Best Tent Camping near Sumter, SC
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Sumter? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Sumter. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Sumter campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Sumter, SC (4)
1. Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park
Gadsden, South Carolina28 Reviews•100 Photos•4 SavesOverview
This campground is located just off the park entrance road, approximately __ mile before the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, in a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest. This campground is located at a higher elevation than the floodplain and is not subject to the flooding events that occur regularly in other parts of the park.__
Recreation
Campers with reservations at the Longleaf Campground have easy access to the park___s 27 miles of hiking trails. Campers can reach the Harry Hampton Visitor Center by car or by hiking on the Longleaf Trail. At the visitor center you can access the Boardwalk and find information on other trails to plan your trip into the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park. Those who would like to explore and experience Congaree via canoe or kayak can launch from one of the park's two landings, located between 5-10 minutes by car from the campground.__
Facilities
Campers with reservations at the Longleaf Campground have easy access to the park___s 27 miles of hiking trails. Campers can reach the Harry Hampton Visitor Center by car or by hiking on the Longleaf Trail. At the visitor center you can access the Boardwalk and find information on other trails to plan your trip into the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park. Those who would like to explore and experience Congaree via canoe or kayak can launch from one of the park's two landings, located between 5-10 minutes by car from the campground.__
Natural Features
Located in a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest, campsites are surrounded by pines and other trees. Campsites are generally in shade for large parts of the day. An open field in the middle of the campground is available for use by campers throughout the day, and this location offers campers excellent opportunities for observing wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and the occasional southern fox squirrel.__
Nearby Attractions
Congaree National Park is located near many attractions including state parks, forests and parks. The city of Columbia is a short drive from the park and offers access to many attractions including museums, city parks and shopping.
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
$25 / night
2. Blythewood Acres
Blythewood, South Carolina1 Review•8 Photos•4 Saves5 min from downtown Blythewood and exit 27 on I-77
Water/Sewer/Power (20/30/50 pedestals) provided.
Daily/Weekly/Monthly rates available
Rural land in Blythewood down long driveway with locked gate. Circle drive, water connection from on-site well & septic dump station are available.
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$45 - $55 / night
3. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Permitted Camping
Patrick, South Carolina2 Reviews•17 Photos•7 SavesCamping is restricted to youth organizations involved in outdoor skills development or learning. A Special Use Permit is required. Each group/organization will complete a service project determined by the refuge manager or provide a copy of research/species list of the organization is a class group. A fire ring is provided, however if the refuge is under fire danger/drought conditions, open fires will be prohibited.
Any other recreational group or research activity not specifically mentioned above may require a Special Use Permit. Please contact the refuge manager for more information or to apply for a Special Use Permit. Email us at carolinasandhills@fws.gov. All provisions of Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations apply.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
4. Bluff Hike In Campground — Congaree National Park
Be the first to review!Gadsden, South Carolina•5 Photos•2 SavesOverview
This is a hike-in campground that is located at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails, approximately 1 mile from both the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and the Longleaf Campground. It is surrounded by a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest. This campground is located at a higher elevation than the floodplain and is not subject to the flooding events that occur regularly in other parts of the park.
Recreation
Campers with reservations at the Bluff Campground have easy access to the park___s 27 miles of hiking trails. Campers can reach the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, boardwalk, and other hiking trails via either the Firefly or Bluff Trails. At the visitor center you find information on other trails to plan your trip into the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park. Those who would like to explore and experience Congaree via canoe or kayak can launch from one of the park's two landings, located between 5-10 minutes by car from the visitor center.
Facilities
Campers with reservations at the Bluff Campground have easy access to the park___s 27 miles of hiking trails. Campers can reach the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, boardwalk, and other hiking trails via either the Firefly or Bluff Trails. At the visitor center you find information on other trails to plan your trip into the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park. Those who would like to explore and experience Congaree via canoe or kayak can launch from one of the park's two landings, located between 5-10 minutes by car from the visitor center.
Natural Features
Campsites are located on the edges of an open, grassy clearing in the mixed pine/hardwood forest, and is adjacent to an area currently undergoing restoration to a longleaf pine grassland/savanna. Depending on the time of day, sites may be the sun during the morning or afternoon/evening hours. This location offers opportunities to observe wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (803) 647-3970.
Nearby Attractions
Congaree National Park is located near many attractions including state parks, forests and parks. The city of Columbia is a short drive from the park and offers access to many attractions including museums, city parks and shopping.
- Reservable
- Tents
$10 / night
Recent Tent Reviews in Sumter
272 Reviews of 4 Sumter Campgrounds
- D
Douglas T.
Ranger
Palmetto Shores RV Resort
Lovely park
We both really enjoyed our stay. The dogs loved the dog park and I appreciated having bags to pick up after them. We had trash pickup and sites were easily navigable. Big park with a nice views of the water. They had a play ground, cabins, games. Just a very woodsy cozy place. Would stay again.
Kim L.Ranger
Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park
Small campground, walk in only
Ten site campground, all walk in. Sites 1 and 2 fairly short distance to walk. Campsites are spacious and clean. Pit toilets and solar powered device charger available in parking lot. Easy distance to access visitor center and main trails.
Katrin M.
Legend
Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park
Big campground on the lake
We camped here over the weekend with the pups. The state park has 2 different campgrounds. We decided for the Lakeshore one. It's pretty big with over 100 campsites. They have the usual amenities like fire pit, and picnic table with bench. Our was private, but the sites in the middle are not. The bathhouse was very clean with nice hot showers. The park has several trails, a visitor center, cabins on the water, at least 2 boat ramps with a bait shop. There are no trash cans near the campsites, there is one big dumpster at the entrance of the campground. It's about 1.30h to Folly Beach. We would definitely camp here again.
Tracie S.
Traveler
Lake Wateree State Park Campground
Our Favorite Getaway
This is one of our favorite spots! We can boat, fish, ride our golf cart, hang out by the fire and just enjoy the moment. It also has wonderful handicap accommodations. Hands down one of our favorites!
- AAlisa H.
Scout
Poinsett State Park Campground
Great camp site!
We stayed here for our son’s first birthday, in campsite 30! It was beautiful and we felt like we had plenty of privacy. Our site had a trail attached to the back of it which was really nice for hiking and it was perfect distance from the bathroom! On the topic of the bathroom, the toilets were CLEAN! And I mean we were there for 24 hours and the bathroom was cleaned at least twice. Really nice, they might look a little scary on the outside though but don’t mind that any bit.
For people that love hammocks, site 29 (right next to ours) has a bunch of perfect hammock trees. If we go again we will try to stay in that spot! Great place to stay.
- TTerry S.Traveler
Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park
Small and peaceful under the pines
We stopped heading south and north along I-95 to and from Florida. Very easy off and on I-95. Plenty of available spaces in off-season. The campground is small and quiet. Camp Host was very helpful. Sites were spaced reasonably far apart but there is no privacy between. Not all sites have a water view, but most appeared fairly level. Not all sites have sewer access. Our only complaint was lots of smoke from campfires and grills. Would stay again.
- KKirsten W.Traveler
Florence RV Park
Great for traveling
Great for a pull through spot right off I-95 while traveling! Campground is beautiful and clean, with a pond, park, large laundry room, and easy access dump station. Staff was very friendly and got me a spot right away for a good price. There are spots for every size camper. Only downside is it gets a bit messy/ muddy if it’s raining.
- Kristen S.
GuideCypress View Campground — Santee State Park
Peaceful, good trails
We were at site 46, which is near the entrance and the camp host. Short walk to the bathhouse directly behind. Site has good trees for a hammock and near a path down to the lake for fishing/picnic/swimming. Beware there is a sharp drop off across from the site, so make sure whoever is backing in has a spotter out front.
- BBrian B.Guide
Cypress View Campground — Santee State Park
Nice peaceful setting
Nice campground. Campground has hiking/biking trails. Lake views from our site. Shower house was less than perfect, but adequate.
- BBrian B.Guide
Lake Wateree State Park Campground
Nice campground
Nice campground right on the lake. The nicest shower house I have ever seen. This is the standard we base all other campgrounds. Staff and everyone around were super nice
Victoria F.Scout
Country Lane
Family friendly!
I am the owner of this property and we adore it here! Come meet our family, sit by the fire, enjoy a nice quiet time with lots of space for your kids or furbabies to run! We are fenced in on all sides and surrounded by woods! There is a public landfill 1/2 mile away and there is a Dollar General 1/2 mile away!
Jake C.LegendCountry Lane
Local Convenient Overnight Spot
Jake from the Dyrt here! Country Lane is a great local spot with a convenient location for an overnight stay. Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!
- Luke A.Traveler
Angels Landing Campground
Spectacular Location
Super friendly staff, great location, waterfront camping and I can bring my boat. We had a great time. The problem is all the annual residents don’t follow their own rules. No one is supposed to drive trough the campsites, people were driving trough and walking through our campsite at all hours.
James P.Legend
Santee Lakes KOA
Under the pines
Open lots under the pines.
- KKyle D.Scout
Santee Lakes KOA
Nice, no frills, stop over campsite
We stopped here for a night on our way back to Florida. We were on C5 which was a very large pull through and relatively level. We did not even have to bring out our leveling blocks, the auto leveler was able to handle it well. Power was stable and water pressure was good. Only things we did not like is that every site was just dirt and there was not much shade at our site.
Stuart K.LegendFlorence RV Park
Drive-By RV Parking Lot Community
This spot is so close to I95 (look for exit 169) that you’ll both feel and hear the swoosh of passing by traffic 24/7. So, while you’ll incur ease and convenience, that will come at a cost (privacy and quietude being what you will sacrifice most). Located in the NE pocket of the Palmetto State, Florence RV Park, while not a destination per se, could be a nice (and incredibly easy) layover on your trip destination to anywhere else up or down this major east coast highway artery.
Despite the location, this spot has a lot to offer: an intimate little public pool behind the management office, WiFi hotspots, dog park, scattered picnic tables (in pretty good condition), kid’s playground, 20 / 30 / 50 amp hook-ups, dump station, dog walk area, catch & release fishing pond, propane refueling station, vending machines, small pond for fishing, basketball court, volleyball, badminton and horseshoe rings. There’s even 4-5 log cabins for rent at the front of the property (with full access to all the highway noise) and of course, good old fashioned on-site laundry facilities along with a mini-store that has most of the basics covered as well as fairly spartan shower / bathing facilities.
Insider’s tip? Here's a few: (1) The further east you are on the property, all the better as you’ll be positioned as far away from I95 traffic and noise; (2) If tent camping, I highly recommend spots #A7 – A13 and if you are RV’ing I recommend #L9 – L18 as well as any of the locations on J, K and F11 – F16; (3) There’s a lot to explore near here, from the Grand Strand of South Carolina, of course, Myrtle Beach and even Darlington Raceway, so if you don’t mind the overpopulated location with its westerly view of non-stop traffic, then this could be a good place to stop for the night or from which to launch your exploration of the area; (4) If you’ve looked at this RV campground’s website, don’t be fooled by the pictures – I don’t think any of them were actually taken of the place, save for the pond, and that was a close-up; and (5) If you are looking for a nearby spot to sample the local fare, I recommend checking out The Drive-In Restaurant with its 50s era nostalgia, big juicy burgers, fried everything, homemade onion rings and thick, creamy chocolate shakes.
Happy Camping!
- Mark B.Scout
RV's Acres (he's the dog)
A little off the beaten path, but well worth the effort.
Several 30amp sites with on-site water & plenty of space for more dispersed type off-grid camping. I've been staying here for 3 or 4 years and every time it's been a very pleasant experience. The last time I was here (4 days ago) 2 does & a fawn came lopping /walking through the property. There is a beautiful private pond on property and the owner does allow catch/release.
In summary, I highly recommend this campground. It's well worth the short drive off the Interstate.
RV - the owner prefers chicken jerky treats broken up very small.
- MMatt M.Scout
Kaleidoscope Farm
Nice quiet site close to town
Site and hosts were nice. It was easily accessible(made it in a lowered mustang). The site was pretty clean and had firewood cut and ready to go for is.
Not far from the roadway so not quiet and isolated if that’s what you were looking for. We weren’t and the quick in and out was perfect.
- SSarahTraveler
Sesquicentennial State Park Campground
Cute park convenient to Columbia
We stayed in loop 2 at site 48 for 2 nights at the end of April. Chose this campground because we had an event in Columbia that we had to attend on our way back from a trip to Florida so we needed a place to stay for a few nights. The site was level with a gravel drive and parking area. Lots of pines all around but the site was clear enough for easy parking. No sewer hookups. There was water but we had some trouble getting the pressure just right. Really good tv signal since the campground is right outside of the city. Only a 20-30 minute drive down the highway. The part of town you go through to get there is a bit rundown (not bad by any means but you wouldn’t know there was a park nearby). The park itself it quite lovely. There’s a small lake that rents paddle boats and kayaks. A nice camp store. Cute park and splash pad. I actually wish we could have stayed longer. We have family nearby and will probably stay here next time we visit. I would recommend visiting if you want a quiet low key getaway.
- MMike G.Scout
Little Cedar Creek Campground
Clean & Friendly
Nice site with trees and picnic table
- ppilarScout
Swamp Fox Campground
Love it super cute place
Clean and nice play ground for kids.
Francisco W.Scout
Bells Marina & Resort
Warm Hospitality, Great Fishing, and Wildlife Adventure
I recently spent a week at Bells Marina& Resort, and I have to say it was an amazing experience. From the moment I arrived, the owners were incredibly welcoming and made me feel right at home.
The RV site itself was perfect. I had a great view of the water and was able to watch wildlife every day, from white herons to bald eagles. And the fishing was outstanding! I even caught a trophy-sized bass that made my week.
There was still plenty to do. I loved the community barbecue and pizza oven, and the giant Ring of Fire with the spectacular water fountain in the middle was a great place to socialize and meet new friends.
Overall, I had an incredible time at Bells Marina& Resort. It was the perfect getaway for me, and I can't wait to come back and do it all over again.
- RRonald C.Scout
Bells Marina & Resort
I found family and a lake!
When I travel in my Class A RV to a new site finding good customer service is the most important factor. I have visited beautiful camp sites but had a horrible time because I was treated poorly. At Bells Marina and Resort, I am treated like family. I liked it so much that I made it my home base. When you come just ask for Jud or his wife Charlotte and you will feel at home. Jud purchased this property a few months ago and his renovations are turning this hidden gem into a must-see destination. If I was you I would get here now while the rates are so low. I am on the lake and get to kayak or fish whenever I want. Lastly, this is a historical site. It is located in Eutawville. "The mighty Cherokee Indians named the area“Eutaw” for the tall pine trees on the mound in the great bend of the Santee River." https://www.thecolumbiastar.com/articles/historic-eutawville-part-1-indians-marions/
- JJud Y.Legend
Bells Marina & Resort
Newly remodelled campground on epic fishing cove
amazing campground just opened to nightly camping.
free wifi, new bathouse, amzing fishing, and beautiful cove with restaurant and store onsite.
This is a no brainer.
Ljupka S.TravelerAngels Landing Campground
Avoid this place- rundown and terrible management
I'm not sure why the reviews of this place were good. The only positive thing was the serving staff at the restaurant. I'm traveling in a van. So why would I pay upwards of 60 per night for a place with no showers and terrible bathrooms. It took me two days to find the large dumpster which is placed in a weird area. The sites are not cleaned up and it's far away from any amenity like a grocery store. It seems they decided to turn a marina into a campground and are not doing a good job maintaining it. When I complained of no hot water and low water pressure the manager kept blaming it on me that I should have reported it earlier. He was so rude and didn't even offer a partial refund. Absolutely horrible place. I'm forced to leave early with no refund.
- HHeatherTraveler
Lynches River County Park
Relaxing stop along our route
What a gem of a little campground. Stopped here 2 nights driving from NC to LA. I was the only person here those 2 nights. This place feels off grid with the convenience of hookups. Despite being small, it was very clean, everything worked as expected. Archery range, trails, nature center. Would come back here just to stay!
Decent cell coverage. I stayed in site 1, there was a big clearing where I dropped the starlink - had great connection the entire visit.
- ccharles P.Scout
Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park
Great day adventure
Me and my wife had a great time on the trail. Close to 4 miles long, and pretty easy. Great for a day adventure, or excercise. There is also a nature facility located at the trail head that provides knowledge of the area, and the wildlife.
Guide to Sumter
Tent camping near Sumter, South Carolina, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and explore the beautiful surroundings.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy hiking and canoeing at the well-reviewed Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park, where you can also access the scenic boardwalk trail.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20
- Camping at the Bluff Hike In Campground — Congaree National Park requires a permit, making it an affordable option for those looking to experience a more rustic setting.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Permitted Camping offers drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay while you explore the unique wildlife and landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sumter, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sumter, SC is Longleaf Campground — Congaree National Park with a 3.9-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Sumter, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Sumter, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.