Lying just a few miles northeast from downtown Columbia is Sesquicentennial State Park, the 1400+ acre park contains a wide variety of recreational options for the visitor looking to get into some relaxing green space near the city.
Sesquicentennial State Park, called "Sesqui" by the locals, has a little bit of everything. The park has hiking trails, a developed campground, dispersed primitive group camps, a lake with boat rentals and fishing, playgrounds, a water feature splash pad, ball fields, designated mountain biking trail, and a 2 acre off leash dog run.
As one of several South Carolina state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park is home to a log cabin built in the mid 1700's, which is believed to be the oldest building in Richland County.
Primary attractions at Sesquicentennial State Park include the central lake, along with a boathouse from which the park provides kayak, paddleboard and paddle boat rentals from. Guests are welcome to fish the 30 acre lake from the boats or from the banks. Also located at the central area of the park near the main parking lot is a Splash Pad that contains 26 water sprayers and is very popular with children and families during the summer months.
The park has several designated hiking trails:
The Sandhills Loop Trail alternates between paved surface and hardpacked gravel that is mostly accessible to strollers and ADA visitors, tracing a 2 mile circle around the lake and stepping into the forest and wetlands areas.
The Loop Trail follows a 3.4 mile loop in a much larger circular path around the park, passing through longleaf pine and turkey oak stands, as well as crossing wetlands areas.
The Jackson Creek Nature Trail is a short .5 mile loop path with interpretive signs that circles the CCC-built spillway system which looks like a scenic waterfall.
A designated Mountain Bike Trail loops through the park's forests for six miles, following mostly flat ground where riders can head for a peaceful meander or get some speed through the easy forest path.
The park contains a main campground that has 78 sites, which accommodate tent and car campers to RVs with water/electrical, as well as full hook ups. The spacious campground is set out on two loops located adjacent to the park's main parking area.
Aside from the main campground, there are 5 dispersed primitive camp sites throughout the park that can handle groups of campers.
The park has covered and uncovered picnic tables, ball fields and playground for children. Benches are located around the perimeter of the lake. There is a 2 acre dog run where dogs are welcome off leash (use of the dog run requires a permit available at the park office for a fee).
Sesquicentennial State Park is open daily from 8am to sunset, with an onsite office that maintains 9 to sunset open hours with snacks and ice for sale. Park admission can be paid at the entry gate at a rate of $6 per person (ages 16-64), $3.50 per child (ages 6-15) and kids aged 5 and under free. Pets are permitted in the park's outdoor areas but must be on a leash 6 feet or shorter.
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