Sesquicentennial state park is beautiful! They have 4 trails, including one trail (Sandhills trail) that loops around the lake, which makes for some great photos during sunrise or sunset. They have a little visitor center when you can buy a bunch of souvenirs, snacks, and can get a stamp in your SC state parks passport. If this review was solely on the trails and beauty, it would be a 5/5 but unfortunately the campsite brings it down a bit. The campsite is on the larger side, and has 3 bathhouses to accommodate the area (close to you). You are given the basics like a picnic table & fire ring. Sites 1-29 have 20/30/50 amps, and 36-84 have 20/30 amp electric hookups. Sites 1-9 are full service (also have sewer). These sites do not give you a lot of privacy, and it seems like they built as many sites as they could in a confined area instead of spreading the sites out a bit to give the camper a bit more privacy. The bathhouses are clean, but are very dated and are in desperate need of a renovation. If you are not a camper, you will be charged an entrance fee of $6 if you are an adult, $3.75 for seniors (65+), or $3.50 for children (6-15). Overall, a 5/5 for the beauty of the park and amenities outside of the campsite, but 2/5 for the campsite itself. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Convenient location but lacking the amenities or cleanliness that RV'ers have come to expect from a State Park. Most sites require leveling so bring plenty of wood to accommodate. Also, I was shocked to learn that my restrooms had only one (1) shower and/or toilet. read more

See all

Had a two night stay at this state park with our RV. We stayed in spot number 9. We got lucky because spots 1-9 are full hook up. The remaining is electric only. Spot 9 was wide however not very level. The bathhouse was very close however the accommodations were very dated. They were building new bathrooms adjacent to the old one, but they were just starting. Might be ready for summer. The park has a wonderful lake with boat rentals and a splash park. It was a very quiet park. Many restaurants and grocery stores are located near by. read more

See all

Overall, a nice park built by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the 1930's. Beautiful lake and trails. We camped on site #14 in November. We enjoyed the location which was near the bathhouse, too. While we liked the camping and park, the facilities are not up to State Park levels. All of the buildings need significant upgrades. Bathrooms were clean and properly maintained, but their appearance was off-putting; happily, morever, our interactions with staff were excellent. If looking for a site, I suggest viewing the campsite walking link from Campers and Campsites. Very helpful. https://youtu.be/EB6SCQa6fAg?si=LVjDmXLzfVfddrRi read more

See all

It's not my favorite park but it's very close to our house if we want a quick nature walk. Lots of people always here it's crowded on weekends. Went fishing here when I was a kid enjoyed that, plenty of parking read more

See all

Steve - a supervisor at this park - discriminated against my mom who is a black female combat veteran, with 20 years of service. We went to the park office to get a new (free) park pass because her previous one expired. She has received a free pass before because 100% disabled veterans are given free park passes in the state of South Carolina. Upon entering the center neither of us were greeted and when we were it was rudely. We were watched from the moment we walked in the store. My mom inquired about the veteran passes, and he stated they did not have passes for veterans. My mom asked about the 100% permanent and total disabled veterans, and he corrected himself and said they had free passes available for those veterans. She stated she was 100% permanent and total, and had prepared to give him proof of her disability. He asked for proof of her disability and she gave him her phone with the information about her accepted disability claim. It reads 100% permanent and total, and provides break downs of her diagnoses and percentages. Steve looked at the phone and focused on 70%, which is the disability rating for my mom's PTSD. She continuously informed him that she is 100% disabled, showed him the conclusion on the form, and explained that the 70% is related to PTSD. The young adult next to him congratulated him on denying my mom a park pass because of this 70% number, and smirked as though they had accomplished a task. Eventually Steve pulled up my mom's number in their system and identified that she indeed had prior park passes and was a 100% disabled veteran. My mom left and was very distraught over her treatment, and this interaction activated her PTSD. She was with her service dog and this experience made her feel the need to leave without accepting the park pass. I asked Steve if he treated all veterans this way or just my mom, and he said he asked all veterans the same questions. At the end he said thanks in a snarky tone once we left. Traumatizing experience, highly unprofessional, and we will never return. read more

Beautiful park for a short hike or bike ride. Felt very safe as a single woman. The trails are beautiful, well maintained & well marked. You do get bang for your buck. Only downfall is the admission price: $6/adult/day or $100/annual pass. If you're a local it makes sense to buy the annual, but as someone passing through the area for a couple weeks I'll find somewhere else to walk the dog. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Map of Trails, very easy to follow & well marked - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

What a HIDDEN Gem near the city we headed there and entrance fee was $6 dollars per person and with so much to do what a great park to visit! If you're a local and will be coming here often I believe the annual pass is a better fit especially since it's not just this park but all state parks in SC First stop since we had the pup with us we headed to the gated dog park but we didn't want to deal with passes for the day so we opted for a hike by the lake and it was the best idea! The dog park here is pretty strict but at the end of the day safe for the pups There is also facilities for parties or a boathouse where you can rent out equipment and head to the water ‍ read more

See all

Sesquicentennial State Park is awesome! It's the perfect campground to stay at with an RV when visiting Congaree National Park. They have a super fun bike path around the lake which is perfect for mountain bikes, but we managed with beach cruisers too! You can rent pedal-boats for just $10 an hour; 4 people can fit in one. They also have kayaks, canoes, SUP, and little fishing boats. STEVE at the camp store was very helpful and friendly. We interacted with him the most. Everyone we interacted with was so nice - Rachel & Sophie! I forgot the name of the young ranger that was petting our dog right out side the store but she was so kind and understanding of puppy behavior. If we are ever in the area again we would love to stay here again! read more

See all

This is a beautiful park. The trails walking and/or bike riding give you options. We did about 5 miles and got to see so many different species of birds and other wildlife. They also have areas for bbq's and picnics. There is a charge to enter since this is a State Park. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Sesquicentennial State Park walking path. - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

See all

I love this park for picnics, walks along the trails, the splash pad and just relaxation. It's also good for a camp night.

It's $6 per person to get in so I paid $12 and I'm in a wheelchair and I was there an hour because I was limited to their sidewalk in front of the lake because their paved trails are in such bad shape that I was unable to go over them in my wheelchair. read more

For a state park in town, it doesn't get much better than this place! It is in oasis in the city, with lots of hiking trails, a beautiful lake, and multiple playgrounds. Very well-maintained, there are a lot of hidden spots in which you can experience solitude even on a busy day. The park is very historical, and is truly one of the treasures of the SC State Park system. The oldest home in the County resides here, having been saved and preserved in the late 20th Century. The park features a dog park, hiking, picnic shelters and tables, a splash park, a lake you can rent peddle boats, fish or just stroll around. There is a small spillway waterfall and a quaint wooden bridge. Large stately oaks form another great spot for photos. There are nice fields for playing, places to camp and two changing areas. There is a mountain bike trail that's not challenging but it is a nice scenic ride. If you haven't been here, you definitely need to check it out! read more

What a great park! 2.5 mile hike around the lake is perfect for a day out with the dog! There's trails as well for biking. They have a ton of places to sit and have a picnic and also rent paddle Boats and canoes as well. I see a water pad for the kids as well! read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Lake with paddle boats and canoes etc :) - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Finally got the time to check out the state park nearby. It's $5 per adult but if you plan on visiting at least 11 times during a year, then the annual pass may be a better option. There's plenty of parking, a splash pad & playground for kids, and you're able to boat and kayak. The walking, lake, and bike trail are all clearly marked with color coded arrows throughout the trails. We chose to walk around the lake for a few miles, where we saw a couple of people fishing and even more people walking with their dogs. There's easy access to bathrooms and a Gatorade vending machine by the docked boats. The park overall it well maintained. There wasn't a spot of trash, even in the picnic areas. We'll definitely be back a few times. read more

See all

Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia is a great place to go for all things outdoors and trails and much more. I really like the location and everything that they have available here. A good place to go and get away. The park is well maintained and has much to offer. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Sesquicentennial State Park - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

My wife and I travel from time to time, and normally we enjoy state parks in every state we've visited. However on this trip, we checked in, no map was offered or given, so it was up to us to hint and peck to find our campsite In the pitch black of night. We found our site and just finished backing in and it was beginning to rain when a ranger showed up wanting to see proof of insurance for our golf cart, and meticulously went over the rules of the park. without any regard as to what it takes to set up our campsite. In the rain no less. In the two days to follow, we've had visits from other rangers again wanting to make us aware of the rules of the park. Even though we've not yet ventured off of our site. just now, I'm sitting outside with my dogs by my side, the campground in my section is all but empty, and yet another ranger comes by telling me she's going to have to keep and eye on our sight because she's seen our dogs on our camp site not being restrained. Campers who pay for every little thing (permits, cart use, dog park, etc.) just want to relax and enjoy their stay. they certainly don't want to be harassed, and talked to like school kid about the "rules of the park" multiple times. These people are more like PRISON GUARDS keeping the population under control rather than assisting their customer in having a pleasant stay. i haven't been to Sesquicentennial in Columbia, SC in over forty years, and I think I can safely say it'll will be another forty before I return, if then. VERY DISAPPOINTING STAY read more

Sesquicentennial park has something for everyone. It is truly a beautiful park for locals and visitors to enjoy. The park has a splash pad, two playgrounds, picnic tables and covered sitting areas as well as grills. There are tons of walking trails and wonderful views of the water. Even on a busy day where the park is full of people attending get togethers the park always remains very peaceful and serene. A hidden gem for sure! read more

See all

Poorly cared for, poorly maintained. I was waiting to post until we had been here multiple times. This is our 3rd stay (necessity not want). Every time we have been let down. The bathrooms are messy and unkempt. Poorly stocked. The sites aren't level and one site we had you could not hook up to both water AND power without extensions because the posts were too far apart. The bathrooms are never stocked. I've attached pictures taken the Thursday BEFORE labor day weekend. Before the rush. The campground is at maybe 20% capacity and the bathrooms are completely depleted You're better off skipping this if you can. The only reason we have stayed is because it is one of the very few campgrounds in this area. So frustrating read more

See all

Overall, it was good. I had a nice 35 minute hike around the lake. Very cool they have a splash pad for kids. A playground. Some nice boardwalks through wetlands. Some "off the beaten path" trails you could possibly explore. And they had a nice small general store. There were plenty of picnic tables and grills. Restrooms available. I'm pretty sure they had kayak rentals. It was $6 a person to enter the park. But I found the park somewhat small for my 100% approval. read more

See all

Love this park! Great trails. Lots of shady spots to picnic. And unlike at Saluda Shoals in Lexington County, you do not have to pay extra to use the splash pad. The splash pad was a hit for our family! Didn't have a chance to rent boats or SUP but love that that's an option. I just wish they would clean up the lake and make it a SWIMMABLE lake. Columbia and it's surrounding areas needs more public swimming facilities b/c DANG our SUMMERS are hot. read more

Amazing park , whether you're out for a nice walk or sightseeing, or even taking your kids out for a picnic . read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Beautiful lake picture I took at sesquicentennial state park ! - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Love it. Has a splash pad for kids in summer. Has play grounds and trails. Also has a pond for fishing.

I like this park. Clean and peaceful. Nice lake. Staff helpful. Great visit. Lots of fun

Love this park. Well maintained and a great way to reconnect with nature without having to travel far from Columbia, SC.

Lovely scenic walk around the lake with scattered picnic tables and benches for those looking for a little more privacy. You're able rent paddle boats and kayaks for those seeking more adventure. I hear the hike is pretty decent too! read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

What a gorgeous splash pad they have, tons of very fresh (and chlorined lol) water, kids have a blast in there, is not the typical splash pad with just some water around, this one really splashes. The rest of the park is real nice too, you can go kayaking and canoeing, and you can even bring your RV and park it in there. They also have a doggie park which is amazing! My dogs really enjoyed it, they even have a doggie mini pool to refresh them on a very hot day. Bathrooms were not that bad, don't expect that much. The cost of entrance is not bad at all for all of the stuff that the park has to offer. I wished I had my bathing suit with me, at the splash pad there isn't and shaded areas so it gets hot hot hot! So I wished I could have refreshed myself in the water with my son. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - Super awesome splash pad - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Sesquicentennial park is a good place to enjoy nature and to go walking through the trails

Very nice place to visit. Close to Columbia.the rest rooms are clean the playground equipment is well kept

Such a awesome place for families,couples or just a day of reflection .. the trails are easy to walk with a awesome waterfall area snd plenty of places to have a nice picnic.. The pond is a great attraction and riding bikes is a plus in this park .. the water splash pad for the kids is also a added plus.. plenty of parking and extra easy to get to .. read more

Really nice small state park (mainly for recreational use) My friends and family would call me crazy but I used to walk the Loop Trail ~3.2mi trail that circles the park weekly... alone earrrrrrrly in the morning while 6/7/8 months pregnant... I felt and still feel that safe there. If you go early enough it's not crowded, the weather is mild, and you're more likely to see wildlife (which makes me the happiest - less ppl, more animals). I've hiked/walked/biked every trail in this park (even made my own cut throughs) and have seen deer and foxes. The Mountain Bike Trail ~6mi bike trail, is really fun, if you have a lot of time and want to challenge yourself (I've only walked this one a hand full of times). The park has a cute little lake for canoeing, rowing (you can rent the boats there or bring your own). Many people celebrate reunions, and birthday parties here, so it does get very crowded on the weekends and holidays. They offer special outdoor movie nights (posted on the check in hut's window) - during the summer... fun for families!!! Just be sure to bring the mosquito repellant. read more

Nice park. Pavilions for gatherings, barbeque grills for convenience. Very scenic and natural area. Beautiful lake and water sports to fully enjoy the experience- rent a boat or bring your own. Only odd thing is that you have to pay to go to the park, and it's not per vehicle, but per individual. Luckily, if you have kids younger than 15- they are exempt from the fee. Any person above that age is expected to pay $2 as an entrance fee. read more

Sesquicentennial State Park - The lake! - Parks Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Beautiful park with clean trails, you can enjoy various activities on the lake. The only downside is the $5 fee PER PERSON ! read more

See all

Went by here to rent a kayak and get some sunshine. They are not lending kayaks out due to covid. Don't waste your time if you are planning on going for kayaking and want to rent one (it isn't gonna happen!). read more

I've been to this state park too many times to remember. I usually go running on the (bike) trail. The bike trail is a bit difficult to follow. I come in from different points. I've been lost two times, luckily I have a pretty good sense of direction and can find my way out. As far as amenities you have canoes, paddle boats, a little water park, dog park, etc. Good place for family gathering. Enjoy. I will say though I still hate the idea that you have to pay to get a little nature. Cover the cost in state taxes and be done with it. Ugh. read more

Hidden Gem in an unlikely place. Found this park while traveling to the coast. Excellent views,great hiking/bike trails (we rode bikes). The park rangers were super helpful. Campground was nearly empty on July 1st so crowds are not likely. The Splash Pad was very nice and well kept. It seems to be a popular place for locals as well so it may become crowded. Camp store was one of the best we've seen. Highly recommended! read more

See all

This is a gem all within the city limits of Columbia. Upon entering the park you will pass through the gate and pay an entrance fee for each person in the vehicle. The fee is defiantly worth the money. The drive to the main park area is a nice scenic route through the woods upon which you come to the parking area. This park has a nice lake and several pavilions with bar-b-que grills that are large enough to cook out for an army. The park has a nice large lake for the patrons enjoyment. Just off the parking lot there is a playground that is nice by any standard. The new addition to this park is a splash pad. This is one of those things that kids just love. My son spent hour after there running and playing with the many children there. They have several restroom facilities which I did not utilize so I cannot comment on those. Overall the park is nice and was a nice break from the road trip we were on. If you are in Columbia and are looking for a break this is a nice place to start. read more

Very nice RV Park. If you have a big rig you may have a little trouble getting around due to the trees and some roads are one way. Spots are real flat. There is not any light once you get to your site so better get there before dark. This place is close to eating places like Popeyes, Publix and ice cream shops. read more

See all

There is a small splash pad, boat/ paddle board rentals and the lake looked clean. The trails were nothing special.

It's a state park. Good place to hike, fish at a pond, explore a forest. Nothing too breathtaking here, but a nice place to hang out for a few hours read more