Chester State Park is a state park in Chester, Chester County, in South Carolina's Midlands. Admission is $3 for adults, less for SC seniors and children 6 to 15. It is open 9 a.m.–sunset daily. Facts read from the official page on October 25, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–sunsetofficial hours below
- Admission$3 adultsper person
- WhereChesterChester County, Midlands
- DogsLeashed, 6 ftrules below
About Chester State Park
Chester State Park, open since the 1930s, centers on a 160-acre lake circled by a two-mile nature trail through pine forest. It sits roughly between Columbia and Charlotte, with camping, jon boat rentals and a community building.
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Adults pay $3; SC seniors and children 6 to 15 pay less, and children 5 and under are free. The $99 All Park Passport covers your whole vehicle for a year.
9 a.m.–sunsetBring The Dog?
Pets are not allowed in the camper cabins or the camper cabin area.
Full rules belowMake It A Day
Landsford Canal State Park is about 22 miles away (straight line).
4 places within 30 miles
Chester State Park Hours
Hours in a day
- ParkEvery day9 a.m.–sunset
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- 9 a.m. – sunset
- Park office: 11a.m. – noon & 4p.m. – 5p.m. M-F; 9a.m. – 5p.m. Sa-Su
Admission And Passes
- Adults$3.00
- SC seniors$1.50
- Children age 6-15$1.00
- Age 5 & youngerFree
As listed on the official page, read October 25, 2026. SC senior rates need proof of age and residency.
Two adults, visit by visit, against the $99 All Park Passport
Two adults pay $6.00 a visit here. By visit 17 the day fees pass the $99 passport, which covers everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle at every state park for a year. Bars show the running total of day fees.
- $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free
Passes: the All Park Passport is $99 and gives unlimited entry to every South Carolina state park for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle for one year; a seven-day passport is $65 (sold at the parks, not online). Half-price passports exist for SC seniors 65 and older and some other residents. Source: southcarolinaparks.com Park Passports, read October 25, 2026. Compare every park on our State Parks Passport page.
Directions And Contact
- Address: 788 State Park Dr Chester, SC 29706
- Phone: 803.385.2680
- Map point: 34.67671,-81.23998, from OpenStreetMap, checked against the U.S. Census geocode of the street address. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: southcarolinaparks.com/chester
Dogs And Strollers
- 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.
Not confirmed: stroller rules. The official page we read does not mention strollers; boardwalks and paved paths may suit them, but call ahead.
Near Chester State Park
- 1Landsford Canal State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
- 2Rose Hill Plantation State Historic SiteState Historic Siteabout 25 mi
- 3Andrew Jackson State ParkState Parkabout 27 mi
- 4Lake Wateree State ParkState Parkabout 27 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near Chester State Park
- Nov 7Tab Benoit with Jesse Dayton: Soul of the Swamp TourNewberry · about 34 mi
- Nov 12Ashley McBryde: Into The Wild TourNewberry · about 34 mi
- Nov 13Gaelic Storm with JigJamNewberry · about 34 mi
- Nov 14Marty Stuart and His Fabulous SuperlativesNewberry · about 34 mi
- Nov 14Winthrop men's basketball vs. Jackson State (Homecoming)Rock Hill · about 22 mi
- Nov 17Winthrop women's basketball vs. South Carolina StateRock Hill · about 22 mi
29 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Chester State Park?
Admission is $3 for adults, less for SC seniors and children 6 to 15.
Are dogs allowed at Chester State Park?
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.
Does the All Park Passport cover this park?
Yes. The $99 All Park Passport gives a year of unlimited entry to every South Carolina state park for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle, per southcarolinaparks.com.
What are the hours at Chester State Park?
9 a.m. – sunset.
What We Could Not Verify
- Holiday and storm closures change at short notice; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Chester State Park official page (read 2026-10-25)
- South Carolina State Parks: Park Passports (read 2026-10-25)
- OpenStreetMap (map point)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Chester State Park”, itssouthcarolina.com/places/chester-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.