When deciding on a place to stay during your visit to Parris Island, consider bringing your RV and set up camp at the RV Park located on the base.  It’s open year round to a variety of patrons including guests of graduating Marines who may rent a space at the RV Park during graduation week.

At $20.00 a night, why not arrive a few days early to explore the Depot. New Marines probably want to go right home after they graduate, so staying on base after the graduation is not a good idea.  But if you get here a few days before Family Day, you can familiarize yourself with the base and where everything is located. You might even sneak a peek at the recruits running past the park along St. Mihiel Road as they make their way to the beach.

I drove past the RV park last week on my way to Elliott’s Beach and found 18 large lots with water, sewer and electrical hook up, picnic tables, a building containing restrooms, showers, coin operated washers, dryers, and P.O. Boxes.  Water, sewer, electrical hookup and Wi-Fi are included in the fee.

Staying on the base has its advantages.  The beach is right down the road, and everything else, like the Parris Island Museum, Peatross Parade Deck, and the Douglas Visitor’s Center are only a mile or two away.  Bring your golf clubs and play a round of golf at the Legends Golf Course only 2 miles down the road.

Need groceries?  If you have an ID card you can shop at the Commissary;  if not, stop at the BiLo grocery store on Parris Island Gateway before you drive on base.  Bring your grill and have a cookout.  If you have a fishing license for South Carolina you can fish at Elliott’s beach and catch your dinner.

With the RV Park only a few miles from the Peatross Parade Deck, you won’t have to get up at 3AM to make it to Family Day and Graduation Day activities.  Imagine getting a good night’s sleep, then waking up with plenty of time to have breakfast before heading over to the Douglas Visitor’s Center.

To make reservations at the RV Park, call 843-228-7472 Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM; the office is closed on Federal Holidays.  Make your reservations at least 5 business days prior to your visit.  Check in time is 2PM.  Check out is at 11:00 AM.  The $20.00 per night fee is current as of 2014, confirm the price and check in/out times when you call for reservations.

Have you ever stayed at the Parris Island RV Park?  If so, comment below and let everyone know how you liked the facilities.