Visit These 9 State Parks in SC’s Piedmont Region
Outdoor escapes are unmatched, especially when they involve adventure and jaw-dropping natural beauty. With more state parks per capita than just about anywhere, the Olde English District presents both outdoor adventures and scenic spots to recharge during your next visit. Paddle, picnic, hike, bike, camp, ride, fish or swim — the choice is yours.
Andrew Jackson State Park
“Andrew Jackson State Park is a unique park that offers a little bit of everything: history, outdoor recreation, camping and art, all located in one spot,” says Kirk Johnston, Park Manager at Andrew Jackson State Park. And he is spot on. Along with an on-site museum that details the president’s boyhood in South Carolina, the park features an 18th-century replica schoolhouse, campground and picnic facilities. Outdoor enthusiasts will also love the fishing lake and nature trails.
Cheraw State Park
Plan a visit to South Carolina’s first state park. This Chesterfield County park features an 18-hole championship golf course that winds through woodlands, setting the stage for a scenic round. Cypress wetlands line Lake Juniper, the 360-acre lake that can be explored by kayak, canoe or pedal boat. A boardwalk runs along a portion of the lake for visitors to discover the water on foot. Plus, the sandy shore is a relaxing spot to soak in South Carolina sunshine.
Cheraw State Park has campsites and nine cabins available for rent for those wanting to make a long weekend out of their visit. The cabins include linens, cooking and eating utensils, heat, air conditioning, a microwave, television, Wi-Fi, a coffee maker, a screened porch, gas grills for outdoor cooking and a picnic table.
Chester State Park
A visit to Chester State Park is an adventure with 523 acres of opportunity. Park Manager Zachary Setzer says it best: “Chester State Park is a great place to get away and relax.” One of his favorite activities is hiking to the Civilian Conservation Corps-built spillway at the park. “The Caney Fork Falls Nature Trail follows the shoreline of the park’s lake from the historic CCC-built boathouse to the spillway,” he says. “This is a great opportunity to view wildlife and migratory birds.”
Chester State Park has a 160-acre lake with great fishing opportunities by land, boat, or pier. With a public boat ramp, boat rentals, picnic shelters, playgrounds, campsites, camper cabins, two disc golf courses and nature trails, the park is a must-visit.
Goodale State Park
This Kershaw County gem is a sight to see. Cypress trees line the spring-fed lake, creating gorgeous boating and fishing opportunities. Enjoy the park’s nature and canoe trails, bringing you up close to the native flora and fauna. Picnic shelters, tables, playground equipment and a meeting facility are on-site so that you can create an entire day out of your visit.
H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial & Recreation Area
With more than 7,000 acres of longleaf pine forest and fields, this state park is the setting for national-level field trials and retriever competitions. H. Cooper Black is one of the most equestrian-friendly parks in the state, with more than 20 miles of trails and sand roads. It also features stables, kennels, corrals, a waterfowl pond and camping sites.
Kings Mountain State Park
This 6,885-acre park has miles of forested trails, two fishing lakes, a spillway, picnic shelters, campsites and more. If you can’t get enough, head down the road to Kings Mountain National Military Park, where the Battle of Kings Mountain was fought in 1780.
Landsford Canal State Park
Known for being home to the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies, Landsford Canal State Park is a local and visitor favorite. Experience the bloom of the rare flowers from May through mid-June while paddling down the Catawba River. Or enjoy the park’s other amenities, such as picnic shelters along the river and a nature trail, all year long.
Lake Wateree State Park
In Fairfield County, this state park offers access to the 13,800-acre Lake Wateree, a popular fishing and boating body of water. Lake Wateree State Park sports 100 camping sites, an on-site tackle shop and a boat ramp with two lanes. Although the lake is the main attraction, guests are also invited to use the picnic areas and explore the park’s short, wooded nature trail.
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site
Originally home to Gov. William Henry Gist in the mid-1800s, Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site highlights significant events throughout South Carolina history. The site tells the stories from various perspectives of people who lived on the plantation, including the Gist family, enslaved people, freedpeople and tenant farmers. Their stories include the cotton boom and its collapse, secession and the Civil War, slavery and sharecropping, emancipation and the fight for civil rights, and Reconstruction and its overthrow. Along with a history lesson, visitors can discover the picnic shelter and hiking trail to the Tyger River.
