Lee State Park Campground provides equestrian camping near Hartsville, South Carolina, approximately 20 miles from Florence. The campground features level gravel sites that accommodate both tents and RVs. The park includes multiple trails connecting riders to natural features and allows equestrians to camp with their horses nearby. Bath facilities remain well-maintained year-round, though seasonal insect activity increases during summer months due to the equestrian focus.
What to do
Trail exploration for non-equestrians: The boardwalk at Lee State Park Campground offers an accessible nature experience. "Nice short boardwalk area to explore. Loved the spring water," notes Tara M., who appreciated the natural features accessible to all visitors.
Dog training: H. Cooper Black Jr. Field Trial Area provides specialized facilities for retriever training. "They have several ponds that can be reserved if you have retriever dogs to train. They host many retriever tests on the weekend and they are fun to watch," explains Brenda L.
Kayaking: Multiple water access points exist for paddlers in the region. At Cane Creek Park, Emily B. reports, "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."
What campers like
Wildlife observation: Horse sightings occur regularly at campgrounds. "Was wonderful to wake up and see the horses. Also dog friendly which is a plus," shares Lauren V. about her stay at Lee State Park.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at regional campgrounds. "The bathhouse is in good shape and clean. I will come back when I'm in this area," reports Robert D. about his nine-day stay at Cane Creek Park.
Quiet atmosphere: Many sites offer tranquil settings despite equestrian activity. Mitch M. describes Lee State Park as a "nice experience. Quite and friendly neighbors. Sites were gravel and level. Bath house were clean and well maintained."
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Flies increase dramatically during warm months at equestrian facilities. "Ok if you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flyes. they were swarms of them," warns Swain K. about Lee State Park.
Access requirements: Some facilities have restricted access. Jeff B. notes about Falcons Nest FamCamp: "Very nice campground. Lots of trees. Must have access to Shaw afb to stay. $20 per night. No long term prices. No stay limit."
Weather considerations: Power outages can occur during storms. "Only problem is that both times we visited there was a storm and power went out for hours. Can't really do anything about that!" shares Jeanette M. about her Cane Creek Park experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Free activities: Look for included amenities to maximize value. Sarah B. says about 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."
Ranger interactions: Park staff often enhance children's experiences. "The ranger is very friendly, and made the kids' visit even better!" mentions Trina W. about her family's stay at Lee State Park.
Pet introductions: Be prepared if pets haven't encountered horses. "My dog was a bit confused by seeing horses for the first time. Super friendly staff," reports John P. about his experience at Lee State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Cheraw State Park offers varied options for different RV needs. "Small, but really nice. A lot of sites right on the water. Lots of trees, really quiet," notes John about the campground.
Leveling considerations: Check site conditions before setting up. Christina shares about Lee State Park: "Rough 'roads' inside park with big ruts that filled with rain... Having the horses around was fantastic. Not a lot to do. That being said, this stop was perfect for what it was."
Corral facilities: Horse owners should verify specific accommodations. At H. Cooper Black, "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.
