Croft State Park
🏇 7,000 Acres Where 250,000 Soldiers Once Trained — South Carolina’s Military-to-Park Conversion — Croft State Park near Spartanburg, South Carolina, 7,054 acres on former World War II Camp Croft Army training grounds, Lake Craig (165 acres), mountain biking (20+ miles), equestrian trails, fishing, camping, Fairforest Creek, Piedmont terrain, military ruins — Spartanburg County, SC
Between 1941 and 1945, a quarter million young men trained for war on 19,000 acres of South Carolina Piedmont. Camp Croft was one of the Army’s largest infantry replacement training centers — rows of barracks, rifle ranges, obstacle courses, and a prisoner-of-war camp, all carved from the red clay hills near Spartanburg.
When the war ended, the barracks came down but the land remained. Seven thousand acres became Croft State Park — and the old training grounds became some of the best mountain biking and horseback riding terrain in the Southeast. The rifle ranges are wildflower meadows now. The obstacle courses are hiking trails. And if you look carefully in the woods, you can still find concrete foundations and rusted ordnance markers from a world that ended 80 years ago.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Mountain Biking | 20+ miles of singletrack through rolling Piedmont terrain — technical climbs, fast descents, and root-laced forest floor. The trails wind through the same hills where soldiers did PT runs. Multiple loop options from beginner to advanced. One of the best mountain biking destinations in the Carolinas |
| Horseback Riding | 20+ miles of dedicated equestrian trails. 50+ horse stalls. A riding arena for events. Equestrian camping with trailer parking. Croft is one of the premier horseback riding parks in the Southeast — the rolling terrain and wide forest roads are ideal for riding |
| Lake Craig | 165-acre lake built on Fairforest Creek. Largemouth bass, bluegill, shellcracker, catfish, and crappie. Electric trolling motors only — keeps the lake quiet. Kayak, canoe, and fishing boat rentals available seasonally. The lake is calm, shaded by hardwoods, and rarely crowded |
| Hiking | Miles of trails including a section of the Palmetto Trail (SC’s cross-state trail). The trails pass through hardwood forest, creek crossings, and old military ruins. Fairforest Creek Trail follows the scenic creek through rocky shoals and deep pools |
| Camping | Tent and RV sites with water and electric hookups. The campground is set in mature hardwood forest with good spacing between sites. Equestrian camping area separate from the main campground |
| Military History | Concrete foundations, training area markers, and old road networks from Camp Croft are scattered through the forest. The park is a Formerly Used Defense Site — stay on marked trails. Interpretive signs tell the story of 250,000 soldiers and the POW camp |
The Setting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Camp Croft | Activated in 1941 as an Infantry Replacement Training Center. 250,000 soldiers trained here before shipping out to Europe and the Pacific. The camp also housed German and Italian POWs. Deactivated 1945; land transferred to the state; park opened 1949 |
| Piedmont Terrain | Rolling red clay hills covered in mixed hardwood and pine forest. Fairforest Creek cuts through rocky channels. The terrain — gentle enough for horseback riding, technical enough for mountain biking — makes the park uniquely versatile |
| 7,054 Acres | One of the largest state parks in South Carolina. Big enough to get genuinely lost in. The trails disperse visitors so effectively that you can ride or hike for hours without seeing another person |
| Spartanburg | The park is 15 minutes from downtown Spartanburg — a revitalizing mill town with craft breweries, restaurants, and a growing outdoor culture. The Hub City Writers Project and Chapman Cultural Center add cultural depth to a weekend visit |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 🍂 Peak mountain biking conditions — dry trails, cool temps. Hardwood color. Fishing excellent. The best season for riding and hiking. The forest floor crunchy with leaves |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 🌸 Wildflowers in the old rifle range meadows. Dogwood and redbud blooms. Creek levels perfect for fishing. Mountain biking before summer heat |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot and humid (90°F+). Lake Craig kayaking provides relief. Mountain biking in early morning or evening. The forest canopy provides some shade |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild (40–55°F). Leafless forest reveals military ruins more clearly. Mountain biking year-round. The quietest season |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there unexploded ordnance?
The park is a Formerly Used Defense Site, but extensive remediation has been conducted. Signage asks visitors to stay on marked trails. If you find anything that looks like military ordnance, don’t touch it — report it to park staff.
Can I swim in the lake?
No — swimming is not permitted in Lake Craig or Lake Johnson. The lakes are designated for fishing and non-motorized boating only. The park does not have a swimming area.
🏇 Where 250,000 Soldiers Trained for War. Where Mountain Bikers Ride Now.
7,000 acres of rolling Piedmont. 20 miles of singletrack. 20 miles of horse trails. A 165-acre lake. And military ruins disappearing into the forest — concrete memories of a quarter million young men who passed through on their way to war.
