The Ultimate Guide to SC State Parks Near Columbia, SC: Family-Friendly Fun, Amenities, & Hidden Gems

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To help you choose the perfect destination for your next family outing, we’ve updated our guide with the latest 2026 hours, admission rates, ongoing park projects, and features.

Sesquicentennial State Park (“Sesqui”)

To find out about the hiking, splash pad, paddling, and camping available at Sesquicentennial in northeast Columbia, check out our Kidding Around® Review of Sesqui.

Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223 (Richland County)
Hours: Open daily from 8:00 AM to sunset. Park office open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (65+); $3.50 children ages 6–15; free for ages 5 and under.
Sesqui State Park

Affectionately known as “Sesqui” by locals, this expansive, wooded retreat was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. It sits just 15 minutes from downtown Columbia, offering an instant escape into nature without a long drive.

• The Sesqui Splash Pad: The centerpiece for local parents! This fully enclosed, seasonal splash pad features 26 water sprayers with a 10-foot maximum height. Best of all, it is completely free with your regular park admission. Convenient changing areas, restrooms, and shade seating are located right next to it.
• Boating & Rentals: Swimming isn’t allowed in the lake, but paddling is! You can rent canoes and kayaks for $10/hour (or $30/day) and pedal boats for $15/hour.
• Trails & Recreation: Hike the easy 2-mile Sandhills Hiking Trail, challenge yourself on the 6-mile mountain biking loop, or let the kids loose on the two large playgrounds.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Sesqui features a fantastic 2-acre off-leash dog park! To use it, you just need a permit ($25/year or $4/day) along with proof of current vaccinations and spay/neuter status. Leashed dogs are allowed everywhere else in the park.
• 2026 Advisory Note: If you plan on camping, please note that a brand new restroom facility is currently under construction in Loop 1 of the campground. While day-use spaces and playgrounds are completely unaffected, campers may notice temporary utility disruptions and light construction traffic.
• Tech Note: Please plan ahead—there is no public Wi-Fi available at Sesqui, though an EV charging station is available for electric vehicles.

Pine Island State Park: NEW!

Address: 150 Pine Island Rd, Columbia, SC 29212
Hours: Soft opening phase through March 31, 2026. Regular operating hours begin April 2, 2026 (Open Thursday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (65+); $3.50 children ages 6–15; free for ages 5 and under.
Pine Island State Park

Big news for Lake Murray lovers! Pine Island—a scenic 20+ acre property formerly owned by the energy company SCANA—has officially joined the South Carolina State Parks system as one of its newest additions.

What to Know Before You Go: Because Pine Island is meant to be a day-use sanctuary, no camping is permitted, and there is no public boat launch on-site. However, leashed pets are welcome to join you for a walk along the water. Admission matches the standard state park structure ($6 adults, $3.75 seniors, $3.50 kids).

The Amenities: Pine Island offers unbeatable public water access right near the dam. Families can take advantage of a full-service marina, expansive picnic shelters perfect for family reunions, and spectacular sunset views over Lake Murray.

Dreher Island State Park

Address: 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity, SC 29127
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk (hours change seasonally).
Admission: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors (65+); $1 children ages 6–15; free for ages 5 and under.
Dreher Island State Park Website

If you want a full-scale Lake Murray adventure where you can actually put your boat in the water, head northwest to Dreher Island. Spanning three distinct islands connected to the mainland by a drivable roadway, it’s a paradise for water sports.

• Activities: Top-tier recreational boating, fishing, scuba diving, and swimming (at your own risk). The park features three short walking trails, three playgrounds, and a visitor center complete with public Wi-Fi access.
• Stay the Night: Unlike Pine Island, Dreher Island features expansive lakeside campgrounds and rental villas (note: pets are generally restricted from inside the villas).

Good hack to know: even though it is an island, you can drive on State Park Road to get there- no boat needed! However, boating is permitted, and there are boat ramps available. On the island, you can explore woods, beaches, playgrounds, and wildlife, including rare birds on the lake.

The park has three different short walking trails and three playgrounds. You can find a visitors’ center with WIFI where you can also buy a few things or use picnic tables. Camping, swimming (at your own risk), geocaching, fishing, and scuba diving are permitted. Note, dogs should be on a leash and may not be allowed in camping villas.

Without your Park Passport, Dreher Island costs $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids 6-15 and free for kids 5 and under. It’s open from dawn to dusk, with hours changing seasonally.

Aiken State Park

Address: 1145 State Park Rd, Aiken, SC 29801
Hours: Open daily 9:00 AM to sunset.
Admission: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors (65+); $1 children ages 6–15; free for ages 5 and under.
Aiken State Park Website

Located about an hour’s drive from Columbia, Aiken State Park is a hidden gem nestled along the South Carolina backcountry. Like Sesqui, it showcases beautiful historic CCC architecture.

• Activities: Best known for its blackwater paddling trail down the south fork of the Edisto River. Canoe rentals are available on-site. It also offers a unique Free Fishing Tackle Loaner Program—perfect for introducing kids to fishing without buying expensive gear. It features quiet walking trails, a small playground, and peaceful campsites.

Don’t miss our Kidding Around® review of Aiken State Park.

Quick Facts of Aiken State Park:

• Fishing tackle loaner program- Free
• Canoe rentals available
• Hiking, picnic area, small playground

Lake Greenwood State Park

Address: 302 State Park Rd, Ninety Six, SC 29666
Hours: Open daily 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (extended during Daylight Saving Time). Park office open daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors (65+); $1 children ages 6–15; free for ages 5 and under.
Lake Greenwood State Park Website

If you love the idea of a massive lake day but want a slightly more relaxed, hidden-gem vibe than Lake Murray, Lake Greenwood State Park is well worth the drive. Located just over an hour northwest of Columbia, this 914-acre park stretches beautifully along the shoreline of Lake Greenwood.

• Water, Water, Everywhere: This park is a dream for boaters and anglers. It features two public boat ramps, a fishing pier, and easy shoreline access for catching bass and catfish. Feel free to swim anywhere along the shore except near the boat ramps and docks (at your own risk).
• The Drummond Center: A massive plus for families is the park’s beautiful, air-conditioned visitor center. It hosts interactive educational exhibits about local wildlife and the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (the group that built the park). Free public Wi-Fi is available right inside the center.
• Trails & Camping: Take a family stroll down the scenic East Shoreline Loop trail (open for both hiking and biking). If you want to turn it into a weekend trip, the park offers 125 paved campsites equipped with 50-amp electrical hooks and water right near the lake.

Bonus Hacks! SC State Parks Tips to Save You Money & Maximize Fun

Admission Discount

SC State Parks offer admission discounts up to 50% for seniors, military, and the disabled. Each park’s discount will be slightly different. For Dreher Island, you can get your park admission for HALF the standard admission rate if you can show an ID (or handicapped placard) to prove you are:
-Disabled
-SC National Guard
-Over 65

Ultimate Outsider Challenge

Here’s another secret to maximizing the fun with these parks. They offer an Ultimate Outsider program. Simply pick up or order your Ultimate Outsider Guide, do activities and collect stamps from each park to become an Ultimate Outsider! It’s a fun challenge to get you motivated to do more outside.

The Kidding Around Guide to all of South Carolina’s State Parks will help you out as you plan your Ultimate Outsider adventures!

Park Passport *(discount!)*

As you might know, a SC Park Passport is an affordable way to get access to hundreds of acres of wilderness, free activities, learning, events and more.

Here’s How it Works:
First, you can get your All Park Passport online or at any South Carolina State Park Office. Your pass hangs in your car rearview mirror, like a handicapped placard and comes with a card for inside exhibits. It’s just $99 for your entire family for the whole year of access.

For this, you get unlimited access to all the state parks in the state. That means everything from Hunting Island Beach, to several lakes, to hiking in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Caesar’s Head and Table Rock. Actually, that is 48 state parks.

So, if you went to one every month, it would take you nearly four years to see them all. On the other hand, if you went to one every week, you could finish in a year!

Now, you can explore the Columbia state parks and beyond for a discount!

Columbia’s National Park

For information on our FREE National Park, home to a unique synchronized firefly phenomenon (for which our local baseball team is named), check out our Kidding Around® review of Congaree National Park.

Please tell us your favorite Columbia, South Carolina State Parks!