Best Tent Camping near Greer, SC
The Greer area of South Carolina provides several tent camping opportunities throughout the nearby Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and surrounding forests. Jones Gap State Park Campground offers secluded walk-in tent sites positioned along a river, with sites spaced approximately a quarter mile apart for enhanced privacy. The Burrells Ford area in Sumter National Forest provides free primitive tent camping with riverside locations and trail access.
Tent campsites in this region typically feature basic amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers. Most walk-in tent sites include fire rings and tent pads, though picnic tables are less common at the more remote locations. At Jones Gap, campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash as no waste receptacles are provided. The hike to tent sites varies from easy quarter-mile walks at Burrells Ford to more challenging half-mile treks at locations like Pine Point Primitive Campground in Table Rock State Park. Vault toilets are available at parking areas but often not near the actual tent sites, requiring preparation for backcountry hygiene.
Several walk-in tent locations offer exceptional privacy compared to standard campgrounds. The tent-only sites at Jones Gap provide a true wilderness experience with sites positioned for solitude. A visitor noted that "each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself." Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area's trailside camping appeals to hikers seeking primitive tent sites with minimal development. Areas with creek and river proximity are particularly popular, offering both scenic views and ambient sounds. Tent campers at Burrells Ford appreciate the lantern posts and food hanging systems provided at established sites, helpful features for those camping in bear country. A reviewer mentioned that while "the hike to the campsites is an easy, slightly downhill roadbed," campers should be prepared to carry all gear and supplies approximately a third of a mile from the parking area.