Lancaster County could get a new campground. Here’s what would make it unique
The owner of a large property in Lancaster County has plans to put a new campground there.
The property is 78 acres on the south side of Cedar Creek Road, across from Dry Branch Lane. It’s in southwestern Lancaster County, near the Chester County line. The site is a little east of the Catawba River.
Plans for the undeveloped site include 166 camp sites with water, electric and septic hookups. A dog park is included. The property needs a special exception for its campground use. The proposal is on the county zoning board of appeals agenda for Oct. 4.
A submitted site plan with that application shows one access off Cedar Creek Road. A loop to the left leads to a check-in office, clubhouse, bath house, arcade along with a pool, playground area, sport courts and an amphitheater. Camp and parking sites circle those areas along the loop.
To the right off the main drive is another, smaller loop with camp sites, another bath house, hammock area and a pier that accesses a lake on the southern portion of the property.
A letter from the proposed campground owner states the site would be used for vacationing, not long-term residents. Jeremy Scharpenberg wrote the property is under contract for purchase. Scharpenburg wrote the idea came in partnership with his daughter who has autism. The RV resort campground would employ 10-15 people with autism or special needs.
If the site is approved, it would add to area camping options. Andrew Jackson State Park in the Lancaster County panhandle has 25 camp sites, plus primitive camping space for groups up to 50 people. The Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill offers group camping. Others options range from Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA near Tega Cay to Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill to Landsford Canal, Kings Mountain or Chester state parks.
