Goodale State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Free entryAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- southcarolinaparks.com(803) 876-8512
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 764 acres, Goodale State Park lies in Kershaw County, about 5 miles east of Camden.
The park supports historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching.
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 | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 11 a.m. – noon | — |
Official wording
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
11 a.m. - noon, daily
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 · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed in most 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.
Things to do
FishingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Trail | 2 mi | Easy | Length: 2 mile loopHiking Trail |
| N.R. Goodale Canoe/Kayak Trail | 3 mi | Moderate | Length: 3 miles out and backCanoe Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Nature Trail Length: 2 mile loop Type: Hiking Trail Difficulty: Easy Description: Begin this easy walking, 2-mile loop at the trailhead to the left of the park office. Follow the trail signs on a sandy path through a forest of pine, oak, and rhododendrons. Watch for a variety of wildlife, including wood ducks, blue herons, turtles, snakes, and possibly an alligator. N.R. Goodale Canoe/Kayak Trail Length: 3 miles out and back Type: Canoe Trail Difficulty: Moderate Description: You will start this out and backwater trail near the spillway and paddle across Adams Mill Pond. Once you reach Pine Tree Creek, follow the white trail signs and wind through a forest of bald cypress trees. You may see a variety of birds such as the great blue heron and possibly an alligator or two. At a point where two logs are downed across the creek, turn around and return.
Boating and paddling
Boating and Boat Access: A hand-launch access area is available for private boats with electric trolling motors, kayaks and other non-motorized boats. Canoe/Kayak Rentals: Kayaks rent for $10/half day; $20/day
Fishing
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in the park's 140-acre lake for bass, bream and catfish. Fishing Boat Rentals: Non-motorized fishing boats rent for $10/half day; $20/day.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- EV charging
- Group facilities
✓ 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.
Getting there
- Address
- 650 Park RD
Camden, SC 29020 - Nearest town
- Camden — about 5 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.2867, -80.5214 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (803) 876-8512
- goodale@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