1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent campers visiting the Lexington, South Carolina region can access several primitive camping options within Congaree National Park, located approximately 20 miles southeast of the city. Longleaf Campground offers ten walk-in tent sites with basic amenities, while the more remote Bluff Hike-In Campground provides a more secluded backcountry experience. Both campgrounds require reservations through the National Park Service and cater exclusively to tent campers seeking a natural setting within the old-growth forest environment.
Sites at Longleaf Campground feature dirt pads surrounded by tree roots, with each site containing a fire ring and picnic table. The walk from the parking area varies by site, with sites 1-3 being closest to the lot (approximately 100 yards) while others require longer walks. No potable water is available at the campgrounds, though visitors can fill containers at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center about a mile away. Vault toilets are located at the Longleaf parking area, but no showers or running water exist at either campground. According to reviews from The Dyrt, "Sites were clean but the tree roots are horrible, at night you will trip over them and there will be some under your tent."
The tent camping experience at Congaree offers significant wildlife viewing opportunities and access to the park's extensive trail system. Areas farther from the parking lots provide deeper seclusion, with Bluff Campground requiring a one-mile hike from the Longleaf parking area. A camper noted that "With no crowds and not much to explore, our three days in the park was very relaxing." The campgrounds become particularly popular during the synchronous firefly season in late May to early June. Summer visitors should prepare for heat, humidity and mosquitoes, while spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures. Cell service is generally available with Verizon reported to have at least one bar of service throughout the camping areas and visitor center.
"Our time at Congaree was different from the other national parks we visited, because South Carolina had just undergone major flooding and much of Congaree -- especially its trails -- were under water."
"The campground is primitive. There are 10 single sites that you have to walk into from the parking lot. Not a very long walk but just enough to feel secluded from traffic and other people."
from $15 - $25 / night
from $45 - $55 / night
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
ScoutIt was very nice! My fiance and I and our kitty stopped for the night, had burgers and went on a little hike in the morning with a gorgeous view. It’s very quiet, well kept. Has 2 porta-potty’s as well. Would definitely come back.
TravelerGreat camping ground, perfect for a last minute night with my four legged friend! Very nice welcome center, trails and facilities.
ScoutThis is a restricted use Army Travel Camp managed through MWR. It is open only to those holding military ID cards.
GuideI had avoided KOA in the past as I heard not great things about it, but I have to rethink my position after this visit. The staff really seemed to care about the facilities and take great care of them.!
ScoutWhen I moved here in October 2025 Tom and Jen were helpful. The lot however hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. The dead leaves and pine needles were at least 2 inches thick and I was left to clean them by myself. The amenities are far below substandard and barely work. If you need to shower at the office pray the hot water is working before going. It doesn’t work more than it works. There are always campground wide water and electric issues. The mail carrier delivers all mail to the office and they distribute to mailboxes when they feel like it unless Jen has something against you then she brags to other people in the campground how she is shredding your mail. I moved out in July 2026 and had paid my rent a week early but found a place to move the day after paying and they refused to reimburse the rent. They also raised the 6 times as well as forced all residents to pay for WiFi that was very inadequate to watch tv with so you pay for their WiFi as well as a second WiFi that actually works. I am not telling you to not move or camp here just want you to be informed of what you’ll be dealing with.
ScoutI have stayed at brickhouse multiple times, and will stay again in the future. It’s always quiet, and relaxing! No potable water, so make sure you bring plenty with you, no bath houses, only privy toilets.
GuideThis is a lovely park but construction in progress at campground during our stay so heavy equipment running during weekdays
RangerA lot of the sites are situated for RVs. If you want to hammock camp, absolutely grab site T-15. It's spacious, private, and has a lot of water frontage. It's a terrible tent site but a perfect hammock site.
GuideCute little park we really enjoyed it!
Congaree National Park dominates the tent camping options near Lexington, South Carolina, with sites located approximately 20 miles southeast of the city. The park encompasses over 26,000 acres of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, featuring some of the tallest trees in eastern North America. This floodplain ecosystem experiences periodic inundations throughout the year, particularly during winter and spring rainy seasons, which can affect trail and campsite accessibility.
Nighttime wildlife observation: Congaree National Park offers excellent opportunities for nocturnal wildlife viewing, particularly during firefly season. "The fireflies were very pretty and interesting. We saw other wildlife around the campground too. A lizard during a walk during the day. Many frogs during the rain at night," reports a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Boardwalk hiking: The elevated boardwalk trail system provides access to the park even during wet conditions. "We took our 2 dogs hiking to the boardwalk trail which led back to the Visitor Center. This was a decent 3+ mile hike our dogs were pooped!" shares a visitor from Longleaf Campground.
Paddling opportunities: The park's waterways can be explored by canoe or kayak when conditions permit. A visitor noted that despite challenges with their camping experience, they "returned to the park to paddle" the next day, highlighting the appeal of water-based recreation at Longleaf Campground.
Spacious, quiet sites: Tent campsites near Lexington, South Carolina offer privacy and space. "Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less 'party all night' and more 'sleep and then explore the park during the day.' Exactly my kind of vibe!" comments a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Proximity to trails: Many sites provide convenient access to hiking opportunities. "It was a pleasant stay at Congaree. As a SC resident I was surprised to learn we had our very own National Park and just had to take the short drive from Charleston to experience it - glad we did! The sites did not have water or power but were a decent size. We stayed at tent site 1 which was right at the beginning of the Bluffs Trail," notes a visitor.
Cell service availability: Despite the remote setting, communication remains possible in most areas. "We had Verizon service. Enough to use Google image search to look up plants, animals, and mushrooms we had found," reports a camper at Longleaf Campground.
Terrain challenges: The natural forest floor presents hazards for tent setup and movement. "About 300 feet from the parking lot so easy to walk into and make trips back to the car or motorcycle in my case. It's lowlands so it floods easily in heavy rains...learned this the hard way!" warns a camper at Bluff Hike In Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Expect primitive toilet facilities at most sites. "The vault toilet was disgusting, covered in splattered poop and very smelly. I sometimes drove to the visitor center to use the flush toilet and sink there," mentions one camper. Another describes the facilities as "essentially glorified port-o-potties (a building surrounding a hole in the ground). The Visitor Center was a better bathroom experience."
Weather impacts: Summer heat and rain can significantly affect camping comfort. "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," notes a visitor.
Site selection for accessibility: Choose sites closer to parking areas when camping with children. "If you don't want to walk far, get campsite #1. It's right next to the parking lot and closest to the bathrooms," recommends a visitor to Blythewood Acres.
Equipment transport planning: Bring appropriate gear for moving supplies from parking to tent sites. "Definitely bring a wagon for packing your stuff in," advises a camper, noting the difficulty of multiple trips even on flat terrain.
Insect protection: Prepare thoroughly for biting insects, especially with children. "Prepare to be eaten alive by deer flies everywhere you go!" warns one camper, while another simply states "Lots of bugs so come prepared."
Limited RV options within park boundaries: Most campsites near Lexington cater to tent camping only. "These sites are level and waiting for your RV. Book them today and leave them some love," notes a reviewer about the rare RV-friendly option at Blythewood Acres, which offers water, sewer, power and a dump station.
Water planning: No water hookups exist at most sites, requiring advance planning. "I never did figure out where the spigot was at the visitor center, but I didn't ask anyone (was going to fill up the morning we left, but they weren't open/staffed yet)," shares a camper, highlighting the importance of knowing water source locations and visitor center operating hours.
Site numbers and measurement: When researching tent campsites near Lexington, South Carolina, note the limited quantity of spots available. "This is a small campground. It's National Park so there are no amenities. Walk in sites," explains a camper succinctly describing the primitive nature of most local options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lexington, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lexington, SC is Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lexington, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Lexington, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
