Best Tent Camping near Patrick, SC
Tent campers near Patrick, South Carolina can find established sites at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and Chalk Banks in Lumber River State Park. The wildlife refuge offers special camping permits for educational groups and researchers, while Chalk Banks provides more accessible tent camping approximately 40 miles northwest of Patrick. Sandhills Campground B in North Carolina also offers primitive tent camping within reasonable driving distance.
Chalk Banks campground features spacious, well-separated tent sites set on level ground with dirt platforms framed by wooden railroad ties. Many sites include fire pits and picnic tables, with a single vault toilet and water spigot serving the entire campground. The gate closes at 9:00 PM and reopens at 8:00 AM, though campers receive an access code for nighttime entry. Sandhills Campground B offers truly primitive tent camping with no amenities—no bathrooms, water sources, or facilities of any kind. According to one visitor, "If you're looking for primitive, this is it. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
The tent camping experience near Patrick provides genuine seclusion, particularly at Chalk Banks where sites 9, 10, and 11 sit far back in the woods. A camper noted that these are "some of the better spread out ones that I've seen" with "the biggest spots to camp I've ever seen gives you the feel of basically being way off the beaten path." The area offers good opportunities for fishing, hiking, and paddling, with Lumber River accessible from the campground. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge camping requires participation in environmental education or research activities. Cell service is generally available at Chalk Banks, which many tent campers appreciate given the remote setting. During peak summer months, mosquito repellent is essential for comfortable tent camping in this region.