Best Tent Camping near Blythewood, SC
Tent campers seeking natural experiences near Blythewood, South Carolina have several established options within driving distance, including Longleaf Campground at Congaree National Park. Located approximately 20 miles southeast of Blythewood, Congaree offers walk-in tent sites in a unique old-growth bottomland forest setting. Blythewood Acres provides tent camping with more amenities, while several seasonal hunt camps in the surrounding region cater to primitive tent camping during specific seasons.
Tent sites at Longleaf Campground require a walk from the parking area, with site #1 being closest to the lot and offering easier access. The campsites feature fire rings and picnic tables but lack running water, with potable water available only at the visitor center. Vault toilets serve the campground, but no showers are available on site. Many tent sites have exposed tree roots that can make tent placement challenging. A camper noted that "the sites were clean but the tree roots are horrible, at night you will trip over them and there will be some under your tent."
The tent camping experience at Congaree National Park offers unique natural encounters not found elsewhere in the region. Sites are spaced to provide moderate privacy while maintaining a wilderness feel. During late spring, campers can witness the synchronous firefly display, a rare natural phenomenon. A visitor commented that "the fireflies at night almost make it all worth it" despite challenges with insects and heat during summer months. The boardwalk trail provides 24-hour access for nighttime exploration of the swamp ecosystem. Tent campers should prepare for seasonal flooding that can affect trail access, and mosquitoes are abundant during warmer months. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge also offers permitted tent camping with drinking water, toilets and picnic tables for those seeking alternative natural areas.
