Best Dispersed Camping near Salem, SC

Dispersed camping near Salem, South Carolina includes two primitive options: Pitts Landing Dispersed and Guilliard Lake. Pitts Landing offers riverfront sites suitable for tent camping and boondocking RVs, while Guilliard Lake provides more remote forest camping. Both areas are free to use and permit camping without reservations. These public lands allow visitors to camp in undeveloped settings with minimal facilities and regulations compared to established campgrounds.

Access to these dispersed camping areas requires careful navigation. Guilliard Lake features a challenging dirt road with large potholes that necessitates careful driving, especially at night. Several reviews indicate this area is unsuitable for large rigs or RVs due to road conditions. Pitts Landing has an open parking area but includes some sites with very loose sand that may be hazardous to drive directly to. Both locations lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or hookups. Fires are permitted at both sites, but campers must pack out all trash at Guilliard Lake, while Pitts Landing does provide trash collection.

The natural setting provides the primary appeal of these areas. "The river is gorgeous and we spent a good amount of our time here kayaking," notes one camper about Pitts Landing, though they also mention it can be busy with local fishermen during daytime hours. Guilliard Lake features wildlife viewing opportunities, with one visitor reporting "Bald eagles, owls, otter, fish. It's beautiful." Cell service varies by location, with Guilliard Lake offering approximately two bars of Verizon coverage. Campers should be prepared for self-sufficient stays, bringing all necessary supplies, as the remote locations and difficult access roads make quick trips for forgotten items impractical.