Cheraw State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Nov 1 – Feb 28)
- Entrance fee
- Free entryAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions6-ft leash
- Camping
- 17 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- southcarolinaparks.com(843) 537-9656
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Park NewsThe boardwalk at Cheraw State Park is closed until further notice due to a tree falling on the boardwalk causing structural damage. We apologize for… (more)
The boardwalk at Cheraw State Park is closed until further notice due to a tree falling on the boardwalk causing structural damage. We apologize for the inconvenience. Personal golf carts must remain in the campground and are prohibited in the cabin area, on the golf course and the day-use area. When in use or parked, they must remain on paved portions of the road. Golf carts must have all permits as required by the SCDMV displayed as well as a park guest tag. 2026 GOLF SEASON! PLEASE BE ADVISED The Cheraw State Park Golf Course will be closed for renovation from March 1, 2026, and will reopen in October 2026. The pro shop will be available during this time, along with the driving range. No entry on the golf course will be allowed. Throughout the year, Cheraw is hosting golf tournaments at the park. For scheduled tournaments, the golf course is closed to public play or has a reduced number of tee times available. Call the Pro Shop at (843) 537-2215 or visit PlayCheraw.com to reserve your tee times.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Cheraw State Park is a 7,278-acre park in Chesterfield County, about 12 miles west of Bennettsville.
Popular activities here are golf, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Camping is available: 17 campsites, including RV sites and tent sites. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Nov 1 – Feb 28 |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — | |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Apr 1 – Sep 30 | |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — | |
| Office | Daily | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Not stated | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Dec 1 – Feb 28 | |
| Not stated | 11 a.m. – noon | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
Official wording
Nov.-Feb. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., daily; March. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., daily; Apr.-Sept. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., daily; October 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., daily
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, year round. March-Nov. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sa-Su and Dec.-Feb. 11 a.m.- noon and 4 - 5 p.m., Sa-Su.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Free admission | Free |
Official wording
Free admission
South Carolina park passes
- ALL Park Passport — $99 Details
From the South Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- SC State Parks reservation system (reserve.southcarolinaparks.com)
- Phone
- 1-866-345-PARK (7275)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 6 feet
Not allowed in or on: or around cabins; the golf course.
Pets are not allowed in or around cabins, cabin areas or other lodging facilities. No pets are allowed in the walk-in tent area due to proximity of the sites. Pets are not allowed on the golf course. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around cabins, cabin areas or other lodging facilities. No pets are allowed in the walk-in tent area due to proximity of the sites. Pets are not allowed on the golf course. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sites with Elec. & Water | 17 | Standard Sites with Elec. & WaterShowersRVs up to 40 | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping Information: Each campsite is packed gravel and has individual water and electrical hookups. The pull-through sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, others up to 34 feet.
The campground is convenient to restrooms with hot showers. Six sites are waterfront on Lake Juniper, the park's 360-acre lake. A dump station is available for RVs.
Standard Sites with Elec. & Water: 17 sites
Full Hookup Sites with Elec, Water, Sewer: Campsites 4 and 5 are full service sites with the electricity(30 amp), water and sewer.
Designated Tent Sites: There are five designated rustic tent campsites.
Boat In Camping: A boat-in camping area is located at the old boat landing on the north side of Lake Juniper. Drinking water is not available.
To make a reservation for boat-in camping, contact the park directly.
Primitive Group Area: The primitive group camping area is available for organized groups. (An organized group is defined as a group that holds regular meetings and has a lead officer or elected/appointed officials.)
The primitive group camping area is located near Lake Juniper and includes central water.
Reservations are accepted. To make a primitive group camping reservation, contact the park directly.
Minimum rate is $11 -$13.50 which allows up to ten campers. The rate increases by $5-$6.50 increments for each additional five campers.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Lodging Information: Nine cabins include bed and bath linens, cooking and eating utensils, heat, air conditioning, microwave, television, Wi-fi, automatic coffee maker, screened porch, LP gas grills for outdoor cooking (gas tanks available for rent at the park office) and a picnic table. Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas.
One vehicle may be parked at each cabin. All other vehicles must park in the overflow parking area.
Quiet time for the cabin area is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
One Bedroom Cabin/Villa: One Bedroom Cabin/Villa: Each one-bedroom cabin accommodates up to 3 people and includes 2 full beds in the bedroom and a queen murphy bed in the living room.
Four Bedroom Cabin/Villa: Cabin #9 is a four-bedroom, two-bath cabin and sleeps six to eight people. The cabin includes six twin XL beds and one queen bed. It is also ADA accessible.
Group Lodging: Camp Forest is available from May through October, accommodates up to 53 people and rents for $350/night. These rates vary and are subject to change.
To make a group camp reservation, contact the park directly.
Things to do
FishingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingBikingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and toursCampingGolfSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheraw Mountain Bike Trail | 9 mi | Easy | Length: 9 milesMountain Bike Trail |
| Cheraw Nature and Turkey Oak Trails | 2 mi | Easy | Length: 2 mile loop, 4.5 mile loopHiking Trail |
| Boardwalk Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | Length: 0.5 milesHiking Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Cheraw Mountain Bike Trail
Length: 9 miles
Type: Mountain Bike Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Starting at the trail head, follow the blue blazes in a clockwise direction on a predominately sandy surface through a mixed forest of pines and hardwoods. Because of the sandy content, this trail is a good one to visit when others are wet and muddy. You won’t find this to be a very technical trail, but one that is fast; with enough ups, downs, and twisting turns to provide a good workout. Pay close attention to the trail markers, because you will intersect with many unpaved roads. You may encounter wildlife such as deer, snakes, and wild turkeys on the trail during your ride.
Cheraw Nature and Turkey Oak Trails
Length: 2 mile loop, 4.5 mile loop
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Cheraw Nature Trail is an easy 2 mile walk, which is the inner loop of the larger 4.5-mile Turkey Oak Trail. Pick the distance you want, for both trails offer you a pleasant walk through a very dense forest of longleaf pine, blackjack oak, turkey oak, hickory trees, and closer to the ground, native irises called Blue Flags in the spring, and rose pogonia orchids in the summer. As you walk you may also be treated to some the common South Carolina wildlife, such as lizards, deer, snakes, and a vast assortment of birds. A short spur trail offers a chance for you to see the rare red cockaded woodpecker. If you chose to continue on the Turkey Oak Trail, you will enter a cypress swamp as you approach Lake Juniper, where you may see waterfowl such as ducks, egrets, geese, and pied billed grebe. You may also be treated to a wide array of raptors such as bald eagles, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and Mississippi kites.
Boardwalk Trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Starting from the parking area in the Cheraw State Park, this easy walking out and back boardwalk trail takes you out onto the lake to the Lake Juniper Dam. Near the end of the trail you will cross the spillway where the rushing water creates a soothing "waterfall effect." You will see waterfowl such as ducks, egrets, geese, and pied billed grebe. This is a popular area to see five-lined and ground skinks, yellow-bellied slider and painted turtles, banded water snakes, and the endangered pine barrens tree frog. You may also be treated to a wide array of raptors such as bald eagles, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and Mississippi kites. With care you can leave the trail and continue down stream for some distance. At times there are suds in the water like snow drifts. These suds are the result of natural formed soap when leaves decay.
Swimming
Swimming: The swimming area in Lake Juniper is open daily from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. from May 1 to Labor Day weekend. All swimmers must remain inside the buoys and ropes. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Boating and paddling
Boating and Boat Access: A boat ramp provides access to Lake Juniper for private boats with no more than a 10 horsepower engine.
Canoe/Kayak Rentals: Canoes, kayaks, and SUP boards rent for $15/hr. A person of at least 18 years of age must be present in the canoes and kayaks at all times. SUP boards can only be used by guests 18 years or older.
Pedal Boat Rentals: Pedal boat rentals are available for $20/hr. A person of at least 18 years of age must be present in the pedal boats at all times. At any time boat rentals are subject to change due to weather and staffing. Please be prepared if there are no rentals for the day. Call the park for information.
Fishing
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in the park's 360-acre Lake Juniper for bass, bream and catfish.
Tackle Loaner Program: This park participates in the Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources. Rods and reels are available for loan at the park office.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Wi-Fi
- Group facilities
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Golf course
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Ranger Station and Store
The ranger station and store can be found by coming into the park and driving straight until reaching the T intersection. At this intersection take a left to find the parking area for the ranger station/store as well as the day-use area. The doorway is 2’3” wide. To get into the building there are steps at the front as well as a sidewalk path that leads to the entrance. This path is 4’ across.
Day-Use Parking
There are two accessible parking spots in the day-use area, they are located closer to the ramp that leads to the entrance to the ranger station/store.
Day-Use Restrooms
The restrooms located at the ranger station/store building are meant to be accessed by any guests utilizing the day-use area. They have slightly inclined thresholds and each restroom has an accessible stall with a handrail. The doorway opening is 2’5” across and the stall is 2’7” across.
Read more from the park
Seating Outside of Ranger Station and Store
This is the seating that faces Lake Juniper on the ranger station/store building. There is a 4” – 6” step up to access this.
Boat Dock Shelter
The Boat Dock Shelter is located by the lake; it is approximately 200 yards from the ranger station/store. The shelter is on a concrete pad.
Shelter on the Hill
The Shelter on the Hill is the shelter located furthest away from the main day use parking lot. There is an incline to reach the shelter from the parking lot. The shelter is set on a brick and concrete pad.
Shelter on the Hill Restrooms
The restrooms for the Shelter on the Hill are located a short distance from the shelter. Each side of the restroom has a small step up onto the concrete pad that is approximately 3” to 5”. Each side of the restroom also has a handrail located in one stall. The doorway opening measures 2’11” and the stall opening is 2’8”.
Playground
The playground has two benches located around the perimeter for seating.
Picnic Pads
There are eight picnic pads available for rent located throughout the day use area; these pads have a step up around 4” – 6”.
Overlook for Pitcher Plants
This overlook showcases the pitcher plants during the spring and summer months. It has an inclined ramp up to the main platform. The width for the entrance to the ramp is 5’9”.
Beach and Swimming Area
There is a swimming area and beach located in front of the ranger station/store. The swimming area is open Memorial Day until Labor Day. It is swim at your own risk.
Nature-Themed Retail Area
This retail space pays homage to the days of Cheraw State Park having a nature center and an active naturalist. There is a 3”- 4” step up into the threshold. The doorway opening is 2’10”.
Boardwalk Trail Entering From Day-Use Area
The boardwalk trail is a half-mile in length one way. The boardwalk trail has two starting/end points, one on the day-use parking side and the other located on the camping and boating entrance road. The boardwalk slopes upward and the end (from day-use side to camping and boating side). The trailhead opening is 6’8”, the boardwalk itself is 5’7” across.
Boardwalk Trail Entering From Camping & Boating Area
The boardwalk trail is opening is 4’9” across and the bridge that crosses over the spillway is 5’8” across.
Cheraw Nature Trail and Turkey Oak Trail
See trails tab for information on trails. There is a gravel parking lot at the trailhead.
Golf Course Pro Shop
There are four accessible parking spots along the front entrance of the building, and there are steps on this side of the building. On the right-hand side of the building there is a ramp leading up to the side entrance. The ramp is 4’ 9” wide. The doors into the pro shop have minimal thresholds. With both doors open, the measurement is 5’6” across, or 2’8” across when one door is open.
Golf Course Pro Shop Restrooms
There is one stall in both the men’s and women’s restrooms in the pro shop that contain handrails. The main doorway into the restrooms measures 2’10” while the stall is 2’8” across.
House on the Hill Exterior
The House on the Hill is a group meeting space. More information on the House on the Hill can be found on the groups tab. There are two accessible parking spots located near the front entrance to the building. There is minimal threshold when entering the front entrance. The ramp is 6’9” across and with the double doors open the opening is 5’ across and 2’6” with one door open. There are two unisex bathrooms that have handrails. There is a back entrance that has steps to get down to the fire pit.
House on the Hill Interior
The bathroom doorway opening is 2’10” across.
Campsite 17
Campsite 17 is the accessible campsite. It has space for a maximum of 38’ RV/camper, and it is a back-in site with water and 30-amp electrical service. There is no sewer hookup, but there is a concrete path leads from the site to the bathhouse. This pathway is 4’across.
Campground Bathhouse
There is one central bathhouse for the campground. There is a sidewalk leading from site 17, the accessible site, directly to the bathhouse. The threshold is minimal upon entering either side of the bathhouse. The doorway is 2’10” across There is a shower stall with handrails and available shower stool, the entrance is 3’3” wide. There is one stall on each side that has handrails, the stall opening is 2’7”.
Boat Ramp and Boat Ramp Overflow Parking
There is a boat ramp located on the campground entrance road of the park. There is a large gravel parking lot at the ramp. The ramp itself is a paved surface.
Cabins 1-8
Cabins 1 through 8 are all similar in layout with one bedroom, living room and a small kitchen. There is a sidewalk path connecting the parking space for each cabin to the front steps. Each cabin has two-to-three steps leading up to the screened in porch door. There is a step up into the front door of the cabin. The showers have a step up and only have a fixed shower head.
Cabin 9
Cabin 9 is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin. There is a concrete parking pad that connects directly to the ramp that leads to the front door; the ramp is 4’9” wide. There is a minimal threshold at the front door, this door’s opening is 2’11”. One of the bathrooms in the cabin is more accessible with a handheld shower head, handrails and bench in the shower. This bathroom’s doorway is 2’11 and the shower’s entrance is 3’3” across, along with handrails around the toilet.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 100 State Park RD
Cheraw, SC 29520 - Nearest town
- Bennettsville — about 12 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.6475, -79.8943 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (843) 537-9656
- cheraw@scprt.com
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- South Carolina State Parks Park Finder (JSON embedded in #park-finder-component data-parks)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology