Looking for tent camping near Florence? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Florence campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Camping is restricted to youth organizations involved in outdoor skills development or learning. A Special Use Permit is required. Each group/organization will complete a service project determined by the refuge manager or provide a copy of research/species list of the organization is a class group. A fire ring is provided, however if the refuge is under fire danger/drought conditions, open fires will be prohibited.
Any other recreational group or research activity not specifically mentioned above may require a Special Use Permit. Please contact the refuge manager for more information or to apply for a Special Use Permit. Email us at carolinasandhills@fws.gov. All provisions of Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations apply.
Ranger
Great little park about 20 minute drive from Florence. Clean bathrooms. My dog was a bit confused by seeing horses for the first time. Super friendly staff.
Scout
Cheraw state Park was an overall good camping experience. We stayed in the tent camping area, which was well kept. My only complaint is that the sites are somewhat close together, but it's not a huge deal. Park is well kept and the sights are worth seeing. Plenty of trails to walk down, with a boardwalk that covers the side of lake juniper.
Guide
Camped here only one night as a layover on way to another destination. Small camping area with only couple rv sites with other sites for tent camping. Went for nice hike near river. Nice nature center. Plenty of things for day visitors to do at the park. Was even a very nice splash park for warmer weather activities and a nice archery range. Would visit again.
Traveler
5 of us on 4 motorcycles needed a place to stay for the night on the way to Myrtle Beach bike week. After you drive down a long sandy rutty road you come to the farm. A little oasis for the road weary. Mostly long term trailers are here but the do have tent camping. Nestled in the woods with sandy soil. Excellent rates. 25$ for the 5 of us and the best bathrooms ever!
Guide
I just love the name of this campground- Little Pee Dee is located in South Carolina and it is near the town of Dillon. The lake is absolutely beautiful, and one of my favorite things about this park. Part of the lake is from the Carolina Bay, and the coloring of the water is gorgeous. The campground and facilities are great. I thought the bathroom on site was very clean and taken care of. They also have a shower facility on site too. The shower facilities did get a little hot because there wasn't any fans in the area. It looked like they had some sort of heater, which would be nice for the winter. The area was a little hot and steamy after the shower. If you have kids they will love the playground that is in the campground as well. There are also a lot of great trails and hikes to do. My family and I did a hike everyday that we stayed here, for a total of 3 hikes. The scenery is gorgeous, especially the hikes that over look the lake. We camped with our RV, but you can also tent camp as well. I know when my family went in 2017 they had drained the lake because of a hurricane so If you plan on going I would suggest doing some research to see if the lake is back and running. If having no lake is fine with you, then I would definitely still recommend going. The hiking is amazing and worth the stay in itself.
RangerEvery year on the first weekend of March, we go to the Sandblast Rally that’s in the same town as this campsite. As per usual lodging gets filled up and it’s hard to find a place. If it wasn’t for The Dyrt I would have never found this place. The lady gave us a discount since it was cold and we were tent camping. There’s tons of amenities here. Laundry, kitchen, playground, commons area with a tiki bar. There isn’t much hiking or exploring to be had at the campground but there are tons of parks within just a ten minute drive.
Legend
This spot is so close to I95 (look for exit 169) that you’ll both feel and hear the swoosh of passing by traffic 24/7. So, while you’ll incur ease and convenience, that will come at a cost (privacy and quietude being what you will sacrifice most). Located in the NE pocket of the Palmetto State, Florence RV Park, while not a destination per se, could be a nice (and incredibly easy) layover on your trip destination to anywhere else up or down this major east coast highway artery.
Despite the location, this spot has a lot to offer: an intimate little public pool behind the management office, WiFi hotspots, dog park, scattered picnic tables (in pretty good condition), kid’s playground, 20 / 30 / 50 amp hook-ups, dump station, dog walk area, catch & release fishing pond, propane refueling station, vending machines, small pond for fishing, basketball court, volleyball, badminton and horseshoe rings. There’s even 4-5 log cabins for rent at the front of the property (with full access to all the highway noise) and of course, good old fashioned on-site laundry facilities along with a mini-store that has most of the basics covered as well as fairly spartan shower / bathing facilities.
Insider’s tip? Here's a few: (1) The further east you are on the property, all the better as you’ll be positioned as far away from I95 traffic and noise; (2) If tent camping, I highly recommend spots #A7 – A13 and if you are RV’ing I recommend #L9 – L18 as well as any of the locations on J, K and F11 – F16; (3) There’s a lot to explore near here, from the Grand Strand of South Carolina, of course, Myrtle Beach and even Darlington Raceway, so if you don’t mind the overpopulated location with its westerly view of non-stop traffic, then this could be a good place to stop for the night or from which to launch your exploration of the area; (4) If you’ve looked at this RV campground’s website, don’t be fooled by the pictures – I don’t think any of them were actually taken of the place, save for the pond, and that was a close-up; and (5) If you are looking for a nearby spot to sample the local fare, I recommend checking out The Drive-In Restaurant with its 50s era nostalgia, big juicy burgers, fried everything, homemade onion rings and thick, creamy chocolate shakes.
Happy Camping!
Guide
Made s scheduled stop on our way to Savannah. After a storm all the tenting sites were legit under water. The staffers told us to set up under a wooden pavilion that was by half too small for our tent. With no other options offered we just drove on.
Traveler
Big Cypress Lake RV park is a smallish (approximately 10 sites) RV park located on a private lake. The lake has a walking path maintained by the landowners. Reservations are required to stay in this RV park. There are nightly and monthly rates. The park can handle even the largest RVs and most of the sites are right on the waterfront. The site has fairly good reviews on Google. Electric (up to 50amp) and water hookups are available. There is a picnic area by the water, along with 2 docks you can fish from. A large grassy area is available for pets (must be leashed).
Reservations can be made by calling (843) 902-9090.
Rates are currently $50/night ($795/mo) which includes fishing on the lake (which is private to the RV park). Tent sites are available at $45 per night ($495/mo.)
Extra charges are as follows:
$2.50/DAILY• Ages 12& OVER
$1.00/DAILY• UNDER 12 of age
$10.00/DAILY• Big Rigs or 50 AMP
Rates can also changed based on holidays or special events. When arranging your reservation, check rates.
The park is owned currently by Tim and Jane Chestnut.
TravelerWe recently returned from 5 days tent camping at Cheraw. We chose site #8 that was directly on the lake and offered electricity and water. These sites are obviously designed for RV’s with little or no space for tent campers. Although there is a designated tent area, it is back in the woods and not lakefront.
The minimal room we had was fortunately on the lake shore with wonderful shade trees. The space was not level and contained some unfriendly exposed tree roots. Fortunately we had an inflatable air bed and the roots weren’t much of a problem.
Lake Juniper is quite small and swimming is allowed in a designated area on the far side of the lake. We had inflatable rafts and tied our floats to a tree in front of our site , highly aware that a spillway not too far from our site would prove quite dangerous if one went too close then pulled over.
The small office on the opposite side of the lake offers ice and wood as well as ice cream, candy etc to satisfy any junk food craving. 10 minutes from the park is an IGA. It offers the basics and a little further out is a Walmart with groceries.
The bathhouse is currently “ under construction” although we saw no work being done during our stay. One half of the bathhouse had been designated unisex with three locking stalls and curtained showers. There is an interior lock if you choose to have the entire bathhouse all to yourself. I grew up in a family of eight and have no problem sharing a bathroom. The bathhouse has obviously seen a great deal of traffic, is quite dated and poorly ventilated. Hopefully the bathhouse will receive its update soon.
The campground host was quite helpful and an all around nice guy. We chatted a bit and he has a very interesting background.
We would return to Cheraw and confidently reserve #7 or #8 for tents. There are most likely other suitable sites there that escaped my notice.
RangerAwesome park about ten minutes outside of Florence. Has an environmental learning center. A canopy boardwalk in the trees. Kayak loading dock. And small campground with archery course.
ScoutAfter a full two days navigating down through the east coast cities, we landed at Little Pee Dee State park in South Carolina. The driveway is about two miles long, and is a beautiful road with tall pines and oak trees, both decorated with Spanish moss. We stopped at the ranger station to check in and were greeted by a friendly ranger who took our fee of I think only 20 dollers for a camp site. He gave us a park map and we proceeded to go set up camp. We chose a sweet site, not too far from the shower/commode house, but also nice and nestled in the trees. The park was very tidy and well cared for. After a good rest we woke up to birds a chirping and the smell of pines. Off to explore the trails. We found that the trails were easy to navigate. The camp sites are set up next to a large pond. From there the trails basically bring you on a trek around the pond. Many geese and birds are easy to spot as they enjoy the water. The trees are maintained so that they are not too thick. This allowed us to enjoy hunting for various flora. My overall impression of this park is of a well maintained and peaceful park. It is off the highway quite a bit, so the park is not overflowing with people. I would definitely go again.
Legend
If you haven’t been to a roadside circus lately or don’t want to shell out the dough for Disney World, then this particular RV amusement park location just off of I-95 and due south of the North Carolina/ South Carolina border may just be the perfect spot for you.
With a wide-array of parallel, elongated parking lanes for your parking pleasure, all of the sites come equipped with the typical 30/ 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections. There’s the standard picnic table, fire ring/BBQ, garbage receptacles, 3-4 communal bathhouses and even a handful of community BBQ’s.
The hosts, who work out of the Camp Pedro Store/ Office are incredibly nice and offer pricing by the night or week. There’s not a ton of amenities to pick and choose from– APART FROM THE NON-STOP LINEUP OF AMUSEMENT PARK options you will find everywhere! But the campground itself features 2-3 community playgrounds, group BBQ’s and the everything-you-need store. And while I looked, there’s no pool to speak of.
Insider’s Tip? Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to Betsy Jackson Bay if you want to get away and off the beaten path a bit to explore nature… otherwise, head back to Pedro’s, put on your silly hat, load up the car full of tchotchkies and get your fill of this whacky Tex Mex experience!
Happy Camping!
Scout
This was a nice spot with flat, river front dispersed sites for tents or boondocking. It was easy to discern the campsites and had an open parking lot. There were a few sites that are not safe to drive to because of very loose sand. It is safer to park and explore on foot before driving up to those sites.
TravelerDidn’t have any expectations of this place since it’s in the middle of nowhere and not many photos. We loved it here. We were lucky enough to catch a great view of Jupiter merging with Saturn last night. Super cheap. We stayed four nights for under $100. 30/50 hookups and water. No sewer but very close dump station in campground. Primitive camping area for tents too. Pull through sites and back in. Spacious sites that feel nicely private surrounded by evergreens which is a nice relief in winter to see trees with leaves. The lake is beautiful. Awesome walking trail that takes you to the other side of the lake where there is a playground. Lots of swings and benches and picnic tables around. Barely anyone here in December, so it feels so nice to be out of our house but not needing masks constantly. When it isn’t off season they have cheap boat rentals. Firewood is $6.50 per bundle.
RangerLittle Pee Dee State Park is a quiet and clean campground on the banks of Lake Norton. Locals often come here for fishing and non-motorized boating. We were fortunate to witness a mass crayfish event--the recent flooding had brought them out of the swamp and up the spillway, much to the delight of seafood lovers.
The campground had two different campground hosts, and they kept the restrooms and campsites immaculately clean.
Campsites have a fire ring/grate and a picnic table, but no trash cans, and you'll need to bring your trash to a large bin located at the edge of the campsites.
There are some nice sites right at the edge of Lake Norton, but the abundant water plants don't allow you to fish from the side of the lake, and it's not really a swimming lake. These sites accommodate RVs and have water & electric. If you're on a budget, there are tent-only sites off the water.
The campground recently built a sleeping cabin, which is a cute structure with air conditioning/heat, bunk beds, and a free-standing bed (the cabin sleeps four, total). Guests can use a fire ring and Adirondack chairs, hammock, and grill.
The park also has a nice shelter for use.
There is no WiFi here, and cellular internet is spotty. There isn't a camp store, but the Ranger Station does have ice, firewood, and a small number of souvenirs for sale.
LegendWhen it comes to the artificial 'camping-for-the-masses' line of properties that KOA creates across the country, there’s some definite turn-offs for pure nature enthusiasts such as me, but in some cases, you come across one of their sites that is fairly decent and should not be overlooked. Lumberton KOA, which runs parallel to I-95 in these parts of North Carolina, does not disappoint. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a better campground that is just minutes off of I-95 to park yourself for the night. But, to be clear, this place isn’t necessarily a destination – but rather, intended for those enroute to somewhere greater. In short, if you need a good place to park for the night, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find here at Lumberton KOA. And if you need something more substantial, well, just keep heading on down the road.
With a wide-array of elongated parking lanes for your parking pleasure, all of the sites come equipped with the typical 30 / 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections. There’s of course, the typical KOA office / market that will supply you with just about anything you might be missing. Other amenities include complimentary WiFi, camping kitchens, shuffleboard, propane and firewood for sale. In addition, there’s the standard-issued picnic table, fire ring / grill, garbage receptacles, kid’s playground and even a community BBQ – nearly everything was brand-spanking-new. In particular, I loved the open-air picnic shelters, in-ground heated pool (open from Memorial Day weekend until Halloween) as well as the wooden-framed tent parameters that you’ll find, which discourages pests from encroaching upon your encampment. The KOA hosts were nice, incredibly accommodating and offer pricing by the night, week and month.
Insider’s tip? (1) As this is certainly NOT a destination, but rather a very nice layover, arrive late, leave early, but while you are here, be sure to get to know the locals you are surrounded by – there’s always a great vibe amongst fellow KOA’ers; (2) Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to Lake Lynn, which has some decent fishing and is a good place to drop a kayak or canoe in for a short spin around its periphery; (3) For the kiddos, if you need to get away and see something a bit more educational then try out Exploration Station in downtown Lumberton; (4) When you grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or on-board mini-fridge and want to explore some great local fare, then check out The Governor Place for brisket burger and duck fries with alioli or Happenings on Elm, which has a pretty amazing wine tasting (for these parts), outstanding domestic and international craft beers as well as some pretty great edibles like baked brie crostini and Annette's homemade lasagna.
Happy Camping!
Scout
I have loved staying at swamp fox camp ground. We stayed for a few months and have adored all the people here. Especially the ones who work here. Always kept clean and friendly.
TravelerThe staff is super friendly. The grounds are well maintained and the sites are very large. Bathrooms are smartly decorated like the 50’s probably because they’re older-nice touch. We were concerned about the reviews about the motel nearby but it is closed down now and not a problem. We felt safe. The WiFi was super strong and allowed us to stream movies. For the price it was worth it.
ScoutStopped here last year on the way back north from Florida. It was raining and our spot was a mud bog. Drainage was terrible in the park with many spots underwater.
ScoutClean and nice play ground for kids.
GuideNice place to stay. Eady on off I 95. Bath facilities not great but workable.
Scout
I am the owner of this property and we adore it here! Come meet our family, sit by the fire, enjoy a nice quiet time with lots of space for your kids or furbabies to run! We are fenced in on all sides and surrounded by woods! There is a public landfill 1/2 mile away and there is a Dollar General 1/2 mile away!
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Country Lane is a great local spot with a convenient location for an overnight stay. Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!
TravelerGreat for a pull through spot right off I-95 while traveling! Campground is beautiful and clean, with a pond, park, large laundry room, and easy access dump station. Staff was very friendly and got me a spot right away for a good price. There are spots for every size camper. Only downside is it gets a bit messy/ muddy if it’s raining.
ScoutGreat place for kayaking, nature trails and nature center. Play ground area and lots of picnic tables.
GuideBooking is easy, and staff are very friendly. Most of the sites are in the center of a loop road. Sites 1 & 2 have power and are outside the loop. Site 1 is back in, 2 is pull thru. Sites 8 & 9 are outside the loop and the most “remote”, with 9 being more-so. The rest of the sites are in the loop.
Florence, South Carolina, offers some fantastic options for tent camping, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Here are a couple of well-reviewed spots to consider for your next outdoor adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Florence, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Florence, SC is Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Permitted Camping with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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