Best Equestrian Camping in South Carolina

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

South Carolina state parks have no designated horse-friendly campgrounds with dedicated corrals. Looking at data from multiple campgrounds including Kings Mountain, Oconee, Sesquicentennial, Lake Greenwood, and Chester State Parks, none list horse corrals among their amenities. These parks offer various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, but lack specific equestrian facilities. Most state parks permit pets in general, but have no specialized horse accommodations or trailer parking areas designed for equestrian camping. Visitors at Oconee State Park noted well-maintained trails suitable for day riding, but without overnight accommodations for horses. Equestrians must look beyond state parks for dedicated horse camping facilities in South Carolina.

For those seeking equestrian-friendly camping in South Carolina, private facilities provide the best options with appropriate accommodations. Horse owners planning overnight stays should contact campgrounds directly to verify current policies regarding horses, as amenities and regulations can change. Most South Carolina trails that allow horses are day-use only, requiring riders to transport their horses to and from the trails rather than camp with them. Sites typically require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons when limited equestrian camping spots fill quickly. When horse camping is available, campers should bring their own portable corrals or picket lines as permanent facilities are rare. Trail access directly from campgrounds is limited in the state, with most riding opportunities located in separate day-use areas.

Best Equestrian Sites in South Carolina (25)

    1. Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    46 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, NC
    Website
    +1 (803) 222-3209

    "There is a nice playground, hiking trails, a lake, canoe rental, and a trading post with some food, ice, camping supplies, firewood and souvenirs. There is also a separate Equestrian campground!"

    "When not in the side, a short walk takes you to the Trading Post, a small store selling firewood ($7), ice, souvenirs, and sundries. Next to that is a large playground connected to a pavilion."

    2. Croft State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Pauline, SC
    Website
    +1 (864) 585-1283

    "Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use."

    "state Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations."

    3. Brick House Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests

    18 Reviews
    Kinards, SC

    $5 / night

    "Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."

    "Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"

    4. South Cove County Park

    12 Reviews
    Seneca, SC
    Website
    +1 (864) 882-5250

    $20 - $50 / night

    "There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site. We very much enjoyed our stay and plan to return for a longer visit."

    "Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground 😊 warning! Don’t feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything!"

    5. Lee State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bishopville, SC
    Website
    +1 (803) 428-5307

    "Only drawback would be this park is an equestrian park so you will most likely encounter flies during the warmer months. Sites are better than some state parks we have visited."

    "There are horse trails and stables if you ride horses."

    6. Wildwood County Park

    5 Reviews
    Modoc, SC
    Website

    "This park is just a few miles away from Mistletoe and we only stayed here because we could not get a site at Mistletoe."

    "People are here with boats, golf carts, big outside TV’s and LOUD music that went on until 9:45 at night (camp hosts finally shut down the party scene)."

    7. Sugarloaf Mountain

    4 Reviews
    Patrick, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 498-6478

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Far away from city lights so great for stargazing."

    "There was some trash from previous campers littered around the site when we arrived. Please don’t be a litterbug!"

    8. Plum Branch RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Plum Branch, SC
    Website
    +1 (864) 484-6365

    $45 - $50 / night

    "Will try again in future as it keeps improving We just overnighted so did not use facilities nor do much in the surrounding areas."

    "This campground is very quiet and right near the water. I enjoyed it and would stay again."

    9. Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping — Caesars Head State Park

    2 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    Website

    $4 - $20 / night

    "My friend and I hiked the Raven Cliff Falls loop trail a while back and have added it to our list of top 10 favorite trails."

    "Wonderful trails with breath taking views and technical climbs plus discrete camping."

    10. H. Cooper Black Jr. Field Trial Area

    2 Reviews
    Patrick, SC
    Website
    +1 (843) 378-1555

    "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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos in South Carolina

3 Photos of 25 South Carolina Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews in South Carolina

144 Reviews of 25 South Carolina Campgrounds


  • Myron C.The Dyrt Pro User
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Woods Ferry Campground (Sc) — Francis Marion And Sumter National Forests

    Secluded Campground in National Forest

    It was difficult for me to find Woods Ferry, but after talking with a park official, I finally got there. It is off the beaten path, so it is quiet. Apparently, there had been a lot of rain recently, and the area showed it. Woods Ferry is a campground mainly for campers who have horses. There are corrals at many of the campsites, so there are also a lot of horseflies. Horseflies and the actual site itself are my two main concerns. Selecting my campsite was my mistake. It was sloped, but there are a few others that were not sloped. There is running water and a pit toilet. Otherwise, you will have to take everything else in that you need. 

    Since South Carolina is hot during this time of year, I was a bit uncomfortable, especially since I was on a slope.

    There is a separate section for group camping. However, I think it caters to groups of horse campers, as there are corrals at the campsites. 

    Overall, it’s not too bad for those who camp in an RV or a travel trailer, but it’s not ideal for tent campers.

  • Maddi P.
    Sep. 8, 2018

    Croft State Park Campground

    Great for equestrians

    Spent many weeks here over the past few years. Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use. The barn is clean as well and provides stall shavings for a small fee.

  • Jennifer C.
    May. 26, 2018

    Croft State Park Campground

    Feels quaint and serene but isn’t far from a suburban area

    state Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations. Many flat camping spaces and lots of shade. A camping store on site and many other stores within a five minute drive.

  • The School for  Y.The Dyrt Pro User
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Camelot Farms Equestrian Center

    Awesome Spot

    This private campground has four hookup spots for RVs, as well as tent camping spots. You can reserve an RV space and for $35/night, you get a shaded, grassy spot to park with water and power (the dump station is just down the driveway).

    The highlight for us was the ability to ride horses. They provided us with two names of instructors, one of whom graciously squeezed us into her schedule and gave our girls a two-hour riding lesson in their covered arena. They also have trail rides to the beach available.

    We don’t have our own horses, but if we did, it seems like this place is set up to accommodate that easily.

    There are roadside fruit and veggie stands you pass on the way in that are worth a stop.

  • B
    Feb. 27, 2021

    H. Cooper Black Jr. Field Trial Area

    Campground for horse and dog lovers

    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. 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. The campground has full hookups and they have made lots of improvements the last few years and most are level and shaded. Two bathhouses close by that are always clean. If you are a horse or dog lover this is a great place to camp!

  • Trent W.
    Nov. 10, 2020

    Camelot Farms Equestrian Center

    HORRIBLE DO NOT GO!!! WOW

    Wow, where to begin..... So I attempted to schedule a horse back riding event for my fiancé' and I for her birthday(thought that it would be cool to take a ride on the beach) I filled out the info online and left the page to double check the distance. When I came back to the page it had already taken payment and the 17 miles away was really 95 miles driving distance. I IMMEDIATLY called OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER again and got NO response or answer! Also, woke up the next morning at 7am to start calling AGAIN. Guess what no answer. Ill put my bottom dollar that if you call this establishment right now that they will NOT answer.... IF YOU CALL and they do answer the phone Ill pay for your next ride(look me up) IF they dont....(DO NOT DO IT!) This was the response that I got..... After calling 20mins after accidently signing up and also the other 20 plus times.....(AGAIN NO CALL BACK they sent me an email AFTER the fact!! bunch of crooks!!)"I will not issue a refund as it clearly states this information on your sign up." OK.... WHY didnt you answer the phone at all or call me back???!?!? I have a nephew who is 8 years old that gets back to people faster... He needs to get a job there and I bet that I could triple your intake overnight just by answering the phone and calling people back... Communication is everything!! they have NONE!! wow. DO NOT GO HERE!! Instead you should totally check out Seabrook Island Equestrian Center. They call you back and also want to earn your business not just take your money.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Nice quiet state park

    This is a very nice state park. The sites are well spaced and wooded. (If you think they are too close together you haven’t been to many private campgrounds). Our site was level and spacious, although some were not as level. Our first site had an awkward incline. The guy at the trading post said they were working on them. We were there mid-week and the campground was very quiet. The only noise was from crows and other birds, and acorns falling in the woods. There is electric (some 50 amp) and water but no sewer. There are 2 dump stations. Several bathrooms/showers are available. There is a nice playground, hiking trails, a lake, canoe rental, and a trading post with some food, ice, camping supplies, firewood and souvenirs. There is also a separate Equestrian campground! The stare park is adjacent to Kings Mountain National Battlefield Park, with Revolutionary War history and more hiking.

  • Candy H.
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Croft State Park Campground

    Nice hiking trails

    It’s also a horse camp with a large ring. The first camping loop is the best. Head back to the end of the camping loop away from the office and find a trail that leads down to a nice swimming creek. Great place for exploring all over the park. Sites were well spaced with picnic table and fire ring.

  • Sarah G.
    Jun. 13, 2021

    Croft State Park Campground

    Peaceful & friendly

    Compared to some other state parks in SC, this one was less crowded and more peaceful. It had rained right before we arrived, and we got stuck in the mud trying to back-in our pop-up on a hill (lake campground #29). The campers all pitched in to pull us out. It was silent at night. Nice hiking around lake, fishing, and boat rental. Saw some turtles while paddling, and there were frogs and lots of fireflies near our campsite. We enjoyed seeing the equestrian visitors too.


Guide to South Carolina

Horse camping in South Carolina offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, with several campgrounds catering specifically to horse enthusiasts.

Tips for equestrian camping in South Carolina

  • Ensure you have the necessary gear for both yourself and your horse, as some campgrounds may not provide amenities like water hookups or corrals.
  • Be prepared for varying terrain; sites like those at Woods Ferry Campground can be sloped, so choose your campsite wisely.
  • Always check for local regulations regarding horse camping, as some areas may have specific rules or restrictions.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused activities

  • Lee State Park Campground provides numerous trails for horseback riding, along with a tranquil environment for relaxation.
  • Enjoy scenic rides at Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can explore beautiful views and rustic camping shelters.
  • Cheraw State Park Campground offers a peaceful setting with trails suitable for horseback riding, making it a great spot for family outings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at South Carolina horse campgrounds?

Camelot Farms Equestrian Center offers four RV hookup spots with water and power, a dump station, shaded grassy camping areas, and of course, horse riding opportunities. Equestrian campgrounds typically provide horse-specific amenities like corrals or stables, water troughs, and designated riding trails. Many state parks like Chester State Park Campground feature bathhouses, though tent sites may be limited due to terrain. Most horse campgrounds include picnic areas, fire rings, and access to trail systems. Some facilities offer guided rides or training areas, while others may have washing stations for horses and tack storage options.

Where are the best horse camping facilities in South Carolina?

H. Cooper Black Jr. Field Trial Area stands out with campsites featuring corrals at your back door for easy horse access and extensive riding trails. Woods Ferry Campground is another excellent option specifically designed for equestrian campers, though it's somewhat secluded and can be difficult to find. Both locations offer dedicated facilities for horses and riders. Other notable horse camping destinations include Whetstone Horse Camp in the Sumter National Forest and Lee State Park, which features equestrian-friendly trails and facilities.

When is the best season for horse camping in South Carolina?

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most pleasant conditions for horse camping in South Carolina with moderate temperatures ideal for trail riding. Summer can be extremely hot and humid, potentially stressful for both horses and riders, though Oconee State Park Campground in the higher elevations provides some relief with its mountain setting. Winter camping is possible at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground and other locations that remain open year-round, though be prepared for occasional freezing temperatures, especially in the upstate region. Always check seasonal operating schedules, as some equestrian facilities have limited winter hours or trail closures after heavy rains.