South Carolina is blessed with a geography few states can claim, and fellow Columbians know it’s not too difficult to travel from our centrally located city to the coastal, midlands, or mountain regions of the state. Consider planning a trip so that the gems of the state’s natural and cultural histories — the 47 facilities of the South Carolina State Park system – are not overlooked.
Comprising more than 80,000 acres, 30 state parks, 15 historical sites, one state resort, and one state recreational area, the park system provides travelers with various experiences, such as dipping your toes in the surf, feeling breathless from reaching the pinnacle of mountain overlooks, or being enthralled by important historical sites. South Carolina’s state parks allow visitors to explore such rich diversity. History buffs can investigate tabby structures and plantation homes, as well as hike Native American forged trails.
The South Carolina State Park Service evolved from the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was founded in 1933 as a New Deal program to put Americans back to work during the Great Depression. Numerous state parks in South Carolina started as CCC projects in an effort to develop trails, campgrounds, and structures designed to provide South Carolinians outdoor opportunities.
For those who enjoy fishing, exploring nature, camping, history, golfing, photography, and more, a South Carolina State Park will revive spirits and result in memories. More information on state parks can be found at SouthCarolinaParks.com. Plan your travels after reviewing websites to learn all that the state park system has to offer. Purchase an annual Park Passport to visit all state parks and save on admission fees. Plus, the relatively new Ultimate Outsider initiative encourages South Carolinians to order or pick up a stamp book and begin collecting a stamp each time they visit a South Carolina park; a completed book earns the stamp collector a free Ultimate Outsider T-shirt.
