Tent camping near Harleyville, South Carolina offers access to distinct coastal plain and swampland ecosystems. Located at the northern edge of the ACE Basin watershed, campsites typically sit at elevations below 100 feet above sea level with predominantly sandy soils. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Congaree National Park provides exceptional opportunities to spot deer, river otters, and over 200 bird species. "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!" noted a visitor at Longleaf Campground.
Hiking the Palmetto Trail: This cross-state trail runs through Francis Marion National Forest with several access points within 30 minutes of Harleyville. A camper shared, "The low country side is going to be flat walking with some minor up and over terrain. Hills don't show up until you get more west. Snakes are probably the worst thing you'll come across, however most want to get away from people unless they feel a need to defend."
Swimming access: Several camping areas provide water access for cooling off during hot months. One visitor at Francis Marion National Forest mentioned, "I have my grandchildren for the end of summer before they started back to school and we went on camping for a little over a week it was great the children had a chance to go swimming and they love that."
What campers like
Synchronous firefly displays: Late May through early June brings a remarkable natural light show. "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!" according to a Longleaf Campground visitor.
Peaceful camping with wildlife sounds: The natural ambiance creates memorable nights. A camper at Longleaf noted, "The campground is next to a pond that gets rather loud at night. I never knew frogs/toads could be so loud. Easy walk to visitor center from campground."
Privacy options at dispersed sites: For those seeking seclusion, dispersed camping areas provide alternatives to established campgrounds. A visitor to Bluff Hike In Campground appreciated the backcountry experience, while another camper at Francis Marion shared, "My buddies and drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax."
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Most camping areas have minimal amenities. "It's a free campground, but there are no water and no toilets. You can park in a lot just outside the camping area--some people sleep in their cars there. This site does not take reservations, so it's first come-first served," explains a camper about Halfway Creek in Francis Marion.
Water management after rain: Low-lying areas can flood quickly. "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. The tent pad stayed fully drained," reported a visitor at Longleaf Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. One camper mentioned having "Att signal was 1 bar, no signal problems," while others reported no service at all, particularly in more remote sections of Francis Marion National Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Bring wagons for gear transport: Many sites require walking from parking areas. A Longleaf visitor advised, "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in and prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go! The heat in June is also pretty bad, so having to go back and forth out to your vehicle to bring your stuff in and out is very difficult even though the path is flat and very short."
Choose sites closest to facilities: For families with younger children, proximity to amenities matters. "If you don't want to walk far, get campsite #1. It's right next to the parking lot and closest to the bathrooms," shared one Longleaf camper. Another noted, "Sites 1-3 are the easiest to get to. We were at site 7, it took about 250 steps from the parking lot to our site."
Plan for insect protection: Mosquitoes and biting flies can be intense, especially in warmer months. "Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash/T.P. out!" advised a visitor to Halfway Creek.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most camping areas near Harleyville offer primitive camping with few dedicated RV sites. Francis Marion National Forest does have some sites with electric hookups, but water and sewer connections are rare.
Alternative accommodations: For those wanting both forest access and amenities, one camper noted, "I stayed at the site closest to the parking lot. It's a quick walk. I only stayed one night so I didn't bring everything to the site, but if I did, it would be nice to have a second person or a wagon. There's a convenience store with sandwiches, ice, beer, and groceries in Gadsden 8 min away which was convenient."
Road conditions considerations: Forest service roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "We drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax. We stayed in our trucks that night," shared one visitor describing accessible dispersed camping options.
