Best Tent Camping near Pinewood, SC
Near Pinewood, South Carolina, tent campers can find several established campgrounds within Congaree National Park. Longleaf Campground offers ten walk-in tent sites situated along a flat, sandy trail from the parking area. These tent-only sites require reservations and are located about 300 feet from the parking lot, making them accessible for campers who need to transport gear without vehicle access directly to the site.
The tent sites at Longleaf Campground feature level tent pads that provide adequate drainage during rainstorms, though some sites farther back have experienced flooding during heavy rain. Each site includes a picnic table, and vault toilets are available at the parking lot. No drinking water is provided at the campground, but potable water can be obtained at the visitor center about a mile away. Campfires are not permitted at Congaree campgrounds, so tent campers should plan accordingly with alternative cooking methods.
Walk-in tent sites at Congaree National Park provide varied levels of privacy and shade. Sites 1 and 2 at Longleaf are closest to the parking area, while others require longer walks but offer more seclusion. The campground environment features abundant wildlife, particularly at night when frogs create a chorus of sounds. For more remote tent camping, Bluff Hike In Campground provides six primitive tent sites arranged around a grassy area about a mile from the Longleaf parking lot. A visitor noted, "Sites were spread out, but also the vibe was less 'party all night' and more 'sleep and then explore the park during the day.'" Many tent campers appreciate the synchronous fireflies visible in late May, creating a unique nighttime experience in this National Park setting.
