Landsford Canal State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- $6 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- southcarolinaparks.com(803) 789-5800
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Park NewsThe park does not rent kayaks or canoes. Visitors are welcome to bring their own. During lily season, several permitted outfitters offer guided… (more)
The park does not rent kayaks or canoes. Visitors are welcome to bring their own. During lily season, several permitted outfitters offer guided paddling tours. Questions? Please contact the park at 803-789-5800.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In York County, about 7 miles northwest of Lancaster, Landsford Canal State Park covers about 443 acres.
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Daily | 11 a.m. – noon | — |
Official wording
Daylight until dark, daily.
11 a.m. - noon, daily
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| $6/adult 16 years and older; | $6 · adult |
| $3.75/S.C. senior; | $3.75 · senior |
| $3.50/child ages 6-15; ages 5 & under free. | $3.50 · child |
Official wording
$6/adult 16 years and older; $3.75/S.C. senior; $3.50/child ages 6-15; ages 5 & under 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 · leash up to 6 feet
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.
Things to do
FishingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landsford Canal State Park | — | — | — |
| Midlands | — | — | — |
| Landsford Canal Trails | — | — | — |
| Canal Trail | 1.5 mi | Easy | Length: 1.5 milesHiking Trail |
| Nature Trail | 0.6 mi | Easy | Length: 0.6 milesHiking Trail |
| Eagle Point Trail | 0.2 mi | Easy | Length: 0.2 milesHiking Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Landsford Canal State Park
Midlands
Landsford Canal Trails
Canal Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Nature Trail
Length: 0.6 miles
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Eagle Point Trail
Length: 0.2 miles
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Starting from the picnic area you have a choice of three trails, the Canal Trail, the Nature Trail, and the Eagle Point Trail, each one offering something a little different. The main attraction is the Canal Trail, and you can start from either the picnic area or the south entrance to the park. This easy, 1.5-mile walk follows Landsford Canal, which was built in the 19th century to bypass the rocky rapids of the Catawba River, and at one time this canal served as an important trading route between the foothills and coastal plain. Today, the remnants of the original canal stonework and "locks" that equalized the water can still be seen toward the south end of the trail.
You can also start the Nature Trail at the picnic area and follow the banks of the Catawba River. This is a peaceful walk with just the sound of the water tumbling over rocks and the songs of many birds. Check with park personnel about seeing nesting eagles during your walk. The Nature Trail ends at an overlook where you can view the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies when in bloom.
The short Eagle Point Trail also starts at the picnic area and ends at a bluff overlooking the Catawba River.
Boating and paddling
Boating and Boat Access: Canoe access to the Catawba River is available at a drop off area near the park.
Fishing
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in the Catawba River for several species of bass, crappie, bream, catfish, carp and gar.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Group facilities
✓ 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
- 2051 Park DR
Catawba, SC 29704 - Nearest town
- Lancaster — about 7 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.7886, -80.8786 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (803) 789-5800
- landsfordcanal@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)
- Photo: Landsford Canal Stone Lock.JPG — Public domain (released by the author), User:Bacondero
“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