Pontiac: Sandhill, History, and Hiking Trails

Two specific topics are central to planning your visit: the history of the Sandhill Experiment Station and the trails in Sesquicentennial State Park. The Sandhill Research and Education Center adds walking paths and educational programs to these options.

Sandhill: History by the Numbers

The Sandhill Experiment Station was established in Pontiac in 1926. The historic office building in Sandhill was built in 1927; the Lake House in Sandhill was built in 1932 with labor from the Works Progress Administration. The locations are important to understanding the timeline: 1926 refers to the establishment of the station in Pontiac, while 1927 and 1932 refer to buildings in Sandhill.

Sandhill was chosen for its sandy soil. The Sandhill Research and Education Center covers a 570-acre campus and has 50 acres of walking paths. This brings together the historical background to the site selection and the specific trail options at the center.

Hiking Trails in Sesquicentennial State Park

Sesquicentennial State Park is about 3 miles west of Pontiac on Highway 1, also called Two Notch Road. The park has approximately 5.9 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of mountain biking trails. Three named trails differ in length and route:

• The Sandhills Hiking Trail is an easy, 1.9-mile loop around the lake.
• The Jackson Creek Nature Trail is 0.5 miles long. It passes a waterfall and runs through a lowland area and along a wooded hillside.
• The Loop Road Trail is 3.5 miles long and can be used for hiking and mountain biking.

The trails vary in length: Jackson Creek is 0.5 miles, the Sandhills Hiking Trail is 1.9 miles, and the Loop Road Trail is 3.5 miles. The Sandhills Hiking Trail is also rated easy and forms a loop around the lake; mountain biking is explicitly permitted on the Loop Road Trail. This makes it possible to compare trail length, route, and activity.

Kayak rentals are offered in the park seasonally. Before your trip, check whether they are available during your visit.

Sandhill Research and Education Center: Visiting and Learning

The grounds of the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center are open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. until dusk, provided the visit is related to its educational, research, and extension mission. This purpose restriction is as important to planning as the opening hours. The walking paths cover 50 acres; the entire campus covers 570 acres.

The nonprofit educational offerings include the Sandhill Children's Garden. The Forest and Wildlife Field Day is part of the community outreach program. School Days at the center takes place outdoors and covers South Carolina crops and their history.

Boating on the waters of the Sandhill Research and Education Center is permitted only for Fishing Club members and is subject to strict conditions. During the 2026 membership period, from March 18 through December 18, members may access the waters seven days a week unless otherwise stated. For later seasons, check the dates in effect at that time.

For the broader travel overview: Elgin.