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List of South Carolina state parks facts for kids

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South Carolina
State Park Service
SC parks logo.jpg
Agency overview
Formed 1933
Headquarters 1205 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Annual budget $120 million (2008)
Agency executive
  • Paul McCormack, State Park Director
Parent agency S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Website http://www.southcarolinaparks.com

The South Carolina State Park Service looks after many special places in the State of South Carolina. These protected areas include beautiful natural spots and important historical sites. The Park Service began in 1933. It works with the state's Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT).

Today, the Park Service manages 47 different locations. These places protect almost 80,000 acres of land. This land is important because it is beautiful, sensitive, or has a rich history.

Discovering South Carolina's Parks

The South Carolina State Park Service manages different kinds of protected areas. Each type offers unique experiences for visitors.

Types of Parks and Sites

The 47 places managed by the Park Service are divided into four main types:

  • 38 State Parks: These are large natural areas for outdoor fun.
  • 8 State Historic Sites: These places protect important historical locations.
  • 1 State Resort Park: This park offers more services, like a hotel.
  • 1 State Recreational Area: This area is set up for specific recreational activities.

A Look at Park History

The idea for Cheraw State Park came up in 1934. Soon after, Myrtle Beach State Park became the first park to open in 1936. Within six years, South Carolina opened 17 state parks. Many of these early parks were built with help from the federal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program that put young men to work on conservation projects during the Great Depression.

The Park Service was first part of the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Since 1967, it has been a unit within the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

Most Popular Parks

Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort County is very popular. It attracts about 1.2 million visitors each year. This makes it one of the most visited state parks in South Carolina and even in the United States.

Exciting New Parks on the Way!

Recently, a large agreement led to a big change for South Carolina's parks. As part of this agreement, a company called Dominion Energy gave over 2,900 acres of land to the state. This land will become six brand new state parks in the future.

The first new park expected to open from this land is Pine Island. It will be located on Lake Murray. These new parks will add even more amazing places for people to explore and enjoy.


List of South Carolina State Parks

Here is a table showing many of the state parks in South Carolina. It includes where they are, how big they are, and when they were opened.

Park Name County or Counties Size Year Acquired Year Opened
acres ha
Aiken State Park Aiken 1,067 432 1934 1936
Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster 360 150 1953 1957
Baker Creek State Park McCormick 1,305 528 1967 1968
Barnwell State Park Barnwell 307 124 1937 1939
Caesars Head State Park Greenville 7,467 3,022 1976 1986
Calhoun Falls State Park Abbeville 318 129 1982
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site Charleston 184 74 1970 1970
Cheraw State Park Chesterfield 7,362 2,979 1934 1939
Chester State Park Chester 523 212 1935 1936
Colleton State Park Colleton 35 14 1938 1940
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site Dorchester 325 132 1960 1960
Croft State Park Spartanburg 7,054 2,855 1949
Devils Fork State Park Oconee 622 252 1991 1991
Dreher Island State Park Newberry 348 141 1970 1970
Edisto Beach State Park Colleton 1,255 508 1935 1937
Givhans Ferry State Park Colleton, Dorchester 988 400 1934 1937
Goodale State Park Kershaw 963 390 1973 1973
H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area Chesterfield 7,000 2,800 1994 2006
Hamilton Branch State Park McCormick 731 296 1972 1972
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site Charleston 300 120 1972
Hickory Knob State Resort Park McCormick 1,091 442 1969 1973
Hunting Island State Park Beaufort 5,000 2,000 1938 1941
Huntington Beach State Park Georgetown 2,500 1,000 1960 1962
Jones Gap State Park Greenville 3,964 1,604 1976 1985
Keowee-Toxaway State Park Pickens 1,000 400 1970 1975
Kings Mountain State Park Cherokee, York 6,885 2,786 1934 1936
Lake Greenwood State Park Greenwood 914 370 1938 1940
Lake Hartwell State Park Oconee 680 280 1976 1985
Lake Warren State Park Hampton 440 180 1980 1990
Lake Wateree State Park Fairfield 238 96 1982 1985
Landsford Canal State Park Chester, Lancaster 448 181 1970 1973
Lee State Park Lee 2,839 1,149 1935 1941
Little Pee Dee State Park Dillon 835 338 1951 1955
May Forest State Park Charleston 23 9.3 2021 2023
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site Laurens, Spartanburg, Union 380 150 1975 2003
Myrtle Beach State Park Horry 312 126 1935 1936
Oconee State Park Oconee 1,165 471 1935 1937
Oconee Station State Historic Site Oconee 210 85 1976 1994
Paris Mountain State Park Greenville 1,540 620 1935 1937
Poinsett State Park Sumter 1,010 410 1934 1936
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site Aiken 350 140 1973 1975
Rivers Bridge State Historic Site Bamberg 390 160 1945 1945
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site Union 44 18 1960 1961
Sadlers Creek State Park Anderson 395 160 1966 1968
Santee State Park Orangeburg 2,500 1,000 1942 1949
Sesquicentennial State Park Richland 1,419 574 1937 1940
Table Rock State Park Pickens 3,083 1,248 1935 1940
Woods Bay State Park Clarendon, Florence, Sumter 1,590 640 1973 1973
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