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Cheraw State Park
October 24, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 6:30 pm
Cheraw State Park
Chesterfield County, SC
Saturday, October 24, 2020; 10:30AM
Trip leader: Gordon Murphy
This month we are heading to Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County. SCAN last visited here in October 2007. There are three trails in the park including the Cheraw Nature Trail (2-mile loop), Turkey Oak Trail (4.5-mile loop), and Boardwalk Trail (0.5-mile). Cheraw Nature Trail is basically the inner loop of Turkey Oak Trail. This is where we will start the day and we can decide whether to take the inner or outer loop. These trails pass through longleaf pine forest with blackjack oaks, turkey oaks, and hickories. There is a short side trail that leads to red-cockaded woodpecker nest cavities. The Boardwalk Trail crosses a portion of Lake Juniper and can be accessed from the lake recreation area and we can check it out at the end of the day.
Restroom facilities are available in the park. I suggest carrying lunch and drinks on the hike as we will not be back at the cars in time for lunch. Temperatures will likely be in the low to mid-80s so dress appropriately, bring water, and I expect the biting insects will still be looking for a quick meal.
There are no close restaurants for dinner, and I have no suggestions for restaurants. For those that are traveling back via US 1, there are restaurants along the way in McBee and Camden.
The address for Cheraw State Park is 100 State Park Road. If you use GPS it will likely take you to the now-closed entrance on US 1. If this happens, just keep going until you reach US 52 then take a right.
GPS coordinates for the park entrance off US-52 are 34°38.855’N, 79°53.648’W.
Directions to Cheraw State Park:
From Columbia, take I-20 towards Florence and get off at Exit 98. Go north on US 521 to the intersection of US 521 and US 1 in Camden.
From Camden, take US 1 north almost to Cheraw (53 miles), then tum right onto US 52. Go about 1.5 miles and turn right into the park. Follow State Park Road past the cabins, golf course, and office to the parking area at the Turkey Oak Trailhead.