Several tent campgrounds surround the McConnells, South Carolina area, offering a mix of primitive and established options for tent campers. Crowders Mountain State Park, located about 20 miles northwest of McConnells, provides walk-in tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike from the parking area. Primitive Camping By the Creek offers a secluded tent camping experience with sites situated along a creek, while Sedalia Campground provides basic Forest Service tent sites with minimal amenities.
Tent sites at Crowders Mountain feature cleared tent pads, fire rings, and nearby pit toilets, though campers must pack in all supplies for the mile-long hike to reach the campground. Primitive Camping By the Creek provides firewood stored in a shed to keep it dry and includes basic outhouse facilities. Most tent campgrounds in the region offer fire rings and flat tent pads, but amenities are limited. Sedalia Campground has running water and vault toilets but lacks picnic tables. Many of these tent sites require advance reservations, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall when weather conditions are most favorable.
The primitive tent campsites near McConnells offer solitude and natural surroundings as primary attractions. Tent campers at Primitive Camping By the Creek enjoy streamside sites with ample firewood provided and space for multiple tents. Crowders Mountain's backcountry tent sites provide access to hiking trails with mountain views, though reaching the campground requires carrying all gear approximately 1.5 miles uphill. According to reviews, the hike to Crowders Mountain campground "may be slightly daunting if you're out of shape and carrying a pack, but still doable." Sedalia Campground provides a quiet primitive tent camping experience, with one reviewer noting it's "a great place to get away from the stress of life" despite having only basic amenities like vault toilets and access to running water.
$17 - $47 / night
"This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead."
"I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing."
$30 / night
"On the campsite there is a lot of firewood to use, in a shed to keep it dry. There are log seats around a nice campfire with a picnic table. Lots of room for multiple tents."
"It was very helpful and greatly appreciated after the 11hr drive. The campsite was spacious for us to set up camp and keep the jeep nearby."
"Has fire pit and access to running water . No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets . But very nice place to get away from stress of life . Definitely will be back"
"If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes. Just be aware that there are no picnic tables. Still it's cheap and close to where we live in Spartanburg."
"There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."
ScoutLarge spacious spots for RVs and Tent campers. Close to Kings Mountain Military Park. Several trails from easy to strenuous and varying lengths. Lake with fishing, kayaking and canoing. Clean facilities with bathrooms, showers and camp store.
Spaces have electric, water, fire rings and picnic tables. Tent only areas.
GuideWe enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!
ScoutPrimitive camping area with fire pit but no picnic tables, vaulted toilets, access to water from a free standing faucet. Great place to camp if you like roughing it. I will definitely come again
GuideI can see why this is a busy campground. Bathhouses were clean. Many lakefront sites have posts to tie up your boat to if you have one. Beach area by the store. No WiFi and rarely did we have cell service but that’s not a bad thing! Large sites with some pull through. We had site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us. Only negative was I that I was bitten up by mosquitoes and I used bug spray ( obviously I need a better kind) and citronella buckets. Even with a packed campground for the holiday weekend it was relatively quiet especially by 11. This campground tends to be booked solid on weekends so important to make reservations. Also not much for stores close by so pack well. Oh and no alcohol sales on Sunday’s in the county.
LegendEasy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. Vault toilets clean and trash containers serviced. Within good driving distance to larger towns. Access for bigger rigs too. Ranger Bob was here and talked to him. Real nice and informative. 5.00 to me is great for the peace and quiet. Arrived after hunting season, informed was busy then. 4 or 5 come and go.
ScoutForest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water. As of July 2019 campground appears closed.
TravelerThis time of year (hunting season) was full of bigger rigs and generators. The few spots that weren’t taken when we first got here eventually got scooped up by about 20 Boy Scouts. To say the least this campground was loud and crowded with not much to see or do. $5 for the night with a pay box but I never saw any rangers coming through to check. Toilets were clean but no water source Every campsite did have its own fire ring and picnic table.
LegendI visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing. It was his first time climbing, and we were able to set up some beginner-friendly routes.
As for the camping, your only option is a walk-in campground, about a mile-long hike. Drinking water and outhouses are available though.
LegendThis review is probably not representative of what will be many people’s experience or opportunity, as I visited in November in the off season, albeit an unusually warm weekday! Cane Creek Park is a county park that is of state park caliber. It is located south and east of the town of waxhaw, and an easy drive from Charlotte. It is a large park on both sid s of a large lake, beautifully maintained, clearly with a variety of family recreational activities that are surely heavily used in the high season. The park offers everything from day use, to car and rv camping, to hike in tent sites and wilderness group areas, to cabins. This review is for the hike in tent sites, which are large, well spaced, heavily wooded and private, with lake access for good fishing and paddling. There are restroom and shower facilities in walking distance, though not at the campsites themselves. This is a simpler and quieter camping opportunity than the drive in sites. In fact, no one else was in this section of the campground on this fine autumn day, yet the weather was beautiful and the setting so peaceful. I would recommend this campsite location for fall camping
Tent campsites near McConnells, South Carolina offer primitive camping options in the surrounding Sumter National Forest region. Most sites require self-sufficiency with limited facilities. The area experiences mild winters with average temperatures between 30-50°F and humid summers when temperatures can reach 90°F, making spring and fall ideal for camping.
Hiking trails access: At Crowders Mountain State Park, trails range from moderate to strenuous with elevation gains. "This is an excellent place to be, especially if you are looking to get out of the city for a while. The hikes are pretty strenuous, but the views are well worth it," notes reviewer Matt G.
Creek exploration: Primitive Camping By the Creek provides direct creek access for wading or fishing. "The creek is right beside the camp. Nice and secluded. Firewood was provided," reports Tim W., highlighting the easy water access.
Cycling opportunities: Forest roads near Sedalia Campground provide cycling routes on both paved and unpaved surfaces. "If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes," according to reviewer richardhoerz.
Secluded camping spots: Primitive Camping By the Creek offers privacy with streamside locations. Don W. notes, "This place was close to the interstate but still very secluded. Plenty of firewood and next to a creek."
Convenient amenities: At Sedalia Campground, campers appreciate the basic but functional facilities. Susan B. mentions, "Has fire pit and access to running water. No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets. But very nice place to get away from stress of life."
Group camping areas: Larger parties can utilize designated group sites at several locations. At Crowders Mountain, "there are actually two campgrounds, one with large group sites, and one with individual and family campsites," explains Janet R.
Campsite access challenges: Some campgrounds require significant hiking to reach. At Crowders Mountain, "you must be prepared to pack everything in" as Janet R. notes, with the main family campground being "about a mile-long hike" according to Les R.
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. At Hippie Holler, potable water is available, while some seasonal hunt camps have no water facilities.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during hunting seasons. Wolf R.N. notes about Sedalia Campground: "Hunters use it a lot. Fall deer hunters spring turkey hunting. Often gets packed."
Child-friendly trails: Select easier trails for younger children. "The hikes here are really awesome and the facilities are nice and clean! The hike to the top was a little strenuous for smaller kids," advises Lisa L. about Crowders Mountain.
Multiple tent spacing: Primitive Camping By the Creek accommodates family-sized groups. Reid notes, "Lots of room for multiple tents. The shed also has lots of tools such as an axe and rake."
Quieter camping options: For families seeking peace, consider timing. "No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely," shares Sherry M. about her experience at Hippie Holler.
Utility hookups: Yates Family Camping provides essential RV services despite minimal amenities. Mariah S. explains, "There aren't really any extras here but if you're just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."
Site leveling: RV campers should prepare for varying site conditions. Stephen R. notes about Yates Family Camping: "Water and electric and a dump station. Friendly owners and very close to Charlotte motor speedway."
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds close during winter months. Herbert Seasonal Camp operates only from September to January, primarily serving hunters rather than recreational campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near McConnells, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near McConnells, SC is Crowders Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near McConnells, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near McConnells, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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