Cheraw area camping options span across several state forest and wildlife areas within the Sandhills ecosystem. Located approximately 85 miles from Columbia and 20 miles from the North Carolina border, campsites range from primitive forest shelters to full-service RV parks. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night between December and February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge allows fishing in designated ponds with proper permits. "Hiking, fishing, and boating are also available, in addition to wildlife watching and nature study," notes Janet R.
Bird watching: H. Cooper Black Jr. Field Trial Area attracts various bird species. "We absolutely love H Cooper Black campground. If you have horses they have campsites with corrals at your back door that you can also rent. Many horse trails for riding as well," explains Brenda L.
Paddling: Lake recreation opportunities abound, with kayak and canoe rentals available seasonally. "The trail around the lake is very pretty, and there are lots of things to do across the lake. (Boat rentals, playground, picnic areas, park office…)," shares Trina W.
Off-season exploring: Winter camping offers quieter experiences with unique wildlife viewing. "We were lucky enough to catch a great view of Jupiter merging with Saturn last night. Super cheap. We stayed four nights for under $100," reports Sara M.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Cheraw State Park Campground offers direct lake access from many sites. "I have stayed here multiple times. I really love setting up on the water sites and having my kayak and fishing gear ready to go. The golf course is excellent and price friendly," explains Oldhap.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance receives consistent praise. "The bathrooms and showers were amazingly clean and they had a giant heater you can turn on over the showers when it's cold outside!" notes MaryAnn P.
Wildlife encounters: The area supports diverse ecosystems with excellent viewing opportunities. "It felt very private even though there were people all around. The campground has full hookups and they have made lots of improvements the last few years and most are level and shaded," shares Brenda L.
Rustic shelters: Sugarloaf Mountain offers unique camping structures. "This is a great place for quiet, no frills camping. There are 7 camping areas, 5 of which have camping shelters. Sites 3 & 4 only have picnic tables and trash barrels," explains Jason F.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most of the best places to camp near Cheraw require advance bookings, especially during spring and fall. "This is a great place to get away during the pandemic. We enjoyed Site 1B so much from our last visit we decided to reserve the same site again," notes Jason F.
Varying site conditions: Campground terrain can change seasonally with weather. "Site 7's entryway was washed out and had some large holes that would benefit from higher clearance and 4WD," warns Jason F.
Limited services: Some campgrounds have restricted seasons or services. "Didn't have any expectations of this place since it's in the middle of nowhere and not many photos. We loved it here. Super cheap," shares Sara M.
Site spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "We stayed in the camp juniper group area this time, but have camped in the regular campground in the past. The regular sites are usually full, and very close, but the lake front sites are gorgeous and worth being close to neighbors," explains Trina W.
Tips for camping with families
Outdoor shower fun: Standing Pines RV Resort & Campground offers unique bathing facilities kids enjoy. "The outdoor showers are Anything But Ordinary! I've had to tell my youngest son that he's had too many showers in a day!" says Ashley D.
Beach access: Several campsites connect to swimming areas via short trails. "For us this was a pleasant little stopover after a long drive. Nicely located next to a lake, there is also a nice little walk partially around the lake. At the campground you can't swim, but you can walk 10 minutes to a beachy area on the other site of the lake," mentions Werner S.
Group camping options: Dedicated areas accommodate larger family gatherings. "The only drawback to the group area is that it's not directly on the lake, and there are no bathrooms. Bring a bucket potty, or drive to the other camp area to use the bath house," advises Trina W.
Tips from RVers
Off-road access: The Farm Campground requires navigation on unpaved roads. "After you drive down a long sandy rutty road you come to the farm. A little oasis for the road weary. Mostly long term trailers are here but they do have tent camping," notes Gary D.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as not all campgrounds offer dump services. "30/50 hookups and water. No sewer but very close dump station in campground," explains Sara M.
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "The campground has full hookups and they have made lots of improvements the last few years and most are level and shaded," mentions Brenda L.
