Goodale State Park and Savage Bay

Goodale State Park is located outside Camden , SC in Kershaw County. The Park contains a typical sandhills ecosystem and wetlands within its 763 acres. Adams Mill Pond takes up 140 acres filled with cypress trees and aquatic plants. Pitcher plants, sundews, dragonflies, and frogs enjoy the marshy borders.

There are two nature trails. One is a ½ mile one way along the shore line. There are plenty of small clearings leading to the water’s edge. A small bridge over the spillway leads to paths below the spillway waters and along the shoreline. The 2.5 mile nature trail weaves through a young pine forest. The trail is flat and lined with soft sand and needles.

For paddlers, there is a 3 mile canoe path to explore the aquatic world following Big Pine Tree Creek. There are canoes, kayaks and john boats available for rental at $7 for half day and $12 for full day. You can also bring your own boat. There is a canoe/kayak launch area near the spillway.

There are plenty of birds, egrets, ducks, warblers, and kingfishers, to name a few, which call Goodale home. If you are lucky you may spot one of the resident alligators.Redwasps are plentiful in the cypress trees, so do not get too close if paddling.

Restrooms are available. Goodale has no admission fees.

Directions:
650 Park Road, Camden, SC 29020
34.285115, -80.524466

From I-20 take exit 98, Hwy 521 towards Camden for 2.1 miles
Turn right at traffic light onto York Street. There are Hwy 1 and
34 North truck route signs at this intersection. Go 0.5 miles.
Turn left onto Mills Street. Go 0.3miles.
Turn right on to Hwy 1, Dekalb St. Go 2.67miles.
Shortly after the IGA store on your right, there is a brown Goodale State Park directional sign. At this turn onto Old Stagecoach.
Turn Right onto Old Stagecoach Road Go 2.5 miles.
Turn left onto Park Road/State S-28-331. Go 367’. Turn right into Goodale Park.

Savage Bay is only 4.5 miles north of Goodale. Savage Bay is a small yet deep Carolina bay. There are numerous “bay” floras along its edges.It is best to explore this area with boots, waders or boat.

Dinner: La Fiesta Mexican
29 E Dekalb St, Camden, SC 29020
(803) 425-7137