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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping

Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping is located near Columbia in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. The area features forested terrain with a mix of trees and open spaces. Campers can explore nearby attractions such as the Sumter National Forest trails and enjoy temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer.

Description

National Forest

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests

Free camping in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest. This is in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Dispersed camping is permitted on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Campsites must be at least 50 feet from rivers, streams or trails, and must be at least .25 miles from the road. No permit is required for dispersed camping.

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Location

Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping is located in South Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

697 Whetstone Road, Mountain Rest, South Carolina

Coordinates

34.83357533 N
83.174677 W

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Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

Shhh, secret sweet spot…

Access is rough, (moderate clearance vehicles required). Also, as courtesy - cruise the bridge and see if people are down there first, (both sides).

Sweet backcountry spot! Nice gurgling stream and hiking trails.

SiteSecret… ;)
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Primitive Camping next to the Chauga River

I didn’t get a chance to explore this camping area much because it was wet. I mean really wet! It is beside the Chauga River, and if you camp there after a storm like I did, expect a lot of wet puddles and soggy ground. It is a great destination for fishing, but the water was too high and too muddy this time. There is a parking area, and you have to pack everything in. I parked across the road because of the drop-off from the road. It was probably a good idea anyway since the parking area would require me to put my vehicle in 4WD. I am sure others had a better experience than I did, but between the bugs and the soggy mess, it was difficult to rate this campground anything other than just one star. There are not toilet facilities, water, lantern hangers, etc. That is usually not a problem for me, but… did I mention that it was wet? Building a campfire this time was out of the question. It was a good thing I carry my little Solo stove. I used it as a mini fire pit. On the positive side of things, being so close to the river makes it almost impossible to hear any sounds from the highway. It’s not a busy road anyway, but it is nice sleeping to the sounds of the river. Overall, I don’t think I will return to this camping area. It was okay as a learning experience, but other than that, it was just too small of a camping area, too many bugs, and too… did I mention it was wet?

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping by Myron C., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping by Myron C., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping by Myron C., October 31, 2020
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping?

    Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping is located at 1459 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.