Poinsett State Park
Wedgefield, South Carolina · on Poinsett Park Lake · Poinsett State Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Poinsett State Park
Poinsett State Park is a 1,000-acre South Carolina state park near Wedgefield, built by the CCC in the 1930s in the 'High Hills of Santee' where the Sandhills meet the coastal plain. Its 10-acre Levi Mill Lake has a designated, seasonal swimming area alongside fishing and paddling, making this small mill pond a state-park swimming hole and a quiet lake to swim in.
The park sits in the High Hills of Santee, a transition zone locals call the 'mountains of the midlands' where sandhill terrain meets coastal-plain swamp, giving the park unusually high biodiversity for its size, including cypress swamp habitat visible from the Coquina Trail boardwalk.
Swimming at Poinsett State Park
Swimming takes place in Levi Mill Lake, a small, calm 10-acre CCC-era impoundment described by a visitor as 'picturesque' and 'good for swimming.' The designated swim area is open seasonally (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) with no lifeguard on duty, so it is swim-at-your-own-risk. Official sources do not specify water depth or bottom composition.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. The swim area sits within the developed day-use section of the park adjacent to parking, not on a hiking trail; no hike is required to reach it. (The park's separate 1.4-mile Coquina Trail loop passes grist-mill ruins and cypress swamp but is a recreational trail option, not the access route to the swim beach.)
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Levi Mill Lake is a small, calm CCC-era impoundment with a designated swim area, but South Carolina State Parks explicitly states there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk), and no source specifies water depth or bottom composition at the swim beach, so adult supervision is warranted.
Parking
Available
Park has a developed day-use area at the lake, but official pages do not separately break out parking location or a parking-specific fee; only the per-person day-use admission ($3 adult / $1.50 SC senior / $1 child 6-15 / free 5 and under) is documented.
Restrooms
Yes
1930s CCC-built coquina bathhouse serves the lake/swim area; separate restrooms with hot showers are located near the campground sites. Exact bathhouse hours/seasonality not specified.
Hours
Park grounds: 9am-dark, year-round. Park office: 11am-noon and 4pm-5pm. Swim area itself operates seasonally, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
On the water
Restrictions: Private boats must be under 14 feet and carried in from the parking lot (no trailer launch documented); gas motors are prohibited on the lake.
South Carolina State Parks operates an on-site rental fleet at Levi Mill Lake: 8 kayaks, 3 canoes, 5 stand-up paddleboards, 1 pedal boat, and 1 jon boat, all at $10/hour. SUP rentals additionally require renters to be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian, and run April through October, 9am-5pm.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, a pedal boat, and a jon boat, all launched on Levi Mill Lake within the park
Prices: $10/hour for any craft
At Levi Mill Lake, inside Poinsett State Park, Wedgefield, SC · SUPs: April-October, 9am-5pm (18+ or accompanied by parent/guardian). Hours for kayaks/canoes/pedal boat/jon boat not separately specified; park is open 9am-dark year-round.
What regulars say
The only first-hand visitor comment found describes the lake as 'picturesque' and 'good for swimming and fishing'; no candid notes on crowding, clarity, or trip tips were located.
Backstory
Poinsett is one of 16 South Carolina state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, with construction starting in 1934 using roughly 200 men across three CCC camps. The park was added to the National Historic Registry in 2016 and preserves pre-Revolutionary grist mill ruins along with its CCC-built coquina bathhouse and cabins.
Poinsett State Park: FAQ
Does Poinsett State Park charge a fee?
Day-use admission: $3 for adults, $1.50 for SC seniors, $1 for children ages 6-15, free for children 5 and under.
Is Poinsett State Park kid friendly?
Levi Mill Lake is a small, calm CCC-era impoundment with a designated swim area, but South Carolina State Parks explicitly states there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk), and no source specifies water depth or bottom composition at the swim beach, so adult supervision is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Poinsett State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Poinsett State Park?
Park has a developed day-use area at the lake, but official pages do not separately break out parking location or a parking-specific fee; only the per-person day-use admission ($3 adult / $1.50 SC senior / $1 child 6-15 / free 5 and under) is documented.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Poinsett State Park?
South Carolina State Parks operates an on-site rental fleet at Levi Mill Lake: 8 kayaks, 3 canoes, 5 stand-up paddleboards, 1 pedal boat, and 1 jon boat, all at $10/hour. SUP rentals additionally require renters to be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian, and run April through October, 9am-5pm.
When is the best time to visit Poinsett State Park?
Summer (the designated swimming area operates Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend).
What are the rules at Poinsett State Park?
Swimming area is open only Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; no lifeguard is provided, so swimming is at one's own risk. Park hours are 9am to dark, year-round.
What water body is Poinsett State Park on?
Poinsett State Park is on Poinsett Park Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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