Croft State Natural Area

Croft State Natural Area is one of the largest state parks in South Carolina, occupying over 7,054 acres of state-owned land. Once a World War II Army training camp, this land was slowly portioned off after the war effort, eventually becoming the sprawling state park we see today. This area is incredibly dog-friendly and is so large that dog owners rarely tend to bother one another.

Camping is readily available, with 50 total campsites. 25 of these offer RV hookup, with full electric and water. Reservations on these sites can be made online through the South Carolina State Parks office. This state park is full of history to explore, with several ongoing archaeological sites speckled throughout. Many of these sites have adjacent info centers to fill you in on just what they're "digging" into!

Related to these sites are the less ancient, but still just as impressive gravesites. Many of these are over 130 years old, so make sure to take a stroll along the lanes and see what history you can spot. However, dogs are not allowed in any of the historic preservation areas.

There are over 2.5 miles of hiking trails available to both you and your dog, provided they're on a leash no longer than six feet. There are doggie bag stations lining these trails, so make sure to pick up after your canine. Because of the enormity of this park, there's always the chance of encountering stray wildlife while on a walk with your dog. Make sure to keep a lookout for any unwanted encounters and do your best to keep clear should you spot something.

If mountain biking is more your speed, there are over 20 miles of aggressive terrain at your disposal. Keep in mind that these are for cyclists only, and park officials encourage all visitors to wear proper safety gear when hitting the trails.