Located between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina, Cheraw State Park is a nature lover's paradise nestled in the northeast corner of the state and a perfect spot for an RV getaway. Catch a breathtaking sunset over the beautiful and unspoiled 360-acre Lake Juniper from your RV camping spot. Take in spectacular views of South Carolina's forests while hitting some balls on the popular Tom Jackson-designed championship 18-hole golf course, only minutes from Cheraw, South Carolina.
This lovely park is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. RV campers will enjoy the beautiful campground near the lake where they can swim, fish, or kayak in the warm southern sun. Spend an afternoon and explore the cypress wetland and paddle across the lake in a kayak or canoe. Fishing from the boardwalk is popular among guests as well, but if on-land activities are more your style, head out of the RV for a hike. Cheraw State Park has many biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails for all levels of expertise. While you are out, catch a glimpse of the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered woodpecker species, that calls this state park home.
Plan on visiting in the summer? Enjoy the park’s unique Moonlight Canoe Float events on the lake from April through October. No matter what time of year you come, there's plenty to do that will please everyone in your group. There are even several shelters for picnicking and visiting with friends or family or gathering in large groups. So, pack that motorhome and get on the road to visit the Cheraw State Park.
Leave your worries behind as you head out with your RV to Cheraw State Park. The park is a short drive from Charlotte and Myrtle Beach and provides easy access for all. Cheraw State Park is located off of U.S. Highway 1 and Route 52. The roads outside of the park are relatively flat, so RVs should have no trouble navigating these routes. Most of the roads within the park surround Lake Juniper, making it easy to find your way around the park. The golf course and swimming area are located on the north side of the lake, while the campgrounds are on the southern side. RVs up to 45 feet in length can be accommodated at the campground. Once you park your rig, you'll find it easiest to travel within the park by bike or on foot.
When you arrive, note that the park entrance is on the opposite side of the lake from the campground entrance. Check-in at the park office is a breeze and will only take minutes before the drive down the immaculately kept dirt roads to the campground. Plan to set-up your RV at the campsite before you head out for a swim or a hike to ensure that you don’t have any issues with your RV. Other parking is available within the park if you are not staying overnight.
Camp with your RV at one of Cheraw State Park’s 17 campsites, six of which are lakeside, and enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Juniper. Past visitors suggest booking RV sites #8 and #15 for the best views of the lake as it also makes a perfect spot for your hammock. All campsites provide water and electric hookups. Most can accommodate RVs that are up to 40 feet and a few can accommodate 45-foot rigs. Note that it is somewhat difficult to maneuver big rigs around the park because of turns in the roads, so trailers should be less than 40 feet.
Cheraw State Park does provide each campsite with a fire pit and table. At the campground, you will have access to the boathouse, hot showers, drinking water, flush toilets, a camp store, and dump station.
Cheraw State Park does require reservations before your arrival at least three days in advance of check-in. You can book a site up to 13 months ahead of time. There is a two night minimum for each campsite, and the rates vary depending on the one you select. Cheraw State Park is the perfect place for a quiet getaway that will allow you to relax and enjoy seeing nature in action.
You might be able to snag a spot for same-day arrival if you didn't make reservations ahead of time. However, the only way to see if there are spots available for same-day reservations is to call the park to see if there are any open campsites. If any sites are open, they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are still highly recommended, especially during the peak summer season.
Are you a golf fan? Then make playing the Cheraw State Park Golf Course a priority during your RV visit and schedule your tee time with the pro shop. Built in the early 1900s, the course is an example of the classic golf experience. Voted as one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” this Tom Jackson-designed championship 18-hole golf course is in a true parkland setting. Enjoy your game on a golf course that provides scenic views of Lake Juniper.
Enjoy seeing the moon from a different vantage point from April to October at Cheraw State Park. If you visit during this time, you may want to embark on a moonlit ride on the lake. View the natural beauty of Lake Juniper as the sun sets before you. It's an adventure that you will not soon forget. You can rent a kayak or canoe from the park unless you want to bring your own. Travel tip - bring a headlamp or a hands-free light, water, bug spray, hat, and weather-appropriate clothing to enjoy your ride. Ready to join? Call the Cheraw State Park office to register your party and learn of the exact departure and return times.
An excellent way to tour the park after you leave your RV campsite is to take a leisurely stroll on the Boardwalk Trail, which takes you to the Lake Juniper Dam. You'll love watching the falls from the dam as you take a few moments to enjoy all the beautiful scenery. Enjoy fishing? Walk further down on the boardwalk, and you will find a perfect place to enjoy some peace and quiet as you catch your dinner. You can also stretch your legs and enjoy a nature hike during your stay at Cheraw State Park. You can travel the Cheraw Nature Trail, an easy two-mile walk or the Turkey Oak Trail, which is a nearly three-mile outer loop.
Whether you prefer to launch your boat from the handy boat ramp at Lake Juniper or cast your line from the pier, you will find some of the best fishing around when you come to Cheraw State Park on your next RV vacation. You can even rent a boat if you don't have your own. Either way, you're sure to catch your limit of largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegills, and crappie in the dark waters of Lake Juniper. The lake is known for its calm peaceful waters and lily pads along the shoreline. You'll need to get a South Carolina fishing license before hitting the water. After a day of fishing, take your catch back to camp for an old-fashioned fish fry.
Make sure to grab your biking helmet and water bottle as you leave the RV and cover over nine miles of trails. Plan to follow the connecting trails clockwise through the forest as the path is mainly a sandy surface. Great for beginners, the Cheraw Mountain Bike Trail has many turns to let you have just enough exercise while enjoying the sounds and sights of nature. Grab your camera and be on the lookout for park wildlife like deer, snakes, and wild turkey during your outdoor adventure.
Birdwatchers will love seeing all the species of birds that visit the park during the off-season. Witness the fall migration of birds up close. You're bound to see several screech owls and a great-horned owl as well as many varieties of warblers. You may even have a chance to catch a glimpse of the federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, bald eagles, ospreys, and red-tailed hawks. Cheraw State Park has a Certified Audubon International Wildlife Sanctuary within its boundary, so you won't be disappointed. You can pick up a birding list from the park office or download one online, so you can check off the ones that you see. Make sure to pack your binoculars in the camper for this RV destination.
Created for the non-traditional golfer, fling golf is a great way to enjoy the game in a more carefree way without all the rules and restrictions of regular golf. Participants use a fling club to fling golf balls at targets on the green for prizes including free rounds of golf on the park’s championship golf course. Connect with other park visitors at the Cheraw State Park driving range in the spring to join the fun. The event is free, but if you want to play, you will need to sign up at the park office in advance.
Geocaching is the latest trend hitting the state parks around the country, and there is a geocache right here in Cheraw State Park. Treasure hunters will need to download the coordinates online and take care in their search not to damage the local ecosystem. Once the cache is located, it should be replaced in the same location for the next hunter to find. Make sure to take a picture of yourself with the treasure to post online for fellow geocachers.
