Chester State Park is one of South Carolina’s State Parks. It is located in the small town of Chester, South Carolina. Chester is about 50 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina, and about 60 miles from Columbia, South Carolina. When I first visited this park I didn’t know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised by the look and feel of this park.
I also found plenty to do and explore while visiting. Now, I am a regular visitor to this lovely hidden gem located in the small town of Chester. Below are my top favorite things to do while visiting Chester State Park.
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Walking or Running the Chester State Park Lake Trail
This park has one easy trail that runs beside the lake. Let me just say there is something special about this short 2 miles trail. The view is beautifully eerie as you run through the trees. The lake is always in view through the trees. One portion of the trail is a long bridge over the lake. I don’t care how old you are, walking or running over a bridge is just fun!
Boating, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding
A 160-acre lake is the focal point of the park. As a paddleboarder, this is where I spend most of my time.
This lake is calm and tranquil. Large boats do not have access to the lake, but there is a dock for small fishing boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and Jon boats. You can even rent kayaks, paddleboards, Jon boats, or canoes at the state park.
Since I don’t have to worry about large boats or rough waters, I like to practice my paddleboard sharp turns and work on my paddle speed here. I also like to relax while paddling at the Chester State Park.
First-time paddleboards will also find this a nice, calm place to practice standing on the paddleboard for the first time. The lake usually isn’t too crowded either. Beginner paddleboarders may prefer practicing here because they don’t have to worry about looking like a “newbie” in front of a large audience. This is usually where I take my first-time paddleboard friends.
If you are interested in purchasing an inflatable paddleboard, I recommend the iRocker Cruiser. This is the one that I have, and I love it!
Every one of them had a great time and felt comfortable here.
Fishing at Chester State Park
I always see people fishing on the lake. Some favorite fishing spots at Chester State Park include:
- On the long bridge that crosses over the lake
- From a small boat
- On the shoreline along the trail.
Two fishermen told me they caught two fish in under 2 hours the last time I went. Personally, I haven’t fished here, but the fishermen and women I have spoken with always have positive things to say about their fishing experiences. A valid fishing license in required to fish.
Picnincing
The area has ample amounts of picnic tables. Some of the tables are under picnic shelters and some are dispersed throughout the park. We like to picnic at the tables near the playground. As soon as our kids finish eating they bee-line it to the playground.
Playing on the Playground
You really could spend a whole day at Chester State Park. In fact, we have! One day we took our paddleboards and a picnic lunch. The kids played on the playground for a while; then, we took a break for lunch. The playground is pretty substantial and kid-approved. After lunch, we went for a walk on the trail. Once we were nice and hot, we headed to the water for a little paddle boarding. The kids loved waving to the kids on the playground as we paddled by. They also got a kick out of paddling under the bridge we had just walked over.
Camping
Chester State Park has 25 campsites, including RV and tent camping sites. The campsites have a 50 amp service. Each site is packed gravel and includes a fire ring. Restrooms and showers are located near the campground.