Congaree National Park dominates tent campsites near Gadsden, South Carolina, with primitive camping options situated within the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. The park's unique floodplain ecosystem sits at just 100-140 feet above sea level, creating distinctive camping conditions where water levels can fluctuate seasonally. Regular flooding patterns contribute to the forest's ecology while also affecting camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Observe nocturnal wildlife: The campgrounds at Congaree offer excellent opportunities for nighttime wildlife viewing. "We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night," notes a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Explore ancient trees: The park features some of the tallest trees in Eastern North America with several champion specimens. "Pristine, but organized trails near the Consgree river and Swamp. Lots of wildlife and ancient trees on the trails," writes one visitor who appreciated the old-growth forest experience.
Listen to natural sounds: The amphibian chorus at night creates a distinctive soundscape. "The campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night. I never knew frogs/toads could be so loud," shares a camper who stayed at site 7 at Longleaf.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Tent campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at Blythewood Acres where the level terrain makes setup easier than the root-filled ground at other locations. "These sites are level and waiting for your RV," notes a reviewer.
Secluded atmosphere: The remote nature of the campgrounds creates a peaceful environment. "After losing several nights of sleep at our previous campground, 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,'" writes a satisfied camper.
Access to trail systems: Campers can directly access hiking paths from their sites. "It was a pleasant stay at Congaree. We stayed at tent site 1 which was right at the beginning of the Bluffs Trail. We took our 2 dogs hiking to the boardwalk trail which led back to the Visitor Center... this was a decent 3+ mile hike."
What you should know
Water management is essential: Campers should prepare for potential flooding and wet conditions. "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. Our site did have some water during the storm but it was gone by morning," reports a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Pack-in requirements vary by site: Site 1 at Longleaf provides the easiest access from parking. "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, while another notes, "We were at site 7, it took about 250 steps from the parking lot to our site."
Insect protection is critical: Bug populations can be intense, particularly in warmer months. "Lots of bugs so come prepared," warns a reviewer simply, while another elaborates, "prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go!"
Tips for camping with families
Bring a wagon: Equipment transport becomes easier with wheeled assistance. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in," recommends a family who found the heat made multiple trips challenging even on flat terrain.
Consider the Firefly Festival: This special event offers unique family-friendly nature viewing. "We camped here to see the synchronous fireflies, and loved our stay! The group site was plenty big enough for all of the children, the hiking was excellent, and the fireflies were one of the most magical things I've ever seen!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Restroom facilities are limited: Vault toilets provide basic sanitation but no running water. "The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there," notes one camper at Bluff Hike In Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV facilities: Most camping near Gadsden caters to tent campers rather than RVs. "Ten site campground, all walk in. Sites 1 and 2 fairly short distance to walk. Campsites are spacious and clean," notes a Longleaf visitor, highlighting the walk-in nature that excludes RVs.
Utility hookups: Few tent campsites near Gadsden offer RV amenities. "Water, sewer, power and dump station on site!" mentions a reviewer at one of the rare locations with these services.
Alternative resource options: RVers can access limited amenities at the visitor center. "I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn't ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren't open/staffed yet)," shares a camper explaining the challenges of water access.
