The best camping near Congaree National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Congaree National Park adventure.

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See the swamplands of South Carolina at Congaree National Park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Congaree National Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Congaree National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Congaree National Park

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Camping on Pipers Pond

2 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Eastover, SC

Learn more about this land: Watch the sun and moon rise over the pond from the grassy knoll in the edge of the woods or under the trees. Enjoy paddling around the pond, fishing and watching the ducks and geese during the day and relaxing around the fire pit at night. We offer 2 campsites on the pond on our private property. They are both slightly sloped. Site 1 is on the grassy knoll overlooking the pond. It is sunny early in the day and gets shady as the day progresses. It is closer to the outhouse. Site 2 is under the trees and right beside the pond. It gets spotty sun throughout the day. We live through the woods past the campsites. An outhouse with composting toilet, potable water, picnic table, grill, fire pit, fire wood and trash can are provided. Please note that we do not offer a 30 amp camper hookup, only a 15 amp electrical cord running from our house that will run lights, but not a/c or heat.

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Rustic Natural Campsite

1 site · RV, Tent11 acres · Santee, SC

We are located on 11 acres. Wooded areas, hiking trails on-site. Perfect place to watch for deer and other animals including our 6 on-leash dogs! It is a train lover's dream because we are close to the tracks and enjoy watching the train come and go so much so that the conductor toots and waves to us!! The Santee State Park has many water activities, picnic areas, and hiking trails. There are several golf courses nearby, and a local restaurant/bar within walking distance which often offers trivia, karaoke, pool tables, and live music. Just be careful as you will be walking on the side of a main road as well as over train tracks.

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Too Many Oaks Plantation

4 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Swansea, SC

We have 21 acres in the sand hills of Calhoun county just outside Columbia S C. Apply named Too Many Oaks Plantation, a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy time in your hammock reading by day and a roaring bonfire by night, We are planting a small mixed fruit orchard and building a chicken coop and garden to enjoy fresh eggs and whatever is in season. Close to Columbia ( 30 minutes ) for a nice trip to the zoo or a float down the Saluda River with Adventure Carolina. A perfect mix of nice and quite but still close to town.

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Outside Inn Campground

2 sites · Lodging, RVs54 acres · Santee, SC

We are a family campground with a focus on keeping things natural. Enjoy an afternoon with the farm animals, a stroll through the woods, star gazing at night and fellowship with friends. Our campground hosts outdoor movies under the stars (see events for dates & times) as well as farm tours and snuggles sessions with the animals.

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Black Pearl Farms

7 sites · RVs, Tents180 acres · Branchville, SC

Pitch your tent on one of our private campsites, or enjoy the comforts of our beautiful guest house. Located across 180 picturesque acres of Black Pearl Farms, a working organic blueberry farm. A half mile of water frontage tucked along the gnarls of the Edisto river, provides serine river views with boating access, fishing, breathtaking sunsets over the orchards, and crystal clear star gazing.

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Camping in the Heart of the Winery

10 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Timmonsville, SC

We are a Working Vineyard tucked away in the country right outside of Florence with Ample Space for your RV. You can reach us easily either by I-20, I-95, or Hwy 76. We Love to see New Faces and Swap Traveling Stories! We Grow, Harvest, Crush, and Press Our Grapes Right here at The Vineyard. There is Plenty of RV Space on the Property with Easily Accessible Power Hook-Ups and Water. We offer Wine Tastings and if available at the time, a Tour the Winery at your Leisure. We are a Pet-Friendly, so you can bring your Fur Babies with You. Learn more about this land: Campsite is designed for RV's with power hook-ups, located among an 18-acre grape vineyard. Enjoy our country setting, southern hospitality, spectacular wine selections (Award Winning Fruit Wines), and a tour of our working winery. We also have a screened-in fence area that is perfect for tent camping, especially when you usually have it all to yourself.

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Prices Bridge Inn & Campgrounds

7 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Leesville, SC

We have an absolutely gorgeous 12 acres of mostly wooded and/or lakefront land on the West end of Lake Murray (Saluda River). Me, my wife, and three kids live and work on a 20 acre forest nestled in the backwaters of Lake Murray. Behind Prices Bridge, we have what nature lovers refer to "OH MY GAWD"... Our land forms a peninsula, which is very private, secluded, and SAFE. If you want to refresh, recharge or spend quality time with family or friends, we'd love to host you. *Prices Bridge being a low bridge also means if you bring a large boat you may need to use the marina or any of the free boat launches within a mile of our site... kayaks, canoes, john boats all fit under. :-)

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Deckle Edge Farm

2 sites · Tents22 acres · Blythewood, SC

We are a small family farm on 22 acres with hardwood forest, blackberries, chickens, and goats. We are only 30 minutes from downtown Columbia, SC, and 20 minutes from the boat launch at Lake Monticello. Enjoy forest bathing in our woods, laughing at chickens, or helping out around the farm. We have primitive camp spots and lots of firewood!

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Bells Marina & Resort

16 sites · Lodging, RVs6 acres · Eutawville, SC

Our small size and inspiring location make Bells Marina and Resort an exclusive experience. Enjoy the comforts of our boutique hotel and luxury cabins, bring your RV or camper, or “rough it” in one of our glamping sites. Bring your boat and keep it in one of our guest slips or our secured boat storage area. Our friendly staff can provide guides, gear, and just about anything you need for a family-friendly outdoor adventure at this secluded angler’s paradise. Bells Marina and Resort is an outdoor community in a protected cove on the popular Lake Marion, known for world-class fishing and record-breaking catches. Most of our visitors are dazzled at the beauty of the woods and water. We border 400 acres of the Santee Cooper Wildlife Management Area, and you can enjoy 180-degree views of the cove and waterfowl, from white herons to bald eagles. Meals are a special experience for our guests, and you have a lot of delicious options. Our friendly outdoor cooking area features barbecues and open-fire cooking. This is a great place to make new friends. The country store is stocked with the usual groceries, along with bait and tackle and camping accessories. We have fishing kits, s’mores kits, and many pre-made food options to make your stay easier. We also have a new 2-phase Electric vehicle charge station! Our family restaurant is a local favorite and offers fried, fresh-caught catfish. We are open for three meals most days. You can have a hot breakfast starting at 6:00 am, and be on the water or in the woods at sunrise. We will even cook your catch! If you don’t feel like hunting or fishing, Bells Marina has play spaces for the kids and relaxing spaces for adults. Join us for movie nights or just unwind at the community campfire. Golfing is just minutes away! No matter what kind of vacation you have in mind, Bells Marina and Resort has everything you need for a memorable adventure. Please note our store closes at 9 pm. If you make a last-minute reservation please call our store Before reserving at 803-492-7924 or you may not get a spot as we sync to our calendar once a day!

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Utopia Farm Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents55 acres · Leesville, SC

My husband Ray and I purchased this property in 1982 when we made this our home. We raised two wonderful children who have moved on to pursue their own careers. Now we are retired and enjoy farming and ranching. We are a couple of miles away from Lake Murray, built in 1920's, and displaced thousands of families, farms, towns, churches, and schools. There are still homes, graveyards, Wise Ferry Bridge still underwater. A B-25 Mitchell plane crashed into the Lake during WWII. Our traffic circle was accidentally bombed one Oct. night in 1944. Learn more about this land: We are a working farm of grass-fed beef, free-range laying hens and ducks, seasonal vegetables; fruits, honey hives, goats, donkeys and horses. We are surrounded by families who have lived on their land for many generations. No subdivisions. Great place to star gaze without street lights. We have 2 sites with water and electricity for camping. Our large barn has a full kitchen, full bath and den area for campers to share. Yet, we are just a few miles from 2 boat ramps on Lake Murray which offers fishing and boating. Also, we are just 30 miles from metropolitan Columbia, historic Newberry, and 15 miles from the town of Lexington, SC. The Capital City of Columbia, just 30 miles east, offers Riverbanks Zoo, Richland County’s Congaree National Park, Saluda Shoals Park, EdVenture Children’s Museum. The Newberry Opera House is 36 miles away and The Big Mo Drive-in Theatre is in Monetta, 13 miles. Indian Trail Public Golf Course is 15 miles in Leesville. Or just hang out at the farm, view the animals, or fish in our pond. We have stalls available for equestrian travelers and a trail around the property to walk or ride your horse. Pets must be on lease or voice control and poop scooping is not an option. No WiFi yet.

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Wolff Woods

3 sites · RVs, Tents18 acres · Bethune, SC

Wolff Woods is 18 acres of pine forest, grassy fields, and other trees and shrubs. There are multiple areas of the property to set up camp whether you want to be covered by trees or want to play in the grass and gaze at the stars, Wolff Woods is the place to be. The property is surrounded by fields and is very private. There are also multiple entrances to the property, perfect for RVs or smaller vehicles. We also have a backyard swimming pool that campers are welcome to use upon request. We are pet friendly and just kindly ask that you give us a heads up before arrival so we can put our own dog away. We hope to see you soon. :)

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Christina's Paradise

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Hopkins, SC

Learn more about this land:Enjoy your stay at my cozy paradise. Take a swim in the pool or a morning walk around our circular driveway. 10 laps equal 2 miles, Or just enjoy your quiet time at the adult swing section.

The best camping near Congaree National Park guide

Overview

About

Biodiversity buzzes at Congaree National Park, from the murky waters full of wildlife to the canopies of the old growth bottomland hardwood forest. Bulging bald cypress trees stand guard in the Broadwater Swamp. This unique habitat, home to several of the tallest trees in the Eastern U.S., can be explored by land or by water, with the Congaree River Blue Trail providing a 50-mile waterway through the park and beyond and the Creek Canoe Trail snaking through the forestlands. Two developed campgrounds offer tent campsites, and backcountry camping is allowed. With its location just 20 miles outside of Columbia, South Carolina, RV parks with full hookups can also be found in the region, as well as several state parks with partial hookups.

Notable campgrounds

Best for groups: Long Leaf Campground has 4 group camping sites.
Best for amenities: Long Leaf Campground has more accessible amenities due to its location near the visitor center. Sites are easier to reach.
Best for walk-in camping: Branch Campground’s walk-in sites are a mile into the Bluff Trail.
Best for serenity: The park’s backcountry camping allows for hike-in and paddle-in camping off the beaten path.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations are required to camp in Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds.
Reservations may be made on the Recreation.gov website on a 6-month rolling basis.
All campsites are walk-in only. RV and car camping are not allowed.
Restrooms with flush toilets and showers are not available at either developed campground. Longleaf Campground has two vault toilets.
Potable water is found at the visitor center and a spigot in Long Leaf Campground.
Campsites with partial hookups may be found at Poinsett State Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Santee State Parks.

When to go

Fall and spring provide pleasant camping weather, with warm sunny days and cooler evenings. Summer temperatures can easily top 90 degrees, and humidity is high. Summer is also the rainiest season, and campers may encounter more bugs. Winter weather generally stays above freezing, though campers may encounter temperatures below freezing on occasion. May is a busy season in the park due to the arrival of the synchronous fireflies.

Know before you go

Synchronous fireflies may be viewed in the park during several weeks in May. The park hosts a viewing lottery in April for permits to enter the park during this popular event.
Tickets for ranger-guided canoe tours may also be booked in advance online.
Congaree National Park has been named a UNESCO biosphere reserve, which recognizes the park’s unique habitat and biodiversity.