Landsford Canal State Park — Attraction in Lancaster

Very nice State Park to visit. Especially in May to June when the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies are in bloom. It's a soft 1-mile walk/hike to the Spider Lily Overlook (which is a nice deck with rails built at the best spot in at the river's edge for viewing the widest area of the spider lily area within the river itself). There's sitting along the trail to the Overlook spot for those that need a little rest along the way, and it's well worth the visit. The park store has limited hours though, so get there before noon if you need something from the shop such as a State Park patch or something. There are plenty of picnic spots with grilles for cooking your own food (just be sure to bring charcoal, of course) with several scenic tables to choose from. There's a huge parking area devoted to kayak enthusiasts who want to get a more action oriented experience, though I'd definitely watch the water levels to determine when best to go kayaking down, because there definitely seems to be more shallow times that aren't exactly kayak friendly as I've seen others getting stuck out there during there float that became more of a tote experience. Going to the end of the canal trail is quite a treat too because there are stone ruins from the structures that used to be there (even a broken millstone tucked away in the woods off the trail that was a nice "Easter Egg" discovery along the way). Safe, cleared trails. Safe environment. ...

Rude Rangers.

Drove from about an hour away to check out the park for canoeing. Called first, but no answer. So I loaded up the trailer and when I arrived found that there is no parking for trailers.

Sign on the road said no parking so I parked in construction area and started walking to the park office to find a ranger to ask where I should park.

A ranger just happens by, jumps out of his vehicle and starts yelling at me to move my truck. Can't I read the signs. I asked him where I should Park and he direct me to the driveway where there are signs that say no parking. How was I supposed to know?

Then he starts telling me, if you think of putting your canoe in today, you can just forget about it. I told him that's no problem and asked about the river conditions because I saw the sign that said not advised river is up not advised. He starts barking that the sign says boating prohibited today. Not a problem I say, however your sign says not advised. See attached picture. He continues to tell me the sign says no boating. Again, see picture.

All said and done I won't be visiting here again. Rude staff, not enough parking, and too many people.

Thanks for visiting South Carolina...

The canal locks and mill site are amazing! Getting to them may be confusing though. The paper map makes little sense and sometimes almost seems like it was not made for this park. The Canal and Nature trail intersect. To get to them, park in the parking lot by the office/store and walk down the sidewalk that goes between the river and office. The sidewalk will take you to the beginning of the trails, which is also where the paper map begins. Check out the signs and be sure to go right for the Canal trail. (straight is the nature trail) When you get to the intersection later, stop at the lily overlook, then keep going down the Canal trail. Here you will pass the culverts and mill and then later the double lift lock. If you walk on the wide trail passed the Indian trade road sign you will come to the second parking lot and can continue down the trail behind the sign to get to the boat take out area. Follow your steps all the way back to the intersection and this time to down the nature trail (at the Lily overlook area). Be sure to check out the bald eagle sign on the short spur on the left as you walk and look for the nest. The nature trail will take you back to...