Best Tent Camping near Cherry Grove Beach, SC
State parks and public lands within driving distance of Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Freeman Park, located in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, provides tent-only camping directly on the beach with designated sites for primitive tent camping. River Island Adventures in South Carolina features six tent campsites with basic amenities including drinking water, toilets, and showers. Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground, approximately 50 miles northwest of Cherry Grove Beach, offers walk-in tent sites with more seclusion and natural surroundings.
Tent campsites at these locations vary significantly in terrain and accessibility. Freeman Park requires a 4x4 vehicle for beach access, and tent campers must secure their shelters in loose sand using sand-filled bags rather than traditional stakes. At Lake Waccamaw, sites 2-5 require a quarter-mile walk from the parking area to reach the campsite, though campers are permitted to drive to their site for initial setup. River Island Adventures provides both drive-in and walk-in access to tent sites. Most locations offer fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of bathroom facilities from vault toilets to full bathhouses. Seasonal considerations are important, as Freeman Park only permits camping from Labor Day through Memorial Day and requires permits.
In early fall and spring, tent campers often experience more peaceful conditions at these campgrounds. A visitor to Freeman Park noted, "Camping here can be very hit-or-miss depending on the time of year. February-March and September-November offer the best experience with fewer crowds." At Lake Waccamaw, campers frequently mention the distance between sites creates excellent privacy. According to reviews, "The sites are all a far distance from one another so there's no chance of bothering one another at night." Primitive tent camping areas throughout the region offer opportunities to hear wildlife, with one camper at Princess Ann in Lumber River State Park reporting being "awoken at dawn by a cacophony of juvenile barred owls" near their tent. Mosquito protection is essential at most backcountry tent sites, particularly during warmer months.
