Places to hike/camp in North and South Carolina?

Q. In your opinions, which are the best places to hike and camp?

I live in Lancaster, SC.


Answer
Alum Cave Bluffs Trail

This is one of the longer North Carolina hiking trails, with a roundtrip distance of just over 11 miles. For most hikers, this is one of those hiking trails in North Carolina that will take you all day to complete. The elevation also increases quickly as you go along, and by the time you reach the top of the lookout you will have climbed up 2,800 feet in elevation. At this point in the climb, however, you will have a great view and will be at Mount LeConte, a great spot for pictures and the perfect time to sit and enjoy some lunch while you take in the beauty all around. No fees are required to enjoy this hike, and there is an ample parking lot at the base.

Ramsay Cascade Trail

This is another of the North Carolina hiking trails that might take up the better part of a day, with a roundtrip distance of 8 miles. This hike is less challenging in distance and elevation than the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail, however, and a good option for a moderate hike. The highlight of this beautiful hike is the Ramsay Cascades Waterfall, which falls from a height of over 100 feet and is actually the highest waterfall found in the region. The views along this trail are excellent, as you will see the valley below as you hike and be rewarded with sweeping views at the hike's highest point. The Ramsay Cascades Trail has a small parking lot at the base, and there are no fees associated with using this trail or the park.

Many of the most popular South Carolina campgrounds are found near lakes or close to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. One of the most popular places for camping in South Carolina is Santee State Park, located near Lake Marion. Thanks to its lakeside location, Santee State Park is a campground South Carolina with rooms for boating, fishing, jet skiing and swimming. South Carolina enjoys warm weather and clear skies throughout the summer months, so simply lazing by the lakeside or take a walk can be a pleasant way to enjoy the grounds. Santee has tent spots as well as year-round cabins for rent, and an onsite office is open daily from 9am until 5pm. The park is located just 60 miles from Charleston and 60 miles from Columbia.

Another of the more popular places to camp in South Carolina is Lake Wateree State Recreation Area. An enormous water reservoir (13,700 acres) provides endless space for fishing, swimming and boat tours. The park itself has over 70 camping sites and some nice hiking trails winding throughout and into the surrounding forest. This park is open during the summer and is only about a 30 minute drive from Columbia. The park is also somewhat close to Greenville, South Carolina (about 100 miles).

Where's a good place to camp in South Carolina?

Q. I live in Beaufort County but am willing to travel. I've looked at the state parks but it doesn't really have a camping vibe. Also, it's a bit expensive. I'm hoping to go with a large group 10+ people. Two children between 1-3 years old. And two dogs (medium to large dogs). Some have been camping before, some haven't. Mostly looking to do a little hiking/scenery during the day and get drunk at night. A Friday/Saturday kind of thing. Preferably a place with bathrooms. Will camp with tents not RVs. Any places or tips will be welcomed :)


Answer
National Forest campgrounds are fairly primitive with pit toilets. If you want flush toilets, then you need to look at highly-developed National Park campgrounds. If you want resort facilities, then look at private camps. You can find group campsites at many state parks and national forests. The cost of a campsite should not be a deciding factor. Consider your other travel costs by comparison and paying a user fee for camping facilities is cheap. Dispersed camping is free, but there are no toilets in the wild.
Leave no trace. Alcohol and outdoor recreation do not mix. More than half of all recreational accidents and more than half of all venomous snake bites involve the use of alcohol. Stay near the campfire and keep the noise down if you are going to drink alcohol while camping.

In South Carolina, look at Francis Marion National Forest; Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River; Sumter National Forest.

Andrew Pickens Ranger District
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mt. Rest, SC 29664
Phone: (864) 638-9568

Enoree Ranger District
Enoree Office
20 Work Center Road
Whitmire, SC 29178
Phone: (803) 276-4810

Tyger Office
3557 Whitmire Hwy
Union, SC 29379
Phone: (864) 427-9858

Long Cane Ranger District
810 Buncombe Street
Edgefield, SC 29924
Phone: (803) 637-5396

Francis Marion Ranger District
2967 Steed Creek Road
Huger, SC 29450
Phone: (843) 336-3248


Francis Marion National Forest area description
Francis Marion Ranger District area description
Buck Hall Recreation Area
Elmwood Recreation Area
Halfway Creek Trail Campground
Honey Hill Recreation Area
Nicholson Creek Primitive Campsite
Swamp Fox Passage/Palmetto Trail
Wambaw Cycle Trail (North Loop)
Wambaw Cycle Trail (South Loop)
Sumter National Forest area description

Andrew Pickens Ranger District area description
Big Bend
Blackwell Bridge
Brasstown Falls
Burrells Ford
Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
Cherry Hill Recreation Area
Double Branch
Fall Creek
Grapevine
King Creek
Long Bottom Ford
Nicholson Field
Riley Moore Ford
Tamassee Camp
Thrifts Ferry
Timmy Place
Turpin Branch
Whetstone Horse Camp
Woodall Shoals
Enoree Ranger District area description
Brick House Campground
Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Poulous Loop Hunt Camp
Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
Sedalia Campground
Woods Ferry Recreation Area
Long Cane Ranger District area description
Fell Camp
Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
Morrow Bridge and Midway Seasonal Camps
Parsons Mountain Recreation Area




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