Camping can open up a whole world of new opportunities for unplugging and getting outside to play. In days gone by, camping was considered a super affordable way to escape for a fun-filled yet relaxing family weekend. However, over the years, even the cost of a renting a campsite seems to have soared. That’s likely because campgrounds have begun to compete with each other by adding all sorts of amenities – and raising their prices to pay for them. You won’t run into that issue at these affordable campsites and campgrounds in South Carolina (some are actually FREE campgrounds) . What’s more, these nine glorious campsites don’t require a reservation. Sweet!
- Fell Camp - Bradley
Flickr/The Shared Experience
Google Maps Primarily used as a hunt and equestrian camp, this campground’s tent and camper sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. There are 52 campsites on 15 acres and and the camp serves as the trailhead for the 26+ mile Long Cane Horse Trail. The campground doesn’t accept reservations and still offers some pretty great amenities for the low cost of camping here: water, picnic shelter, vault toilets, garbage cans, hitching posts for horses, and grass tent sites and camper parking. Find out more by calling the Long Cane Ranger District at (803) 637-5396, or by downloading the U.S. Forest Service info sheet here.Address: 1369 Cedar Springs Road, Bradley, SC, 29819
- Elmwood Recreation Area - Jamestown
freecampsites.net/Drifting Drew If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, you’ll likely find spotty service for your mobile devices at this South Carolina campground. But that’s good, right? Popular during deer and turkey season, this campground in the Francis Marion National Forest is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill in the middle of a pine and oak forest. This primitive campground has spigot water and vault toilets. Get more information by calling the Francis Marion Ranger District in Huger at (843) 336-3248. Or, you can click here to download the info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service.Address: Jamestown, SC, 29453
- Halfway Creek Campground - Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail
alltrails.com/Eric Landerville
alltrails.com/Mike Cannata Hit the trail to get to this hike-in-only campsite along the Palmetto Trail. The primitive campsite is located on the longest passage of the Palmetto Trail and has several designated hike-in sites including this one. However, we found a nearby road that makes this primitive site pretty accessible if you want to drive and walk a short distance into the site. You’ll need to bring everything along because there’s no drinking water or facilities. Here’s a link to more information about the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail. And here’s a link to the Google map showing the access road nearby.Address: Huger, SC, 29450
- Brasstown Falls - Westminster
Flickr/Joe Plocki The U.S. Forest Service Southern Region lists a primitive campsite located at the top of Brasstown Falls. It’s a tent-only hike-in site that’s free and available on a first come, first serve basis. You’ll find more information, including explicit directions, on page 2 of the U.S. Forest Service info sheet at this link.Address: Long Creek, SC, 29658
- Honey Hill Recreation Area - Jamestown
Google Maps [streetview] Free camping in South Carolina? Yes, please! But be aware there’s a 14-day max that you can stay for free here. Honey Hill dishes up a lot for free, including toilets, grills and picnic tables - and plenty of shade. You’ll find more information here on the U.S. Forest Service website or at the bottom of this info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service. Honey Hill Recreation Area is located at 3533 French Santee Rd, Jamestown, SC 29453.Address: 3533 French Santee Road, Jamestown, SC, 29453
- Brick House Campground - Whitmire
Flickr/Mark Doliner This somewhat primitive campground is located in the Sumter National Forest and offers trails perfect for hiking and biking. Pack up the kids and go “off-grid” for the weekend here, where your biggest amenities will include a picnic table, a grill and a post to hold your lantern. Find out more including detailed directions, by downloading this very informative 2-page info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service. There’s a small fee for camping at this campground.Address: Whitmire, SC, 29178
- Nicholson Creek - Swamp Fox Passage, Palmetto Trail
Flickr/Peretz Partensky The Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail is 47 miles long. It’s a long and enjoyable hike as long as you don’t bring a lot of stuff. Just make sure you’re armed for mosquitoes and snakes. There are several back country hike-in-only primitive sites along the trail. Nicholson Creek is among them. For more information about the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail, See this link. There are no facilities or drinking water at Nicholson Creek.
- Burrell’s Ford - Mountain Rest
Flickr/Let Ideas Compete
Flickr/Let ideas Compete The beautiful Chattooga River is a perfect place to camp! Burrells Ford campground is open all year and camping there doesn’t cost a cent. Your amenities include a nice old-fashioned pit toilet and a picnic table. The campground is .25 mile from the Chattooga River, and you can even walk in and camp along the river as long as you’re the required 50-feet from the water. More information can be found at this link and a map to the campground can be found here.Address: Mountain Rest, SC, 29664
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area - near Edgefield
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn The beautiful Lick Fork Lake area is a hidden gem in the Palmetto State. The campsites are on a first come, first serve basis and only cost $7 per night. Note, there’s a 14-night maximum stay allowed. The U.S. Forest Service website says there’s currently no drinking or running water of any kind at the campground so that may pose an issue if you don’t bring your own. The park offers vault toilets, fire rings, showers (when the water is working) and garbage cans. This is a seasonal campground that’s open from May 1 through Nov. 15. No lifeguards are provided for lake swimmer’s safety. More information, including explicit directions for getting there can be found on this downloadable document from the U.S. Forest Servivce. Or you can call the Long Cane Ranger District office in Edgefield at (803) 637-5396. Address: Edgefield, SC, 29824
The Palmetto State has some great spots to unplug and go camping in South Carolina. This list has a lot of options and hopefully you found one that you really love. If not, then you can always check out others that are listed here on the U.S. Forest Service website.
Flickr/The Shared Experience
Google Maps
Primarily used as a hunt and equestrian camp, this campground’s tent and camper sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. There are 52 campsites on 15 acres and and the camp serves as the trailhead for the 26+ mile Long Cane Horse Trail. The campground doesn’t accept reservations and still offers some pretty great amenities for the low cost of camping here: water, picnic shelter, vault toilets, garbage cans, hitching posts for horses, and grass tent sites and camper parking. Find out more by calling the Long Cane Ranger District at (803) 637-5396, or by downloading the U.S. Forest Service info sheet here.Address: 1369 Cedar Springs Road, Bradley, SC, 29819
freecampsites.net/Drifting Drew
If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, you’ll likely find spotty service for your mobile devices at this South Carolina campground. But that’s good, right? Popular during deer and turkey season, this campground in the Francis Marion National Forest is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill in the middle of a pine and oak forest. This primitive campground has spigot water and vault toilets. Get more information by calling the Francis Marion Ranger District in Huger at (843) 336-3248. Or, you can click here to download the info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service.Address: Jamestown, SC, 29453
alltrails.com/Eric Landerville
alltrails.com/Mike Cannata
Hit the trail to get to this hike-in-only campsite along the Palmetto Trail. The primitive campsite is located on the longest passage of the Palmetto Trail and has several designated hike-in sites including this one. However, we found a nearby road that makes this primitive site pretty accessible if you want to drive and walk a short distance into the site. You’ll need to bring everything along because there’s no drinking water or facilities. Here’s a link to more information about the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail. And here’s a link to the Google map showing the access road nearby.Address: Huger, SC, 29450
Flickr/Joe Plocki
The U.S. Forest Service Southern Region lists a primitive campsite located at the top of Brasstown Falls. It’s a tent-only hike-in site that’s free and available on a first come, first serve basis. You’ll find more information, including explicit directions, on page 2 of the U.S. Forest Service info sheet at this link.Address: Long Creek, SC, 29658
Google Maps [streetview]
Free camping in South Carolina? Yes, please! But be aware there’s a 14-day max that you can stay for free here. Honey Hill dishes up a lot for free, including toilets, grills and picnic tables - and plenty of shade. You’ll find more information here on the U.S. Forest Service website or at the bottom of this info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service. Honey Hill Recreation Area is located at 3533 French Santee Rd, Jamestown, SC 29453.Address: 3533 French Santee Road, Jamestown, SC, 29453
Flickr/Mark Doliner
This somewhat primitive campground is located in the Sumter National Forest and offers trails perfect for hiking and biking. Pack up the kids and go “off-grid” for the weekend here, where your biggest amenities will include a picnic table, a grill and a post to hold your lantern. Find out more including detailed directions, by downloading this very informative 2-page info sheet from the U.S. Forest Service. There’s a small fee for camping at this campground.Address: Whitmire, SC, 29178
Flickr/Peretz Partensky
The Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail is 47 miles long. It’s a long and enjoyable hike as long as you don’t bring a lot of stuff. Just make sure you’re armed for mosquitoes and snakes. There are several back country hike-in-only primitive sites along the trail. Nicholson Creek is among them. For more information about the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail, See this link. There are no facilities or drinking water at Nicholson Creek.
Flickr/Let Ideas Compete
Flickr/Let ideas Compete
The beautiful Chattooga River is a perfect place to camp! Burrells Ford campground is open all year and camping there doesn’t cost a cent. Your amenities include a nice old-fashioned pit toilet and a picnic table. The campground is .25 mile from the Chattooga River, and you can even walk in and camp along the river as long as you’re the required 50-feet from the water. More information can be found at this link and a map to the campground can be found here.Address: Mountain Rest, SC, 29664
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
The beautiful Lick Fork Lake area is a hidden gem in the Palmetto State. The campsites are on a first come, first serve basis and only cost $7 per night. Note, there’s a 14-night maximum stay allowed. The U.S. Forest Service website says there’s currently no drinking or running water of any kind at the campground so that may pose an issue if you don’t bring your own. The park offers vault toilets, fire rings, showers (when the water is working) and garbage cans. This is a seasonal campground that’s open from May 1 through Nov. 15. No lifeguards are provided for lake swimmer’s safety. More information, including explicit directions for getting there can be found on this downloadable document from the U.S. Forest Servivce. Or you can call the Long Cane Ranger District office in Edgefield at (803) 637-5396. Address: Edgefield, SC, 29824
If you love to camp, then where are your favorite campgrounds in South Carolina? We’d love to know in our comments.
Prefer to know you have reservations and a few more amenities when you camp? Check out these beachside campgrounds in South Carolina.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Campgrounds In South Carolina June 17, 2019 Robin Jarvis What are some of the best campgrounds in South Carolina? Many of the best campgrounds in South Carolina are located in South Carolina’s state parks. In the mountains, Devils Fork State Park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The park offers two campgrounds, including a paddle-in campground that’s a bit rustic and primitive in comparison to the campground that can accommodate RVs and trailers. On the other hand, when seeking a camping spot on the beach, four South Carolina state parks are located right on the coast and offer ocean side camping where you’ll wake to the swift ocean breeze and a sunrise over the ocean. For visitors who love chasing waterfalls, Jones Gap State Park has trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls, including the tallest in the state! Are you allowed to camp in state parks? South Carolina’s many state parks offer a variety of camping opportunities and many also offer cabin rentals. The cabins range from rustic cottages along the beach to rugged mountain cabins along lakes and rivers, and even roundette cabins located over the lake at Santee State Park. What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip? When preparing for a camping trip, it’s important to create a checklist of items to pack. Essential camping gear for tent camping includes a tent (of course), lanterns, a flashlight, rain gear, a dry pair of shoes (for when it rains), bug spray to ward off mosquitoes and no-seeums, sunscreen, tin foil for cooking over an open flame or a grill, matches or a lighter, garbage bags, kitchen utensils for cooking and eating, and food and beverage. It also helps if you have an air mattress, unless of course, you prefer sleeping on the ground.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Campgrounds In South Carolina
June 17, 2019
Robin Jarvis
What are some of the best campgrounds in South Carolina? Many of the best campgrounds in South Carolina are located in South Carolina’s state parks. In the mountains, Devils Fork State Park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The park offers two campgrounds, including a paddle-in campground that’s a bit rustic and primitive in comparison to the campground that can accommodate RVs and trailers. On the other hand, when seeking a camping spot on the beach, four South Carolina state parks are located right on the coast and offer ocean side camping where you’ll wake to the swift ocean breeze and a sunrise over the ocean. For visitors who love chasing waterfalls, Jones Gap State Park has trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls, including the tallest in the state! Are you allowed to camp in state parks? South Carolina’s many state parks offer a variety of camping opportunities and many also offer cabin rentals. The cabins range from rustic cottages along the beach to rugged mountain cabins along lakes and rivers, and even roundette cabins located over the lake at Santee State Park. What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip? When preparing for a camping trip, it’s important to create a checklist of items to pack. Essential camping gear for tent camping includes a tent (of course), lanterns, a flashlight, rain gear, a dry pair of shoes (for when it rains), bug spray to ward off mosquitoes and no-seeums, sunscreen, tin foil for cooking over an open flame or a grill, matches or a lighter, garbage bags, kitchen utensils for cooking and eating, and food and beverage. It also helps if you have an air mattress, unless of course, you prefer sleeping on the ground.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Many of the best campgrounds in South Carolina are located in South Carolina’s state parks. In the mountains, Devils Fork State Park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The park offers two campgrounds, including a paddle-in campground that’s a bit rustic and primitive in comparison to the campground that can accommodate RVs and trailers. On the other hand, when seeking a camping spot on the beach, four South Carolina state parks are located right on the coast and offer ocean side camping where you’ll wake to the swift ocean breeze and a sunrise over the ocean. For visitors who love chasing waterfalls, Jones Gap State Park has trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls, including the tallest in the state!
Are you allowed to camp in state parks?
South Carolina’s many state parks offer a variety of camping opportunities and many also offer cabin rentals. The cabins range from rustic cottages along the beach to rugged mountain cabins along lakes and rivers, and even roundette cabins located over the lake at Santee State Park.
What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip?
When preparing for a camping trip, it’s important to create a checklist of items to pack. Essential camping gear for tent camping includes a tent (of course), lanterns, a flashlight, rain gear, a dry pair of shoes (for when it rains), bug spray to ward off mosquitoes and no-seeums, sunscreen, tin foil for cooking over an open flame or a grill, matches or a lighter, garbage bags, kitchen utensils for cooking and eating, and food and beverage. It also helps if you have an air mattress, unless of course, you prefer sleeping on the ground.
