State park and lake

Sesquicentennial State Park

About 25.5 road miles away

Sesquicentennial State Park is a 1,419-acre lake-and-woodland park about 25.5 road miles from the South Carolina Railroad Museum.

The place

About Sesquicentennial State Park

Sesquicentennial State Park protects 1,419 acres of Sandhills woodland around a 30-acre lake near Columbia.

The park offers hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, picnicking and camping. Its two-mile Sandhills loop is described as mostly flat and mostly paved, while a separate six-mile loop serves mountain bikes.

Civilian Conservation Corps features include the lake and stone spillway, connecting the park's landscape to New Deal-era public works.

A current campground Loop 1 restroom project may create utility interruptions and construction traffic. The official page does not publish a complete accessible route, parking, restroom or mobility-device contract, so call ahead for exact needs.

What stands out

Circle the lake

Use the two-mile Sandhills loop for a mostly flat, mostly paved woodland walk.

See the CCC spillway

Connect the lake landscape with the park's Civilian Conservation Corps history.

Choose an outdoor activity

Fish, paddle, picnic or use the separate mountain-bike loop according to current conditions.

Plan around current work

Check the Loop 1 construction notice before relying on campground utilities or traffic patterns.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a South Carolina Railroad Museum trip

The park ranks first about 41,104 road meters, or 25.5 miles and roughly 35 minutes, from the railroad museum. Its straight-line distance is about 19.8 miles, inside the standard nearby radius; routing estimates can vary.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Park hoursDaily, 8 a.m.-sunset.
  • Office hoursDaily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Admission$6 adult; $3.75 South Carolina senior age 65+; $3.50 ages 6-15; age 5 and younger free.
  • Current alertCampground Loop 1 restroom construction may create utility interruptions and extra traffic; check the live notice.
  • Trail choiceThe two-mile Sandhills loop is described as mostly flat and mostly paved, but that is not a complete accessibility promise.
  • PetsPets are allowed outdoors on a leash no longer than six feet; the dog park requires a separate permit and rules.
  • AccessibilityNo complete official parking-to-trail, restroom or mobility-device route inventory was found; call before visiting.
  • ConnectivityThe park publishes EV charging but no Wi-Fi.

Choose a free civic-history tour

Add South Carolina State House

Use the State House for a structured indoor-and-grounds visit in central Columbia.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the park open?

Daily from 8 a.m. to sunset; the office is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

How much is admission?

$6 for adults, $3.75 for South Carolina seniors age 65+, $3.50 for ages 6-15, and free for age 5 and younger.

Is there a current construction alert?

Yes. Campground Loop 1 restroom construction may cause utility interruptions and construction traffic. Check the live page.

Is the Sandhills loop wheelchair-accessible?

The park calls it mostly flat and mostly paved, but does not publish a complete accessible-route contract. Call (803) 788-2706 for exact needs.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are allowed outdoors on a leash no longer than six feet. The dog park has separate permit, vaccination and eligibility rules.

Is the dog park included with admission?

No. The dog park requires a separate annual or daily permit, and park admission is separate.

Can visitors rent a boat?

The official page publishes kayak and canoe rental; confirm current availability and conditions before traveling.

Do the photos show current conditions?

No. The three works date from 2008, 2012 and 2013 and do not establish current signage, water, trails, vegetation, parking or accessibility.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-17. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.