Sesquicentennial State Park — Attraction in Elgin

This was a lovely park to stay at. We went during the middle of March, still a little chilly but we were able to enjoy ourselves. We went camping with our 40 ft. 5th wheel. Here are some key takeaways:

The Passport Stamp is located right outside the main store. The dirt road around the camping area is very narrow lined with trees. We were able to get through with no problem but it was very tight. There are plenty of spaces for tents, cars, RV, trailers or any other way you like to camp. We stayed at campsite #47, it was good but had a few tricks to make it work. The main problem we had was when we were leaving. There was a stump in the way when trying to hook our camper back up. As long as you miss the stump you should be good. This site was on the right side of the road so we had lots of space to move around which made it very nice with the company we had. The site was moderately level so we didn't have to do too much leveling. There's two separate playgrounds, one for older kids and one for younger kids. There is also a water play area that opens during the warm months. Several shelters available to host a party, I believe they can be reserved online through their website. There are several walking trails including a bicking trail that is 6 miles long. You can go fishing here, they have a large lake that you can take a small boat out on. You will need to have you fishing license. The park itself does not sale bait, you will have to go up to the closest Walmart or other stores to get it. There is a small man made waterfall, if you will, by the lake. They have a nice store to visit to get souvenirs, essential items and more. They do sell firewood within the store, about $11 a bundle, they do have ice for sale, the machine is right outside the store. They have shirts for adults and kids, mugs, utensils to cook over a fire, candy, ice cream and more is available for purchase. There are several drink machines around the park, a soda and Gatorade drink machine. Walmart is close by to grab any essential items need for the trip that the park store doesn't offer. There is a dumping station and dumpsters you can visit before leaving the park if needed. They do have multiple bathrooms around the park. Withing the camping area they have your typical bathroom/individual showering area. Dogs are more than welcome to enjoy the park as well, they will just have to be on a leash while visiting. I didn't see any doggie bags around the park so be sure to bring them. There is a large field to play around in as well.

Overall this was a wonderful park to stay at over night or just come hangout...

Steve - a supervisor at this park - discriminated against my mom who is a black female combat veteran, with 20 years of service. We went to the park office to get a new (free) park pass because her previous one expired. She has received a free pass before because 100% disabled veterans are given free park passes in the state of South Carolina.

Upon entering the center neither of us were greeted and when we were it was rudely. We were watched from the moment we walked in the store. My mom inquired about the veteran passes, and he stated they did not have passes for veterans. My mom asked about the 100% permanent and total disabled veterans, and he corrected himself and said they had free passes available for those veterans. She stated she was 100% permanent and total, and had prepared to give him proof of her disability. He asked for proof of her disability and she gave him her phone with the information about her accepted disability claim.

It reads 100% permanent and total, and provides break downs of her diagnoses and percentages. Steve looked at the phone and focused on 70%, which is the disability rating for my mom’s PTSD. She continuously informed him that she is 100% disabled, showed him the conclusion on the form, and explained that the 70% is related to PTSD. The young adult next to him congratulated him on denying my mom a park pass because of this 70% number, and smirked as though they had accomplished a task.

Eventually Steve pulled up my mom’s number in their system and identified that she indeed had prior park passes and was a 100% disabled veteran. My mom left and was very distraught over her treatment, and this interaction activated her PTSD. She was with her service dog and this experience made her feel the need to leave without accepting the park pass.

I asked Steve if he treated all veterans this way or just my mom, and he said he asked all veterans the same questions. At the end he said thanks in a snarky tone once we left.

Traumatizing experience, highly unprofessional, and we will...

The park is nice and you can tell they typically take decent care of it, and the staff seem pleasant. The splash water park (for young kids) is nice as is the lake. We did enjoy our stay but the bathroom conditions at Loop 1 prevent me from giving anything but a 2 star.

Lake appears really shallow for fishing purposes, you could see the weeds on the bottom pretty much everywhere. But the lake is quite picturesque. The small waterfalls are quite pretty.

The trails seem kept well, we only did a little bit of the lake trail because we had little one with us.

The pine forest around the playgrounds is really nice, tons of shade, and the pine trees are enormous. It looks like a scene out of a fantasy novel.

The paddle boats are fun but they are absolute leg killers. The pedals are like most other paddle boats. ...way too close together, and the really needed greasing. The pedals are closer together than even a child's bicycle pedals. One of the boats squealed so loudly that we thought it was a hyper red tailed hawk screeching until they got closer and I realized the source. Minor issues but worth reviewing.

The major issue is the terrible insufficiency of the bath houses. Loop 1 has 35 lots, but only one toilet, one urinal, and one shower for the men, for all 35. Of course, on a Saturday afternoon, someone overflowed the men's toilet (complete with several poo floaters) and nasty water all over the floor. I reported it to the guard shack around 6 or 630, and the bathroom was still nothing but filth when we left 10am the next day. I had to drive guys in our group to the splash park bathrooms.

Unlike several other SC state parks, they don't do trash pickup. The dumpsters are ok though, you just need to remember to take it with you when (if) you drive out...