Chester State Park opened in the 1930s and has long been a local haven for hiking, picnicking, boating and fishing. It lies in the Piedmont about midway between Columbia and Charlotte. The park centers on a 160-acre lake with a boathouse that has fishing access and boat rentals. A two-mile nature trail loops through the pines, the Caney Fork Falls trail leads to a CCC-built spillway, and an 18-hole disc golf course draws regular players. A community building holds up to 75 people, and the campground offers a quiet overnight stay.