Like most campers, our family loves trees. When we created Standing Pines, we wanted space for both big, modern RV sites and our own private forest. After a long search, we found our home in Hartsville, SC.
From the start, trees have been central to our journey. The land we chose had been recently logged and replanted. While building the campground, we preserved the mature shade trees. We also set aside 50+ acres as protected forest with walking trails. Today, our 20-acre campground is surrounded by this growing private longleaf pine forest.
We completed campground construction in 2026 and we are actively replanting. Our private forest provides most of the saplings we transplant in the winter to campsites. Some saplings come from a different legacy – from my grandparents’ coastal South Carolina property – connecting our family’s past with the memories your family will create here. Our replanting balances shade, safety, and comfort for guests.
Thank you for exploring Standing Pines online. We welcome your visit and encourage you to join us at the park. We designed Standing Pines for generations to enjoy. It will only grow more beautiful over the decades.
Welcome to Standing Pines! –Amy, Owner
Property History
🪵 Previously a commercial timber site, Standing Pines was clear-cut and replanted several times before we purchased it.
🌳 Today, we are growing a thriving forest for future generations. Our dominant tree species is longleaf pine. This native tree supports biodiversity in plants, pollinators, birds and other animals and is the best fit for the sandy soils here in the South Carolina Sandhills.
🐟 We are also actively creating new habitats, such as our private 3-acre lake, to support native wildlife.
Now & Next
🌲 Active Tree Planting (Winter 2025-2026) We are actively transplanting longleaf pine, oak, and cypress saplings to campsites throughout winter planting season. Over 30 sites now have young trees providing immediate visual interest. These trees will offer shade as they mature. Most saplings come from our own protected forest; some cypress saplings carry on a family legacy from our owner’s grandparents’ coastal South Carolina home.
🌷 Spring Flower Bulbs Near the Welcome Center, we’ve planted hundreds of bulbs for spring flowers—including iris gifted from a dear friend’s personal garden, blending her memories with those being created here.
🌺 Azalea Landscaping (Spring 2026) We’re adding azaleas between campsites for year-round greenery and seasonal blooms perfectly suited to our sandy soil.
🦉 Protected Forest & Wildlife Our 50+ acres of protected forest provide homes for birds, deer, and other woodland wildlife. Watch for them along our hiking trails!
🥾 Hiking Trails Enjoy over 1.5 miles of trails through our private longleaf pine forest—great for family exercise, photography, and experiencing the beauty of nature. Breathe in that clean pine air!
Earth Day Traditions
🌾 Annual Earth Day Celebration Each April, we celebrate Earth Day weekend with special activities that help Standing Pines grow for future generations. Families can participate in planting projects, trail maintenance, or other hands-on conservation activities—all while enjoying significantly discounted camping rates. It’s our way of saying thank you to guests who want to leave Standing Pines even better than they found it. Watch for details each spring!
💧 3-Acre Private Lake Our private lake is quickly becoming habitat for fish, frogs, turtles, and water birds. This feature transforms a former tobacco field into a thriving ecosystem, adding even more biodiversity to Standing Pines. Earth Day activities may include helping stock or feed the fish.
Camper Questions
🌲 Why aren’t there more mature trees on the RV sites? Modern RV sites need underground utilities and safe clearance. This site work required removing some trees during construction. As a fully operational campground, we have moved to actively replanting longleaf pine (our dominant native species), along with select oak and cypress in areas away from utilities. Over 30 sites now have young trees that will provide shade in 5-10 years as they mature.
☀️ Do you offer sunny sites without trees? Absolutely! We maintain a variety of site types to accommodate different preferences. Some guests prefer sunny, open sites for solar panel access, satellite TV reception, or simply personal preference. Others enjoy sites with young shade trees. Our big rig sites are designed with overhead clearance in mind, and guests can request site preferences when booking. Just let us know what works best for you!
🌤️ When will there be more shade? We have chosen to replant longleaf pine as the dominant native tree. Longleaf pines have a unique early growth period called the grass stage where the baby tree focuses on growing its taproot. Once this phase, which can last several years, passes, longleaf pines rapidly begin growing vertically. We’re planting 6-8 foot saplings from our own forest, giving them a head start on this process.
🌲 I’ve heard concerns about pine sap. Should I worry? We maintain a variety of site types to match different guest preferences. Some sites offer young shade trees, others remain sunny and open. Longleaf pines are the native species throughout the Sandhills region and our 50+ acre forest. They’re drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and provide essential habitat for local wildlife. Guests can request site preferences when booking.
🌱 Can guests help plant trees? Absolutely! Join our annual Earth Day celebration or other community planting events. Ask at the Welcome Center for upcoming dates.
Once optimal tree planting season has passed, we periodically offer other events such as spring flower planting, trail maintenance, or helping with our lake habitat.
🌲 How do you balance trees and RV needs? Standing Pines offers guests over 100 large modern campsites on a relatively small developed portion of the property while also protecting over 50 acres of longleaf pine forest with hiking trails. This design gives you both modern RV convenience and access to genuine nature.
Thank you for being part of the Standing Pines journey. Whether you plant a tree, walk a trail, relax beneath the pines, take a sunset image of the lake or simply enjoy our story online, you help Standing Pines grow for generations to come. We appreciate you.
At Standing Pines, we live our values. All conservation efforts are guided by our vision.
Meet Standing Pines! We are a new, family‑owned campground in the Pee Dee region near Hartsville, South Carolina, offering wildly comfortable camping for RVs, cabins, and tents. Discover memories together with quiet country camping for the whole family at Standing Pines.
We are about 30 minutes from the I‑95 / I‑20 interchange near Florence, SC. Watch for owls flying through our pines, challenge each other to a round of mini golf, and laugh as your fur babies explore two large fenced dog parks perfect for zoomies. Enjoy full‑hookup RV sites and modern comforts like our Oasis outdoor showers, private bathhouse, strong Wi‑Fi, and 24/7 Laundry Lounge.
Explore nature with more than 1.5 miles of trails through our private forest or stroll around our 3‑acre private lake. Sunrise and sunset over the water are colorful shows most days.
In summer, we are just 15 minutes from Neptune Island Water Park, a regional favorite for families with kids. All year, we are about 20 minutes from the Darlington NASCAR racetrack and museum, plus fun South Carolina attractions like McLeod Farms and Antique Museum in McBee.
More into nature? We are 15 minutes from the National Sandhills Wildlife Refuge, with more than 47,000 acres of pine forest, ponds and rolling hills. Even closer, the South Carolina Sandhills State Forest offers another 45,000 acres of outdoor fun.
Want to stay a little longer and explore the region?
– 60 minutes to Columbia, SC
– 90 minutes to Charlotte, NC
– 2 hours to Myrtle Beach, SC
– 2.5 hours to Charleston, SC
Less than 4 hours’ easy driving from Savannah, Raleigh, Wilmington, Atlanta or Augusta, GA.