Play It Forward

We’re asking the South Carolina General Assembly to make a historic investment to ensure South Carolina State Parks continue to thrive for generations to come.

A bold investment for a changing landscape

For nearly a century, South Carolina State Parks have offered visitors unforgettable experiences in some of the state’s most treasured places, from the summit of Table Rock to the saltwater lagoons on Hunting Island. As our population grows and economic development continues, protecting our natural, cultural, and historical resources is more important now than ever. Fortunately, state leaders have been striving to balance our economic development with conservation, leading to historic growth in our state parks in recent years.

Across our park system, our list of projects and priorities – ranging from routine maintenance to new infrastructure – gets longer by the day. We have new state park properties that we are working on opening, along with needs and opportunities at our original 47. Delivering top-quality experiences at an affordable price is a difficult balancing act in today’s economy as construction and operating costs continue to rise, and we’ve reached a turning point in this changing landscape. To ensure our parks grow and thrive for generations to come, we’re asking state leaders to Play it Forward by making a historic investment in South Carolina State Parks.

 

Our plan to Play it Forward

We’re asking state leaders to support our $185 million budget request, which will address the following critical infrastructure needs.

REINVEST to sustain self-sufficient funding.

• While some states use tax dollars to fund the daily operations of their state park systems, we are proud to be one of the few states that can generate enough of our own revenue to cover our daily operating expenses. We do that primarily through the strategic management of our park admissions, accommodation rentals, and retail sales. When we reinvest in our revenue-generating spaces – like our cabins, campgrounds, and retail stores – we strengthen our ability to support staffing, maintenance, and guest services, all without increasing the burden on taxpayers.

RENEW lands for recreation.

• We are thoughtfully designing new and future park properties to highlight their unique landscapes and create meaningful spaces for visitors. From archaeological surveys to land management, master planning, trail construction, and infrastructure design, creating a new state park that protects and honors its sense of place and encourages a memorable visitor experience is a complex undertaking.  

RENOVATE to give visitors the best experience.

• While visitors come for the views, the history, the activities, and the serenity, their park experience is shaped by our infrastructure. Adventures in our parks shouldn’t include harrowing, pothole-filled roads or dark, spooky restrooms. This budget request will allow us to improve essential infrastructure – like our roads, restrooms, trails, and parking – the basics that make a good visit great.

RESTORE historic investments.

• The legacy of protecting and sharing South Carolina’s historical, cultural, and natural resources began in the 1930s with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), when our original 16 state parks were created. Dedicated and visionary community and state leaders have carried that commitment forward for decades. Our historic resources are living testaments to generations of commitment to sharing South Carolina’s unique story. Historic preservation is often labor-intensive, always specialized, and typically very costly – but it is also essential to ensuring these places continue to educate and inspire for years to come.

REFURBISH to support our staff.

• To ensure team members are available around the clock to support park operations and to protect visitors and property in emergencies, most of our staff live with their families in park housing. Providing safe, functional living spaces, workshops, offices, and service facilities is critical for efficient park operations and staff quality of life.

 

New, future, and expanding State Parks

The list below offers a high-level look at some of the largest projects shaping our current growth trajectory, and it’s evolving regularly in this ever-changing period of historic change for our park system. The best way to stay up to date on our new, future, and expanding parks is to follow us on social media. As frequently as possible, we host special events in our future parks to give visitors an early preview of these special places. 

• May Forest State Park opened to the public in October 2023. Situated on James Island next to historic Fort Johnson on Charleston Harbor, May Forest was once home to the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. Seeking to preserve its natural, historical, and cultural significance, the Sisters sold it to the state in 2021. Currently, the grounds are open to explore on weekdays. Plans include creating an event venue with overnight accommodations, but the timeline is contingent on additional funding to support construction.

 

• Pine Island State Park opened to the public in October 2025. The 27-acre park on beautiful Lake Murray in Lexington County is open for day-use on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with additional operational changes expected this spring. Immediate plans include renovating Sunset Hall, the reimagined lakefront event venue.

• Black River Water Trail & Park Network will be the only park of its kind in the State Park family. It’s a linear park that follows the Black River from Kingstree through Andrews and into Georgetown. Working with numerous partners and communities, the park consists of multiple tracts along the river corridor. Plans for the site include riverside camping, trails, picnic shelters, tree houses, overnight accommodations, and a visitor center. The first State Park parcel will welcome visitors this spring. You can explore various partner properties along the network here.

 

• Ramsey Grove State Park is approximately 2,600 acres in Georgetown County on the Black River that was historically managed as a hunting retreat. Home to an expansive roosting site for local waterfowl and a picturesque grove of giant oak trees, the property includes an array of diverse forest habitats, including bottomland hardwood, cypress-tupelo, creek hardwood, upland hardwood, pine-hardwood, natural pine, and planted pine. Future plans include renovating a lodging facility to use as an event space and overnight accommodations, and developing a trail system. This park is not yet open to the public. 

 

• Misty Lake State Park in Aiken County was previously a private park. Along with traditional day-use activities like fishing, picnicking, and playground use, we plan to renovate the community building for event rentals. The long-term plan for Misty Lake includes developing a campground. This park is not yet open to the public. 

 

• Great Falls State Park in Chester County has also been referred to by its historic name, Dearborn Island. We are in the early phases of planning for this park, and Duke Energy is building a bridge to access the island. The future State Park will offer hiking trails and historic interpretation, along with access to river recreation. This park is not yet open to the public. While we do not manage river access, the nearby Nitrolee Access Area offers two whitewater runs.

 

• Kings Bottom State Park in Lancaster County is the result of a collaborative effort to purchase approximately 600 acres on the Catawba River in a rapidly developing region. It consists of one mile of riverfront in the heart of the Catawba Nation’s ancestral lands. The future park will provide publicly accessible recreation opportunities and historic interpretation. This park is not yet open to the public. 

 

• Expansions in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area to increase access opportunities in Jones Gap State Park. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a state park near me?

Did you know there is a state park in nearly every county? Find the park closest to you using our Park Finder.

How are South Carolina State Parks funded today? 

You may hear us talking about “self-sufficient funding.” We are proud to run parks like a business, serving as responsible stewards to both our natural and financial resources. It is a point of pride in South Carolina State Parks that the revenue we generate through admissions, retail, reservations, and the like, supports nearly 100% of our overall daily operating costs. That means that by and large, our operations are fully maintained without adding burden to South Carolina taxpayers. Play it Forward is the largest budget request in our agency’s history, and it will meet a variety of needs to ensure our viability today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

I love my state parks. How can I help?

We always say the best way to support state parks is to answer our tagline and “come out and play!” Visiting state parks, sharing why they matter to you, and inviting your friends and family to do the same is the best way to show your love. Whether in-person or on social media, sharing your personal testimony about how South Carolina State Parks positively impact your quality of life helps keep this important conversation going. Use #PlayItForwardSC and your content could be featured on this page! 

Play it Forward: State Parks Visitor Feedback Survey

For nearly a century, South Carolina State Parks have offered visitors unforgettable experiences in some of the state’s most treasured places. To ensure our parks grow and thrive for generations to come, we’re asking state leaders to Play it Forward by making a historic investment in South Carolina State Parks.

Share your feedback on how you use our parks today, and what you'd like to see in the future.

 
*According to SCPRT and SMARInsights survey data, August 2025.

 

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Use #SCStateParks and #PlayItForwardSC and your content could be featured here! 

You can also upload your photos for us to use across South Carolina State Parks' Marketing by using the Public Uploader and agreeing to the Terms & Conditions.