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Best Tent Camping near Jamestown, SC

474 Reviews

Francis Marion National Forest offers primitive tent camping opportunities near Jamestown, South Carolina, with multiple walk-in tent sites scattered throughout its expansive woodland terrain. The forest provides tent campers with both drive-in and hike-in access options, allowing for various levels of seclusion based on preference. River Island Adventures, located in the region, features six dedicated tent campsites with basic amenities for those seeking a more established camping experience. These tent-only camping areas provide access to the region's distinctive low-country landscapes and trail systems.

Tent sites at Francis Marion National Forest feature minimal improvements, with most areas offering basic dirt or grassy surfaces for pitching tents. Campers should prepare for self-sufficient backcountry tent camping by bringing adequate water supplies, as many sites have limited or no potable water available. According to reviews, the closest store to some camping areas is approximately a 10-minute drive away. The Halfway Creek area offers free primitive tent camping with a parking lot near the camping area, but lacks water and toilet facilities. Visitors should pack bug spray and trash bags for proper waste disposal, as pack-it-out principles apply at many locations.

Areas farther from developed facilities provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. One camper noted that Francis Marion offers "spots closer to the parking area and others back away from it by a couple hundred feet," providing flexibility for different camping preferences. The primitive tent campsites are particularly valued as "get-away opportunities" with abundant natural surroundings. Hiking trails throughout the forest connect many tent camping areas, with some sections of trail becoming temporarily flooded after rainfall. Wildlife observations, including snakes sunning themselves on trails, add to the authentic outdoor experience. The flat terrain of the low country makes for accessible hiking from most tent campgrounds, with more varied elevation appearing in western sections of the region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Jamestown, South Carolina (4)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Jamestown, SC

6 Photos of 4 Jamestown Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Jamestown, SC

474 Reviews of 4 Jamestown Campgrounds

  • Chelsie N.
    Mar. 21, 2017

    Huntington Beach State Park Campground

    Huntington Beach State Park

    Best beach camping I've had! Lots of shade at the walk-in tent sites. The sites are secluded with bear/animal proof food storage at each site. Of course raccoons are about everywhere, but the nature is so friendly at this campground. A little birdy built a nest in our beach towels one night. The park rangers were helpful (for that situation) so that's cool. We camped during a tropical depression with no flooding. 8 straight hours of hard rain. Great great park.

  • Penny G.
    Jul. 30, 2021

    Huntington Beach State Park Campground

    Great Spot a short walk to ocean!

    Very clean, organized campground. Our spot was a walk in. Great spot. Every site had a bear box for food. That's a treat , no walking food back to vehicle. Clean Clean restrooms and good showers. Reasonably priced. But fills up fast.

  • Kathryn W.
    Mar. 3, 2019

    Huntington Beach State Park Campground

    Short walk through Maritime forest to beautiful beach

    There are only 6 tent sites at this RV friendly park. We stayed in site 4 and had a cut through to the beach. Site 2 also could access the shortcut, but other sites had a slightly farther walk. Going before the bugs come out is a must. Potable water on site and a short walk to bath houses. Beach is absolutely breathtaking and not crowded.

    We also went on a night hike to the beach and saw so many stars!

    No long hiking trails to speak of, but a few short walks through forest and an interpretive trail are available.

    Tent sites are close together. There is little visual or auditory privacy.

    Raccoons are abundant and the park has provided lockers for all food. We didn’t have any problems, but neighbors who didn’t store food properly did.

    Camp site is situated on a pad that I assume is set up that way for flooding, but it made the campsite feel cramped, even though there were 2-4 feet of cleared space around the raised pad before the tree line.

  • Adam V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Honey Hill Recreation Area

    National Forest Free Campground

    This primitive camping facility is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill. A short camp loop swings through an upland pine/oak forest and encircles a fire lookout tower. The fire lookout tower is no longer in use.

    This semi-primitive campground is about 30 minutes north of Charleston, SC, 8 miles west of Highway 17 in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest.

    The number one thing I love about this site: It's free. It's easy to get to. It's camping!

    There are 12 fairly large sites spaced well apart so you avoid that parking lot feel. LOTS of trees. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

    The entire campground is well maintained by the National Forest Service, and the ranger. I say it's semi-primitive because there is a vault toilet which is old, yet clean. 

    In the center, there is an old abandoned fire tower that is fenced off from people going up it.

    I've been here several times and overall, it's fairly quiet. However, there was one Friday night where a bunch of 20 something's came in, climbed up the fire-tower and partied making for a not so quiet experience.

    Since it's free, you can expect to see some interesting neighbors coming in and out. But with the ranger station down the street, the rangers do patrol this daily (I've never seen them in here at night). It's first come first serve, so weekends are usually packed. You better get here early.

    I give it 4-stars because it's clean with generous spaces and we've always had a great time. Plus, the spots have so many trees, it makes hammock camping a breeze. All sites are perfect for car / truck camping. Just pull up and unload.

    Nearby are several of the major trails that run through this National Forest, including the popular Swamp Fox. The site also is right next to one of the dirt forest roads, that takes you in even deeper.

    10 minutes away, at the Highway 17 intersection are gas stations & mini markets, so if you need some basic supplies, things are right down the road.

    Directions: From Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to McClellanville. At the intersection of SC Highway 45 (the yellow caution light) turn left, and drive eight miles to the camp.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2018

    Buck Hall Recreation Area

    Intercoastal Camping: Watch Wildlife from the Campground

    Reservations during the main season are key if you have any hope of getting a campsite in this awesome Francis Marion National Forest campground which sits just along the gorgeous intercoastal waterway, about 40 minutes northeast of Charleston, SC! We pulled in without reservations and nearly every site was booked out. The campground host was super helpful, though, finding us an empty spot (due to a cancellation) for a couple nights, then moved us to a non-reservable site for the remainder of our time.

    The majority of the sites are designed for very large RVs, with a few very nice waterfront sites designated for tents. Each site is spacious, complete with a picnic table, firepit, 2 lantern poles, and electrical hookups, with a dump station at the back of the campground. The bathrooms are equipped with flush toilets, sinks, and a shower and kept relatively clean.

    The campground itself is dripping with live oaks and speckled with Palmetto trees, so lots of shade is available, especially in the tent areas. The boat launch is walking distance from the campground and has a nice picnic area adjacent to it. We watched a pods of pelicans and dolphins come through the area, as well as many other sea birds.

    We kayaked along the intercoastal waterway and out into marshy sea grass areas and had one of the most amazing wildlife encounters to date (and we’ve been all over the country). We saw a pod of dolphins in the distance, which appeared to be feeding. We stopped about 150 away and just enjoyed watching them dance and dive in the morning light. Then, two of the dolphins peeled away from the pack and headed straight toward us. As they approached our kayaks, the larger one gave an extra tail fin flap and dove under our boats, coming up just a bit on the other side. As naturalists, our hearts were pounding with excitement! We also hiked and mountain-biked along the gorgeous Palmetto Trail (which is a mountains-to-sea trail across South Carolina, and this campground serves as its coastal terminus).

    Also, don’t miss the famous Sewee Restaurant for some downeast coastal Carolina fare, as well as the Center for Birds of Prey just across the highway from this restaurant. This wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center is doing some amazing things for birds and in the region and doing a great job of public education. If you head up the coast, be sure to stop in Boats & Hoagies in McClellanville for a bite to eat. Cute place, great food, awesome service!

    The $20 per night fee is a great price for the amenities this campground offers, especially with full hook-ups and showers, and a boat launch. Check out our blog on The Dyrt's Online Magazine about our experience on the coast of South Carolina.

  • Kevin H.
    Mar. 30, 2021

    Santee Coastal Reserve

    Beautiful Spot for Primitive Camping and Wildlife Viewing

    Santee Coastal Reserve is a hidden gem near the South Carolina coast offering eight, first come, first served primitive campsites in the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area.

    The campsites are spacious and can easily accommodate multiple tents and/or RV's. This is primitive camping so there are no water or electrical hook-ups. We drove the short distance to the Elmwood Recreation Area to fill our water jugs. They do not sell firewood at the campground and we didn't see any for sale by local residents on our way in. Fortunately, we were able to gather a lot of downed wood around our campsite since it wasn't until the end of our stay that we found out that firewood, groceries, fishing, and other supplies were available at the Seewee Outpost, about 26 miles south of the reserve on highway 17.

    Out of the eight sites, only about 4 or 5 were occupied at any given time and everyone was fairly quiet. Except for one camper who ran his RV generator for hours morning and night. Fortunately, they only stayed one night.

    There are several hiking trails around the reserve where you can see various birds and spot alligators bathing in the sun. The only wildlife that we weren't happy to see were the gnats and mosquitos, which we weren't respecting so early in the season.

    Overall, this is a beautiful campground and e look forward to visiting again.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2022

    Myrtle Beach State Park Campground

    Halloween at the beach

    Myrtle Beach SP

    Arrived in time to take a walk on the beach with my dogs before dark. Beach is off limits to dogs and bikes May 1 - Labor Day 10 am - 5 pm. We visited in October so no restrictions. Unfortunately some pet owners still haven’t figured out that they need to police their dogs poop from the beach :(

    The campground was very close to the beach which was nice and the area is generally shaded. Surprisingly the sites are actually not tiny like in some other locations. You have a break between most sites of foliage which also helps keep the noise down. My site was on the edge of the campground with a sand dune right beside, the mosquitoes were still very active even in the 50 degree ranges. The WiFi and signal is lacking but you can go to the campground store area and pick it up….mostly, lol. The showerhouses were well maintained, no heat when I visited (maybe not on yet?)and I had crappy water pressure when trying to get any warm/hot water.

    The one down side that I experienced is the proximity of the airport. It didn’t keep me up at night but the campground is on the edge of the incoming flights and you can definitely hear the out going flights. Sorta background noise after you get used to it.

    Nice pavilions near the beach for large groups, reserve ahead. The trails are pretty well maintained. Wear shoes due to the copperhead population, save the flip flops for the beach. AND watch out for sand burs! Especially if you have your furry friends along. We stayed off the “grass” areas after we found the first patch and had no more problem with them.

  • Caleb J.
    May. 7, 2021

    Francis Marion National Forest

    Great spot for an overnight or for a weekend

    I love this spot. Its right on the trail, it also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike. It has some spots closer to the parking area and others back away from it by a couple hundred feet. There used to be water available but that spicket is well past it "sell-by-date". The closest store is a 10-minute drive. Hiking is great. There are some areas where after rain it becomes "pools" of water making staying dry a bit difficult. The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia. 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. So, keep your eyes open, I've stumbled across a couple laying on the trail just trying to get sun and warm up. Once my presence was recognized they get away as fast as possible. Stay safe and keep your eyes and ears open.

  • Sam S.
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Santee Coastal Reserve

    Great, But Man those Mosquitoes

    Really really loved this campsite. I just wish the mosquitoes were less relentless. I can only imagine how bad they can be during the summer. Make sure to bring the entire arsenal of big deterrent when coming here, or pay the price! I’m talking bug spray, area repellent, long sleeves, bug netting for you face, and magical protection from your local witch.

    Other than those buggers, this campsite was really lovely. I really enjoyed camping under the love oaks and watching the stars at night. There were also some nice trails nearby (note: the mosquitoes are horrendous on these trails and it is a little easy to get lost). It is very safe here with little traffic. I left my teardrop here one day while I made a day trip to Charleston and it was A okay.

Guide to Jamestown

Francis Marion National Forest encompasses over 258,000 acres of coastal plain near Jamestown, South Carolina. The forest features expansive longleaf pine stands and bottomland hardwood forests. Primitive camping opportunities range from accessible parking-adjacent sites to more secluded backcountry areas, with seasonal considerations necessary for weather and insect conditions.

What to do

Kayaking and water adventures: River Island Adventures offers camping packages with discounted kayaking, paddleboarding, and tubing. "This is a water adventure company that also has camping on the property. You can reserve a camp spot without signing up for any river activities, but camping does give you a little discount on activities if you do decide to rent a kayak or anything," notes Moriah H. about River Island Adventures.

Night paddling: Evening water activities provide unique wilderness experiences. "They offer kayaking, paddleboarding, tubing, camping, glamping, night paddles with 6 different kinds of smores!!" shares Cherish C. about River Island Adventures.

Long-distance hiking: The Palmetto Trail runs through the forest, connecting multiple camping areas. "The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia," explains Caleb J. about Francis Marion National Forest.

What campers like

Privacy options: The forest offers varied seclusion levels based on camper preferences. "My buddies and I 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," shares Matt W. about his experience at Francis Marion National Forest.

Team-building activities: Some campgrounds offer structured group challenges. "And the super cool Escape River Island which is 10 challenges like survivor or amazing race or escape room or something. Great team building!!!" writes Cherish C. about Cypress Ranch Glamping.

Wildlife encounters: The forest provides opportunities to observe native species. "Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna. So bug spray is recommended to the unfortunate of us that are preyed upon by mosquitoes and the like," advises Caleb about Francis Marion National Forest.

What you should know

Facilities vary significantly: Many primitive sites lack basic 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," explains Courtney B. about Whispering Pines Nudist Resort.

Water access challenges: After rain, portions of trails may become impassable. "There are some areas where after rain it becomes 'pools' of water making staying dry a bit difficult," warns Caleb J. about Francis Marion National Forest.

Wildlife awareness: Observe proper safety with local wildlife. "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. So, keep your eyes open, I've stumbled across a couple laying on the trail just trying to get sun and warm up," cautions Caleb J.

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: The forest provides natural learning environments. "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... the children had a chance to go swimming and they love that they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills," shares Brenda L. about her Francis Marion National Forest experience.

Nearby attractions: Local points of interest supplement camping activities. "Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941. You can also do a hike on one of the trails here," suggests Courtney B.

Staff interactions: Knowledgeable staff enhance family experiences. "The workers were a joy to be around and very attentive. Our campsite was amazing," reports Malaisiah C. about their stay at River Island Adventures.

Tips for RVers

Limited hookup options: Most tent camping near Jamestown offers minimal RV amenities. "We camped at Halfway Creek in the Francis Marion National Forest for the eclipse. It's a free campground, but there are no water and no toilets," notes Courtney B.

Parking limitations: Vehicle size restrictions apply at most primitive sites. "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," advises Courtney B.

Alternative accommodations: Some locations offer upgraded facilities beyond tent camping. "Nice and private. Very clean and everyone is very friendly," reports David M. about his experience at Whispering Pines Nudist Resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jamestown, SC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jamestown, SC is River Island Adventures with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Jamestown, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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