm of SS. We also enjoy renting their boats and hanging out in the lake. I will continue to support SS and spend my summertime weekends there with my family.

Unlike other reviewers, we were greeted by the camphost Ms. Beth, who says she's been there fo'evah. She was helpful, and escorted us to our site (site #44 which is HUGE). She chatted with us while we were leveling the rig (36' that had tons of room to spare) and let us know of the happenings around the campground, the facilities, etc. Then a security guard came by with a tag for the car and a map of the place since we arrived after hours. So the hospitality was great, but I could only rate it three stars because the cleanliness wasn't so great. The bath house had clean toilets, but disgusting showers. The bathrooms at the front near the laundry and game rooms was very outdated, and dirty the three or four times I visited throughout the week. Laundry - 4 washers, 6 dryers (only 4 working though) - if it worked, it seemed to work well, so that was good. Boat ramp #1 was really shallow, but we were still able to put in there. "beach" area had duck poop en masse, and the swimming roped area was rather small, but always had a lifeguard around. Pros = location was convenient to my family in Summerville and Macedonia. Mostly quiet, folks definitely friendly. Great value at $13/night. Cons = 30 amp service (sweating like crazy when it got to 100 outside because we could only run one A/C unit), no sewage hook ups, and a severely outdated dumping station - old sump pump made that job much worse than it had to be.

Had Truck problems in Virginia on the day before (Sunday) our scheduled reservation. Sent an email to Richard.Hahn@navy.mil last night, and called at 0730 to cancel my reservation. I gave all my info and then was greeted by "your $18 is not refundable". I asked about the refund policy which I could not find on the online info, and was told that a cancellation was required 30 days in advance.????? Now that is NOT very friendly, nor helpful. We stay at almost every military FamCamp we can find on our CONUS tour, but this is really ridiculous. Amber was willing to give me a credit but we are not coming back this way for another 10 years, maybe....Oh well, just a note of information for those wanting to stay at this facility...

We have never camped at Short Stay, this was our first time. We have gone here for picnics & family gatherings. Bathrooms are really old in the camp area. The ladies was somewhat clean, except for the showers. The mats were so gross that I had to keep my sandals on. The toilets were so old that the paint was coming off, I didn't know if it was dirty or not. The men's bathhouse was never cleaned, my husband went in there Friday night, it had poop on the seat and when we left early Sunday morning it never had been cleaned. He said the showers were so dirty. I agree that there isn't much updating that has been done in many years. The only friendly helpers were the desk help & one police officer.
We came out of the bathroom Saturday and we saw a condom by a big oak tree near there, there was dog poop on the grounds (smelled bad) looked bad!

We stayed at Short Stay, 13-18 Jun 12 in campground spot 6 in a Fifth Wheel. We have stayed here several times. Totally enjoy the area easy to take day trip into Charleston. The campground could use some updating but not totally non-enjoybale. There seems to be several rigs that are extended stay and has a lot of items stored outside that makes for unsightly campsite. The same Camphost is there and we have been going for two years now at least 10 stays total. She has not once came to greet us and ask if we need anything. We asked this past stay about getting assistance with the fire pit clean out. She stated go to the front office and ask them. What is the Camphost suppose to do if not assist and greet campers? We have stayed at several FM's and by far this is the WORST Camphost ever.

I stayed one night at Short Stay, 24 June 2012 and was in villa #25. The place was clean but outdated...Old. The staff was across the board very friendly and professional. I figure the furnishing from the 1960's era. An example of an inexpensive fix not done would be the shower head. It was old and inadequate by any standard. The villa was stark and unfriendly but the location and neighbors were great. Of note, when I arrived I noticed the US flag was tattered and unserviceable. I brought it to the attention of the facility manager (Civilian) and was assured the flag would be replaced. If you go in the near future and do not see a new, serviceable flag...Ask why? By the way if you stay one night as I did...Bring a bar of soap.

I love Short Stay we go there quiet often as I like it better than going to the beach. This was our first stay at one of the Villas. It felt very dirty, there were hundreds of spiders and bugs IN the villa which was not comforting. The blankets and sheets are about 30 years old and have seen better days. The villas are okay I'd say 2 star kinda deal but they need to be cleaned better the carpets are nasty and you can smell it when you walk in (granted the building its self is old too). The floors were sticky and dirt everywhere, I don't know if it was jut our Villa but it was not pleasant. However, we had a lake front view and the sunset was beautiful. No complaints as far as the campground its self because like I said I love short stay and would diffidently recommend going but if your staying in a cabin or villa you might want to check it out first.

I have been using this RV park for 6 years plus,and i have never wrote and comment about it. I just want to say that the welcome aboard staff at the check-in office are a outstanding group of people,and that the camp host is one of the best in the business. Thank you. However the grounds it self are so dis-organized that it can be confusing. Site are so spread out,and some are really close,and the park lets you store any and everything on your site,that it overflows onto other sites. Kids,dogs,run wide,quite times are NEVER enforced. This place could be one heck of a rv park if only there were uniformity here and that the rules were carried out. Fines need to be placed on people that let there dogs run wild and also not cleaning up after them. The sites need to be cleaned up and all the trash that rvers collect on their site needs to be discarded,in other words the mind-set of the people that live or visits short stay needs cleaning up as enforcing the rule,have better security. The bath houses are usually cleaned cleaned twice,which it should be,but once they are the pits,because of the people not cleaning up,and allowing their kids to use the place as a play area. I know this will take time,and a effort by all. 50 amps electric would be nice.

I'm not a number rater, either I like a campground or I don"t. Well, I like this famcamp! Had electric and water hookups. Large sites. Very clean, had staff cleaning park every day. Park was almost full and very quite. Lake was beautiful. Will certainly come here again.

Great place to stay, price is right and campground is good. Our complaint was security. First night there we had a dog next door barking and yowling until after 1am. Second night there same campsite had a loud party going on. We called security and complained, they went to the site and left and the noise did not stop. We were awake until 2am listening to it. Next day, we go to park across from the conference center to pick up wifi. One security car came by and said nothing. Another came and told us we could not park there. Day before there were at least 10 cars parked there as they were having a festival at the conference center. We are disappointed security was not more aware of what was going on.

Very accommodating as we arrived w/o reservations and were given site over Labor Day weekend. Only real negative is housekeeping of restrooms/bath house. Not very thorough cleaning. Wonderful facilities, gorgeous views, friendly patrons. Most staff pleasant; some were smug and rude. Overall wonderful.

This was our 2nd visit and we will come back again. The only problems we seen were with the campers and not the campgrounds. We camp with a dog, when we walk him we take along a bag to clean up after him. It seems some people don't bother doing so. People seemed to leave their trash throwing about. But credit to the staff and thoughtful campers the problem was kept to a minimum. I would highly recommend spending time here. With the outstanding staff you are sure to enjoy yourself.

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.