Best Tent Camping near Union, SC
Tent camping options near Union, South Carolina include several primitive campgrounds within reasonable driving distance. Sedalia Campground, located in the national forest area, offers basic tent sites with minimal amenities for $5 per night for individual sites or $10 for group camping. Primitive Camping By the Creek provides secluded tent sites with creek access, while Crowders Mountain State Park Campground offers backcountry tent camping requiring a one-mile hike from the parking area.
Most tent sites in the Union area feature natural, ungraded terrain with limited development. Sedalia Campground provides running water and vault toilets but no picnic tables at individual sites. Fire rings are available at most locations, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply depending on conditions. Primitive Camping By the Creek includes a shed with dry firewood, picnic tables, and basic tools like axes and rakes for camper use. Many campsites require advance reservations, particularly at state park facilities, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. One camper noted that Sedalia is "a great place to get away from stress of life" with its quiet setting and basic amenities.
The tent camping experience around Union offers varying levels of seclusion and accessibility. Sites at Primitive Camping By the Creek provide more privacy with creek frontage and wooded surroundings. Crowders Mountain campsites require physical exertion to reach, with one camper describing the 1.5-mile hike as "very much an uphill climb." This walk-in requirement limits crowds but demands proper preparation for carrying all camping gear to the site. Forest sites like Sedalia tend to be busier during hunting seasons, as noted in reviews: "Hunters use it a lot. Fall deer hunters spring turkey hunting. Often gets packed." Most tent campgrounds in the area maintain a rustic, natural setting that appeals to those seeking a genuine outdoor experience without modern conveniences.
