Explore the Outdoors

By Rachel Rucker
Information and photos provided by DiscoverSouthCarolina.com

Ever marvel at the sheer beauty of South Carolina’s natural habitat, most of which has been around for centuries? South Carolina is home to 47 state parks, which are the perfect natural environment for great family recreation and adventure. State parks offer an abundance of outdoor activities, in addition to lessons in regional and local history.

Not only are state parks the perfect way to get outdoors and explore nature like you never have before, there are many activities and unique specialties that each park has that may just surprise you. One of these great parks can be the perfect backdrop for your next picnic, an awesome place for kids to become interested in history and have picturesque landscapes to reconnect with the environment around you. With today’s focus on technology and fast paced everything, take a moment to breathe and fully appreciate the importance of the little things, beginning with the remarkable beauty of Mother Nature. Whether it’s taking the kids on a camping trip, getting a little exercise on the trails or having an adventurous date night with your love one, state parks will definitely not disappoint.

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina State Parks are some of the most preserved pieces of history around today. You’ll remember that sometimes the most precious memories are made when you take a moment to let go, breathe and get back to the basics.

South Carolina State Parks’ Mission: At the very root of the park service mission and goals are the values of stewardship and service. From the very beginning 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 S.C. State Park Service, and they provide quality customer service to their customers.

Here’s a list of some activities that make SC State Parks unique on a caliber all their own: Hiking/Biking Trails
Pedal Boat Rentals
Boat Ramps
In-Water Refueling
Tackle Loaner Programs
Equine Trails
Equine Camping
Equine Stables
Burial Sites & Cemeteries
Battlefield History
Historic Homes/Gardens
Fishing Piers
Freshwater/Saltwater Fishing

 

FUN FACTS:

• Charles Towne Landing State Park in Charleston is the site of the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina!

• Black bears can be spotted at Oconee State Park in Mountain Rest and Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Sunset!

• Located in the beautiful Santee Delta, Hampton Plantation State Park in McClellanville borders Wambaw Creek, a tributary of the South Santee River that historically fed many of Hampton’s former rice fields.

• “The Wall” on Lake Jocassee in Devils Fork State Park of Salem is famous for being blown up in the movie Deliverance.

• Caesars Head State Park in Cleveland is one of the state’s most famous natural landmarks because of its panoramic view of the mountain country at 3,208 feet above sea level.

• Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster is the birthplace of the former president, which also houses revolutionary and presidential related artifacts.

• Walk down the historic Magnolia Lane at Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site of Beech Island, where 155-year-old Magnolia trees magnify a gorgeous backdrop for a historically fall day.

• Seahorses and barracuda can be found at Hunting Island State Park in Hunting Island, where a large lagoon houses many exotic sea creatures!

• Musgrove Mill State Historic Site in Clinton is home of the pivotal Revolutionary War Battle of Musgrove’s Mill.

• Sink your teeth into Givhans Ferry State Park in Ridgeville, where sinkholes have formed as a result of underground streams over time eroding away the limestone surfaces.

Festivals and Events:

Cheraw State Park (Cheraw) presents a Moonlight Canoe Float on October 11 at 6 p.m. and November 8 at 4:30 p.m. Join other floaters for a quiet trip to the head waters, accompanied by a park ranger. Paddle, relax and enjoy the scenery. Cost is $15 per person, call the park office at 843.537.9656 to register.

Enjoy traditional Blue Grass music as local musicians gather at Table Rock State Park in Pickens, on October 10 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to keep this inspirational talent alive. Visitors are invited to bring their acoustic instruments and join in or sit back and enjoy the music with gorgeous scenery. For more information, call the park office at 864.878.9813.

The Palmetto Campout at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, October 18 and October 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the chance for you and your family to have an adventure in the great outdoors, learning new skills and participating in great activities. For more information, call the park office at 843.235.8755.

Join Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia on October 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their Second Annual Howl-O-Ween. Enter your dog in the costume contest, have your photo taken with your dog and enjoy a variety of booths and vendors. For more information, call the park office at 803.788.2706.

 

South Carolina State Parks beckon everyone to “Come out and play.” There are all sorts of interesting and fun ways to make memorable moments by exploring what these parks have to offer. To dig deeper and discover all the opportunities that await at South Carolina’s great state parks log on to www.southcarolinaparks.com.