Best Tent Camping near St. Matthews, SC
Congaree National Park provides the primary tent camping options near St. Matthews, South Carolina, with two distinct tent campgrounds - Longleaf Campground and Bluff Hike In Campground. Located approximately 24 miles northwest of St. Matthews in Hopkins, these primitive tent setups offer affordable camping at $5 per night within the old-growth forest ecosystem of South Carolina's only national park. The campgrounds serve as gateways to explore the park's unique floodplain environment with its diverse wildlife and ancient trees.
All tent sites at Congaree require walk-in access from designated parking areas. Longleaf Campground features ten individual tent sites with sites 1-3 being closest to the parking lot (about 20-100 yards), while sites 4-10 require longer walks. The Bluff campground involves a more substantial one-mile hike from the parking area. Campsites include fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities are limited with only vault toilets available at the parking lots. No potable water exists at either campground, so campers must bring their own or fill containers at the visitor center. One camper noted, "You need to be prepared to carry things. The walk into Bluff campground is further than Longleaf."
The tent-only environment creates a secluded camping experience with spacious sites offering good separation between neighbors. Sites are situated on natural terrain with tree roots throughout the camping areas, which can make tent placement challenging. Summer visitors should prepare for intense heat, humidity, and abundant insects, particularly during warmer months. A visitor commented, "The primitive campground can be quite possibly one of the quietest places you ever camp depending on the season." Campers frequently praise the boardwalk trail system, which provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities even at night. The synchronous fireflies in late May/early June represent a special natural phenomenon that draws many tent campers to the park. Cell service is available with Verizon reporting at least one bar throughout the campground and visitor center areas.