Site Map
- Park Finder
- Camping & Lodging
South Carolina State Parks have more than 220 cabins and lodging facilities, and 3,000 campsites from the mountains to the sea just waiting for you to make your reservations.
- Camping
South Carolina’s state parks have over 3,000 campsites in scenic places that provide a numerous ways to campout. Each site offers its own unique surroundings and camping experience.
- Tent & RV
The state parks of South Carolina offer some of the best tent and RV camping opportunities in the state, with over 3,000 campsites statewide from the mountains to the sea.
- Camper Cabins
If you don’t have a tent or RV and would like to try the camping experience without purchasing one, the Carolina Camper Cabins at Lake Hartwell State Park are a perfect alternative.
- Trailside
There's nothing more exhilarating than hiking deep into the forest and camping alongside the trail that led you in. Begin your adventure today. South Carolina State Parks offer trailside camping for all skill levels.
- Boat-In
Only two of our many state parks offer campsites that require you to utilize your boat to access a secluded boat-in campsite. Boat-in campsites are available at both Cheraw State Park along Lake Juniper in Cheraw, SC and also at Devils Fork State Park along Lake Jocassee near Salem, SC.
- Equestrian
Six of our state parks offer equestrian camping facilities for you and your horses. Equestrian camping areas are accessible to water and are located at or near the equestrian trail head in these parks.
- Primitive for Groups
Primitive group camping areas are perfect for organized camping groups such as boy scouts or other youth groups. These areas typically include central water, picnic tables and fire rings.
- Campground Cooking
Cooking should be fun, so let your creative side show and try experimenting with meals over the campfire like you would if you were in your kitchen at home. If you cook up something you’d love to share, be sure to submit your recipe and check out other savory dishes here on the campground cooking page.
- Reservations
- Lodging
Don't like to camp? No problem. South Carolina's beautiful state parks feature over 200 cabins, villas and lodge rooms perfect for family vacations, romantic getaways and weekend escapes.
- Cabins & Villas
- Lodge Rooms
Lodge rooms, which are much like hotel rooms, are available for rent at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. These lodge rooms are perfect for an overnight golf outing, family reunion accommodations, or just relaxing with the family at Hickory Knob.
Hickory Knob has a total of 76 lodge rooms available, that accommodate up to four guests.
- Reservations
- Stories & Features
- FAQs
- Things To Do
- Water Activities
Walk the shores of a secluded barrier island; launch your boat in deep crystal lake waters; visit South Carolina's only lighthouse open to the public; canoe down winding blackwater rivers - for family fun, romantic destinations and outdoor adventure, South Carolina State Park beaches, lakes and rivers offer unmatched opportunities for your favorite water activities.
- Boating
- Fishing
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Upcountry rivers and every reservoir lake in between, South Carolina State Parks provide access to some of the best fishing in South Carolina.
- Fishing with Ranger Richburg
Ranger Eddie Richburg, currently park manager at Barnwell State Park is on-call to answer your fishing questions and provide you with quarterly fishing reports. Read the report below to see what's biting across the state, and if you've got a question that's been nibbling at you, make sure you drop him a line and he'll get back to you with the answer!
- Favorite Fishing Holes
As winter comes to a close,and springtime reels in mild temperatures, it’s a welcome invitation to go fishing at South Carolina State Parks. Our parks’ lakes and rivers are stocked with an assortment of fish in a variety of sizes. The atmosphere is a perfect way to get out and enjoy nature while taking pleasure in fishing.
- Fishing for Fun
The many fishing opportunities in our SC State Parks provide all sorts of fun and all sorts of fish! We have a state park located on every reservoir lake in this state. State parks are sprinkled along rivers too, and if we have neither of those, you can guarantee yourself just about every park has its own man-made lake chocked full of fish…..and did we mention the Atlantic Ocean? It’s swimming with countless fish and other species.
- Paddling
- Lakes
Almost every major reservoir lake in South Carolina touches a state park, and in some cases, the park is the only public access point for sailing, boating, fishing and other recreational activities on the lake.
- Rivers
If you followed the old rivers of South Carolina all the way to the coast, you’d come across at least 12 state parks. In addition to being great places to camp and picnic, parks alongside the rivers provide views to some of the best natural beauty in South Carolina. Seven of the state parks provide river access for guests, and each location offers a different experience and scenery.
- Scuba
- Beaches
A great way to cool off in the Palmetto State is to go coastal and take a splash at one of our beautiful South Carolina State Parks’ beaches. You have four to choose from: Edisto Beach, Huntington Beach, Myrtle Beach and Hunting Island State Parks. These scenic coastal parks offer an ocean of summertime fun. Come on, dive into the excitement!
- Mountains & Waterfalls
What you’ll see at these parks on or near S.C. 11 is a vista of unparalleled beauty from the heights of Caesars Head, the deep and serene mystery of mountain coves in Devils Fork, a look at the environmental and human history of these ancient hills, the wide-open waters of Lake Hartwell and more. Waterfalls abound and can be found just around the corner, on a mountain lake or at the end of a hiking trail.
- Trails
- Hiking Trails
South Carolina packs some amazingly diverse terrain into a relatively small region, from a sliver of the Appalachian Mountains to the sandy, sub-tropical coastal plain. If you are looking for an adventurous overnight or a leisurely stroll, you can find trails to suit your tastes throughout the state.
The South Carolina State Park Service offers everything from short, level trails to long, multi-day backpacking treks, where you can explore the hidden nooks and crannies of South Carolina’s wild
- Bike Trails
Enthusiasm for biking in South Carolina State Parks is becoming increasingly popular, and whether you’re looking to take a leisurely ride on your beach cruiser or pedal along a more difficult route, there is a path to suit your needs. Biking trails in over a dozen parks combine exercise with cultural history and the natural beauty of the Palmetto State.
- Interpretive Trails
One of the best ways to get up close and personal with the natural and cultural history of South Carolina State Parks is by taking a walk down one of the many interpretive trails found throughout the state. From Civil and Revolutionary War battlefields to key historic sites, these trails allow visitors to connect with South Carolina’s rich, cultural history.
- Walking & Nature Trails
Not everyone is cut out for the challenging hikes of the backcountry, but that doesn’t mean they should have to miss out on the natural beauty state parks have to offer. Nearly every state park offers some sort of short and simple walking trail for guests who want to explore the park’s natural environment without the strain of a tough hike.
- Equestrian Trails
Horseback riding in South Carolina State Parks is a longtime favorite activity, which is why you’ll find miles of horseback riding trails that are just as hoof-friendly as they are boot-friendly. The natural and geographical features in South Carolina’s parks are so diverse, that horseback riders will be able to traverse a variety of terrain.
- Golf
South Carolina is know for golf, and if you're a golfer, you don't want to miss playing Cheraw State Park Golf Course or the Hickory Knob Golf Course -- our two state park golf courses!
- Wildlife
- The Animal Forest at CTL
- Famous Creatures
The forests of the South Carolina State Parks are teeming with wildlife. Some you are probably very familiar with many of the species. You’ve seen the squirrels, raccoons, deer, and various other furry friends, but did you know some of the animals in our forests are quite special due to their designations as some of our state animals? Check out the list of special animals you may see on your next visit to a South Carolina State Park.
- A Wild Discovery
The Animal Forest at Charles Towne Landing is home to a variety of species that inhabited Carolina at the time when this site was a newly settled English colony. Through informational signs along the paved trail, you are reminded of challenges faced by those pioneers, of daily life in a wild world, of predators and prey. No longer do we worry if wolves or pumas will kill our cattle. Nor can we see a herd of bison grazing in an abandoned “Indian field.” But for a short time as you walk the trail,
- Do's and Dont's
When it comes to enjoying the wildlife found in our state parks, here are some general guidelines to keep both your family and our furry friends happy and healthy.
- Carolina Wolf Spider
Also known as the Giant Carolina Wolf Spider, the Carolina Wolf Spider is the largest wolf spider in North America and is one of the largest of the 2,200+ species of wolf spiders found worldwide. The Carolina Wolf Spider was named South Carolina’s official state spider in 2000.
- Birding
If bird watching is one of your favorite pastimes, flock to South Carolina and zoom in on hot birding spots at our state parks – even in the winter. You’ll find an array of birds soaring at several parks including the bald eagle, our national emblem, and hawks.
- Wildflowers
South Carolina, with its diverse array of habitats stretching from the Appalachians to the Atlantic, is home to more than 3,100 species of plants including more than 680 species of wildflowers.
- The Oconee Bell
The Oconee Bell is a rare flower of the southern Appalachians found only in a few locations in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia in moist wooded areas along streams. Although the flower has a very limited range in the wild, it grows well in gardens and is commercially available.
- Lily Fest
Landsford Canal State Park is home to the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. These beautiful flowers bloom each year along the Catawba River and can be viewed from the park from mid-May through mid-June. A 1.5 mile, round trip hike down the Canal Trail at Landsford Canal State Park takes you to an overlook where the spider lilies can be best viewed.
- Geocaching
Most all of our parks have at least one geocache located on the park. Some of our parks have many. Make sure to participate in the State Park Geocache Challenge.
- Stories & Features
- FAQs
- Historic Sites
The lives and times of the men and women who made South Carolina history are honored in South Carolina’s State Historic Sites and other special State Parks. Historic Site parks feature interactive tours, museums, special programs and even archaeological digs that reveal history’s mysteries.
- Charles Towne Landing
- Battlefields
- Revolutionary War
As one of the 13 original colonies, South Carolina took a lead in the Revolutionary War, with more than 200 battles and military engagements are recorded on South Carolina soil. These battles, often dramatic and pivotal in the ultimate outcome of the war, helped transform the King's colonies into a union of states. South Carolina State Parks and historic sites offer guests a chance to revisit some of the most pivotal sites and events that took place during the war.
- Civil War
- Historic Homes
The South Carolina State Parks feature several historic homes and plantations including Redcliffe Plantation, Rose Hill Plantation, Hampton Plantation and Atalaya.
- SC State House
The South Carolina State House is the result of construction which lasted half a century-spanning from 1855 to 1907. Built primarily out of blue granite, South Carolina’s official state stone, the State House is completely fireproof allowing it to safely store many important state documents and house two of our three branches of state government.
- Archaeology
Watch as archaeologists unearth artifacts at two of South Carolina’s earliest historic settlements in the New World. Special archaeology programs help visitors understand the tools archaeologists use to unearth and analyze artifacts and architecture in order to recreate the lives and culture of past generations.
- CCC History
In South Carolina, the CCC created 16 state parks that preserve some of the state’s most beautiful places. This work provided access to thousands of acres of public land to all South Carolinians. It also gave jobs to the unemployed and helped many families survive hard times during the Great Depression.
- Burial Sites & Cemeteries
- Native American
From the coast to the mountains, South Carolina State Parks protect some of the most important and interesting Native American sites in the state, and almost all state parks contain remnants of the lives and culture of these native peoples.
- African American
From the first English settlement of 1670 at Charles Towne Landing, to parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, men and women of African descent have played important roles in South Carolina history.
- Historic Gardens
Take a trip back in time and explore our many historic gardens located throughout our state parks. From our historic orchard and herb garden at Andrew Jackson State Park to the Heirloom Kitchen Garden at Rose Hill Plantation, your green thumb is sure to be delighted.
- Stories & Features
- FAQs
- Education and Kids
There are no better places that South Carolina State Parks for your kids to have fun and learn --- all at the same time. Our parks offer a wide variety of educational opportunities and just plain fun for children of all ages.
- Discover Carolina Program
- Jr Ranger Program
- Animal Forest at CTL
The Animal Forest at Charles Towne Landing, a 22-acre natural habitat zoo, is home to a variety of species that inhabited Carolina at the time when this site was a newly settled English colony. Through informational signs along the paved trail, you are reminded of challenges faced by those pioneers, of daily life in a wild world, of predators and prey.
- Programs & Events for Kids
- Birthday Parties
Many of our parks are ideal locations for an outdoor-themed birthday party. Rent one of our many picnic shelters to share the ice cream and cake and use the great outdoors as the back drop for your next celebrations. Many of our parks have playgrounds, boat rentals, hiking and nature trails, swimming areas and so much more for kids to enjoy.
- Scout Carolina
The Boy Scouts of America and South Carolina State Parks have worked together and have enjoyed a very strong relationship since the early 20th century when scouts were formed and parks were developed. The new Scout Carolina program formalizes this partnership and provides a way for the participating scouts to be recognized for their accomplishments.
- Scout Carolina Projects
The first recipient of the Scout Carolina Patch is Drew Moore from Boy Scout Troop #5 in Columbia, SC. Drew's Eagle Scout Project consisted of taking out an old wooden fence near the historic log cabin at Sesquicentennial State Park and replacing it with a newly-constructed, cedar rail fence. He is actually the first of five eagle scouts that will eventually work on this project.
- Scout Carolina Activities
- Stories & Features
- FAQs
- Our Mission
At the very root of the park service mission and goals are the values of stewardship and service. From the very begining these two values have been the guiding principles of the South Carolina State Park Service. The park service members serve as responsible stewards of the diverse natural and cultural resources entrusted to the SC State Park Service, and they provide quality customer service to their customers.
- Message from the Director
- Park Service Profiles
The park ranger is charged with conserving, protecting and interpreting the state's natural and cultural resources, and stands ready to assist and serve the customers of the 47 South Carolina State Parks.
Each month we will interview a different ranger or other member of the SC State Park Service, who takes pride in their work, and has a unique story of why they work in our state parks.
- A - D by Last Name
- E - K by Last Name
- Assistant Park Manager Adin Fell
Growing up on a large farm with everything from livestock to produce, Adin Fell always knew he wanted a career that would allow him to enjoy the outdoors. As a South Carolina Park Ranger, he’s had just that.
- Park Ranger Raymond Felton
Since thinking about becoming a park ranger in college, Raymond Felton has followed that line of thinking and has not regretted it since as his career path has taken him from the sea to the mountains with the South Carolina State Park Service.
- Park Manager Bryn Harmer
Bryn Harmer grew up vacationing and camping in state parks, which taught her to appreciate nature and to want to spend her life protecting and managing it, as a South Carolina State Park Ranger.
- Park Ranger Bryan Hester
South Carolina State Park Ranger Bryan Hester describes his career with the South Carolina State Park Service.
- Park Manager Gerald Ives
South Carolina State Park Manager Gerald Ives describes his career with the South Carolina State Park Service.
- Archaeologist David Jones
- Park Manager Shea Joyner
South Carolina State Park Manager Shea Joyner describes his career with the South Carolina State Park Service.
- Interpretive Ranger Laura Kirk
Laura Kirk is an interpretive ranger at Lee State Park, where the Lynches River, its floodplain forest, wetlands boardwalk, sandhills and pine woods are a perfect laboratory for her to share her love and knowledge of nature with visitors of all ages.
- L - R by Last Name
- S - Z by Last Name
- Careers in State Parks
- Teams & Recognition
Our park rangers are trained in various areas and teams that relate to their jobs. Some of the special function teams that our park rangers participate in are: the bike mounted rangers, the SC State Park Service Ceremonial Corps, the arborist team, search and rescue and several others.
- Bike Mounted Rangers
One of the trendiest special function teams in the state park service are the bike mounted rangers. This team, comprised of about 25 members statewide, not only enjoy riding their bikes as they make their rounds each day on their respective parks, but they are also highly-trained and equipped with some of the most up-to-date gear for cyclists.
- Ceremonial Corps
The State Park Service Ceremonial Corps began Nov. 5, 2002. The premise of forming this team was the opportunity to honor and give back to the park service and the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, as well as to the people who dedicated their lives to SC State Parks.
The corps is comprised of four team leaders and 21 rangers throughout the park service. These members volunteer their time and participate on the team above and beyond their normal park duties. The team is trained
- ATV Training
- Law Enforcement
The effective management of state parks is an extremely complex responsibility. The number and diversity of visitors and recreational opportunities at state parks can make a park ranger’s job difficult at times. While law enforcement is not a primary role of the State Park Service, it is one of the most critical with regards to safety and public trust. The goal of law enforcement in the State Park Service is simple, yet paramount: “To protect lives and resources”. Park rangers have a responsibil
- Customer Service Awards 2011
Customer service is at the very core of what makes our South Carolina State Parks so special. Of course, it’s the resources that draw visitors to the 47 state parks, and one of those resources is our people. Read more about our four customer service employees awarded in January 2011.
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Resource Management
- Recycling at the Park
The South Carolina State Park Service is the first state park system in the country to offer recycling services for paper, plastic, aluminum and glass commodities at all its parks.
- FAQs
- Groups
South Carolina State Parks offer fantastic scenic settings with great group facilities and services. State Parks group facilities range from picnic pavilions to overnight accommodations and meeting rooms - all in casual settings with scenic views and lots of wide open spaces. Select your group type below for more detailed information on group retreats and outings.
- Meetings & Retreats
Affordable South Carolina State Park meeting facilities range from cozy meeting rooms to conference centers that are ideal for groups of 20 to 272. Scenic settings and access to a wide variety of outdoor activities including golf, fishing, water sports, and hiking make South Carolina State Parks the perfect choice for your next group gathering and team building experience.
- Reunions
- Weddings
- FAQs
- Programs & Events
- Park Deals
Stay the weekend in a cozy cabin in our beautiful Upcountry. Sink your toes in the white sands of some of the best family beaches on the East Coast. Or plan a camping trip anywhere from the mountains to the sea. With over 200 cabins and 3,000 campsites we've got a location that will work for anyone.
- Park Reservations
- SC Parks Insider
- Trip Planning Tools
- Maps & Brochures
This page provides our visitors with a park map and brochure for all 47 South Carolina State Parks.
- E-Newsletter
- Photos & Videos
Check out our extensive photo gallery, that includes pictures from all of our state parks, and our video gallery that brings them to life!
- Photo Gallery
Check out the photo gallery which includes photos of all 47 state parks across South Carolina.
- Video Gallery
Watch our SC State Park videos, from camping tips to general information about our state parks, we have videos to show you more about the beauty and fun of all 47.
- Webcams
Watch our live webcams from some of our most beautiful South Carolina state parks.
- Panoramic Views
- Vacation Guides
- Park Passport
The entire South Carolina State Park system is yours to enjoy with a Park Passport. These passports are a great way to experience all the beauty of our state. The passport entitles the owners to free and unlimited entry into all South Carolina State Parks that charge an entrance fee.
The hangtag pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase and can be transferred from one vehicle to another. Purchase your park passport online or by visiting a South Carolina state park office.
Passen
- Gift Cards
he S.C. State Park Service is now offering gift cards for rental of cabins, campsites, picnic shelters and meeting facilities at state parks across South Carolina.
The stored-value cards – similar in size to a credit card – can be bought in any denomination and can be re-loaded.
- FAQs
- Rules & Regulations
The following rules and regulations are provided to ensure that your visit is pleasant and enjoyable. These policies are maintained in consideration of our guests and to protect the resources within South Carolina’ s state parks. Please be sure that all members of your party are aware of these conditions prior to arrival.
- Contact Us
- Link to Us
- Site Map
- Site Search
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