Camping in Congaree National Park

93% (74 reviews)

See the swamplands of South Carolina at Congaree National Park.  

93% (74 reviews)

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

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Top-rated campgrounds near Congaree National Park

95%
(11)

Blacks Fish Camp

15 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Smoaks, SC
Blacks Fish Camp is Located in Smoaks SC off of Scenic Hwy. 61. The Camp is located on a Tributary off of the Main Stem of the Edisto River. We have 12 Tent Camp Sites and Two RV Sites with Septic Hookups and 20, 30 and 50 Amp Electrical Plugs and Potable Water Hookup. Separate Onsite Bathroom with Sink and Two Showers, Cement Boat Ramp with a Dock. Covered Shed with a cement floor and three Picnic Tables and Chairs. Water Hookup and Electrical plugs on Tent Site's can be used if you bring Extra Garden Hose and Electrical Cords. Enjoy the Edisto River in your Boat, Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Board or Small Boat. Take a 1/2 Day Kayak or Canoe trip downstream to Colleton State Park from Blacks Fish Camp. Celebrate a Birthday Party or Family Reunion. A Weber Charcoal Grill is located under the covered shed for your use Charcoal is not Provided. The different wildlife species you might encounter at my site includes Owl's, Beaver, Wildcat, Otters, Deer, Raccoon, Opossum, Armadillo, Alligators Coyote, and Snakes, Hawks and Osprey. We have a Wood Duck Box on site for Nesting. Note: Water Level in the Tributary may restrict Ingress and Egress to the Main Stem if the Edisto River. If the Gage Height at Branchville is below two feet. Or very harsh drought conditions. (waterdata.usgs.gov) Search Edisto River Near Branchville, SC - 02174000
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$35
 / night
100%
(8)

Sweetwater Lake Campground

29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents400 acres · St Matthews, SC
Beautiful Sweetwater Lake Campground offers RV sites( short term and long-term),803-387-1375 Glamping, and all inclusive cabin rentals. All RV lots overlook our 40 acre private natural spring fed lake and have water, electricity, and we have a sewer station. All glamping tent sites and cabins come with a queen size bed, crisp, clean linen, towels ,fire pit and firewood provided, grill and charcoal provided, private fishing area and hammocks, basic necessities, fire pit, firewood, grill and charcoal provided, tackle and fishing rod’s provided. Bathhouse is a short walk. All sites are located right on the water at your own private spot. We are only 1 mile off of I26 in St Matthews, SC exit 139.( located between Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina) Come experience a quiet country setting and amazing fishing experience. No license required and you may keep what you catch!
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$47
 / night

Full RV hookup. Quiet and private

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Leesville, SC
Kia Ora, or Hello. Welcome to Whenua Farm. This is a small 5 acre, soon to be veggie farm just out side Lexington SC. We bought this property recently and have begun renovating the existing home, building garden beds and clearing some of the surrounding woods. The RV site has Full hook up includes sewer, power and water. Some RV leveling is needed but site is compacted gravel with sand soil mix. Site is 25 min to Lexington Medical Center and township &; 30 min to Columbia SC and its area hospitals. Large site 28x50 surrounded by woods and look to the neighboring pond, not part of our property. Perfect for travel nurses or similar. Very quiet, private and peaceful. 10 min to small town Walmart and local bars and restaurants. Lake Murray is approx 20 min away and provides access to boat ramps, boat rentals, marinas and such. There is local vegetable stands in the surrounding area and many offer fresh eggs. Lexington SC borders Columbia with the Saluda river running between the two cities. Saluda river offers trout fishing, river walks and river adventures with local outfitters. Columbia SC offers many attractions including University of SC Gamecock games, Riverbanks Zoo and Colonial Life Arena. Owner lives on property. Dog friendly for those who clean up after their pet.
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from 
$45
 / night
100%
(281)

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.
Potable water
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$36
 / night
99%
(177)

Rosewood Farm and Agripark

100 sites · Lodging200 acres · Winnsboro, SC
Rosewood Farm and Agripark is my home. I honestly had about the most amazing childhood one could have on this very land! We hunted, fished, made mud pies and played outside for hours, as long as we were in shouting distance for supper time! I am so fortunate to be the daughter of two amazing parents, who had a dream to build a working farm from nothing more than a logging trail in the woods. They built a 3 story, 10,000 square foot house by themselves- while raising a family! We have 200 acres of farmland that features rolling hills, multiple ponds, creeks, farm animals, show horses and countless wildlife viewing opportunities. Wild turkey and deer roam free all over the farm, coveys of dove fly out from the pastures and trails, and coyotes howl in the night. Listen to the frogs croaking, crickets chirping and whipporwhills calling every evening under a magical blanket of stars. Take a nature hike through the trails that meander through the woods around the park. Our newest venture is to offer primitive camping and some cabin rentals around our 60 acre Agripark! For those wanting to step it up a notch, we have erected a large concrete floor, covered event barn (for parties, family reunions, weddings, cowboy church, etc..,) and also a huge petting zoo barn with an area behind it for pony rides and 4-h/FFA functions. Also, a greenhouse is being erected next, that will teach people about aquaponics and hydroponics! Many things are on the immediate horizon for this special property. While we are under heavy construction at the moment in some areas of the park, many amenities are currently available. Why not unplug from the daily grind and spend time with those that matter most? My goal is to make this land as magical for your family as it has been for mine!
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from 
$80
 / night

Other options near Congaree National Park

Camping in 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.
93%
74 ratings · 58 reviews
  1. Congaree National Park