Cheraw State Park
Cheraw State Park, 100 State Park Rd, Cheraw, SC, USA
7:00 am - 9:00 pm
$
road-trips, outdoor-adventures, playground, camping, hikes
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A fun day trip not far from Charlotte!
Located in Cheraw, South Carolina, only an hour and a half away from Charlotte, is an oasis of outdoor recreation. Cheraw State Park has hiking, camping and cabins, lake swimming, and is most known for its golfing scene. The first state park to be built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this beautiful state park will be worth the drive. The park office is located right next to Lake Juniper, where the friendly staff can tell you everything you need to know about the park. Behind the park office is the swimming area, picnic areas, and playground. Cheraw has set up many picnic tables and covered picnic areas around the swimming area of Lake Juniper. The swimming is fully open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but if your kids are as crazy as mine, they will want to dip their feet into the water, so don’t forget extra clothes and a towel even during the off-season. You can rent canoe or kayak equipment to enjoy the 360 acres of Lake Juniper, or you can bring your own. A half-mile (one-way) boardwalk takes you along the lake to view the lily pads, and the sweet pitcher plants and hunter’s cup blooming in the spring. The lake is home to several fish species as well as turtles. Fishing can be enjoyed on the lake with a South Carolina fishing license.
The Turkey Oak trail system is down the road from the park office. There is a two-mile and four-and-a-half-mile loop which is perfect for all ages. Cheraw State Park is home to the endangered, red-cockaded woodpecker, so when you are there, listen for the tappings of a woodpecker. Several deer were spotted on the trails as well as the fox squirrels. The woods here consist of mostly piney woods, and the trail is sandy. This area along South Carolina is called the sandhills. The younger kids want to regularly stop and play in the sand on the trail.
The staple of the park is the 18-hole golf course that expands throughout the park. Golfers of all levels will enjoy this championship layout. They cut through pine forest and along the shores of Lake Juniper. Facilities include the course, clubhouse, practice green, driving range, a pro shop, and snack grill.
Whether you come for the day or stay the weekend, don't forget to check out downtown Cheraw for shopping and local eats.