Looking for free campsites in South Carolina. (Columbia, Newberry: camping, income) - (SC) -Columbia - Lexington - Irmo - City-Data Forum

lonleyndn · 11-02-2008, 08:21 AM

I am a single father of two wonderful , "Principle's List" children whom love the outdoors. We reside in Lexington County, S.C. and frequent our local hiking trails and "National Parks".

We have hiked the trails of, and camped out at, our "Congaree Swamp National Monument" and loved it, but due to the challanges of being a single income family, we are hoping to find other places that are "FREE" to camp in our State.

Would anyone happen to know of any?

jlboney · 11-02-2008, 12:17 PM

Maybe this will help. Not all the sites listed are free, but some of them are.
Camp Grounds

Ceezer · 11-03-2008, 05:42 AM

I think it's great that you've got your kids involved in the appreciation of nature and the outdoors. I've just recently got my daughter interested in going fishing with me, and I've taken her hiking a few times.

You may already know, but a state park pass is $25 a year and that gets you access to every state park in SC. I don't think minors need one, but you might want to look into that. It's not free, but it could open up a lot of opportunities for a cost of less than $0.50/weekend. Here's the SC Parks site: South Carolina State Parks

And congratulations on the diligence of your children in their studies. Perhaps you could incorporate the two on your camping trips. Stop by the public library and pick up a book or two on identifying birds native to the Eastern US or other fauna and foliage.

waccamatt · 11-05-2008, 08:56 PM

I'll second the recommendation of the state parks. They aren't free, but the cost is nominal. The Columbia area has 2 state parks - Dreher Island on Lake Murray and Sesquicentennial ("Sesqui" to the locals) in Northeast Columbia.

Ceezer · 11-07-2008, 11:08 AM

And over here is Poinsett State Park & Manchester State Forrest

gps29070 · 07-13-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonleyndn

I am a single father of two wonderful , "Principle's List" children whom love the outdoors. We reside in Lexington County, S.C. and frequent our local hiking trails and "National Parks".

We have hiked the trails of, and camped out at, our "Congaree Swamp National Monument" and loved it, but due to the challanges of being a single income family, we are hoping to find other places that are "FREE" to camp in our State.

Would anyone happen to know of any?

The National Forest in South Carolina have free camping outside the established camp areas but you have to fill out a form and leave it at the ranger stations. You can walk from the Palmetto Trail in Newberry and camp anywhere you can as long as it is not on the someone's private property.

Lynches Woods just outside of Newberry has free camping also. you just have to call the number when you get there to let them know you are camping. There is a porta pot but you'll have to walk to it to get to it.

The Palmetto Trail between Pomaria and Austin have several free campsites established. The best spot is right at the base of a very long walking bridge across the Broad River. That's one of my favorites. There are no facilities along these camp sites but the city of Peak is right across the river that have bathrooms you can use during the day.