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Camden, SC Travel Guide

Rows of white military-style grave markers on a green lawn, with a small flag and trees behind

Destinations › Midlands › Camden

Camden is in Kershaw County, in South Carolina's Midlands, with about 8,899 residents (2024 Census estimate). Experience Camden (the City of Camden's visitor site) calls Camden South Carolina's oldest inland city, with over 200 years as a destination for visitors, a Revolutionary War history and a strong horse culture.

  • Population8,899Census estimate, July 2024
  • CountyKershaw CountyMidlands region
  • Our Guides Nearby4parks, attractions, venues within 25 mi
  • Things to Do16 pickshours, costs, kids, dogs

Plan It in Three Lines

  1. Things to Do

    16 picks with hours, costs and kid, dog and rain notes.

    Open the list

  2. Where to Park

    Town Green (downtown):

    All parking below

  3. What's On

    Dated events in and around Camden, checked on organizer pages.

    Events page

Things to Do in Camden Camden Events

About Camden

  • Experience Camden (the City of Camden's visitor site) calls Camden South Carolina's oldest inland city, with over 200 years as a destination for visitors, a Revolutionary War history and a strong horse culture. source
  • On August 16, 1780, over 2,000 British and Loyalist troops under Lord Cornwallis defeated more than 4,000 American troops led by General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden, which the city page calls the worst Patriot defeat of the Revolution. source
  • Camden's signature events listed by the city are Irish Fest Camden, the Carolina Cup Steeplechase Race, Boykin Spaniel Week, Horse and Hound Event, Southern Gothic Festival, Camden Revolutionary Days, the Colonial Cup and Christmas in Camden. source
  • The Carolina Cup Racing Association, a not-for-profit organized in 1963 by Mrs. Marion duPont Scott, manages Springdale Race Course, and profits go to the Health Resource District of Kershaw County. source
  • Camden's tourism office lists 35 city and county parks, two state parks (Goodale and Wateree), Lake Wateree and the Wateree River for outdoor visitors. source

Areas Visitors Use

  • Downtown Camden / Cultural District Several downtown blocks with galleries, artist studios, theaters, public art, museums, arts education centers, green spaces and restaurants. source
  • Antique Street A cluster of antique shops within or just beyond the Cultural District. source
  • Dusty Bend Uptown shopping and entertainment area about six minutes north of downtown, in Horse Country, with equestrian gear, home decor and antiques shops. source
  • Historic Camden / Revolutionary War Park (Broad Street) 107-acre outdoor museum campus at 222 Broad Street next to the Revolutionary War Visitor Center (212 Broad Street). source
  • Springdale Race Course / Horse Country 400-acre facility on Knights Hill Road that hosts the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup and the National Steeplechase Museum. source

Getting There and Around

  • Historic Camden at 222 Broad Street is 1.4 miles from Exit 98 off I-20, via US Hwy 521 North toward Camden. source
  • Experience Camden describes Broad Street downtown as walkable and lists a Town Green with pedestrian access off Broad Street. source

Visitor center: Camden & Kershaw County Visitor Center (inside the Revolutionary War Visitor Center). 212 Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020; 803-272-0076 source

Parking in Camden

WhereRateWhenNotesSource
Town Green (downtown)Behind commercial stores; vehicle access off Rutledge and Market Streets, pedestrian access off Broad Street. No rate or time limit published on the page read.source
Colonial Cup general parking$21 ($20 + $1.00 ticket fee)Colonial Cup, Sunday, November 22, 2026Sold with 2026 tickets; Gate 1 (302 Knights Hill Road) and Gate 3 (6009 Liberty Hill Road) serve General Parking.source
Springdale Race Course gatesGate 1 302 Knights Hill Rd (infield tailgating, general parking, kids' zone); Gate 2 2696 Springdale Dr (VIP parking, front row tailgating 1-118); Gate 3 6009 Liberty Hill Rd (infield tailgating, general parking, east rail); Gate 4, Carolina Cup only, 236 Knights Hill Rd (general and meadow parking, west rail); Gate 6 2620 Springdale Dr (front row 119-297, restricted parking).source

Dogs

  • Dogs are not allowed at the Carolina Cup or Colonial Cup races, for the safety of dogs, horses and guests. source

When to Go

  • Carolina Cup is held in spring (Saturday, March 28, 2026; next Saturday, April 3, 2027) and the Colonial Cup in November (Sunday, November 22, 2026). source
  • Kershaw County Farmers Market runs Saturdays 9:00 am to noon, April through November. source
  • Margaret H. Lloyd Preserve trails are open the first Saturday of each month, March through November, otherwise only during programs. source
  • Experience Camden listed a Stage 2 Drought notice with mandatory water conservation on its home page on 2026-10-26. source

Coming Up in and Near Camden

3 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 15 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

Near Camden

Around Camden within 25 miles
10 mi20 mi25 miNSEW1234
  1. 1Goodale State ParkState Parkabout 5 mi
  2. 2Lake Wateree State ParkState Parkabout 19 mi
  3. 3Sesquicentennial State ParkState Parkabout 21 mi
  4. 4Lee State ParkState Parkabout 24 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Nearby Towns With Their Own Guide

FAQ

When are the Camden steeplechase races?

The Colonial Cup is Sunday, November 22, 2026 (gates 9:00 A.M.); the Carolina Cup is Saturday, April 3, 2027. source

Can I bring my dog to the races?

No. Springdale's FAQ says dogs are not allowed at the races. source

Do the races run in the rain?

Yes, the races run rain or shine; tickets, tailgating spaces and parking are non-refundable. source

How much does Historic Camden cost?

Self-guided $10 (seniors, military, youth $8), guided $20 ($16), ages 6 and under free; open Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-4:30 pm. source

Are there free things to do?

The Camden Archives and Museum (1314 Broad Street) and the African American Cultural Center (517 York Street) list free admission, and the Camden Battlefield is free in daylight hours. source

Where is the visitor center?

212 Broad Street, inside the Revolutionary War Visitor Center; phone 803-272-0076. source

How many people live in Camden?

About 8,899, the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate for July 1, 2024 (Census table).

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

  • Downtown Camden parking: no official page on rates, time limits or free lots found (experiencecamdensc.com has no parking page; city site not located). Only Town Green access and Colonial Cup race parking recorded.
  • Camden incorporation/founding year: only 'oldest inland city' wording read; no year on a read page.
  • Nearest commercial airport and Amtrak/bus: not stated on pages read.
  • Visitor center hours: not listed on page read.
  • Historic Camden hours: Experience Camden says Monday-Saturday 10:00-4:30; a third-party site listed different hours and prices (lead only, not used). Call 803-432-9841.
  • National Steeplechase Museum hours and cost; Camden Battlefield exact address; Carolina Cup 2027 ticket prices (page under construction); dog rules for Camden city parks and Goodale State Park: not found.
  • African American Cultural Center: introduction (Fri 1-4 and Sat 10-4) conflicts with hours section (Sat 10-4 only).

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, Vintage 2024
  2. Experience Camden home
  3. Experience Camden: things to do
  4. Experience Camden: Historic Camden
  5. Experience Camden: historic sites
  6. Experience Camden: visitor information
  7. Experience Camden: shopping
  8. Experience Camden: city parks
  9. Experience Camden: Archives and Museum
  10. Experience Camden: African American Cultural Center
  11. Experience Camden: family friendly
  12. Carolina Cup Racing Association home
  13. Colonial Cup
  14. Colonial Cup tickets and pricing
  15. Carolina Cup schedule
  16. Springdale directions and map
  17. Carolina Cup FAQ
  18. Carolina Cup rules and regulations
  19. Carolina Cup history and traditions
  20. Carolina Cup about

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Camden, SC Travel Guide”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/midlands/camden/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.