Dispersed camping near Fair Play, South Carolina centers on the Sumter National Forest area between 1,000-3,000 feet elevation. Sites experience significant temperature variation with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most primitive sites require 10-30 minute drives on unpaved roads that become difficult to navigate during wet conditions.
What to do
Fishing access: Blackwell Bridge offers year-round trout fishing opportunities. According to one camper, "the river is open trout fishing all year, with no lure or size restrictions."
Waterfall hikes: From Glen Falls Backcountry Campground, visitors can enjoy multi-tiered waterfall views. One hiker describes, "The hike down from the upper trailhead is relatively steep and involves going down many (many) stairs but is well worth it for the views of Glen Falls."
Creek exploration: Several sites provide direct creek access for cooling off during hot months. At Sandy Beach Campsite, campers enjoy being "Right next to the Chattooga river. You're on the beach."
What campers like
Riverside sound barrier: Many campers appreciate how water features mask road noise. One visitor to Blue Valley Dispersed Camping noted, "We love hearing all the wonderful sounds of nature and nothing else. Wonderful creek/river by every campsite we went to."
Privacy between sites: The spacing between campsites creates natural seclusion. A camper at Mountain Rest Mountain Top reported, "Shaded and at trailhead of a trail down to creek and near a second trail to a waterfall. Had a few people during the day but evenings were totally quiet."
Star visibility: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "Dead silent and relaxing. Great view of the stars during early spring/late winter."
What you should know
Rainfall impact: Rain significantly affects site conditions beyond just wetness. A camper at Falls Creek shared, "There is room for two vehicles and multiple tent spots. Very secluded and fairly level. Overall a great spot. River is about .6 mile hike away and the road is not bad getting in."
Navigation challenges: Finding unmarked sites often requires persistent exploration. One visitor to Soggy Boot Campground explained, "We came looking for this campsite past dark and after a half hour of driving on a gravel road we gave up searching and just parked on the side of the road for the night."
Trash management: Previous campers sometimes leave waste behind. A visitor observed, "Plenty of space for groups or even just to have some tucked back privacy. Only bad part was there was trash everywhere when we got there."
Tips for camping with families
Creek swimming spots: Several sites offer safe, shallow water access for children. At Soggy Boot Campground, "You can also hike up or down the stream to get to other beautiful small falls that are perfect for swimming in during the hot summers."
Space for exploration: Some sites provide natural play areas within sight of camp. One family mentioned, "Beautiful, large, private sites. You couldn't see our site from the road, huge site, lots of woods surrounding for kids to play and explore, right beside a gorgeous large creek."
Group accommodation: Certain areas can handle multiple families camping together. A camper noted, "I camped here many times while attending the camp down the road. I have also brought many groups of campers here over my summers as a counselor."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites near Fair Play cannot accommodate large RVs. One camper specified, "I don't recommend RVs," while another noted that the roads are "very bumpy" with limited turnaround options.
Alternative parking: Some visitors with larger vehicles find roadside options. A camper explained, "I parked across the road because of the drop-off from the road. It was probably a good idea anyway since the parking area would require me to put my vehicle in 4WD."
Access specifics: Pay attention to detailed directions for smoother arrival. A visitor to King Creek shared, "King Creek is accessible via a short drive along a forest road and then another short drive down a muddy road slightly overgrown with vegetation. The only sign you will see is one saying camping is allowed, and it is difficult to see unless you are looking carefully."
