Tent camping near Eutawville, South Carolina offers visitors access to diverse ecosystems where hardwood forests transition to wetland environments. The region sits at low elevations ranging from 80-140 feet above sea level, creating unique camping conditions with high humidity levels year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-95°F while winter nights can drop to 30-40°F with occasional freezing conditions.
What to do
Synchronous firefly viewing: Visit Congaree National Park between mid-May and mid-June to witness the rare synchronous firefly display. "The synchronous fireflies were one of the most magical things I've ever seen!" notes a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Night hiking: Take advantage of the boardwalk trails after dark for a unique perspective. "On the path after crossing the road, we saw the synchronous fireflies! There were even a few at our site," reports a visitor who stayed at site 7.
Historical sites exploration: Drive to nearby historical structures for day excursions. "Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941," recommends a camper from Francis Marion National Forest.
Trail connecting: Plan section hikes on the developing Palmetto Trail. "The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia," explains a regular visitor to the forest.
What campers like
Campsite spacing: Tent sites offer good separation for privacy. "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!" writes a summer camper at Longleaf Campground.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more isolation, Francis Marion offers backcountry options. "My buddies and I drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax," shares one forest visitor.
Convenient campsite access: Site #1 at Longleaf provides easiest access for those with heavy gear. "I stayed at the site closest to the parking lot. It's a quick walk. I only stayed one night so I didn't bring everything to the site," notes a camper who appreciated the convenience.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Heavy rain can cause flooding issues at lowland sites. "The first night got a lot of rain and storms and several of the campers from sites farther back left saying they were flooded out," reports a camper at Bluff Hike In Campground.
Insect preparation: Pack appropriate repellents for mosquitoes and flies. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in and prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go!" warns a June visitor.
Limited facilities: Water availability varies by location and season. "There used to be water available but that spicket is well past its 'sell-by-date'. The closest store is a 10-minute drive," notes a regular camper about certain forest areas.
Cell service: Connectivity is limited but present in some areas. "We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found," shares a visitor about Longleaf Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Use the camping trip for nature learning experiences. "I have my grandchildren for the end of summer before they started back to school and we went on camping for a little over a week. The children had a chance to go swimming and they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills," shares a visitor to Francis Marion National Forest.
Bring transport for gear: Cart or wagon for site access with children. "The heat in June is also pretty bad, so 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," advises a summer camper.
Trail flooding awareness: Plan hikes with seasonal water levels in mind. "There are some areas where after rain it becomes 'pools' of water making staying dry a bit difficult," notes a frequent forest visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV amenities: Most camping in this region focuses on tent sites with minimal RV hookups. "This is a National Park so there are no amenities. Walk in sites," explains a camper reviewing Longleaf Campground.
Supply planning: Identify nearest supply points before arrival. "There is a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient," notes a camper at Longleaf Campground who appreciated the nearby access to supplies.
