⛳ South Carolina’s Oldest State Park — Where the CCC Built a Golf Course in the Longleaf Pines — Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, established 1934, oldest park in the SC system, 18-hole championship golf course, 360-acre Lake Juniper (built by CCC), swimming, camping, cabins, fishing, hiking Turkey Oak Trail, Sandhills region, longleaf pine habitat, endangered red-cockaded woodpecker — Chesterfield County, SC
In 1934, young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps — Depression-era workers paid $30 a month to build America’s parks — dammed a creek in the South Carolina Sandhills and created Lake Juniper. They built cabins from local timber. They laid trails through the longleaf pines. And they created the first state park in South Carolina.
Ninety years later, Cheraw State Park still operates on the bones the CCC built. The 360-acre lake is still there. The pines are taller. And an 18-hole championship golf course now winds through the same forest where endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers drill their nesting cavities.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Golf | 18-hole championship course winding through longleaf pine and turkey oak forest. The course was designed to protect the surrounding habitat — you’re golfing through an endangered species habitat. Affordable green fees for a course of this quality. Pro shop and rental clubs available |
| Lake Juniper | 360 acres of cypress-lined water built by the CCC in the 1930s. Kayak, canoe, and paddleboat rentals. Non-motorized boats and motors up to 9.9 hp allowed. The cypress trees standing in the water — Spanish moss hanging from their branches — are quintessential South Carolina |
| Fishing | Largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and crappie in Lake Juniper. Bank fishing, dock fishing, and boat fishing. A boat-in primitive camping area lets you fish remote coves. Dawn and dusk are best — the lake mirrors the sky |
| Camping & Cabins | Lakefront campsites for tents and RVs. Group camping areas. Rental cabins in the pine woods — some CCC-era structures. The campground is shaded by the same longleaf pines the CCC planted |
| Hiking | Turkey Oak Trail — 4.5-mile loop through Sandhills habitat: longleaf pine, turkey oak, wiregrass. Mountain biking and equestrian trails also available. The Sandhills terrain is gently rolling — sandy soil, open forest, dappled light |
| Swimming | Designated swimming area on Lake Juniper. Scenic boardwalk along the lake edge through cypress wetlands and over the spillway. The water is tea-colored from tannins — perfectly clean, just stained by cypress |
The Sandhills & History
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Sandhills | Cheraw sits in the Carolina Sandhills — a band of sandy, well-drained soil running across the midlands. This ancient coastal plain (it was shoreline 65 million years ago) supports a unique ecosystem: longleaf pine savanna, maintained by periodic fire |
| Longleaf Pine | Longleaf pine forests once covered 90 million acres of the southeastern US. Today, less than 3% remain. Cheraw protects one of the best remaining stands in South Carolina. The trees grow 80–100 feet tall with an open, park-like canopy |
| Red-Cockaded Woodpecker | Federally endangered. These woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities in living longleaf pines — the only woodpecker species to do so. Cheraw’s old-growth pines provide critical habitat. Look for white resin streaks around cavity entrances |
| The CCC | The Civilian Conservation Corps built Cheraw State Park between 1934 and 1942. Their dam created Lake Juniper. Their stonework, timber cabins, and trail systems survive as testaments to Depression-era craftsmanship. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 🌸 Dogwood and azalea blooms. Golf in perfect weather. Bass spawning. Wildflowers in the wiregrass understory. The Sandhills at their most alive |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 🍂 Turkey oaks turning gold and rust. Cool golf weather. Fishing excellent. Fewer visitors. The longleaf pines stay green against autumn color |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Swimming. Hot (90°F+) but the lake cools you. Camping. The pine forest provides shade. Evening thunderstorms are dramatic |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild (40–55°F). Golf still possible. Woodpecker watching — easier without leaves. The lake quiet. Off-season cabin rates |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really the oldest state park in South Carolina?
Yes — Cheraw was established in 1934, making it the first park in the South Carolina state park system. It’s part of the wave of state parks created by the CCC during the New Deal era.
Why is the lake water brown?
Tannins from cypress trees stain the water tea-colored — it’s perfectly natural and safe. This is characteristic of Southeastern blackwater lakes. The water is clean; the color is just dissolved organic compounds from the trees.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area is a short drive away, and Cooper Black Recreation Area is a short drive away.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins online at reserve.southcarolinaparks.com or call 1-866-345-PARK.
⛳ A Golf Course Through Endangered Habitat. A Lake the CCC Built. And Pines That Were Here Before the Colony.
South Carolina’s oldest state park. A 360-acre cypress lake stained tea-brown. An 18-hole course where woodpeckers nest in the fairway trees. And Depression-era craftsmanship still standing after 90 years.
Wildlife & Nature
Cheraw SP — South Carolina’s oldest state park (est. 1934). 7,361 acres with a CCC-built dam and lake. The park’s longleaf pine forest, sandhills, and lake support red-cockaded woodpeckers (endangered), fox squirrels, and pine warblers. Champion golf course — rated among South Carolina’s best.
Nearby Attractions
Cheraw — adjacent — birthplace of Dizzy Gillespie. Sandhills NWR — adjacent. Carolina Sandhills — surrounding.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Cheraw State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas of South Carolina state parks provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash no longer than six feet (or other physical restraint) required at all times
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities except in designated pet-friendly units at eight parks (Barnwell, Devils Fork, Dreher Island, Hickory Knob, Lake Hartwell, Oconee, Santee, Table Rock); up to two pets under 75 pounds each; additional charge applies
- Pet fees statewide rule
- Additional charge for pet-friendly cabins/villas; no fee for day use
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Park staff may require removal of noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten wildlife
Are dogs allowed at Cheraw State Park?
Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas of South Carolina state parks provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via southcarolinaparks.com. More: South Carolina state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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