Waterfall Hero Hikes: Poinsett State Park

Poinsett State Park is park located in the High Hills of Santee in Sumter County. Where the Sandhills meets the coastal plain, these unusual hills support a unique diversity of wildlife, where Spanish moss drapes over mountain laurel. The park is named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, a South Carolina native who was the first Ambassador to Mexico and popularized the poinsettia plant. The park was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Today, the park has 50 campsites, a 10-acre lake, and more than 25 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Wateree and High Hills of Santee Passage of the Palmetto Trail runs through the park and continues in both directions through Manchester State Forest.

Contact Information:

6660 Poinsett Park Road
Wedgefield, SC 29168

Phone: (803) 494-8177

Email: poinsett@scprt.com

Directions:

From Sumter, head west on SC-763 south for about 8 miles and turn left on SC-261 east. Go 6.2 miles and turn right on Poinsett Park Road. Follow 2.7 miles to the parking area.

Map:

Trails:

There are more than 25 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking in the park, including parts of the Wateree and High Hills of Santee Passages of the Palmetto Trail.

Points of Interest:

Mill Ruins:

The ruins of an old mill are just behind the park office. John Durgan established the first mill here in 1761. Over the next 150 years, several others also operated a mill and made improvements. When the CCC was constructing the park in 1935, they discovered the old millrace and built a new dam and spillway.

Wildlife:

Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is common throughout the park. This epiphyte is commonly found draped over larger trees, deriving its nutrients and water from the air. It's not a moss, but a flowering plant in the bromeliad (pineapple) family.