State parks are the most overlooked source of fun in South Carolina and that fact absolutely amazes me considering that most of them are free or very low cost to enter. Not only are they budget friendly, a lot of them have hands-on facilities or learning facilities as well as recreational areas such that you find at Lynches River State Park in Florence, SC, which has a treetop or canopy walk. With so much beauty in the Palmetto State and right at your fingertips, there is no reason why you shouldn’t pack up the family, pack up a lunch, and pack them all the in the car for a day or even a weekend of fun! Here are the best state parks in South Carolina to do exactly that:

  1. Table Rock State Park, Pickens County, SC

Dzmitry (Dima) Parul/Flickr

Mike Burton/Flickr Nestled at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find over 3,000 acres of natural beauty, waterfalls, rare views off of Pinnacle Mountain, hiking, camping, as well as a nature center that offers educational programs. Learn more here.

  1. Caesars Head State Park, Greenville County, SC

anoldent/Flickr

Jason A G/Flickr Covering over 7,000 acres, 5 waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing, and camping, Caesars Head State Park is absolutely breathtaking. Learn more here.

  1. Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort Co., SC

William/Flickr

Dan J/Flickr This is the most visited state park in South Carolina and is part of the ACE basin. This beautiful park is also home to a lighthouse, loggerhead turtles, and many species of wildlife. It is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. Learn more here.

  1. Lynches River County Park, Florence Co., SC

Gwen Tennille/Fey Illusions Photography

Gwen Tennille/Fey Illusions Photography This gorgeous county park features hiking trails, splash pads, parks for the children, as well as a teaching center and canopy walk. And, admittance to this park is absolutely free! Learn more here.

  1. Sesquicentennial State park, Columbia, SC

vastateparksstaff/Flickr

vastateparksstaff/Flickr Almost 1500 acres in the middle of Columbia! What a great way to step right out of the hustle and bustle and into the sereness that only nature can offer. They have beautiful walking trails and as you can see, they have reenactments there too! Learn more here.

  1. Paris Mountain State Park, Greenville, SC

Jason A G/Flickr

Wikimedia Commons 1500 acres of absolute eye candy. Walking and hiking trails, biking, fishing, as well as a huge lake for canoeing and swimming. Learn more here.

  1. Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SC

Wikimedia Commons A small state park by other standards, but nonetheless beautiful. There is a museum that shows what colonial living was like as well as an amphitheatre, a mock classroom, along with all the amenities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, and picnicking. Learn more here.

  1. Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Cross Anchor, SC

Wikimedia Commons This is the site of the Battle of Musgrove Mill in the Revolutionary War. Besides the usual things that a state park offers, this park offers a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits. Learn more here.

  1. Huntington Beach State Park, Georgetown Co, SC

fran.trudeau/Flickr

Don Faulkner/Flickr This state park features the beautiful, epic, and much talked about Atalaya Castle. If you have never been here, you really should take a trip to the coast and visit this state park. It is absolutely amazing. Learn more here.

  1. Kings Mountain State Park, Blacksburg, SC

Wikimedia Commons This park includes a living history farm. There is a barn, cotton gin, blacksmith, and carpenter shop. Learn more here.

  1. Jones Gap State Park, near Marietta, SC

Lucid Nightmare/Flickr

Matthew Blouir/Flickr What all this park holds? The list is too long! Suffice it to say that it goes up to 3,000 ft. in elevation for amazing views and please, take your camera or binoculars. Birdwatchers love this place! Learn more here.

  1. Poinsett State Park, Sumter Co., SC

Rob Pongsajapan/Flickr

mogollon_1/Flickr Just a little over 1,000 acres, this park boasts some big bird populations. There are also hiking trails and biking as well. Learn more here.

  1. Lake Hartwell State Park, Fair Play, SC

James Emery/Flickr

Sarah McKagen/Flickr This is a fisherman’s delight. Although this park does have a park and hiking trails, this park focuses more on the fisherman. If someone in your life loves to fish… this might be a really nice weekend place that’s perfect for them. Learn more here.

  1. Landsford Canal State Park, Chester, SC

Joey Glockner/DeviantArt

civilengtiger This 448 acre park holds the ruins of the Landsford Canal. An interpretive museum. But, the most beautiful of all, between mid-May and mid-June you can see the largest remaining stands of the Shoal’s Spider Lily. Learn more here.

  1. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston, SC

Matt Howry/Flickr

Mark Brennan/Flickr This place is special in that it preserves the site of the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas. It features a natural habitat zoo, a replica ship, cannons that still can be fired, and loads of hiking trails! Learn more here.

All told there are 30 state parks, 15 state historic sites, 1 state resort park, and 1 state recreational area covering approximately 80,000 acres of our state and all of it is available for you to enjoy. All they ask is that you leave it as you found it. Make your footprints soft ones at the best state parks in South Carolina.

Dzmitry (Dima) Parul/Flickr

Mike Burton/Flickr

Nestled at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find over 3,000 acres of natural beauty, waterfalls, rare views off of Pinnacle Mountain, hiking, camping, as well as a nature center that offers educational programs. Learn more here.

anoldent/Flickr

Jason A G/Flickr

Covering over 7,000 acres, 5 waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing, and camping, Caesars Head State Park is absolutely breathtaking. Learn more here.

William/Flickr

Dan J/Flickr

This is the most visited state park in South Carolina and is part of the ACE basin. This beautiful park is also home to a lighthouse, loggerhead turtles, and many species of wildlife. It is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. Learn more here.

Gwen Tennille/Fey Illusions Photography

This gorgeous county park features hiking trails, splash pads, parks for the children, as well as a teaching center and canopy walk. And, admittance to this park is absolutely free! Learn more here.

vastateparksstaff/Flickr

Almost 1500 acres in the middle of Columbia! What a great way to step right out of the hustle and bustle and into the sereness that only nature can offer. They have beautiful walking trails and as you can see, they have reenactments there too! Learn more here.

Wikimedia Commons

1500 acres of absolute eye candy. Walking and hiking trails, biking, fishing, as well as a huge lake for canoeing and swimming. Learn more here.

A small state park by other standards, but nonetheless beautiful. There is a museum that shows what colonial living was like as well as an amphitheatre, a mock classroom, along with all the amenities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, and picnicking. Learn more here.

This is the site of the Battle of Musgrove Mill in the Revolutionary War. Besides the usual things that a state park offers, this park offers a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits. Learn more here.

fran.trudeau/Flickr

Don Faulkner/Flickr

This state park features the beautiful, epic, and much talked about Atalaya Castle. If you have never been here, you really should take a trip to the coast and visit this state park. It is absolutely amazing. Learn more here.

This park includes a living history farm. There is a barn, cotton gin, blacksmith, and carpenter shop. Learn more here.

Lucid Nightmare/Flickr

Matthew Blouir/Flickr

What all this park holds? The list is too long! Suffice it to say that it goes up to 3,000 ft. in elevation for amazing views and please, take your camera or binoculars. Birdwatchers love this place! Learn more here.

Rob Pongsajapan/Flickr

mogollon_1/Flickr

Just a little over 1,000 acres, this park boasts some big bird populations. There are also hiking trails and biking as well. Learn more here.

James Emery/Flickr

Sarah McKagen/Flickr

This is a fisherman’s delight. Although this park does have a park and hiking trails, this park focuses more on the fisherman. If someone in your life loves to fish… this might be a really nice weekend place that’s perfect for them. Learn more here.

Joey Glockner/DeviantArt

civilengtiger

This 448 acre park holds the ruins of the Landsford Canal. An interpretive museum. But, the most beautiful of all, between mid-May and mid-June you can see the largest remaining stands of the Shoal’s Spider Lily. Learn more here.

Matt Howry/Flickr

Mark Brennan/Flickr

This place is special in that it preserves the site of the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas. It features a natural habitat zoo, a replica ship, cannons that still can be fired, and loads of hiking trails! Learn more here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Table Rock State Park, 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USAAddress: Caesars Head State Park Visitor Center, 8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USAAddress: Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, St Helena Island, SC 29920, USAAddress: Lynches River County Park, 5094 County Park Rd, Coward, SC 29530, USAAddress: Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223, USAAddress: Paris Mountain State Park, 2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609, USAAddress: Andrew Jackson State Park, 196 Andrew Jackson Park Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720, USAAddress: Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Rd, Clinton, SC 29325, USAAddress: Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USAAddress: Kings Mountain State Park, 1277 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USAAddress: Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661, USAAddress: Poinsett State Park, 6660 Poinsett Park Rd, Wedgefield, SC 29168, USAAddress: 19138 SC-11, Fair Play, SC 29643, USAAddress: Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704, USAAddress: Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, 1500 Old Towne Rd, Charleston, SC 29407, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best State Parks In South Carolina May 30, 2020 Leah What are the best outdoor adventures in South Carolina? Let out your inner explorer in one of the prettiest states in the country. South Carolina is full of beautiful spots to visit and have an adventure. Spots like the Rainbow Falls near Marietta are absolutely enchanting. The falls are 100-feet tall and surrounded by gorgeous landscapes, with incredible hikes to experience it all. Congaree National Park, the only national park in South Carolina, is a fantastic place to explore by boat. The trees you can kayak or canoe through are some of the oldest in the world, making this spot really unique and memorable to visit. What are the most beautiful hikes in South Carolina? You can take on some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina for yourself to see just how beautiful the state is. The Table Rock Trail is a must because of the jaw-dropping view you’ll be rewarded with at the end. If you love the natural beauty of waterfalls, then the King Creek Falls Trail near Mountain Rest is for you. It’s a relatively short hike but absolutely stunning. The falls are 70-feet tall and you’ll definitely want to bring your camera to snap a few pics of it. Walk the quiet trails of Congaree National Park for a stellar experience. The ancient trees of the park can be explored on lovely boardwalks. What is the most popular park in South Carolina? With all the most beautiful parks in South Carolina, there is one that people love more than anything. The most popular park is Hunting Island State Park, which is not only the most visited in South Carolina but one of the top most popular parks in the entire United States. Well over 1 million visitors go there annually. The barrier island has incredible sights that you can enjoy from the trails or campsites. Take in the view of the lighthouse and pristine, natural island habitat. Once you’ve seen it for yourself, it’s no wonder why Hunting Island State Park is so incredibly popular.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best State Parks In South Carolina

May 30, 2020

Leah

What are the best outdoor adventures in South Carolina? Let out your inner explorer in one of the prettiest states in the country. South Carolina is full of beautiful spots to visit and have an adventure. Spots like the Rainbow Falls near Marietta are absolutely enchanting. The falls are 100-feet tall and surrounded by gorgeous landscapes, with incredible hikes to experience it all. Congaree National Park, the only national park in South Carolina, is a fantastic place to explore by boat. The trees you can kayak or canoe through are some of the oldest in the world, making this spot really unique and memorable to visit. What are the most beautiful hikes in South Carolina? You can take on some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina for yourself to see just how beautiful the state is. The Table Rock Trail is a must because of the jaw-dropping view you’ll be rewarded with at the end. If you love the natural beauty of waterfalls, then the King Creek Falls Trail near Mountain Rest is for you. It’s a relatively short hike but absolutely stunning. The falls are 70-feet tall and you’ll definitely want to bring your camera to snap a few pics of it. Walk the quiet trails of Congaree National Park for a stellar experience. The ancient trees of the park can be explored on lovely boardwalks. What is the most popular park in South Carolina? With all the most beautiful parks in South Carolina, there is one that people love more than anything. The most popular park is Hunting Island State Park, which is not only the most visited in South Carolina but one of the top most popular parks in the entire United States. Well over 1 million visitors go there annually. The barrier island has incredible sights that you can enjoy from the trails or campsites. Take in the view of the lighthouse and pristine, natural island habitat. Once you’ve seen it for yourself, it’s no wonder why Hunting Island State Park is so incredibly popular.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Let out your inner explorer in one of the prettiest states in the country. South Carolina is full of beautiful spots to visit and have an adventure. Spots like the Rainbow Falls near Marietta are absolutely enchanting. The falls are 100-feet tall and surrounded by gorgeous landscapes, with incredible hikes to experience it all. Congaree National Park, the only national park in South Carolina, is a fantastic place to explore by boat. The trees you can kayak or canoe through are some of the oldest in the world, making this spot really unique and memorable to visit.

What are the most beautiful hikes in South Carolina?

You can take on some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina for yourself to see just how beautiful the state is. The Table Rock Trail is a must because of the jaw-dropping view you’ll be rewarded with at the end. If you love the natural beauty of waterfalls, then the King Creek Falls Trail near Mountain Rest is for you. It’s a relatively short hike but absolutely stunning. The falls are 70-feet tall and you’ll definitely want to bring your camera to snap a few pics of it. Walk the quiet trails of Congaree National Park for a stellar experience. The ancient trees of the park can be explored on lovely boardwalks.

What is the most popular park in South Carolina?

With all the most beautiful parks in South Carolina, there is one that people love more than anything. The most popular park is Hunting Island State Park, which is not only the most visited in South Carolina but one of the top most popular parks in the entire United States. Well over 1 million visitors go there annually. The barrier island has incredible sights that you can enjoy from the trails or campsites. Take in the view of the lighthouse and pristine, natural island habitat. Once you’ve seen it for yourself, it’s no wonder why Hunting Island State Park is so incredibly popular.