Landsford Canal Trail

Landsford Canal was once an important trading route running from the coast to the foothills of South Carolina. It was built in 1820 by Robert Leckie as a canal lock designed to avoid the rough waters of the nearby Catawba River. The lock did not operate long, however, due to continual problems with flooding, but today is one of only a handful of canals in the state that have survived without structural damage. The Landsford Canal State Historic Site was created to protect this unique structure, and it operates five days a week, with operations running Thursday through Monday from 9 AM until 6 PM year-round. The canal is dry under normal conditions, but occasionally holds some water in a few areas. The lockkeeper’s house, located near the northern trailhead at the park, serves as an interpretive center to educate the public on the historical significance of Landsford Canal.