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.
