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.
"Has fire pit and access to running water . No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets . But very nice place to get away from stress of life . Definitely will be back"
"If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes. Just be aware that there are no picnic tables. Still it's cheap and close to where we live in Spartanburg."
$17 - $47 / night
"This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead."
"I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing."
$30 / night
"On the campsite there is a lot of firewood to use, in a shed to keep it dry. There are log seats around a nice campfire with a picnic table. Lots of room for multiple tents."
"It was very helpful and greatly appreciated after the 11hr drive. The campsite was spacious for us to set up camp and keep the jeep nearby."
$75 / night
ScoutLarge spacious spots for RVs and Tent campers. Close to Kings Mountain Military Park. Several trails from easy to strenuous and varying lengths. Lake with fishing, kayaking and canoing. Clean facilities with bathrooms, showers and camp store.
Spaces have electric, water, fire rings and picnic tables. Tent only areas.
GuideWe enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!
TravelerI did a quick overnight here, as is custom when I travel for work, and it was spectacular. I stayed at Trailside Camp Site #2, which is one of their remote, primitive sites at the North Lake and all I can say is wow. The views were spectacular, and watching the full moon come up over the mountain was something I will never forget.
The site itself was spartan, as is expected in a primitive site but it did have a fire ring and a picnic table. Site 2 is right on the lake, with plenty of dead wood to get a fire going. The hike in is about 2ish miles of moderately difficult trails, with some amazing views along the way, including a walk across the North Lake dam. The hike was well worth it though.
ScoutPrimitive camping area with fire pit but no picnic tables, vaulted toilets, access to water from a free standing faucet. Great place to camp if you like roughing it. I will definitely come again
GuideI can see why this is a busy campground. Bathhouses were clean. Many lakefront sites have posts to tie up your boat to if you have one. Beach area by the store. No WiFi and rarely did we have cell service but that’s not a bad thing! Large sites with some pull through. We had site 39 and there was nothing but woods behind us which was perfect for us. Only negative was I that I was bitten up by mosquitoes and I used bug spray ( obviously I need a better kind) and citronella buckets. Even with a packed campground for the holiday weekend it was relatively quiet especially by 11. This campground tends to be booked solid on weekends so important to make reservations. Also not much for stores close by so pack well. Oh and no alcohol sales on Sunday’s in the county.
LegendEasy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. Vault toilets clean and trash containers serviced. Within good driving distance to larger towns. Access for bigger rigs too. Ranger Bob was here and talked to him. Real nice and informative. 5.00 to me is great for the peace and quiet. Arrived after hunting season, informed was busy then. 4 or 5 come and go.
ScoutForest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water. As of July 2019 campground appears closed.
TravelerThis time of year (hunting season) was full of bigger rigs and generators. The few spots that weren’t taken when we first got here eventually got scooped up by about 20 Boy Scouts. To say the least this campground was loud and crowded with not much to see or do. $5 for the night with a pay box but I never saw any rangers coming through to check. Toilets were clean but no water source Every campsite did have its own fire ring and picnic table.
LegendI visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing. It was his first time climbing, and we were able to set up some beginner-friendly routes.
As for the camping, your only option is a walk-in campground, about a mile-long hike. Drinking water and outhouses are available though.
Tent campsites near Union, South Carolina offer rustic camping experiences in the Sumter National Forest region. Most sites sit between 500-700 feet in elevation with mixed pine and hardwood forests providing natural shade. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions and colorful forest transitions.
Creek exploration: At Primitive Camping By the Creek, visitors can access a small creek running directly beside the campsite. One camper noted, "The creek is right beside the camp. Nice and secluded."
Hiking Crowders Mountain: The trails at Crowders Mountain State Park Campground offer varying difficulty levels, with some requiring significant effort. A visitor mentioned, "The hikes are pretty strenuous, but the views are well worth it."
Cycling from camp: Sedalia Campground provides excellent access to road cycling routes. A recent visitor explained, "If you're a road cyclist this is heaven, and some decent trail riding down to the lakes."
Natural separation: Many campers appreciate the privacy at primitive sites. A reviewer at Primitive Camping By the Creek shared: "The campsite has a pretty creek and forest. On the campsite there is a lot of firewood to use, in a shed to keep it dry."
Mental restoration: Several campgrounds offer a genuine disconnect from daily stressors. A camper at Sedalia Campground commented: "Nice, quiet campground. Has fire pit and access to running water. No picnic tables and has vaulted toilets."
Solitude for neurodivergent campers: Some sites provide particularly quiet environments. A visitor at Hippie Holler shared: "No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely. Hidden Gem for the neurodivergants and chill seekers."
Price fluctuations: Some campgrounds have experienced significant fee changes. A reviewer at Poulous Loop Seasonal Camp warned: "Forest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water."
Seasonal hunting impact: During hunting seasons, expect more company at forest campgrounds. One camper observed: "Quite calm. Hunters use it alot. Fall deer hunters spring thurkey hunting. Often gets packed."
Gear planning for walk-in sites: Crowders Mountain State Park Campground requires preparation for carrying equipment. As one camper explained: "There is a hike to the campsite from the parking lot so we definitely got our workout in bringing our gear in."
Trail selection for kids: Choose appropriate hiking routes when camping with children. A visitor at Crowders Mountain advised: "The hikes here are really awesome and the facilities are nice and clean! The hike to the top was a little strenuous for smaller kids."
Campground amenities: Look for sites with basic facilities. At Hippie Holler, visitors can find "Cool solar lights" that create a unique atmosphere after dark.
Space considerations: Select campsites with adequate room for family setups. One camper at Primitive Camping By the Creek mentioned: "Lots of room for multiple tents. The shed also has lots of tools such as an axe and rake."
Small RV access only: Most primitive areas near Union accommodate only compact RVs. A reviewer at Sedalia Campground stated: "Overall, it is a great area for primitive camping and for dry camping if you are in a small RV."
No hookup preparation: Plan for self-contained camping as hookups are minimal or nonexistent. At Sedalia, campers find "running water and one of the cleanest pit toilets I think I have ever seen" but no electrical connections.
Multi-use spacing: Forest campgrounds often have communal areas. One camper at Sedalia noted: "There is a spacious grassy area in the middle of the campsites for whatever activities you want to engage in. There is also a large, separate grassy area for group camping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Union, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Union, SC is Sedalia Campground with a 3.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Union, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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