Heron at park pond
Poinsett State Park
Campsite Name:
Poinsett State Park
Campsite City:
Wedgefield, SC
Beauty Rating:
5
Privacy Rating:
4
Spaciousness
Rating: 3
Quiet Rating:
3
Security Rating:
4
Cleanliness
Rating: 4
Address:
6660 Poinsett Park Road,
Wedgefield, SC 29168
Operated by:
South Carolina State Parks
Information:
(803) 494-8177
Open:
Year-round
Individual
sites: 25 non-electric sites, 25 electric
sites
Each site has:
Picnic table, water spigot, some have
fire rings
Site assignment:
First come, first served and by
reservation
Registration:
At park office by lake
Facilities:
Hot showers, flush toilets
Parking:
At campsites only
Fee:
Tent sites $9-$10 per night
depending on season; other sites $12-13 per night
Elevation:
185 feet
Restrictions -
Pets: On leash only
Restrictions -
Fires: In fire rings only
Restrictions -
Alcoholic beverages: Prohibited
Restrictions -
Vehicles: 2 autos per site
Restrictions -
Other: 6 people per site
Summary Quote:
This state park is one of South Carolina’s
most ecologically interesting areas. It has great camping, mountain
biking and hiking, too.
To get there:
From Exit 9 on I-77 in Columbia, take US
378 east, Garners Ferry Road, for 26 miles to SC 261. Turn right on
SC 261 south and follow it for 10.1 miles, passing through
Wedgefield, to reach Poinsett Road. Turn right at the signed turn
and follow it 1.7 to enter the state park.
Poinsett State Park
is an interesting location. Set on an outlier of the Carolina Sand
Hills, Poinsett is where the vegetation of the Low Country meets the
vegetation of the Upcountry, resulting in the overlapping of
ecosystems, a place where Spanish moss hangs in trees that stand
over blooming mountain laurel bushes. The melding of nature’s
finery results in a beautiful setting for a park, and an
understanding of why this was an early addition to the
South Carolina
state park system, originally developed by the Civilian
Conservations Corps in the 1930s. Historic structures from the CCC
era add charm to an already pretty park. Another plus in the
location department is Poinsett’s proximity to Manchester State
Forest, which effectively adds thousands of acres to the activity
area, where hiking and mountain biking trails abound. Add a camping
loop used exclusively by tent aficionados and you have a great
destination in the Palmetto State.
The campground is set high on a hill. It is
mostly level up here. The sites are laid out in a classic double
loop. Pines, oaks, sweetgum, dogwoods and hickories, draped in
Spanish moss, stand over sandy sites. Ample ground vegetation
divides the campsites and provides good privacy. Two bathhouses
serve the locale.
The first loop is the original loop and has
electric sites. Also note the rock fire rings from the CCC days in
the first few campsites. The second loop is in the back of the
campground and is where tent campers want to be. The loop once had
electricity but it was taken out. However, each campsite still has
its own water spigot. The large, shady sites allow room for all the
extras you can cram in your vehicle. A few of the sites have tent
pads, but the sandy campsite floor already makes for a level,
easy-draining surface. The campground loops around and passes by a
large field, then reenters the first loop. Note the recreation
building here, which could come in handy during rain spells.
Campsites are always
available in the non-electric loop. However, reservations can be
made. Once you come here, you can find the campsite you like and
can reserve it for the next trip. Poinsett is a spring/fall
destination. Summer can be excessively hot and there is no swimming
here. Note that you may experience noise from a nearby bombing
range.
The Civilian Conservation Corps dammed Shanks
Creek to create
Old Levi Mill Lake,
10 acres in size. The scenic watery valley offers boating and
fishing in a quiet setting, where gas motors are not allowed. You
can rent a johnboat from the park at a low rate, or bring your own
canoe, kayak or other boat, as long as you can carry it to the
water, since there is no boat launch. Bass, bream and catfish lie
beneath the placid pond.
Most campers travel the extensive trail system
that spreads over the state park and
Manchester State
Forest. For starters,
South Carolina’s
master path, the Palmetto Trail, extending from the mountains to the
sea, heads through here in what is known as the High Hills of Santee
Passage. It is 14 miles end to end on this segment of the Palmetto
Trail
The Coquina Trail makes a loop around
Old Levi Mill Lake,
which connects to another loop trail, the Hilltop Trail, which
connects to the Laurel Group Trail. The Equestrian Trail is also
open to hikers, and makes a 6 mile loop among valleys cut by spring
fed creeks. Swamp vegetation such as tupelo and cypress grow next
to mountain vegetation on the hills, such as galax and mountain
laurel.
On the way in you passed the main mountain biking
trailhead for
Manchester State
Forest. The 25,000-acre forest has trails aplenty. Three trails
make loops covering over 17 miles of pedaling. The Killer 3 Trail
is the longest at 10 miles. Be prepared for some of the hilliest
terrain in this part of the state, and also for sand, as you are in
the sand hills. Some riding can be quite technical. Be apprised
that these trails are open only on Sundays during the fall hunting
season. Consider coming in spring for more riding opportunities.
Also, a permit is required. For information on obtaining a permit,
visit www.state.sc.us/forest/permit.htm. that way you will be
prepared for your visit to
Poinsett State Park.
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