Tent campsites near Cassatt, South Carolina offer camping options beyond the main national park sites. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, while winters remain relatively mild with occasional frost. Camping conditions vary significantly between seasons, with spring and fall providing more moderate temperatures for tent campers seeking outdoor recreation opportunities.
What to do
Firefly viewing in late spring: At Longleaf Campground, visitors can witness the synchronous fireflies, typically appearing in late May to early June. "The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night," notes Veronica S.
Hiking ancient forest trails: The trails near Bluff Hike In Campground provide access to old-growth forest ecosystems. J Terrell M. describes the area as having "pristine, but organized trails near the Consgree river and Swamp. Lots of wildlife and ancient trees on the trails."
Educational volunteering: Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in service projects at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. John P. explains, "Camping to the general public is not permitted here unless you're in a group, or volunteering. 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
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment at Longleaf Campground. One visitor, Veronica S., specifically mentioned that "this one was a huge relief. Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less 'party all night' and more 'sleep and then explore the park during the day.' Exactly my kind of vibe!"
Wildlife encounters: The diverse ecosystem supports various wildlife viewing opportunities. Kelly observed, "The campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night. I never knew frogs/toads could be so loud. Easy walk to visitor center from campground."
Educational opportunities: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge offers unique learning experiences for groups. Janet R. explains it as a "unique outdoor learning opportunity" where "school groups and youth groups are welcome to visit the preserve for ranger led programs and can stay overnight at special rustic group campsites."
What you should know
Insect preparation essential: Biting insects are prevalent throughout the camping season. Joel R. warns, "Lots of bugs so come prepared," while another camper advises to "prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go!"
Weather vulnerabilities: Low-lying areas are susceptible to flooding during heavy rainfall. J P. cautions, "It's lowlands so it floods easily in heavy rains...learned this the hard way!" Another camper reported that "several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out."
Limited amenities: Tent camping sites provide minimal facilities. At Blythewood Acres, visitors can find "level sites" with basic hookups, but most campgrounds offer limited amenities. Allissa F. notes at Longleaf Campground, "There's a two-stall pit toilet in the parking lot and trash/recycling cans."
Tips for camping with families
Pack-in supplies: Since most sites require walking from parking areas, plan accordingly. Jacinda S. recommends, "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in," adding that "having to go back and forth out to your vehicle to bring your stuff in and out is very difficult even though the path is flat and very short."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities. "If you don't want to walk far, get campsite #1. It's right next to the parking lot and closest to the bathrooms," advises one camper. Another notes, "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."
Convenience store access: For forgotten supplies, some areas have nearby stores. Allissa F. mentions, "There is a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping near Cassatt focuses on tent camping with few dedicated RV sites. Blythewood Acres offers some of the only RV-friendly spots in the immediate area, with full hookups including "water, sewer, power and dump station on site."
Level parking considerations: RV campers should note that terrain varies significantly across the region. Ashley F. highlights that at Blythewood Acres, "These sites are level and waiting for your RV."
Cell service reliability: Mobile connectivity varies between campgrounds. Veronica S. reports, "We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found," while another camper notes "Att signal was 1 bar, no signal problems."
