Take Your Family on a Camping Adventure This Summer

With the arrival of summer fast approaching, families will be loading the supplies into their vehicles and heading out to area lakes and state parks for camping. Camping is an affordable, fun way to spend quality time with your family, while getting away from technology and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

In Spartanburg, there are many places to take the family for a night, or even a week of camping. Scenic spots where the fish are plentiful and the wildlife can be found in abundance.

Croft State Park is a retreat in the heart of Spartanburg county. You'll find a playground, picnic areas and at least 50 camp sites with electricity and water, all situated for your ease and convenience. You'll also find fishing and boating access on one of two lakes, including Lake Craig.

Make sure and take along your bike and tennis shoes, as the park has 12 miles of trails commonly used for hiking and biking. Croft State Park is also known for its top notch equestrian facilities, where you'll find an array of horse shows hosted every month.

The park admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.25 for children and seniors. For more information on Croft State Park visit www.croftpark.com.

Table Rock State Park is located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was built in the 1930's and many of the structures you'll see while camping at one of the beautiful spots in the campground, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission to the park is $2.00 for adults and $1.25 for seniors and children, with an extra charge for use of their camping facilities. At the park, you'll find fishing in Lake Pinnacle or Lake Oolenay, which are both stocked to overflowing with bass and catfish, just make sure you have a fishing license. You'll also find the lakes have access for your boat. And if you don't have one, you can always rent a motorized boat for your personal use at the boating office in the park. They also provide canoe and kayak rentals for a small fee. You'll find picnic shelters, a park store and gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and any needed supplies you may have forgotten. There's also swimming at the lakes, providing there's a lifeguard on duty.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect place to take your family camping this summer. They are celebrating their birthday and will be planning many interesting, fun activities for the community and visitors. This park is one of the largest protected areas east of the Rockies, it encompasses over 500,000 acres of forests. In it you'll find an assortment of wildlife including, over 1,500 bears that live in the park. It's also a sanctuary for many types of plant and animal life. You'll find hiking, fishing, swimming and many more activities to participate in with your family. Of course your family will want to participate in one of the many ranger guided programs offered by the park office.

Devils Fork State Park is the ideal location for some primitive camping. Fish for trout in crystal clear, overstocked lakes. Watch the loons and black bears socialize in there natural habitat. This state park is the only place that has access to Lake Jocassee, which is a famous spot for some good fishing among the locals. they feature a full campground, modern, tastefully decorated villas; if tent camping is not your style, and also, many hiking and nature trails. Admission is $2.00. And a fishing license is always required for fishing. Take advantage of the wonders of nature this summer and embark on a new adventure if you've never had the opportunity to blend with nature while camping in a primitive environment. Visit www.sccamping.com to find the perfect spot for your camping trip.