EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING

Free Camping in South Carolina

22 No-Fee Sites 5 with Restroom 4 with Water

South Carolina's dispersed camping options center on the Sumter-Francis Marion National Forest, which covers two separate units — the Francis Marion near Charleston and the Sumter in the piedmont. The Sumter's Andrew Pickens Ranger District in Oconee County near the North Carolina border has the most dispersed camping options in the Blue Ridge foothills. The Ellicott Rock Wilderness (shared between SC, NC, and GA) allows dispersed camping in the backcountry.

No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →

Before You Go

Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water

Free Camping Sites in South Carolina

ELMWOOD
Restroom Water 90 sites

This recreation area is located in the northeastern portion of the Francis Marion National Forest. It's a popular camp during deer and turkey hunts on the Water…

📍 33.1990, 79.4701°W
HONEY HILL
Restroom Water 90 sites

This primitive camping facility is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill. A short camp loop swings through an upland pine/oak forest and encircles a fir…

📍 33.1742, 79.5618°W
ROCKY BRANCH
Restroom Water 50 sites

Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp is part of the Enoree Ranger District of the Francis Marion Sumter National Forest, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's F…

📍 34.4351, 81.3297°W
CHERRY HILL CAMPGROUND
Restroom Water

Overview Open April 1 - October 31. Cherry Hill is near the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River and many miles of hiking trails. Site amenities include centrally-lo…

📍 34.9417, 83.0875°W
WHETSTONE HORSE CAMP
Restroom

Overview Whetstone Horse Camp is located in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in Oconee County in the western corner of South Carolina, about 13 miles northwes…

📍 34.8648, 83.2252°W
AMMONS BRANCH CAMP
20 sites

AMMONS BRANCH CAMP (Campground)

📍 35.0220, 83.1456°W
GUILLIARD LAKE
30 sites

GUILLIARD LAKE

📍 33.2848, 79.6189°W
HERBERT
115 sites
📍 34.5731, 81.4597°W
KEY BRIDGE
90 sites

KEY BRIDGE (Group Campground)

📍 33.7969, 82.1458°W
PANTHERTOWN SHELTER
6 sites
📍 35.1671, 83.0333°W
POULUOS LOOP
125 sites
📍 34.7492, 81.4537°W
TIP TOP
85 sites
📍 34.4971, 81.7540°W
WILLOW OAK
65 sites
📍 34.3879, 81.5184°W
Bluff Hike In Camping

Overview This is a hike-in campground that is located at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails, approximately 1 mile from both the Harry Hampton Visi…

📍 33.8321, 80.8155°W
BUCK HALL RECREATION AREA

Overview Buck Hall Recreation Area offers a premier location to enjoy the outdoors. It is situated along the Intracoastal Waterway and provides great access to …

📍 33.0375, 79.5628°W
Collins Creek Seasonal Campground (SC)

Overview Collins Creek Seasonal Campground is located on the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. It's location in the piedmont of South Carolina, …

📍 34.4730, 81.5235°W
Free Camping

From Tillman, SC head west from the gas station down the 2 lane hwy. maybe 8 mils or so you will see a road going off to the left with a sign saying boat launch…

📍 32.4851, 81.2177°W
Free Camping

FREE Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-9118 Tel: 803-776-4396 Getting there: From Charlotte (Approx. 110 miles) Take Interstat…

📍 33.8317, 80.8275°W
Free Camping

Privately owned land being turned into a campground in owners spare time. 16 campsites are cleared but dry camping only as of jan. 2015. Water and dump station …

📍 34.8553, 78.7998°W
Free Camping

Privately owned land located in the sand hills of North Carolina. the campground is located 12 miles east of I-95/Fayetteville. The land is being turned into …

📍 34.8549, 78.7995°W
Longleaf Campground

Overview This campground is located just off the park entrance road, approximately ½ mile before the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, in a mixed pine/hardwood upla…

📍 33.8358, 80.8280°W
Rocky Branch Seasonal Campground (SC)

Overview Rocky Branch Seasonal Campground is located on the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. It's location in the southeastern corner of the di…

📍 34.4352, 81.3281°W