Share

Chester, S.C. – A second lakefront camper cabin will open later this year at Chester State Park thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation.

The park’s first camper cabin, which was also funded by a Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation grant, opened in late August 2021. In its first few months, the cabin has welcomed visitors from South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida, and has sustained an impressive 73% weekend occupancy rate.

“I became the manager at Chester State Park right as we were cutting the ribbon on the first camper cabin,” said Park Manager, Zach Setzer. “I quickly learned how important the Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation is to this park, and to the broader Chester community. Camper cabins help us get more people outdoors, and that has always been a priority with the Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation. The cabins are perfect for people who may not be comfortable using tents, but who are still looking for a peaceful outdoor escape."

The second camper cabin will have a similar footprint to the first, offering two rooms, space to sleep four, heating, air conditioning and electrical outlets. Reservations for the second camper cabin are expected to be available on the South Carolina State Parks website in late summer 2022.

The Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation is a Chester, South Carolina, family foundation established in 1993, which awards grants supporting education, community, health and welfare. They have provided more than $330,000 over the years to improve Chester State Park to better serve the Chester community. Projects they have helped fund at the park include a new playground, a disc golf course, upgraded campgrounds, renovations to Lakeview Hall, an expansive waterfront living area, and a 472-foot boardwalk. These improvements, along with many others made possible through the Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation’s support, have helped raise the park’s profile in the community and statewide.

On November 16, 2021, South Carolina State Parks presented the Lutz Foundation with the prestigious President’s Award from America’s State Parks for their transformational investments in Chester State Park.

Chester State Park opened in the 1930s and is one of the original 16 South Carolina State Parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. From hiking on trails, to playing a round of disc golf, to fishing on the pier, there is something for everyone in this park conveniently located between Columbia and Charlotte.

###