Camping areas around Patrick, South Carolina feature sandy soil and pine forests characteristic of the Carolina Sandhills region. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with mild winters and hot, humid summers from May through September. Camping options range from primitive sites to full-service RV parks, with most facilities operating year-round due to the mild climate.
What to do
Fishing at multiple ponds: Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area provides fishing opportunities at several small ponds throughout the property. One visitor noted, "Ponds for fishing. Far away from city lights so great for stargazing."
Boardwalk nature trails: Cheraw State Park offers scenic walking paths around Lake Juniper. A camper shared, "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…)"
Dog training reservations: At H. Cooper Black Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area, visitors can reserve ponds specifically for training retriever dogs. "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," mentioned a regular visitor.
Winter birdwatching: The region attracts winter birders between November and March. One Cheraw State Park visitor noted, "Bird sanctuary so birders will LOVE this campground! There is also a really nice museum type of visitor's center."
What campers like
Dark sky stargazing: The rural setting around Patrick provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. A camper at Sugarloaf Mountain described it as "Far away from city lights so great for stargazing."
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping offers quieter experiences with fewer crowds. A visitor to Cheraw State Park shared, "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. Barely anyone here in December."
Well-spaced campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at local campgrounds. A Cheraw visitor remarked, "It felt very private even though there were people all around. 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!"
Equestrian facilities: Lee State Park Campground attracts horse enthusiasts with dedicated equestrian camping areas. "Hosts were super nice, even when we got in late. Was wonderful to wake up and see the horses. Also dog friendly which is a plus," noted one camper.
What you should know
Primitive facilities at some sites: Sugarloaf Mountain has varying levels of amenities between camping areas. "There are 7 camping areas, 5 of which have camping shelters. Sites 3 & 4 only have picnic tables and trash barrels," explained one camper.
Road conditions vary: Access to some remote sites may require careful navigation. At Sugarloaf Mountain, "Site 7's entryway was washed out and had some large holes that would benefit from higher clearance and 4WD."
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have spotty coverage. Be prepared with offline maps and information.
Seasonal insect activity: The Farm Campground and other locations can have significant insect presence during warmer months. At Lee State Park, one camper warned, "if you have never stayed with horses you can not be prepared for the flyes. they were swarms of them."
Tips for camping with families
Group camping options: Cheraw State Park offers dedicated group areas separate from the main campground. "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," noted a family camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Cane Creek Park offers various recreation options for children. "Holidays usually have some activities for kids. 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," shared a repeat visitor.
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathrooms vary significantly in quality. At Standing Pines Campground, a parent reported, "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!"
Pet accommodations: Dog friendly campgrounds near Patrick are common, with most welcoming leashed pets. The Farm Campground welcomes pets and has "the best bathrooms ever" according to one visitor, making it convenient for families with dogs.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared for some uneven terrain. At Cheraw State Park, one RVer advised, "Spacious sites that feel nicely private surrounded by evergreens which is a nice relief in winter to see trees with leaves."
Boondocking options: Some areas allow primitive RV camping with no hookups. A visitor to Sugarloaf Mountain shared, "This is a great place for quiet, no frills camping. We stayed in site 1B and had no issue finding a spot by the water in our 22' travel trailer."
Long-term stays: Swamp Fox Campground accommodates extended stays. One long-term camper reported, "We stayed for a few months and have adored all the people here. Especially the ones who work here. Always kept clean and friendly."
Drainage concerns: Some sites may become muddy during rain. A Swamp Fox camper warned, "It was raining and our spot was a mud bog. Drainage was terrible in the park with many spots underwater."
