Best Tent Camping near Bishopville, SC
Public lands surrounding Bishopville, South Carolina offer several tent-only camping options within driving distance. Congaree National Park, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Bishopville, provides two distinct tent campgrounds: Longleaf and Bluff. Both campgrounds feature walk-in tent sites designed specifically for tent campers seeking a more secluded experience. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, situated northeast of Bishopville, offers limited permitted camping for educational groups and researchers in a unique sandhills ecosystem.
Sites at Congaree National Park require campers to park in designated lots and carry equipment to their campsites. Longleaf Campground contains 10 individual walk-in tent sites with varying distances from the parking area. Site #1 is closest at approximately 100 yards from the lot, while others require walks of 250+ steps. The terrain includes numerous tree roots that can make tent setup challenging, especially for larger tents. No potable water is available at the campgrounds, requiring visitors to fill containers at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Vault toilets are located at the parking lot, but the campgrounds lack running water, electricity, and shower facilities. The lowland location means sites can flood during heavy rains.
In spring, tent campers at Congaree experience fewer insects and comfortable temperatures. According to reviews, the campground becomes "one of the quietest places you'll ever camp" during this season. One visitor noted that "sites are well spaced with an easy path/trail to them," providing decent privacy despite the small campground size. The area is known for its synchronous fireflies in May, with campers reporting sightings directly from their sites. Wildlife observations include frogs, lizards, snakes, and numerous bird species. The boardwalk trail through the swamp forest is accessible from the campgrounds and remains open 24 hours, allowing for unique nighttime exploration. Most sites remain uncrowded even on weekends, with campers reporting "a good amount of space between all spaces."