Landsford Canal State Park

Park · Chester County

Landsford Canal State Park

Park · Chester County

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2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704

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Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Landsford Canal State Park by Courtesy of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Landsford Canal State Park by whereislogan (Atlas Obscura User)
Landsford Canal State Park by Courtesy of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Landsford Canal State Park by Courtesy of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Landsford Canal State Park by tchowe (Atlas Obscura User)
Landsford Canal State Park by http://www.flickr.com/photos/25243651@N08/...
Landsford Canal State Park by tchowe (Atlas Obscura User)
Landsford Canal State Park by whereislogan (Atlas Obscura User)
Landsford Canal State Park by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Landsford Canal State Park by http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciordia/35518...
Landsford Canal State Park by Courtesy of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Landsford Canal State Park by Courtesy of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Landsford Canal State Park by tchowe (Atlas Obscura User)
Landsford Canal State Park by http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciordia/35518...
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null
Landsford Canal State Park by null

Highlights

Short walking path & picnic spots around the relics of a canal system abandoned in 1835.  

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2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704 Get directions

southcarolinaparks.com

Information

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2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704 Get directions

+1 803 789 5800
southcarolinaparks.com

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Last updated

Jul 21, 2025

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The Ruins of South Carolina

"Landsford Canal was built 1820-1823 to accommodate river traffic around the shallow, rocky drop in the Catawba River. The ruins of the canal are very well-preserved and intact, including several locks, culverts, bridges, and the lock keeper’s house (that has been moved from further downstream into the park itself). The park has described several hiking trails around the ruins that highlight both the stonework and the unusual plants of the area. A newly created walking trail was designed to assist the crowds of people that visit to see the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. These endangered plants hold fast to the rocks in the shallows across the river. Every year, from mid-May to early June, the lilies bloom with huge numbers of beautiful white flowers." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/ruins-south-carolina
View Postcard for Landsford Canal State Park

Jonathan Parker

SerpAPI
Really fun place and beautiful scenery. If you like small to moderate rapids, Bald Eagles, and Tiger Lilly's. You will Enjoy this place. There are two areas. You want to drive past the road to the main gate and leave your getaway ride. Then go back to the top launch and set sail (kayak, tube, paddle board, etc.) The exit to get out is a little mis leading. It will be a sign on the right side that says tube exit or something like that. But it is a navigation arrow. Go about half a mile down the small creek and it's on the right. Depending on current it can be tricky getting out. But fun. At good water levels, you can paddle through the middle of the Tiger Lilly area. It's really a great family adventure

Katie Ratcliff

SerpAPI
Lansford is so unique! 100% worth the drive. The trails are amazing with great views, and the old canal remnants are so fun to explore! There is so much to see from land, but I hope to come kayak here one day! The spider lilies are beautiful in bloom! It should definitely be on your bucket list to see them in bloom!

Derek Lahti

SerpAPI
We had a beautiful family trip to Landsford Canal State Park. $6 for adults upon entrance and free for kids under 6. The park was beautiful, an amazing walk along the river and not too many bugs to speak of. If we had dressed accordingly we could have easily gotten into the river for a bit. Highly recommend for a nice outside adventure with the family. There is a small playground the kids can entertain themselves with for a bit as well.

gigi spires

SerpAPI
Pretty cool park. Nice launch for kayaks. Good shore side fishing space. Playground, picnic tables, small store onsite with cold drinks. Restrooms. Be mindful of parking as it's not a huge park. Appears to be a new parking lot near Kayak launch site which is down a moderate slope. Spider lillies are epic if you go when they are blooming!

Jack Manly

SerpAPI
This was our first visit during the peak of the spider lilies blooming season. Truly amazing! The trail to the observation deck was mostly shaded & not very congested with hikers considering all the cars in the parking lot. Would recommend going on a week day because we have been told that it'srather crowded on weekends.

Jacob Reinhardt

SerpAPI
Small state park out in the middle of nowhere. You pay your admission online on the SC State Parks website. Two wide, flat and well maintained short trails cover pretty much the whole park. There is a small playground and several picnic tables with bring-your-own-coal grills. The Nature Trail follows the Catawba River. Will most likely be back when it’s a little bit warmer outside!!

Breann Weed

SerpAPI
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this state park! Lots of cool things to see and very quiet and clean. We even spotted a bald eagle which was really neat! We will definitely return frequently!

B Boidy

SerpAPI
A beautiful park with level trails that wind along the river. The canals are cool and ruins of the past usage of the area. If you can manage to visit when the spider lilies are in bloom- it’s worth it. Great park for young hikers as it’s level and interesting enough to keep them going.
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John B.

Yelp
I bookmarked this spot for the seasonal spider lillies. After self-paying the admission fee and parking, the walk along the shore was quite pleasant on a mild day. Despite the river views, it took a half hour or so to get to the spider lillies, which are apparently limited to one particular location. It was hard to see them from shore, made harder by rising waters (the festival the previous day was likely thrown off by rain). I got enough of a glimpse of them to understand where the name comes from. The overall aesthetic of the park offered remnants of a historic canal, and boating and picnicking opportunities. It was a pleasant space, but not at the top of ones I'd want to drive out to and pay for.
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Danielle P.

Yelp
Finally checked off Landsford Canal Park off my park bucket list! If you wanna see something thats absolutely gorgeous and unique, this is a must see. The Rocky Spider Lily's are only located in certain areas ( SC, GA, and AL). Hoping to see them in another state as well. Its all about timing, make sure you check the websites for a bloom updates. The park is well kept and bathrooms are clean, which is a plus. During the Lily Festival parking is limited, so pack your patience. You will get parking, so no worries. The cost is $6 for each adult, very reasonable considering. They have a store with maps for the walking trails, its approx 1mile roundtrip to see the Lily's. If you want to see them up close and personal you must rent a canoe prior to coming. The park doesnt rent boats, a outside company will take you on a tour. I actually enjoyed the nature trails. They have a nice platform for viewing the lily's. The lily's are absolutely breathtaking, I truly enjoyed my day at this park. The trails are fairly short and well taken care of. There are some food and artisan vendors at the park. Tip: dont touch the lily's if your on a boat, all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Please do your own research beforehand. Thankfully most people are viewing from the platform. Fabulous day indeed, fresh air, steps, and peace! @glampedlife
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Leila R.

Yelp
Crossing off those Southeast bucketlist items! Tho I missed the blooms during my first stint here in 2018-2019 and last yr, I was FINALLY able to catch the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily (only found in certain spots in AL, GA, and SC) in peak bloom! (tip: if u visit the state park website they have a lily report on the bloom every year, so you can know when to go)! One of the best places and concentrations of this unique flower is at Landsford Canal State Park in SC. An abandoned Catawba River canal project in 1835 was made into a state park w/lots of hiking trails, kayak put-ins and pull outs (the water looked low so not sure it was the best time or spot for kayaking) and of course, during only a few weeks in May & June, the Spider Lilies viewing. It was a 1.8mi in and back hike from the main park entrance (the lower access still has a trail to the viewing platform, but it's a little farther to expanse of the trail) through well-covered & maintained trails to the viewing platform for the lilies. Went before dusk and though the trail in some spots was dark, there was still enough light to not need a flashlight and I got some killer hues off the river from the sunset! Well worth the drive!
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Rob D.

Yelp
During COVID we have been exploring a lot of the parks around the area. A friend of mine told me about the park and it sounded pretty interesting The hike itself was about 2 miles. There were a number of historical markers and areas. Pretty cool to see the remains and learn a little more history about the location. I think that you might be able to do other things but we didn't look into that.
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Jacqueline T.

Yelp
This is a nice little state park. It's pretty small, but nice nonetheless. We came to see the spider lilies. We tried to book a kayaking trip, but we tried too late so they were sold out. We did the hike along the canal and you can see the spider lilies in the middle of it. It was cool to see them, but they were pretty far away, so I definitely want to kayak to see them better. The hike along the canal was a good hike. Short and easy. It gets pretty crowded as the day gets later and the parking lots overflow. They charge $5 per person to get in on the honor system. This is a nice place to spend a few hours outside not too far from Charlotte.
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Nicole E.

Yelp
This is a beautiful state park that I didn't know existed. It's a hidden gem in the Rock Hill area. Since it is a state park, there is a $5 fee you pay at the box at the front. If you visit a lot of state parks, you could buy an annual pass. This park is right on the Catawba River. There's a small gift shop in a log cabin which has views of the river. There's a few trails, one which follows the river. It's quiet and not too crowded. When we went, there was a storm coming so we only got to do part of one trail. I like that the trails are mostly flat and they do keep the paths clear. We saw lots of plants and animals. As we were driving in we saw a deer. On the water, there were plenty of turtles sunning on the rocks and some geese. This park is well worth a visit, especially if you want some peace and quiet.

Katherine W.

Yelp
This is a nice little state park tucked away by the Catawba River. There is a nice parking area, seasonal store, historical markers, trails, restrooms, picnic areas and playground. The area was well kept when we visited. We took our dog with us and he loved walking the trails (dogs must be leashed). To my knowledge, no swimming is allowed, but there is a boat ramp for kayaks. The trails follow the old canal route which is described by various plaques placed along the trail. There is a pair of osprey that return every year, and their nesting area is pointed out. Of special interest are the spider lilies. If you come to view them, be prepared for a long walk out to the viewing area. They are beautiful though. I've been told that kayaking out to them is even better than seeing them from river's edge.
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Michelle S.

Yelp
Such a neat experience. It was my first time so I didnt really know what to expect. I parked and walked up to a sign where there was a "map." Unlike most "hiking" trailer the map flagged entrances to the trails not not then entire path. Dont worry they are short and easy to follow. The canal trail passes by old remnants of the canal and ends at a lock with a bridge. Super neat. Also along the path there is a stop off where you can view water lillies. It was so unexpected to see that many flowers growing in the river. Over all of was a nice interesting strong. Extremely easy but there were a ton of tree routes that could make finding your footing a little hard especially with a 50 pound husky pulling you along.

Cindy T.

Yelp
Beautiful place we road the motorcycle there just very relaxing clean running river quiet when we were there Go
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Beth V.

Yelp
We had a great and relaxing experience here. It is clean and a easy trek. The park is kept clean and is family friendly. The history of the canal is fascinating and we will be back again!
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Vimal V.

Yelp
If you are here just for hiking, its expensive considering 5$ per person for a 2mile trek!! Lot of signs and historical structures are there but its all stone and mortar which gets uninteresting after a while!
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TIna W.

Yelp
Awesome place for families to come and relax by the water.. plenty of picnic tables and a great walking trail.. lots of shade and this area is great to tub or khaki or just enjoy splashing ... I do a lot of photography here and it's always beautiful no matter what time of year you visit ..
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Cory H.

Yelp
Beautiful day on the river. I enjoyed the sound of the running water. Saw a Bald Eagle fishing like me. He had better luck. I saw him catch two to my one. Park was very clean.

David M.

Yelp
Amazing Park. Beautiful and access to the river. Great fit families. Must see the lilies.

Sarah F.

Yelp
This park is gorgeous!! The trails are perfectly maintained and always clean. The rangers are friendly and very informative. We make a trip from up north every may just to see the spider lillies. Its an experience everyone must have. You will enjoy it!!