Best Tent Camping near Anderson, SC
Tent campsites in the Sumter National Forest and surrounding areas near Anderson, South Carolina offer a range of primitive camping experiences along rivers and in wooded settings. Burrells Ford Campground provides tent camping along the Chattooga River with walk-in tent sites accessible via a short trail from the parking area. Jones Gap State Park Campground, located approximately 40 miles north of Anderson, features secluded tent-only sites with tent pads and fire rings along the Middle Saluda River.
Most tent camping areas require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Tent sites typically include fire rings and some have lantern posts, but amenities are minimal. At Burrells Ford, vault toilets are available at the parking area, but campers must walk approximately one-third to three-quarters of a mile to reach the riverside tent sites. Several campgrounds, including Grapevine and Denver Downs Farm, allow fires and permit pets, though water sources are limited or non-existent. One camper noted, "Sites were tree-filled and nice. Picnic tables and fire rings were at each site and sites were pretty well spread out."
The tent camping experience near Anderson offers solitude and natural settings, particularly at walk-in locations. Areas along the Chattooga River provide opportunities for fishing, with several tent sites positioned directly alongside the water. Primitive tent campgrounds in the region typically feature level tent pads in shaded areas, offering relief during hot summer months. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent campers appreciate the privacy: "Each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself." Many tent-only sites serve as excellent basecamps for day hikes to nearby waterfalls, including King Creek Falls accessible from Burrells Ford. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with temperatures occasionally dropping into the teens.