Best Tent Camping near Great Falls, SC

Tent campsites near Great Falls, South Carolina include several primitive options within driving distance of town. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge offers permitted camping for educational groups and researchers, while Sedalia Campground provides basic tent sites in Sumter National Forest approximately 30 miles west of Great Falls. Crowders Mountain State Park in neighboring North Carolina features walk-in tent camping with more developed facilities.

Sedalia Campground offers primitive tent sites with minimal amenities, including running water and vault toilets. The campground lacks picnic tables but provides fire pits and trash collection. Sites are located along a national forest road with minimal traffic and cost approximately $5 for individual sites or $10 for group sites. Crowders Mountain requires a one-mile hike to reach the tent camping area, making it necessary to pack in all supplies. The campground provides fire rings, drinking water, and pit toilets. One camper noted, "The sites were very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents."

Tent campers at these primitive locations benefit from relative seclusion compared to developed campgrounds. The spacious grassy area at Sedalia Campground provides open space for activities, with a separate area designated for group camping. Hunters frequently use this campground during deer and turkey seasons, which can lead to increased occupancy during these periods. At Crowders Mountain, the walk-in requirement creates a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience. According to one visitor, "If you want to get away from civilization, this might be the place to camp. However, it is beside a road, but the road is not used very much since it is a national forest road." The Palmetto Trail runs through Sedalia Campground, making it convenient for through-hikers seeking overnight accommodations.

Best Tent Sites Near Great Falls, South Carolina (8)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Great Falls, SC

334 Reviews of 8 Great Falls Campgrounds


  • D
    Nov. 19, 2021

    Sesquicentennial State Park Campground

    Campsite 41 was poorly planned and maintained

    Pros The pond was beautiful, nice walking trail for beginners, would never consider this a hiking park. Location was close to Colombia and all it offers. Bathhouse was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Toilets were three flushers is you cared about the next guy.

    Cons Guessing I may have had the worst site (41) but walking through there were others similar. Site 41 is a pull through lot which declines quickly upon entry and is marred by deep ra9n crevices. You then incline to the area you should probably land as there is an obvious flat spot. Unfortunately in you stop there, your camper door will open on the neighboring fire ring which is the only fire ring on the back side of the neighboring spot in in the fore ground of yours. Asinine. I had to manipulate my camper for an hour to a spot level enough yet not in my neighbor's fire and dealt with a large tree and had to tie back branches to extend my awning. Uggg

    Effing covid. The state of South Carolina, the City of Columbia don't have mask mandates. But this state park requires a mask to pee in the urinal. The boss says the county still mandates it.

  • Thomas H.
    Mar. 21, 2022

    Weston Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    I was stationed at Jackson from’07-‘09 and the only thing that has really changed is the dam is being worked on so you can only observe the lake, no swimming, boating, anything on the lake until repairs are completed. The receptionist said they’ve been working on it for maybe 4 years. Hopefully it’ll be completed sooner than later. The grounds could be kept up a little better as could the restrooms/bath houses but I imagine they lost some revenue due to the lake being closed for dam repairs.

    There isn’t any concerns getting back here, the biggest rigs will not have any problems. All sites are large concrete pads, FHU. Most sites are spaced very well, some better than others but you won’t be on top of anyone whichever site you’re at. They have a large concrete patio area, nearly the size of the pad itself with a picnic table and fire pit/grill and stand alone grill.

    Verizon cell coverage is adequate. I had 2 bars and LTE, sometimes 5G. Not like being in the city but sufficient. No wifi.

    There are cabins and tent sites as well. This isn’t a large campground but there were still a few open spaces.

    There will be various bugle calls throughout, morning, day and night. You may hear firing range training going on in the distance. You should expect this and it should not be seen as negative, you’re on a military campground.

    Current RV site price a night is $35, if you have a National park pass it’s $32.50. Despite the lake being off limits right now I will still come back. Once it’s opened back up I’m sure it will be more busy, right now it’s very peaceful.

  • Nora C.
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Large shady spaces near Kings Mountain Military Park.

    Large spacious spots for RVs and Tent campers. Close to Kings Mountain Military Park. Several trails from easy to strenuous and varying lengths. Lake with fishing, kayaking and canoing. Clean facilities with bathrooms, showers and camp store.

    Spaces have electric, water, fire rings and picnic tables. Tent only areas.

  • Todd S.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Great place to stay

    We enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!

  • R
    Sep. 3, 2019

    Lake Wateree State Park Campground

    Busy campground

    I can see why this is a busy campground. Bathhouses were clean. Many lakefront sites have posts to tie up your boat to if you have one. Beach area by the store. No WiFi and rarely did we have cell service but that’s not a bad thing! Large sites with some pull through. We had site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us. Only negative was I that I was bitten up by mosquitoes and I used bug spray ( obviously I need a better kind) and citronella buckets. Even with a packed campground for the holiday weekend it was relatively quiet especially by 11. This campground tends to be booked solid on weekends so important to make reservations. Also not much for stores close by so pack well. Oh and no alcohol sales on Sunday’s in the county.

  • Michael W.
    Jan. 8, 2021

    Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests

    Better than Thought

    Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. Vault toilets clean and trash containers serviced. Within good driving distance to larger towns. Access for bigger rigs too. Ranger Bob was here and talked to him. Real nice and informative. 5.00 to me is great for the peace and quiet. Arrived after hunting season, informed was busy then. 4 or 5 come and go.

  • L
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Poulous Loop Seasonal Camp

    Was once nice. (Edited)

    Forest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water. As of July 2019 campground appears closed.

  • Samantha S.
    Nov. 21, 2020

    Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests

    Busy this time of year

    This time of year (hunting season) was full of bigger rigs and generators. The few spots that weren’t taken when we first got here eventually got scooped up by about 20 Boy Scouts. To say the least this campground was loud and crowded with not much to see or do. $5 for the night with a pay box but I never saw any rangers coming through to check. Toilets were clean but no water source Every campsite did have its own fire ring and picnic table.


Guide to Great Falls

Tent camping opportunities near Great Falls, South Carolina extend beyond the immediate town into surrounding forest lands and state parks. Located in the Piedmont region, this area features rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 200-600 feet. Seasonal temperatures vary significantly, with summer highs often reaching 90°F while winter lows can drop below freezing, affecting campsite selection and preparation needs.

What to do

Hiking trails access: The Palmetto Trail runs directly through Sedalia Campground, making it convenient for both day hikes and thru-hikers. "If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes," notes one regular visitor who camps there from Spartanburg.

Wildlife observation: Educational groups can arrange guided nature programs at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. A volunteer mentioned, "The first weekend in March most of the roads in the refuge are closed and is staged out for the Sandblast Rally. Tons of fun for a volunteer and a great excuse to be outdoors."

Mountain climbing: The challenging terrain at Crowders Mountain provides excellent rock climbing opportunities about an hour from Great Falls. "My brother and I spent the day rock climbing. It was his first time climbing, and we were able to set up some beginner-friendly routes," explains a camper who visited during winter months.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Many tent campers appreciate the solitude at smaller primitive sites. One reviewer of Hippie Holler noted, "I found my happy place here at Hippie Holler! No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely. Hidden Gem for the neurodivergants and chill seekers."

Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, some campgrounds maintain surprisingly good amenities. A Sedalia visitor remarked, "I was glad to see that it had running water and one of the cleanest pit toilets I think I have ever seen."

Spacious camping areas: Sedalia Campground offers ample space for tent camping activities. "There is a spacious grassy area in the middle of the campsites for whatever activities you want to engage in. There is also a large, separate grassy area for group camping," reports a recent visitor.

What you should know

Seasonal hunting activity: Forest camping areas experience increased occupancy during hunting seasons. "Quite calm. Hunters use it alot. Fall deer hunters spring thurkey hunting. Often gets packed," warns a Sedalia camper.

Permit requirements: Not all camping areas are open to the general public. Carolina Sandhills requires special permission, as one reviewer explains: "Camping is not open to the general public at this wildlife preserve. However, for the purpose of environmental education programs and research activity, school groups and youth groups are welcome to visit the preserve for ranger led programs."

Pack-in requirements: Crowders Mountain State Park requires preparation for carrying gear. "There is a hike to the campsite from the parking lot so we definitely got our workout in bringing our gear in," notes a family who camped there.

Fluctuating campground fees: Some areas have experienced price changes. A Poulous Loop Seasonal Camp visitor reported, "Forest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water."

Tips for camping with families

Trail difficulty assessment: Evaluate hike-in campsites based on your children's abilities. A Crowders Mountain camper advised, "The hikes here are really awesome and the facilities are nice and clean! We really enjoyed all of the different hikes and the lake as well as the hike to the top of the mountain. The hike to the top was a little strenuous for smaller kids."

Beginner-friendly options: Some campgrounds are particularly suited for novice campers. "Good campground for beginners of families with kids or those that love to hike," suggests a reviewer of Crowders Mountain State Park.

Pack extra supplies: With limited facilities at most sites, families need thorough preparation. "It isnt a rugged hike, but you must be prepapred to pack everything in," explains a Crowders Mountain camper who accessed the campground via the Sparrow Springs entrance.

Tips from RVers

Small RV limitations: Only certain campgrounds accommodate vehicles, and even those have restrictions. At Sedalia Campground, a reviewer noted, "Overall, it is a great area for primitive camping and for dry camping if you are in a small RV."

Accessibility considerations: Some locations offer special access options. A Crowders Mountain visitor explained, "There is also a driveable gravel road that is not open for the general public to drive on, but staff can, and those with permission to access the handicapped accessible campsites at the group camp can also get permission to drive to the top."

Water and utility planning: Most tent camping areas near Great Falls lack hookups, requiring self-sufficiency. "We like it. It's been quiet the times that we've been there... Just be aware that there are no picnic tables. Still it's cheap and close to where we live in Spartanburg," shares a regular Sedalia Campground visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Great Falls, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Great Falls, SC is Blythewood Acres with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Great Falls, SC?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Great Falls, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.