Complete guide to Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, South Carolina, including things to do, camping, directions, nearby lodging options, and much more!
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park, also known as Sesqui State Park, is a 1400-acre park just minutes from Columbia, South Carolina. The park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was instrumental in developing several of South Carolina's State Parks, and several buildings built by the CCC in the 1930s are still in use at this park.
Today, you can escape the city and enjoy a day on the lake or soak in the sights of nature filled with pines.
Things to know before your visit
Admission fee
Adults - $6.00
South Carolina Seniors age 65 & older - $3.50
Children ages 6-15 - $3.50
Ages 5 and under - Free
Park Information
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Pets: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas, must be on a leash (no longer than 6 feet long), and must always be under physical control (except in the designated dog park).
The park has a 2-acre fenced dog park for dogs to run off-leash.
A daily fee of $4.00 per pet and a $25.00 per year fee. All dogs must be present for photo identification to obtain a dog permit, and owners must provide current vaccination records showing proof of spayed/neutered, rabies, parvo, and kennel cough.
Cell Service: I had cellular service in the park. It shouldn't be a problem being only three miles from downtown Columbia.
Park Hours: 8:00 AM - Sunset Daily. Office hours are 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily.
WI_FI Available: There is no Wi-Fi available at the park
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.
Parking
The park has several parking areas but it does get full. This is especially true for weekends and holidays from March through August. The park reminds people to carpool as much as possible.
Food/Restaurants
There are several incredible restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina. Make sure to read my article on the Columbia, SC, and Congaree NP trip report and discover some of the gems we visited!
Gas
There is no gas in Sesquicentennial State Park, but there are numerous gas stations available nearby.
Drones
Drones are not permitted at Sesquicentennial State Park.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There were Charging Stations available in the park by the Splash Pad
Details about Sesqui SP
Size - 1419 acres
Date Established: 1937
Phone: (803)788-2706
Park Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd. Columbia, SC 29223
Sesquicentennial State Park Map
Estimated Distance from major cities nearby
Columbia, South Carolina - 13 miles, 25 minutes
Augusta, Georgia - 84 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes
Charleston, South Carolina - 127 miles, 2 hour 10 minutes
Charlotte, North Carolina - 108 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes
Savannah, Georgia - 171 miles, 2 hours 44 minutes
Atlanta, Georgia - 223 miles, 3 hours 30 minutes
Estimated Distance from Nearby Airports
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is approximately 33 minutes and 23 miles from the park. The airport code is CAE.
Charlotte Douglass International Airport
Located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is approximately one hour and thirty minutes and 90 miles to the park. The airport code is CLT.
Charleston International Airport
Located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is approximately two hours and 120 miles from the park. The airport code is CHS.
Best time to visit
The best time of year to visit Sesquicentennial State Park is Fall and Spring. The temperature is usually pretty comfortable during fall and spring and the mosquitoes are manageable.
Weather and Seasons
Spring
Spring is the perfect time to visit the park. The weather is generally warm, with highs in the mid to upper 70s-rainfall averages around 3 inches monthly in the spring. Mosquitoes are generally not an issue.
Summer
June through August is the hottest time of the year in the park. The weather can reach the upper 90s and may go over 100 degrees. Humidity is HIGH and makes the ambient temperature feel hotter than it may say on the weather apps.
Thunderstorms are expected during the summer, and the park receives the most monthly rainfall.
Fall
From September through November, the weather cools down to a low 70s with low humidity.
Winter
November through February, the temperature in the park is mild, averaging around the mid-50s. Temperatures at night can drop to below freezing.
Best Things to Do at Sesqui State Park
Bird Watching is available year-round as the forest and wetlands attract several species, including migrating warblers and waterfowl.
Water Activities are abundant as the park has a 30-acre lake. You can go fishing and boating. Private boats with electric trolling motors, canoes, and other non-motorized boats are allowed. Remember that you will have to carry your boat to the lake launch as no boat ramp is available.
The park also rents canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, fishing boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Rentals include life jackets and paddles.
The Park Store/Gift Shop is available at the park office. You can find t-shirts, hats, and firewood.
Picnic Area: There are picnic tables throughout the picnic area. There are also three picnic shelters and four picnic pads for group gatherings.
You can reserve the picnic shelters by calling toll-free at 1-866-345-PARK.
The Picnic Pads are not covered, but you can bring one pop-up 12X12 canopy tent.
Each picnic shelter and pad contains four-foot-long picnic tables, a charcoal grill, and nearby water and restroom access.
Shelters 1 and 2 have electricity.
Geocaching is permitted with several geocaches located in the park.
Hiking and Biking
Four trails totaling 12 miles of hiking and biking trails are located in Sesquicentennial State Park.
Jackson Creek Nature Trail is a .5-mi trail from the sand parking area near the boat house. The trail crosses a bridge and leads to a waterfall before heading back.
Sandhills Hiking Trail is a 1.9-mi gravel/paved surface trail that circles the lake. The trail starts from the sand parking area near the boat house, which has several boardwalks and is home to numerous bird species.
Loop Road Trail is a 3.5-mi combination hiking/mountain biking trail that circles the park. The trail starts at the Retreat Center parking area.
Sesqui Mountain Bike Trail is a popular (especially with locals) 6-mile bicycle loop only three miles from downtown Columbia. This single-track loop winds and rolls through pine forest and a fast and sandy bottom.
Always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival when exploring.
How can you beat the crowds at Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial is located in a reasonable size city (almost 150,000 population) and gets busy, especially on the weekends and holidays from March through August. Make sure to arrive early and consider carpooling, as parking spaces are limited.
Sesqui State Park Camping
Sesqui State Park has overnight guests covered with all of your camping needs for RV campers and tents including:
- five Group primitive sites (P1-P5)
- nine full-service RV Sites (1-9) with water hookups, sewer hookups, and electricity
- twenty sites (10-29) with 30 & 50 amp electric hookups
- forty nine sites (36-84) with 30 Amp electric hookups.
Each site is packed with sand or gravel and has water, a picnic table, and a fire ring.
Campground restroom facilities have hot showers.
Click here to book your campsite at Sesquicentennial State Park, or call 1-866-345-PARK.
Lodging near Sesquicentennial State Park
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Hotel Trundle - Click here for Rates and Availability.
I stayed at Hotel Trundle and loved it! Hotel Trundle brings together three historic downtown Columbia buildings (dating from 1914 to 1940) into one quirky boutique hotel that celebrates local artisans and Southern hospitality on Main Street. Each individually decorated room features premium pillowtop bedding, 55-inch flat-screen TVs, mini fridges, microwaves, and private decks or patios, creating a comfortable home base just 20 minutes from Congaree National Park. After paddling Cedar Creek or hiking the boardwalk trails, return to enjoy the complimentary continental breakfast, on-site bar, fitness center, and the helpful staff who consistently earn top marks from guests for their warm welcomes and attention to detail.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Marriott Columbia - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Located in the heart of downtown Columbia just minutes from the University of South Carolina, this 300-room hotel puts you close to Riverbanks Zoo, Williams Brice Stadium, and Congaree National Park (20 minutes away). Each spacious room features plush bedding, a 50-inch Smart TV with Netflix, workstation, and separate sitting area perfect for relaxing after a day exploring the park's boardwalks or paddling Cedar Creek. The hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, on-site Southern cuisine at Midlands' restaurant, plus helpful multilingual staff who consistently earn top marks from guests for their service and clean, comfortable accommodations.
⭐️ 4.9 of 5 Stars - The Lantern Columbia - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This boutique hotel sits in a historic Columbia landmark at the heart of the Vista district, just minutes from the University of South Carolina and 20 minutes from Congaree National Park. All 59 rooms feature contemporary design with premium bedding, 55-inch Smart TVs with Netflix and Hulu, mini fridges, and calming tones that create the perfect retreat after exploring the national park's old-growth forests. The property includes Ladder 13, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar set in the original firehouse framework, plus the hotel proudly employs and trains individuals with disabilities, delivering exceptional service while making a meaningful community impact.
Click this link or the map below for additional hotels and rental homes in Columbia, South Carolina
Congaree National Park Tours
Congaree National Park Self Guided Audio Walking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Step into one of America's last old-growth forests at your own pace with this GPS-enabled audio tour that brings Congaree's giant trees, hanging vines, and swamp ecosystem to life. Walk the shaded Boardwalk Loop Trail (2.4 miles) while learning about the park's history, wildlife, and the people who once lived and worked here, with stops at Weston Lake, Bluff Trail, and the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The guide works offline and includes local tips on the best spots to listen for frogs, birds, and the flowing Congaree River, plus you'll have lifetime access to revisit anytime.
Guided Congaree National Park Kayak Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
Paddle Cedar Creek through the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast on this 2-3 hour guided kayak adventure inside Congaree National Park. Your guide will lead you past towering bald cypress, tupelos, and sweet gums lining the creek banks, exploring waterways not accessible by land while sharing stories about this unique ecosystem. Perfect for all experience levels and going rain or shine, the tour includes your kayak, paddle, life jacket, and guide, so just show up ready to experience South Carolina's only national park from the water.
National Parks Near Sesquicentennial State Park
- Congaree National Park - 26 miles with hiking, canoeing/kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park- 260 miles with numerous activities from taking the Cades Cove Loop looking for wildlife, hiking, fishing, searching for waterfalls, horseback riding, exploring the many historic buildings and more!
- Ninety-Six National Historical Site - Visit this park, home to the longest field siege in the American Revolution.
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site - Walk the grounds and learn about Charles Pinckney, best known as a singer of the United States Constitution in 1787.
Check out more articles on South Carolina National Parks, Tennessee National Parks, Georgia National Parks, and North Carolina National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply