Poinsett State Park – Wedgefield, South Carolina

Poinsett State Park is located in Wedgefield, a small unincorporated community in western Sumter County. The park opened in 1936 and is one of 16 state parks constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

The park is named for Charleston native and US Ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, (the Poinsett Bridge near Greenville is also named for Poinsett) and is situated in a unique region of South Carolina known as the High Hills of Santee. This land, where the sandhills of the Midlands meet the coastal plains, was originally used by several Native American tribes (Santee, Wateree, and Catawba) for hunting.

Features of the park include a 10-acre lake with boat access, campsites and cabins, a fishing pond, and the ruins of a grist mill dating back to the American Revolution. Many of the park’s hiking, biking, and equestrian trails also connect to the statewide Palmetto Trail.

Special thanks to Leonard Vaughn of Lexington, who took this photo in March 2012. Vaughn writes, “One of the most unique features of the park is the coquina-lined spillway (pictured above) built by the CCC in the 1930s. The park is a lovely place to spend the day or weekend. You can canoe on the lake, hike the many trails, and check out the unique flora and fauna of this diverse area.”