Lake Juniper is a 360 acre lake located in Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County in South Carolina. This beautiful lake feels very secluded. The only development along the lake is the state park and the campgrounds within the state park….. More information on lake page.
Lake Juniper at Cheraw State Park
Lake Juniper is the 360-acre lake at the center of Cheraw State Park — South Carolina’s oldest state park — spread across more than 7,000 acres of Sandhills pine woods in Chesterfield County. Nearly two and a half miles long, with dark, cypress-tinted water, it is a destination in its own right for anglers and paddlers alike.
The fishing is unusually broad for a park lake: largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish and chain pickerel, all on a South Carolina license. Gas motors are capped at 10 horsepower and hand-powered boats are welcome, with a designated swimming area for warm days. The surrounding park adds an 18-hole golf course, nine cabins, lakeside campsites and miles of trail.
Nearby lakes
- Lake H.B. Robinson — another Pee Dee region lake nearby
About the Lake
Lake Juniper is a 360 acre lake located in Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County in South Carolina. This beautiful lake feels very secluded. The only development along the lake is the state park and the campgrounds within the state park. The water is dark with lily pads stretching out up to 20 – 40 feet along some areas of the shoreline. There is a walking trail along the shoreline with a long wooden bridge. The trail starts near the state park office and goes to the boat ramp on the other side of the lake. This bridge is shown in the photo below. The state park provides a boat ramp and boat rentals. The City of Cheraw is just a few miles from the state park. The shoreline around Lake Juniper is home to a rare plant called the Yellow Trumpet (also known as Yellow Pitcher Plant) plant which ingests insects. You can find this plant near the boat storage area. There is a sign showing what the plant looks like, and then you just follow the path to the plant.
In addition to Cheraw State Park, this area includes the cities of Cheraw and Hartsville South Carolina. Also, you can find these other attractions such as Lake HB Robinson, the Carolina Sand Hills , Darlington NASCAR Race Track, and Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area. Cheraw State Park and Carolina Sand Hills both have small lakes open to the public with fishing. You can easily spend several days visiting all of these places.
When I visited Cheraw State Park area, I stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Mariott in Hartsville SC. The hotel is located about 20 miles from Cheraw State Park. The room was in excellent condition with free wifi and wired internet. The service at this hotel was outstanding. So, I highly recommend Fairfield Inn.
Jon Boat & Kayak Rentals, Golf Course, Camping, Picnic Shelters Cheraw State Park
Regulations
- A South Carolina Fishing License is required to fish this lake.
- Private boats are allowed.
- No boat motors greater than 10 HP allowed
- Boaters must stay 100 feet from Spillway and swimming areas.
LAKE JUNIPER VIDEO shot from Cheraw State Park SC on September 9, 2011
Links
Location
Fish Species
Bass, Bream, catfish
Fishing Books & Magazines
South Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer
Lake Juniper FAQ
How big is Lake Juniper?
About 360 acres and nearly 2.5 miles long, within Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County.
What fish are in Lake Juniper?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish and chain pickerel.
Can you swim and boat on Lake Juniper?
Yes — there is a designated swimming area, and boats are allowed with gas motors limited to 10 horsepower.
where can you launch your own Kayak at lake Juniper, cheraw state park