PARK ADVISORY
Please be advised that Goodale State Park will be CLOSED December 15-16 and January 5-6. Gates will be locked on these days due to no staff availability. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Goodale
HOURS
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
OFFICE
11 a.m. - noon, daily
ADMISSION
Free admission
PETS
Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
No Wifi Available
EV Charging Station
- Introduction
- Photo Gallery
- Things To Do
- Trails
- Picnic Shelters
- Programs & Events
- Groups
- Area Info
- Unique Features
- Visitor Survey
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Goodale State Park
Midlands
John Wells
Park Manager
Welcome to Goodale!
I’m John Wells, the park manager here at Goodale State Park. Ever since my first backyard campout with my dad, I’ve loved being outdoors. Family camping trips, years of scouting, and even a healthy dose of Yogi Bear on Saturday mornings nudged me toward a future working in the woods and helping people enjoy them. After gaining early experiences with city & county park systems—and time at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens while earning my degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at Clemson—I found my home in the South Carolina State Park Service. And truly, there’s no better place to be.
My favorite thing to do at Goodale is looking for the little things most people miss. Tiny little frogs, snails that eat other snails, gorgeous little wildflowers that are no bigger than a dime can all be found along the bank and spillway area at the park … even carnivorous pitcher plants!
Everyone that is able should paddle the Canoe Trail across the lake, as a first-time visitor. In the big open water area, you can see all sorts of birds like ducks, kingfishers, osprey and occasionally bald eagles. Then you paddle—not hike—into the forest, drifting around ancient cypress trees where otters and alligators try to hide from curious park visitors!
**Our Ultimate Outsider stamp is located on the outside wall of the office building facing the road.
Tall cypress trees that enchant the eye, a Civil War-era mill pond that abounds with wildlife, some of the best kayaking in South Carolina and a one and a half mile, sandy nature trail waiting to be explored can all be found at Goodale State Park.
Goodale is sure to please those who love wilderness canoe trips and kayaking in South Carolina, as paddling is one of the park’s main attractions. A little-known paddling trail winds for three miles through cypress trees and aquatic plants and is perfect for wilderness canoe trips taken not so far from the city.
A longtime community favorite, Goodale additionally offers shoreline fishing and picnicking.
Want more South Carolina parks? Explore a paddler’s paradise at Colleton State Park or enjoy a unique experience at the prime South Carolina golf resort found at Hickory Knob State Resort Park!
BY THE NUMBERS
1
Civil War-era mill pond
3
mile cypress canoe trail, some say is the best undiscovered canoe trail in the state
140
acre park lake where you can catch bass, bream and catfish
1
great Community Building available for rental and accommodates up to 60 people
2
picnic shelters awaiting your next group picnic
763
acres of parkland near Camden, SC and less than 40 miles from downtown Columbia
Dashing Through
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