It Was Peaceful… Until we heard shotguns
As we were heading home from the holiday weekend, driving south on I-95, Kailey and I wanted to find a campground close to the interstate and near the water. We came across Taw Caw Campground online, and my daughter offered to interpret while I drove and signed. The man who answered the phone was calm, patient, and kind. He told us to call again once we got off Exit 108 in South Carolina. Conveniently, the campground sits just seven miles from the exit.
When we arrived, the same gentleman was waiting outside and greeted us with a smile. Any time I didn’t understand something, he never rushed or got frustrated, he simply repeated himself and kept the conversation easy. It set the tone immediately: friendly, patient, and welcoming. The small office had snacks and food, though no firewood for sale.
He guided us to a waterfront campsite that opened up to a beautiful sunset. Every site had electric hookups, but with our battery setup, we didn’t need to plug in. What mattered most to me, as a Deaf traveler, was that the area was well-lit, a huge part of feeling safe and aware of my surroundings.
Since we didn’t have firewood, Kailey and I gathered fallen branches and made our own fire. She kept adding sticks, watching the flames catch and grow, and then warming her hands proudly over the fire she helped build. That simple teamwork meant more to me than the place itself.
In the middle of this little campground in the cold, my daughter and I got to slow down, create something together, and just be. Those are the moments that stick with you.
The view…the flames, the 30-degree air, the sunset bouncing off the water…was unforgettable. It was a well-needed break from staying overnight at Love’s gas stations. Time slowed down in the best way.
When it got dark, I mounted my Ring magnetic camera on the outside of the van near the sliding door — a huge part of feeling safe at night. We put up the window shades, turned on the Webasto heater, cooked dinner, and settled in. Then we pulled out our little 600-in-1 Nintendo game console and played old-school games until we were ready for bed.
Nothing happened during the night.
No alerts.
No movement.
Total peace.
Until morning.
I put on my hearing aids before heading to the bathroom and heard a sound I couldn’t place. Kailey listened and confirmed — shotgun blasts. It was hunting season. Probably birds. Maybe quail. It didn’t bother us, and we only heard it a few times, but it added a surprise twist to an otherwise calm stay.
Does Taw Caw Campground Get the Deaf Roamer Seal of Approval? Absolutely.
It was clean, well-lit, and run by staff who were patient, friendly, and respectful of communication needs. I asked a lot of questions, and every single one was answered without hesitation.
For Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing travelers —
this is a place worth checking out.
1328 Joyner Dr #7435,
Summerton, SC 29148
Phone: 803-478-2171
Average Nightly Rate: $69/night
Electric hookups: YES
