Pontiac has a direct historical connection to Sandhill: the Sandhill Experiment Station was established here in 1926. The historic office building in Sandhill was built in 1927; the Lake House in Sandhill followed in 1932 and was built with labor from the Works Progress Administration. The landscape also influenced the choice: the sandy soil was a deciding factor.
Sandhill: History and educational programs
The Sandhill Research and Education Center has 50 acres of walking trails on its 570-acre campus. The Center’s nonprofit educational programs include the Sandhill Children's Garden and Forest and Wildlife Field Day. School Days takes place outdoors and covers South Carolina crops and their history. In this way, the dates of the historic buildings sit alongside walking trails and educational programs at the Center.
Visits and terms of use
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 connected with its educational, research, and extension mission. Visitor hours may change, so please check them in advance and take the educational, research, and extension mission into account when planning. Boating on the waters of Sandhill REC is permitted only for Fishing Club members and is subject to strict conditions. During the 2026 membership period, from March 18 to December 18, the Sandhill Fish Club can access the site seven days a week, unless otherwise noted. Please check the applicable dates for later seasons.
Hiking and biking in Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park is about three miles west of Pontiac on Highway 1, also known as Two Notch Road. The park has around 5.9 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of mountain biking trails. Sandhills Hiking Trail is an easy, 1.9-mile loop around the lake. Jackson Creek Nature Trail is 0.5 miles long, passes a waterfall, and runs through a lowland area and along a wooded hillside. The 3.5-mile Loop Road Trail can be used for hiking and mountain biking. The park’s figures cover the trail network as a whole; the mileage given for each of the three named trails, however, refers to a single trail.
To choose a route, you can compare length, trail type, and permitted use: at 0.5 miles, Jackson Creek Nature Trail is the shortest of the three named trails. Sandhills Hiking Trail is an easy loop around the lake. You can hike and mountain bike on Loop Road Trail.
Kayaks are available for seasonal rental in the park. If you plan to rent one, please check availability before your trip and confirm whether rentals are offered during your visit.
For the broader travel overview: Elgin.
