Poinsett State Park, with its mixed natural ecosystems, pre-revolutionary grist mill ruins, rustic cabins, 10-acre lake, campsites, rental fishing boats, picnic areas, park store/gift shop, equestrian trails, fishing ponds with coquina bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's makes for a serene setting for nature lovers.

This site was used by several Siouan tribes of Native Americans, primarily for hunting. The non-Siouan Congaree lived nearby and may have also frequented the area.

The land was owend by a man named Levi, who built a dam for rice cultivation and Levi's Mill Pond was later used to power a mill and remnants are still present. The land was deeded in 1813 and 1814 to the Sigleton family, the best-remembered, First Lady Angelica Singleton Van Buren.

Sumter County donated 1,000 acres for the park and it opened to the public in 1936. The Civilian Conservation Corps built several buildings still in use from coguina rock, a yound limestone in which fossil seashells are apparent.

Several areas in the park are ideal for birdwatching and geocaching is permitted and several are located in the park.

Site Access: Public
Access Description: 9am-Dark: year round/Office Hrs: 11am-Noon & 4pm-5pm
Admission: Free