HOURS
9 a.m. - sunset
OFFICE
11a.m. - noon & 4p.m. - 5p.m. M-F 9a.m. - 5p.m. Sa-Su
Chester
ADMISSION
$3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free
PETS
Pets are not allowed in the camper cabins or the camper cabin area. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
No Wifi Available
- Introduction
- Photo Gallery
- Lodging
- Camping
- Things To Do
- Trails
- Picnic Shelters
- Programs & Events
- History & Interpretation
- Groups
- Lakeview Hall
- Area Info
- Unique Features
- Visitor Survey
GET SOME GEAR!
Chester State Park
Midlands
Zach Setzer
Park Manager
Hello! I am Zach Setzer, Park Manager at Chester State Park. As a child, I always enjoyed being outside and going on camping trips with my family. A lot of those family camping trips lead us to National and State Parks. After graduating from Clemson University, I was hired as an Assistant Ranger at Hunting Island State Park. It was there that the memories of visiting parks flooded back to me, and I realized I could make a career from doing something I enjoyed.
My favorite place at Chester State Park is the bridge that spans across the lake. It is a great place to see different types of wildlife, cast a fishing line or just relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.
If you are a first-time visitor, I would highly recommend taking a hike on the Caney Fork Falls nature trail to the CCC-built spillway or playing a round of disc golf on the 18-hole disc golf course.
**Our Ultimate Outsider stamp can be found at the park kiosk near the Ranger Station.
Since opening in the 1930s, Chester State Park near Chester, South Carolina has been a haven for hiking, picnicking, boating and fishing for the surrounding communities in the Piedmont Region of South Carolina.
Located midway between Columbia and Charlotte, in Chester, South Carolina, the park centers on a 160-acre lake surrounded by a two-mile nature trail through the pine forest.
A community building, camping, jon boat rentals and an unusually serene, placid setting in the Piedmont Region of South Carolina are among this traditional state park’s attractions.
All of our state parks offer something unique! Have a picnic or try geocaching at Barnwell State Park or explore the South Carolina mountain bike trails at Baker Creek State Park.
BY THE NUMBERS
1
of 16 SC State Parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps
1
really cool boathouse that sits over the lake where you can fish from and rent boats
160
acre park lake for boating and fishing for the big one
1
community building that accommodates up to 75 people, perfect for meetings or family reunions
3
picnic shelters that are available for rent and are located near the lake
1.3
mile Caney Fork Creek Nature Trail that follows along the shore of the park lake
523
acres in rural Chester County, located smack dab between Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC
2
camper cabins for those who like to camp with a roof over their head
25
campsites with 50 amp service for RVs or tent camping
5
primitive hike-in tent sites
18
hole and 9-hole disc golf course
472
foot bridge over the park lake for fishing or observing the wildlife
First Day Hikes
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Use #SCStateParks and your content could be featured here! You can also upload your photos for us to use across South Carolina State Parks' Marketing by using the Public Uploader and agreeing to the Terms & Conditions.