Sumter National Forest Big Bend Campground
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2020

Remote with Lots of Solitude

I rate this campground two stars only because it has no facilities. Rating a campground such as this one is subjective. Some people would love staying here. It is peaceful since there will not be any other campers for miles around. It is surrounded by woods, and it is accessible only by driving on a one and a half mile forest road that is rough with lots of rocks and pot holes. You cannot drive to this site with a low clearance sedan. It is almost impossible without scraping the bottom of your car. Fortunately, I had a 4-Runner, and I was using 4WD. There is only one fire pit, but you can set up a half dozen tents in the area. Most of the places are not level. I managed to find one of only two level places to set up my tent.  There is not a picnic table, but you can park within a few feet of the campsites.  If you have to go take care of personal business, there are no pit toilets. Just find your place in the woods. All water has to be taken in since there are no sources of water within miles. This is true primitive camping. So why go? It is a great place for solitude, and the Chatooga River is close by. Just know that you can’t launch a boat, canoe, or kayak from this location since it is too far to portage any watercraft through the woods.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Sumter National Forest Big Bend Campground by Myron C., August 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Sumter National Forest Big Bend Campground by Myron C., August 28, 2020
  • The road doesn't look too bad here, but it gets worse.  There is no way that a normal car could drive on this road.  You will need 4WD and a high clearance.
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  • Review photo of Sumter National Forest Big Bend Campground by Myron C., August 28, 2020
  • Here is my campsite.  I am almost ready to get the food and cook supper.
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  • Review photo of Sumter National Forest Big Bend Campground by Myron C., August 28, 2020
  • There is a trail that supposedly runs down to the Chatooga River.  However, it was getting late and the trail kept going and going.  I guess I should have checked my map to see how far it went.
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