Chester State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 9 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $3 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions6-ft leash
- Camping
- 25 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- southcarolinaparks.com(803) 385-2680
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Park NewsChester State Park is looking for campground hosts. If you are interested, please download and complete an application and send to jmccune@scprt.com.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Chester County, about 2 miles southwest of Chester, Chester State Park covers about 521 acres.
Things to do include historic sites, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Camping is available: 25 campsites, including RV sites and tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 9 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Office | Not stated | 11 a.m. – noon | — |
| Not stated | 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. | — | |
| Not stated | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
9 a.m. - sunset
11a.m. - noon & 4p.m. - 5p.m. M-F 9a.m. - 5p.m. Sa-Su
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| $3 adults; | $3 · adult |
| $1.50 SC seniors; | $1.50 · senior |
| $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free | $1 · child |
Official wording
$3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free
South Carolina park passes
- ALL Park Passport — $99 Details
From the South Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- SC State Parks reservation system (reserve.southcarolinaparks.com)
- Phone
- 1-866-345-PARK (7275)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 6 feet
Not allowed in or on: the camper cabins or the camper cabin area.
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. 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.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sites with Elec. & Water | 25 | Standard Sites with Elec. & WaterShowersRVs up to 33 | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping Information: Each site is packed gravel and has individual water and 50 amp electrical hookups. All sites also include fire rings, lantern holders, picnic tables and picnic pads. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 33 feet, others up to 28 feet, while three sites are pull-through. The campground is convenient to restrooms with hot showers. Standard Sites with Elec. & Water: 25 sites Designated Tent Sites: We have 5 primitive, hike-in tent sites, a .1-mile hike from a parking area with water, grill/fire ring, picnic table and a tent pad. A vault toilet is available in the parking area, and hot showers and flush toilets are available in the standard campground about 1 mile from the hike-in sites. Primitive Group Area: The primitive group camping area is ideal for organized groups up to 50 people. (An organized group is defined as “a group that holds regular meetings and has a lead officer or elected/appointed officials”.) The area includes picnic tables, central water, fire ring and is located 100 yards from the restroom. Reservations are accepted. To make a primitive group camping reservation, contact the park directly. Minimum rate is $13.50 which allows up to ten campers. The rate increases by $5 increments for each additional five campers.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins/Villas: 2 units
Lodging Information: Two camper cabins are also available for rent on a year-round basis. The cabins provide the camping experience for those who prefer a roof over their head. Camper cabins are 14' x 17' and include: two sets of bunk beds, a front porch facing the lake, heating and air conditioning, indoor lights and electrical outlets. There is no running water inside the camper cabins, and linens are not provided. All cooking must also be done outside. A water spigot, fire ring and grill are located onsite and guests have access to centrally located restrooms. Pets are not permitted in the cabins. Cabins/Villas: 2
Things to do
FishingBoatingPicnickingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and toursCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caney Fork Falls Trail | 1.3 mi | Easy | Length: 1.3 miles out and back trailHiking Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Caney Fork Falls Trail Length: 1.3 miles out and back trail Type: Hiking Trail Difficulty: Easy Description: You will begin this easy, 1.3-mile out and back trail behind the boathouse, located at the back of the parking lot, and wind alongside the lake in Chester State Park. The trail yields several excellent fishing locations along the shoreline of the 160-acre lake, which is stocked with bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. Rental fishing boats are available and boat ramp area for private boats, which is limited to hand power or electric trolling motors. You will reach the turnaround point at the dam, where you can stop to rest and enjoy the sound of water falling over the spillway.
Boating and paddling
Boating and Boat Access: A hand-launched access area is available for private boats, which are restricted to hand-powered and electric trolling motors.
Fishing
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing for bass, bream, catfish and crappie in the park’s 160-acre lake. Fishing Pier: There is a fishing pier located in the campground and a pier area around the boathouse that may be used for fishing. Their is a 400 ft. walking/fishing pier located in the day use area. Fishing Boat Rentals: Jon boats, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available to rent for $10/hour and $40/all day. Pedal boats are $15/hour and $50/all day. Canoe and kayak launch area is available for easy access into the lake. Private electric trolling motors are allowed to be used on park fishing boats. Enjoy a relaxing day by the lake at the Lakeview Overlook located near the campground.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 788 State Park DR
Chester, SC 29706 - Nearest town
- Chester — about 2 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.6808, -81.2438 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (803) 385-2680
- chester@scprt.com
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- South Carolina State Parks Park Finder (JSON embedded in #park-finder-component data-parks)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology