Sesquicentennial State Park

Sesquicentennial State Park has much to offer. While it attracts a lot of travelers with its campground, the park has plenty for local residents as well. The campsites are first-come, first-serve and each has water and electical hookups. Bathrooms and hot showers are available in the camping area.

Take the kids out for a swim in the lake or paddle boating. The swimming area is roped off from the rest of the lake and has a diving platform. There are lifeguards on duty. Bathrooms and showers are available. Water fountains are provided and there is a drink vending machine. The swimming area is typically open only when school is out so don't plan to swim after the first week of August. Call ahead- the swimming area may be closed if there are not enough lifeguards. Swimming does require a fee of $1.50 per adult and $1 for children 12 and under.

Rent a paddle boat for just $3 and explore the 30 acre lake. Again, call ahead to ensure that paddle boats are being rented. You can also rent a fishing boat for $12 , but you can't fish right now due to elevated levels of mercury detected in the fish. When asked if the mercury levels affected people swimming in the lake, I was told they did not.

The park has a wonderful play structure to the right of the lake that will keep kids entertained for quite a while. There is a soccer field, baseball field, and volleyball courts as well.

There are many open picnic tables as well as sheltered picnic tables in the area around the lake that are available for free. Two more secluded shelters can be found by driving around to the back of the lake on the dirt road that goes to the scout camping area. You can reserve them for a small fee ($25-$30) by calling the park office.

As for history, there is a two-story log cabin near the park entrance next to the soccer field. It is believed to be the oldest standing building in Richland County (built in 1756) and was moved to the park from its original location in 1961.

The park offers summer camp and other interpretive nature programs and is host to many scouting activities. Call the park office for more information.

To get there, take Two Notch Road north from I20. The park entrance will be on your right. You will need to pay a fee to get in ($1.50 for anyone over 16, children younger than 15 are free). To get to the lake and playground area, keep going straight until the road dead ends at the parking area for the lake. Camping fees are $16.00 per night plus tax.