Myrtle Beach area ‘glampsite’ named top campsite in South Carolina
A “glampsite” located outside the Myrtle Beach area was named a top place to camp in South Carolina.
Hipcamp, an app that allows people to find and reserve campsites across the United States, listed Laurel Oaks Estate as a favorite spot in the Palmetto State.
Hipcamp looked at reviews at campsites that had at least five bookings in 2024 and a 95% recommendation rating or higher to create a list of the top 20 campsites in each state, according to its website.
Laurel Oaks Estate, 4025 Copperhead Road in Conway, offers several kinds of lodging, including two yurts, a converted horse trailer and a cabin. Owner Krystl Schmidt said she and her husband opened the campsite the spring 2020. They were inspired to start the business after seeing a similar property in Virginia.
“We wanted to come and bring something like that to Conway,” Schmidt said.
They originally meant to open a wedding venue space, but as the COVID-19 pandemic created restrictions, the campsites became popular. Today, Laurel Oaks Estate offers glamping, RV campsites and a venue for large parties such as weddings or quinceañeras.
The Schmidts, who have both lived in the Myrtle Beach area for over 20 years, started with one tent but expanded to include a second, larger tent, a cabin and a remodeled horse trailer.
The smaller tent can sleep two people, has a wooden deck with rocking chairs and modern amenities like a minifridge and a gas grill. The other tent has two beds, making it easy for four people to fit, an outdoor kitchen and a private bathhouse. Both have air conditioning and heating, making it comfortable to stay no matter the season.
The horse trailer sits on the ground permanently and sleeps three people as it has a queen bed and a couch. Inside the small space is a kitchenette and outdoor guests can use the gas grill, the shower, fire pit and hammocks. There is also a two-bedroom cabin with a full kitchen indoors, a TV and an outdoor space.
On the property, there are two horses and a donkey. In the future Schmidt said she hopes to offer horse rides on trails around the property. There are also stalls and a pasture for guests to keep their horses.
Schmidt said she felt honored to be nominated as one of the best campsites in South Carolina.
“It was definitely an honor, a blessing,” Schmidt said. “We put a lot of work into it, so it felt nice to be honored.”
