Horseback riding enthusiasts can discover several equestrian-focused campgrounds near Lancaster, South Carolina, within the Carolina Piedmont region. Located in an area characterized by gently rolling hills at elevations between 400-700 feet, these facilities offer year-round camping opportunities with distinct seasonal considerations. Summer temperatures typically reach the low 90s with high humidity, while winter overnight temperatures can dip below freezing.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Cane Creek Park in nearby Waxhaw features trails for riders and their horses. "I load up my kayak once a month or so and paddle around the lake for hours. Trails, shelter areas, and bathrooms are always well taken care of," reports Emily B.
Dog training facilities: The region caters to both equestrian and canine enthusiasts. "Neat surprise. Pleasant primitive site now, overlooking ponds, meadows, forest. Fun to distantly observe horses and well trained retrievers playing and being trained," notes Phil R. about H. Cooper Black.
Miniature golf and recreation: Family-friendly activities complement horseback riding options. At Cane Creek Park, "The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there," says Sarah B.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort maintains high standards that campers appreciate. "Always very clean, with meticulously maintained and picturesque grounds, the Camp Wilderness at Carowinds is well-appointed with amenities and attended to by helpful and friendly Carowinds staff," writes Chris K.
Peaceful surroundings: The region offers quiet camping experiences despite proximity to urban areas. "We spent the last few days at the Carowinds Camp Wilderness campground in Site 70 with full hook-ups. Sites were clean, level, and reasonably spaced," notes Kevin A. about his stay at Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort.
Historical significance: Kings Mountain State Park provides access to historical sites. "Tons to do, including hikes and history. Make sure to go across the street to the Kings Mountain Military site. Better yet, plan your stay when they are doing an event," recommends Don H.
What you should know
Site conditions vary: Many campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain. "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways," cautions Richard E. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Seasonal insect considerations: Horse-focused facilities naturally attract certain insects. One camper at Lee State Park warns, "This was our first stop and one of our least favorites. Rough 'roads' inside park with big ruts that filled with rain, horrific mosquitos (and we're from SC for a baseline)."
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance booking. "Home to an awesome rally that takes place in the month of March," notes John P. about H. Cooper Black, highlighting the importance of planning ahead during peak events.
Tips for camping with families
Free recreation amenities: Families can save money on entertainment. "Nice campground. Got very busy on Friday through the weekend. Nice lake and hiking trails. Free putt-putt. Clean bathrooms and hot showers," shares David E. about his experience at Cane Creek Park.
Kid-friendly water features: Sesquicentennial State Park provides water recreation options. "I took a group of 8 wild middle schoolers here and we had a blast hiking the trails, boating, and unplugging for a while!" reports CeCelia L.
Holiday programming: Some parks offer special activities during holiday periods. Sarah B. notes about Cane Creek Park, "Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast."
RV tips
Hookup logistics: RV sites often feature varying hookup placements. Karen S. shares about Kings Mountain, "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites."
Access challenges: Some horse campgrounds near Lancaster have difficult approach roads. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," warns Karen S. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Length limitations: Be aware of size restrictions at equestrian-focused campgrounds. "Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV," advises Richard E. based on his experience at Kings Mountain.
