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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
