Tent camping near Bishopville, South Carolina provides access to rare ecosystems including old-growth bottomland hardwood forests and distinct sandhills terrain. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F between June and September, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Campgrounds in the area often require varying degrees of hiking to reach sites, with many locations situated in lowland areas prone to seasonal flooding.
What to do
Explore boardwalk trails at night: The elevated boardwalk at Congaree National Park remains accessible 24 hours, allowing campers to experience the forest after dark. One camper at Longleaf Campground described the nighttime chorus as remarkable, noting that "the campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night. I never knew frogs/toads could be so loud."
Observe synchronous fireflies: Late May through early June brings the rare synchronous firefly display to Longleaf Campground. "We camped here to see the synchronous fireflies, and loved our stay! The group site was plenty big enough for all of the children, the hiking was excellent, and the fireflies were one of the most magical things I've ever seen," reports one visitor.
Volunteer for special events: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge hosts limited camping opportunities for volunteers during special events. One visitor shared, "The first weekend in March most of the roads in the refuge are closed and is staged out for the Sandblast Rally. Tons of fun for a volunteer and a great excuse to be outdoors."
What campers like
Peace and quiet: The campgrounds offer a welcome respite from more crowded destinations. A camper at Blythewood Acres appreciated the "level sites" and tranquil setting, while another at Longleaf noted that "the vibe was less 'party all night' and more 'sleep and then explore the park during the day.' Exactly my kind of vibe!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse animal species visible from campsites. Visitors report, "We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night." Bird watching is particularly rewarding in the early morning hours.
Distance between sites: Campers consistently mention appreciating the spacing between tent sites. One reviewer described Longleaf: "Sites were spread out" and another noted there's a "good amount of space between all spaces. Sites 1-3 are the easiest to get to. We were at site 7, it took about 250 steps from the parking lot to our site."
What you should know
Bring a wagon for hauling gear: Most sites require walking from parking areas. At Congaree National Park, a visitor recommended: "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in" and another noted "if I did bring everything to the site, it would be nice to have a second person or a wagon."
Cell service varies by carrier: Some areas have limited connectivity. One camper reported, "We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found," while others experienced minimal or no service depending on location and carrier.
Flooding concerns in lowland areas: Sites can become waterlogged after heavy rainfall. A camper shared their experience: "The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites closer to parking: For families with young children, select campsites with shorter walks from vehicles. One visitor recommended: "If you don't want to walk far, get campsite #1. It's right next to the parking lot and closest to the bathrooms."
Prepare for insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly during warmer months. A camper at Longleaf Campground warned: "prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go!" and another simply advised, "Bring bug spray!"
Check for educational opportunities: Carolina Sandhills offers special camping permissions for educational groups. A visitor explained: "for the purpose of environmental education programs and research activity, school groups and youth groups are welcome to visit the preserve for ranger led programs and can stay overnight at special rustic group campsites."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options available: Most campgrounds in the immediate Bishopville area cater primarily to tent camping, with few RV accommodations. At Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, camping is restricted to "school groups and youth groups" or researchers with special permits.
Look for nearby convenience stores: Plan supply runs before setting up camp. A camper noted, "There is a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient. Just a couple minutes from Congaree national park."
Check for full hookup availability: RVers requiring utilities should research options carefully. A reviewer mentioned that Blythewood Acres offers "Water, sewer, power and dump station on site! These sites are level and waiting for your RV."
